A world of color
Unlike diamonds, where value is often linked to the absence of color, it is precisely the color that constitutes the core of a gemstone's beauty and value. Intensity, saturation, and hue are the most important quality factors, and color alone can represent up to half of a stone's total value. In addition, factors such as carat, cut quality, clarity, and origin are evaluated.
Rarity plays a decisive role in the market for colored gemstones. Stones that combine exceptional color with limited natural occurrence can command remarkable prices on the international market. Especially if they can also be traced back to specific countries of origin.
At the same time, the experience of a gemstone's beauty is deeply personal. The choice of a gemstone is not just about objective quality criteria, but also about individual preferences, aesthetics, and emotional values.
Corundum - Ruby and Sapphire
Ruby and sapphire belong to the mineral group corundum, which is among nature's hardest materials. Corundum is surpassed only by diamond when measured on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Ruby gets its characteristic red color from the trace element chromium and is considered one of the world's most valuable colored gemstones. Ruby is often called the "king of gemstones". The most sought-after rubies have an intense and saturated red color, often referred to as "pigeon blood red," and are traditionally associated with deposits in Myanmar. Exceptional rubies achieve some of the highest prices per carat among colored gemstones.
Sapphire gets its blue color from the presence of iron and titanium. Although blue sapphire is the best-known variety, corundum occurs in a variety of other colors, including green, yellow, pink, orange, and violet. These are often referred to as colored or "fancy" sapphires. A pink sapphire is therefore a good alternative for those who want a pink diamond, as you get a larger stone at a much more reasonable price.
Among the rarest varieties, we find the padparadscha sapphire, known for its unique combination of pink and orange tones. This exclusive sapphire is particularly associated with Sri Lanka and is a sought-after stone among collectors.
Quartz – Amethyst, Citrine and More
Topaz is a versatile gemstone that occurs in a wide range of colors. The rarest and most valuable varieties have natural red or orange-red hues, while colorless topaz is far more common. Blue topaz is a popular gemstone, but the color is usually achieved through treatment of colorless material.
Quartz is one of the most common mineral groups on Earth and occurs in a wide range of colors and varieties. Among the best-known gemstone varieties are amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, smoky quartz, and rock crystal.
With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, quartz is both durable and well-suited for jewelry. Quartz is found all over the world and is valued for its clarity and colors.
Amethyst is characterized by its elegant violet to purple tones and has historically been associated with royal and religious symbols. Despite its exclusive appearance, amethyst is generally more accessible than many other gemstones.
Citrine is the yellow to orange variety of quartz and is valued for its warm glow and good clarity. Both amethyst and citrine are usually transparent and contain few visible inclusions. The most widespread form of quartz, however, is the colorless rock crystal.
Beryl – Emerald, Aquamarine and Morganite
Emerald, aquamarine and morganite belong to the beryl family and are considered among the most recognized gemstones in international jewelry design. Emerald is prized for its characteristic green color, while lighter green varieties are usually classified as green beryl. These lighter colors therefore have a completely different value than those designated as emeralds.
Unlike many other gemstones, emeralds often contain natural inclusions. These are traditionally referred to as the stone's jardin – the French word for "garden" – and are considered a natural part of the emerald's identity and character.
Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin aqua marina, which means "sea water," and is characterized by its blue to blue-green shades. The stone often occurs in large crystals, which makes it possible to produce impressive gemstones with high clarity that are perceived as free of inclusions to the naked eye.
Morganite is the pink variety within the beryl family. Morganite has a pink to peach-colored hue, which makes it an elegant and delicate stone. Traces of manganese are what give this stone its lovely color. There are also other stones in the beryl family, such as heliodor, which is the golden variety, or goshenite, which is the colorless variety.
