If you’re new to the world of gemstones, the terms ‘semi-precious’ and ‘precious’ get thrown around a lot, much to the confusion of the layperson. What exactly makes one gem precious and the other, not? Why is a fine, fiery pure-red Spinel considered semi-precious while a dull, cloudy Ruby considered precious? We don’t blame you… Continue reading What makes a stone ‘precious’ or ‘semi-precious’?
Category: All Things Gemstones
All You Need to Know About Heat Treatment of Gemstones
Heated gemstones are those that have undergone heat treatment to enhance their colour, clarity, and even durability. This is a common practice in the gemstone industry, used on the vast majority of gemstones including Ruby, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Topaz, Morganite, and more. In fact, over 90% of these gemstones available in the market have undergone… Continue reading All You Need to Know About Heat Treatment of Gemstones
Are Burmese Rubies better? Now you know. The world’s most expensive gemstone is a Mozambique Ruby.
The Estrela de Fura, a 55.22-carat ruby from Mozambique, has set a new world record for the most expensive gemstone ever auctioned. The stone sold for $34.8 million at Sotheby’s in New York on June 8, 2023. That’s a whopping USD630,288 per carat. The previous record was held by a 25.59-carat Burmese Ruby, which sold… Continue reading Are Burmese Rubies better? Now you know. The world’s most expensive gemstone is a Mozambique Ruby.
What’s the difference between pink Sapphire and Padparadscha?
There’s always been huge demand for the ever rare Padparadscha, which has led to that term being thrown around loosely by less ethical sellers. Let’s start with the origins of the name ‘Padparadscha’. It’s derived from the Sinhalese word padma radschen (pad-ma rad-shen), meaning lotus blossom, which has petals of a similar blush hue.… Continue reading What’s the difference between pink Sapphire and Padparadscha?
3 Reasons why Spinel is ‘The Jeweller’s Gemstone’
It’s time for us to let you in on a little secret… Out of all the coloured gemstones out there, if we had to bet money on a type of gemstone that every jeweller has in their personal safe, it would be Spinel. Why Spinel? They are truly the jewellery industry’s best kept secret… Continue reading 3 Reasons why Spinel is ‘The Jeweller’s Gemstone’
Does the cut of a coloured gem matter as much as for Diamonds?
Simple answer — not at all! The number one most important part of a coloured gem is its COLOUR. The velvety blue of a fine Sapphire, or the rich foresty green of an Emerald can make any minor problems like asymmetrical facets or slight inclusions insignificant. Unlike diamonds, whereby cut plays a huge part in… Continue reading Does the cut of a coloured gem matter as much as for Diamonds?