Gemstone Guide

Choosing a gemstone is thrilling – but also daunting. Our gem guide, compiled by our in-house certified gemmologists, is here to help. Here’s everything you need to know to select the perfect centre stone.

The Big Three

Name a stone that isn’t diamond. Odds are, the stone you thought of is one of the ‘Big Three’ – the most precious stones in the world. Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald are the most sought-after coloured stones, prized for their rarity, beauty and historical significance. Treasured throughout the centuries, they’re the only coloured stones considered ‘precious’ – and some can be more expensive per carat than diamond.

SAPPHIRE

EMERALD

RUBY

The Semi -Precious

Considered a misnomer by gemmologists (after all, every stone is precious to us), this category is still useful to consider when you’re shopping for jewellery. It’s a catchall term that groups together every stone that isn’t one of the big three – and consequently, likely to demand less per carat than ‘precious’ counterparts. The stones in this group are still beautiful and valuable in their own right. And one could even be the perfect stone for you.

GARNET

SPINEL

TOURMALINE

Sapphires

With its stunningly broad range of colours, bright vitreous lustre and almost-unmatched durability, there truly is a sapphire for everyone. This stone runs the spectrum from hot pink to deep indigo, through yellows, oranges, greens and its most famous shade: blue. Sapphire is notable for its colour zoning, which allows different colours to meet and mingle in a single stone – so even when you think you have a sapphire pinned, new light can unveil a whole new aspect to these stunning stones.

Sapphire The Raibow Gemstone

Sapphires exists in all colours of the colour spectrum from deep blue to bright pink, there's a sapphire for everyone.

Blue

From cornflower to near-black

Green

Including teal and olive green

Yellow

Ranging from near-colourless to vivid orange

Pink

Baby shades through electric shades

OUR BESPOKE SAPPHIRE RINGS

Emerald

There’s nothing quite like the green of an emerald – be it the soft blue-green tones of a Zambian stone or the verdant, almost luminous green of Colombia’s most famous export. Gemologists love and hate the emerald in equal measure. A brittle stone susceptible to fracture and chipping, it’s poorly suited for use in rings and bracelets – and yet its beauty is irresistible. In cocktail rings, pendants and earrings, the emerald is utterly undeniable.

OUR BESPOKE EMERALD RINGS

Ruby

More expensive than a diamond per carat and absolutely arresting in its vivid beauty, the ruby is one of the most prized materials on earth – and it has a secret. This red stone is the sister stone of sapphire, and shares its high lustre, excellent durability and perfect suitability for daily wear. Treasured by kings and warriors alike, its allure is almost magical.

From deep, vibrant red to bright pink

From deep vibrant red to bright pink

OUR BESPOKE RUBY RINGS

Garnet

Once cast aside as the ‘less valuable red stone’, garnet has roared back into fashion in recent years. Buoyed by new discoveries like the tsavorite garnet – a vivid green – and the tanga garnet – a colour change stone that shifts from pink to almost burgundy red – a broader interest in coloured gemstones has also brought orange spessartite and hessonite to the forefront of the gem trade. With better durability than emerald and excellent value per carat, garnet is an excellent stone for daily wear.

A Colourful Family

With their rich history and kaleidoscopic range of beautiful colours, garnets - the birthstone of January - have captivated gem lovers for centuries. Renowned for their exceptional brilliance and durability, garnets have adorned the crowns of kings and queens, becoming a symbol of passion, energy and vitality. Extremely popular in the Victorian era, Sophie seeks out the most vibrant garnets to use in her designs, particularly orange and green garnets in a wide spectrum of shades.

OUR BESPOKE GARNET RINGS

Spinel

Known as ‘the great imitator’, it’s only relatively recently that spinel has come into its own as a gemstone – because for much of history, it was mistaken for sapphire and ruby. But unlike its more famous cousins, spinel can offer exceptional value per carat, and often displays clear, vivid colours. With a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, it’s more than suitable for everyday wear.

From vibrant reds through to rich, dark purples and blues, spinel is a versatile stone with a bright lustre.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPINELS

Spinel, A Hidden Treasure for August Birthdays  

Of all the birthstones, spinel might just be the best-kept secret. Long overshadowed by its more famous counterparts—rubies and sapphires—this extraordinary gem is finally stepping into its own light. And what a light it is. From dusky violet to slate blue and smoky plum, spinels are full of nuance, character and mystery. For those born in August, or anyone drawn to soulful stones, spinel is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

OUR BESPOKE SPINEL RINGS

Tourmaline

Lovers of colour are often drawn to tourmaline, because this stone combines variety, vibrancy and value. While some stones – in particular the electric blue paraiba tourmaline – can break the bank, most shades of this stone are more affordable than sapphires in similar colours. And the playful bi-colour tourmaline – like the pink and green watermelon tourmaline – has long been the cool girl’s go-to gemstone.