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An Introduction to Colour, Clarity, Cut & Character

Gemstones are more than just beautiful—they each have their own story, symbolism, and character. Whether you're drawn to intense colour, magical optical effects, or unique inclusions, understanding the differences between popular gemstones will help you choose the one that truly speaks to you.

Colour — The Heart of Every Gem

Colour is often the first thing that captures your attention, and many buyers select stones based purely on the shade they love. Here's how different gemstones express themselves in colour:

Lab Sapphire
Available in a variety of colours including classic royal blue, peach, pink, green, and white. Lab-grown sapphires have the same chemical structure as natural ones, offering vivid saturation and excellent clarity with better value.

Teal Sapphire
A mesmerising mix of blue and green tones. Teal sapphires are often bi-coloured, shifting subtly in different lighting, and evoke oceanic depth. Natural teal sapphires are especially rare and popular in alternative engagement rings.

Lab Ruby
A striking, rich red gemstone that symbolises passion and vitality. Like lab sapphires, lab-grown rubies are optically identical to mined rubies, but with fewer inclusions and a more ethical origin.

Lab Emerald
Lab emeralds replicate the deep green hues of natural emeralds, often without the heavy inclusions typically found in mined stones. They're a stunning option for lovers of rich, leafy greens and timeless elegance.

Lab Alexandrite
The ultimate chameleon. Lab-grown alexandrites exhibit a fascinating colour shift—from greenish-blue in daylight to purplish-red under incandescent light. A romantic, rare choice for those drawn to magical, dramatic colour play.

Moss Agate
Less about vivid colour and more about texture and story. Moss agate is a translucent stone with natural, organic inclusions resembling moss or smoke. Each one is unique, perfect for nature lovers or those seeking one-of-a-kind pieces.

Black Rutilated Quartz
A striking quartz crystal with dark needle-like inclusions (rutile) inside, giving it a bold, edgy appearance. Each stone is unique, often described as mystical or protective.

Black Onyx
Deep, solid black and highly polished, black onyx is a classic stone associated with strength and grounding. It offers a sleek and timeless aesthetic, popular in both men's and women's jewellery.

Sunstone
Radiating warm orange and peach tones, sunstone dazzles with tiny reflective inclusions that create a sparkling shimmer. This stone captures sunshine in every facet and is often linked to vitality and joy.

Moonstone
Known for its ethereal adularescence—a soft, glowing light that seems to move across its surface—moonstone comes in shades of milky white, peach, and grey. It’s prized for its dreamy, romantic vibe and is often associated with intuition and femininity.

✨ Clarity — Nature’s Fingerprint

Clarity refers to the presence of inclusions or internal characteristics within the stone.

Lab-created stones (sapphires, emeralds, alexandrite) tend to have fewer or no visible inclusions, as they grow under controlled conditions.

Natural stones, like moss agate, black rutilated quartz, or teal sapphires, often contain inclusions that add to their uniqueness and charm. These do not necessarily reduce value and, in many cases (such as in moss agate), they are the very reason for the stone’s appeal.

�� Note: Unlike diamonds, most coloured gemstones are not graded strictly by clarity but by overall beauty.

Cut — Light, Shape & Sparkle

A gemstone's cut isn't just about its shape—it refers to how well it's faceted to maximise brilliance and colour.

Brilliant and step cuts (e.g. oval, round, emerald) enhance sparkle and depth.

Fancy shapes like kite, hexagon, or pear are popular in non-traditional rings.

For colour-shifting stones (like lab alexandrite), the angle of the cut dramatically affects how light plays across the surface.

Size — Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Gemstone size is measured in millimetres across its face, not carat weight like diamonds.

A well-cut 6x8mm lab sapphire, for example, can appear larger than a 1ct natural sapphire with a deep cut.

For ring designs, balance between finger size, stone size, and band thickness ensures wearability.

Hardness & Durability — Can I Wear This Every Day?

The Mohs scale ranks a gem’s resistance to scratching. Here’s a quick reference for common stones:

��️ Softer stones can still be worn daily with protective settings like bezels or low-profile prongs.

Choosing the Right Stone

There’s no single “best” gemstone—only the best one for you. Whether you love the clarity of a moissanite, the earthy textures of moss agate, or the colour-changing magic of alexandrite, the perfect gem tells your story, not someone else's.

If you're unsure, we're happy to help you compare different stones, view available inventory, or share videos under different lighting so you can see how they shine in real life.