Gemstone Types

There are many different types of gemstones available. Some of the most popular are diamond, emerald, opal, ruby, sapphire, aquamarine, tanzanite, cymophane (cat's eye), turquoise and alexandrite.

Amber, pearl and mother of pearl can also be considered gemstones, as they are often set into items of jewellery. We can also source more unusual and rarely seen gemstones and gem jewellery, including kunzite, iolite, tsavorite, sardonyx, lapis lazuli, olivine, fluorite and moonstone.

Not all gemstones carry a big price tag. Highly attractive and affordable pieces can include topaz, peridot, garnet, citrine as well as quartz varieties such as amethyst, agate, tiger's eye, smoky quartz and onyx. The closest artificially produced gemstone to diamond is the cubic zirconia (CZ).

Many of the main gemstone types are illustrated below.

Further information on diamonds can be found here.

The desirability and value of gemstones are determined not only by its type but also its shape, size and quality. This grading is referred to in the jewellery trade as the four 'C's: Cut, carat, colour and clarity.

> Cut > Carat > Colour > Clarity