Types of Gemstones
Gemstones come in a wide variety of colours, shapes and characteristics, making them a versatile choice for bespoke jewellery and engagement rings. From classic blue sapphires and rich red rubies to vibrant emeralds, soft aquamarines and unusual teal and pink gemstones, each type has its own appearance and qualities.
Whether you already have a gemstone in mind or are exploring your options, understanding the differences between gemstone types can help you choose a stone that suits your jewellery design, personal style and how you plan to wear it.
Popular Types of Gemstones
Gemstones are available in a beautiful range of colours, each with its own appearance, characteristics and appeal. From durable stones suited to everyday jewellery to distinctive varieties chosen for their unusual colour or natural features, understanding what makes each gemstone different can help you find the right one for your design.
Sapphire
Sapphires are best known for their rich blue colour, but they are also found in shades of pink, yellow, green, teal and purple. This variety makes them a versatile choice, whether you prefer a traditional look or something more individual. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphires are among the most durable coloured gemstones, making them well suited to engagement rings and everyday jewellery. Their range of colours and timeless appeal make sapphire a popular choice for many jewellery designs.
Best for: Engagement rings & everyday jewellery
Colours: Blue, pink, yellow, white
Hardness: 9 / 10 Mohs
Ruby
Rubies are admired for their distinctive red colour, which can range from bright, vivid red to deeper, rich tones. They belong to the same mineral family as sapphires and have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making them a durable option for jewellery worn regularly. The colour, clarity and overall appearance of each ruby can vary, giving every stone its own character. Whether set in a simple design or a more detailed setting, a ruby makes a striking choice for an engagement ring or a meaningful piece of bespoke jewellery.
Best for: Engagement rings & statement jewellery
Colours: Red, pinkish-red
Hardness: 9 / 10 Mohs
Emerald
Emeralds are recognised for their beautiful green colour, ranging from fresh, lighter shades to deep, rich tones. They often contain natural inclusions, sometimes called a jardin, which contribute to the individual character of each stone. With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, emeralds are suitable for fine jewellery but generally need more careful handling than sapphires and rubies. Their distinctive colour and natural character make them a popular choice for those looking for an elegant alternative to traditional diamond jewellery.
Best for: Distinctive engagement rings & statement jewellery
Colours: Light to deep green
Hardness: 7.5–8 / 10 Mohs
Spinel
Spinel is a naturally occurring gemstone available in a variety of colours, including red, pink, purple, blue and grey. It is valued for its colour and brilliance, and some varieties can resemble other well-known gemstones. With a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, spinel offers good durability for many jewellery designs, including rings. Its range of shades makes it a distinctive choice for those who want something less traditional, while its natural sparkle can bring colour and character to both classic and contemporary settings.
Best for: Colourful alternatives to ruby & sapphire
Colours: Red, pink, blue, purple, black
Hardness: 8 / 10 Mohs
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is known for its exceptional variety of colours, including pink, green, blue, teal and yellow. Some stones even display multiple colours, creating distinctive patterns within a single gemstone. With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, tourmaline is suitable for many jewellery designs, although rings worn every day may benefit from a protective setting and careful handling. Its wide choice of colours makes it particularly appealing for bespoke jewellery, allowing you to select a stone that reflects your personal style.
Best for: Colourful bespoke jewellery
Colours: Green, pink, red, blue, yellow, multicolour
Hardness: 7–7.5 / 10 Mohs
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is admired for its soft blue to blue-green colour, often reminiscent of clear seawater. It belongs to the beryl family, alongside emerald, and typically has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Its clear appearance and gentle colour make it a popular choice for jewellery with a fresh, understated look. Aquamarine can be used in rings, pendants and earrings, and offers an attractive alternative for those who prefer a lighter blue gemstone in a bespoke design.
Best for: Engagement rings & everyday jewellery
Colours: Pale blue to blue-green
Hardness: 7.5–8 / 10 Mohs
Alexandrite
Alexandrite is a distinctive gemstone known for its remarkable colour-changing effect. It can appear green or bluish-green in daylight and shift towards red, purplish-red or violet under warmer lighting. This change in appearance makes alexandrite particularly individual and fascinating to view. With a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale, it is also a durable option for fine jewellery. Its unusual colour characteristics and relative rarity make it an appealing choice for bespoke designs and anyone looking for a gemstone that stands apart.
Best for: Unique and collectible jewellery
Colours: Green to red or purplish-red
Hardness: 8.5 / 10 Mohs
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is known for its beautiful blue to violet-blue shades and is found in a relatively small area of Tanzania. Depending on the stone and the angle from which it is viewed, it can display different blue and violet tones. Tanzanite has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, so it requires more care than harder gemstones, particularly when used in rings for regular wear. Its distinctive colour makes it a striking option for jewellery and bespoke designs.
Best for: Statement jewellery & special occasions
Colours: Blue, violet, blue-purple
Hardness: 6–7 / 10 Mohs
Garnet
Garnet is a group of gemstones found in a variety of colours, although deep red is one of its best-known shades. Depending on the variety, garnets can also appear in green, orange, pink and purple. Their hardness generally ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making many varieties suitable for jewellery with appropriate care. From rich red tones to less familiar green and orange shades, garnet offers plenty of choice for those looking to add colour and individuality to a jewellery design.
Best for: Everyday jewellery & colourful alternatives
Colours: Red, orange, green, pink, purple
Hardness: 6.5–7.5 / 10 Mohs
Which Gemstone Is Right for You?
The right gemstone depends on the colour, style and character you want for your jewellery, as well as how you intend to wear it. Sapphires and rubies offer high durability for everyday wear, while emeralds, aquamarines, tourmalines and other gemstones provide different colours and individual characteristics to explore.
A gemstone can become the starting point for a completely personalised piece of jewellery. Once you have chosen your stone, you can consider its shape, setting, precious metal and overall design to create a piece that reflects your style. Whether you are looking for gemstone engagement rings or planning another bespoke jewellery design, our team can guide you through the process from choosing your gemstone to creating the finished piece.
Need Help Finding Your Gemstone?
Explore our selection of gemstones and discuss your options with our experts. We can help you understand the characteristics of each gemstone and find one that suits your design.