Gemstone Buying Guide
Choosing a gemstone is about finding the right balance of colour, character, quality and personal style. Whether you’re selecting a centre stone for an engagement ring or choosing a gemstone for bespoke jewellery, understanding the key factors can help you make a confident decision. Every natural gemstone has its own colour, character and characteristics, so understanding what to look for can help you make a more informed choice.
Our gemstone guide can help you compare different gemstones and find an option that suits your style, design and budget. From classic sapphires, rubies and emeralds to distinctive coloured gemstones, explore the key factors to consider before choosing your stone.
What Should You Consider When Buying a Gemstone?
There is no single factor that determines whether a gemstone is right for you. Colour, clarity, cut, size, shape, durability and overall appearance all play a part, and their importance can vary depending on the type of gemstone.
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Colour
Colour is often the first thing you notice when looking at a gemstone. Depending on the stone, you may find a range of colours, tones and levels of saturation. Sapphires, for example, can be blue, pink, yellow or teal, while tourmalines can be found in an even wider variety of colours.
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Clarity
Clarity refers to the internal characteristics and inclusions within a gemstone. Inclusions can be a natural and expected part of many coloured gemstones. The importance of clarity also varies between gemstone types. Emeralds, for example, commonly contain natural inclusions that contribute to their individual character.
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Cut and Shape
The cut affects how a gemstone interacts with light and can influence its overall appearance. Shape refers to the outline of the stone, with popular options including oval, round, cushion, pear and emerald cuts. When choosing a shape, consider how it will work with your intended setting and the overall style of your jewellery.
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Size and Carat Weight
Gemstone size is usually measured by carat weight, but two gemstones with the same carat weight can appear different in size depending on their density, proportions and shape. Consider how prominent you want the stone to look within your finished piece.
Which Gemstone Should I Choose?
The right gemstone depends on your preferred colour, personal style, jewellery design and how you intend to wear the piece. Sapphires are available in a wide range of colours and are a popular choice for engagement rings, while rubies are recognised for their rich red colour and distinctive character. Emeralds are known for their beautiful green colour and natural inclusions, while aquamarines offer soft blue to blue-green tones.
If you are looking for something more individual, tourmaline comes in a wide variety of colours, including pink, green and teal, while tanzanite, garnet, alexandrite and spinel offer further options to explore. Discover our gemstone types to learn more about the different gemstone varieties and their characteristics.
Are Gemstones Suitable for Engagement Rings?
Yes, many gemstones are suitable for engagement rings, offering a distinctive alternative to traditional diamond designs. Sapphires and rubies are popular choices due to their durability and range of colours, while emeralds, aquamarines and other coloured gemstones offer their own unique character. When choosing a gemstone for an engagement ring, it is important to consider its hardness, durability, everyday wear and the type of setting.
At Regal, our jewellery experts can help you compare different gemstones and choose a stone that suits your style, preferences and lifestyle, whether you are looking for a classic design or a bespoke ring.
Popular Gemstones for Your Engagement Ring
Sapphires, rubies and emeralds are among the most popular coloured gemstones for engagement rings, each offering distinctive colours, natural character and individual appeal. Explore these popular gemstones to find the right choice for your engagement ring.
Sapphires
Sapphires are a popular choice for engagement rings, known for their durability and wide range of colours. While blue is the most recognised shade, sapphires are also found in pink, yellow, green and other colours, offering plenty of choice for a personal design. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphires are well suited to everyday wear when set and cared for appropriately.
Rubies
Recognised for their rich red colour, rubies bring warmth and character to an engagement ring. Ruby is a variety of corundum, the same mineral as sapphire, and has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable option for a ring worn every day. From vivid red tones to deeper shades, rubies can create a striking centrepiece in both classic and contemporary settings.
Emeralds
Emeralds are admired for their distinctive green colour, ranging from bright, vivid shades to deeper tones. They have a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, but often contain natural inclusions and may require more care than sapphires or rubies. With a thoughtful choice of stone and protective setting, an emerald can make a beautiful and individual engagement ring.
Natural or Treated Gemstones: What’s the Difference?
Natural gemstones form in the earth over millions of years, each with its own colour, clarity and natural characteristics. Some gemstones undergo treatments, such as heat treatment or oiling, to enhance their colour or clarity. These treatments are common in the gemstone industry, but it is important to understand whether a stone has been treated before making a purchase, as this can affect its value, care requirements and long-term appearance.
Our gemstone experts can guide you through the characteristics of different gemstones and help you choose a stone that suits your preferences and design.
View Gemstones in Person
Visit our Hatton Garden showroom to explore a selection of loose gemstones, compare different options and get expert guidance based on your preferences and design. Our team is here to help you find the right stone for your bespoke jewellery.