We have always been drawn to top-quality gemstones, rare creations of nature that are timeless and as one would expect, the best gemstones end up in the best jewellery. In this short article, we list the most popular precious stones that make up hi-end jewellery.
- Diamonds – Without doubt the most popular of all gemstones, diamonds have been a girl’s best friend since the 1940s; most engagement and wedding rings sport diamonds, while these stones are sought-after by the wealthy. View top designer jewellery from Louis Vuitton, with stunning designs and high-quality diamonds; unique pieces that appreciate in value over the years. All diamonds should come with a grading certificate, which accompanies the stone when it is sold. Coloured diamonds have become very popular with younger generations, especially pink and champagne stones that were mainly found in the famous Argyle Mine in WA.
- Sapphires – There is nothing quite like the glow of a deep blue sapphire and for many women, this is the gemstone of choice. A type of corundum, aside from the deep blue, sapphires can be green, yellow, purple or orange; flawless stones are very much sought after and gemstone certification is standard with a high-quality sapphire. If you are in love with sapphires, you can commission a leading Australian custom jeweller to create a one-off piece based on your concept.
- Rubies – The best rubies come from Myanmar in Southeast Asia, a sister of the sapphire from the corundum family, blood red rubies are rare and consequently have high value. Like diamonds, rubies are assessed using the 4C method (cut, colour, clarity and carat) and certification should accompany any ruby that is sold. Rubies are romantic and many women have a ruby engagement ring on their finger. Click here for how to choose the right jewellery.
- Emeralds – Green is the most popular colour for emeralds; from the beryl family, the green comes from trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. Clarity and colour are the 2 most important Cs when assessing an emerald and to find an emerald with no inclusions is extremely rare. A member of the beryl family, the emerald is the final member of the big 4, diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald.
- Amethyst – A purple variety of quartz, amethyst is a semi-precious stone that is believed to have amazing properties. Colour can range from pale lilac to deep violet and stones are graded using the 4C system; hues of red and green are frequently found and this stone is said to stop the wearer from becoming intoxicated when drinking alcohol, which is obviously an old wives’ tale.
- Jade – A silicate mineral, jade is typically a green colour, although it could be white, yellow, orange or even black. Jade was popular in the 1970s and it is said to possess magical properties and can protect the wearer from evil spirits.
The above gemstones are the most popular and if you are looking for designer pieces, start with a Google search to find brand-name jewellery suppliers.
