When it comes to selecting a gemstone, nothing compares to the thrill of discovering a stone that speaks to your soul, be it an engaging emerald, a tranquil tourmaline, or a captivating sapphire. The world of coloured gemstones offers an astonishing array of hues, textures and stories waiting to be told through jewellery. Whether you're seeking a symbolic piece, an everyday sparkle or a rare collector’s treasure, understanding what makes each stone unique is the first step towards a truly meaningful purchase.
A Spectrum of Hues to Cherish
From the lush greens of emeralds to the deep reds of rubies and the vivid blues of sapphires, every gemstone possesses its own personality. Pink gemstones whisper romance, blue sapphires evoke tranquil skies, and tsavorite garnets ignite a fiery passion. Each hue holds symbolism and allure, making the journey of choosing a gemstone as rich and diverse as the stones themselves.
And for those seeking truly inspiring jewellery, Harlin Jones creates pieces that celebrate these vibrant stones in ways that honour their natural beauty and character. Whether it’s a daring modern design or a timeless classic, Harlin’s craftsmanship elevates every gemstone, creating jewellery that is as unique as the person who wears it.
What is a Hue? A hue is the pure colour of a gemstone without considering its brightness or saturation. It refers to the basic chromatic colour and in gemmology, hue is one of the key elements used to describe and evaluate a gemstone’s overall colour, and it helps determine its rarity, value, and visual appeal.
Durability Matters When Choosing a Gemstone for Your Jewellery
One of the key considerations when buying a gemstone is its durability. A gorgeous stone that can’t withstand daily wear may not be the best choice for an engagement ring or everyday jewellery. Most gemstones are rated based on hardness, with diamonds leading, followed by sapphires, rubies, garnets and topaz. But durability isn’t just about hardness, think about the stone’s toughness and overall stability in different settings.
At Harlin Jones, we meticulously select gemstones with durability in mind, ensuring our jewellery not only dazzles but endures. Our commitment to craftsmanship means your pieces are designed to last a lifetime, becoming heirlooms in the making.
The Science Behind the Sparkle
The unique colours of gemstones arise from their elemental composition:
- Emeralds owe their lush green to chromium and vanadium.
- Sapphires display a spectrum from blues to pinks, thanks to trace elements like titanium, iron, chromium, and magnesium.
- Rubies absolute their fiery reds through chromium.
- Tourmaline is celebrated for its vast colour range, which results from varying combinations of elements like magnesium, aluminium, and trace impurities affecting crystal structure and light interaction.
Today, ethical sourcing and sustainable practices are fundamental. At Harlin Jones, we exclusively work with responsibly mined gemstones, ensuring your custom jewellery aligns with your values and supports ethical and sustainable mining.
What to Consider When Choosing a Coloured Gemstone for Your Jewellery
- Colour: The most important factor; it defines a stone’s character. Pay attention to hue, tone, and saturation. Select a gemstone that truly resonates with your personal style and the symbolism you wish to convey.
- Cut: A well-cut gemstone maximizes its natural beauty, enhancing colour and brilliance. The shape and faceting style influence how much sparkle your necklace, earrings, or engagement ring will emit.
- Clarity: Many natural stones feature inclusions, but higher clarity stones are more transparent and durable. Some inclusions can add character but overall transparency and integrity are key.
- Origin & Provenance: Stones from renowned regions—such as Colombian emeralds (like Muzo), Burmese rubies, and Sri Lankan sapphires—carry legacy and assurance of authenticity. Harlin Jones ensures responsible sourcing, guaranteeing the provenance of every gemstone in our custom jewellery collections.
Harlin Jones prides itself on sourcing responsibly and selecting only the finest stones with verified origins. Our jewellery showcases these treasures within designs crafted to be cherished forever. Check out our page dedicated to our coloured gemstone rings.
A World of Colourful Choices for Your Jewellery Collection
- Emeralds from Colombia: Deep, lush green shades, often with natural ‘jardin’ (garden) inclusions that tell authentic stories of origin. The most coveted are Muzo emeralds, renowned globally for their intense colour and high transparency. Harlin Jones is proud to partner Muzo, ensuring your bespoke necklaces, earrings, or engagement rings are crafted with authentic Colombian emeralds. Check-out Harlin Jones Collection on Muzo website
- Sapphires from various origins: From velvety Kashmir blues to vibrant Australian greens, the spectrum of sapphire colours offers remarkable variety. Harlin Jones has an exclusive partnership with the Australian Natural Sapphire Company, providing ethically sourced Australian sapphires, perfect for creating custom jewellery like rings, necklaces, and earrings that reflect timeless elegance.
- Tourmaline from Brazil, Afghanistan, and Africa: Celebrated for its incredible diversity, tourmaline’s range extends from soft pinks and greens to striking multi-colours (parti-colours). This versatile gem is perfect for personalised pieces—be it a necklace, ring, or pair of statement earrings.
- Spinel from Myanmar and Africa: Known for its brilliance and wide colour range, spinel is increasingly sought after for engagement rings and fine jewellery. Its durability and vibrant hues make it a superb alternative to more traditional gemstones.
- Rubies from Myanmar: Bright, fiery reds embody passion—a perfect choice for special occasion engagement rings or celebratory jewellery pieces that demand attention. Harlin Jones ensures that our rubies are ethically sourced, adding beauty with peace of mind.
Within our collection, each gemstone is carefully selected to showcase its natural splendour. Whether you're looking for a bold statement piece, a delicate necklace, elegant earrings, or a meaningful engagement ring, our designs integrate exquisite craftsmanship with the extraordinary beauty of these natural stones.
Trend Alert: Australian Natural Sapphires - The Stone of the Year
This year's top gemstone trend is all about authentic, responsibly sourced gems, and Australian Natural Sapphires are at the forefront. Celebrated for their unique, natural hues, from deep midnight blues and velvety greens to soft pastel shades and striking multi-coloured parti-sapphires, these sapphires offer endless possibilities for custom jewellery.
What makes Australian sapphires so special?
- Their genuine, unaltered colours showcase nature’s artistry and are perfect for bespoke necklaces, earrings, or engagement rings.
- The incredible spectrum of tones and the vibrant, unique parti-colours add personality and exclusivity to every piece.
- Ethically mined from artisanal mines in Queensland and New South Wales, these sapphires exemplify sustainable practices and traceability—resonating with modern buyers who value responsible jewellery.
At Harlin Jones, we have an exclusive partnership with the Australian Natural Sapphire Company, giving you access to thousands of stunning sapphires in various shapes, sizes, and colours, ready to become your perfect custom jewellery piece.
Ready to create your own masterpiece?
Book an appointment with us to select the perfect Australian sapphire, design a bespoke necklace, engagement ring, or pair of earrings, each made to reflect your personal style. Experience vibrant, responsible beauty in every piece.
Explore our curated selection of Australia’s spectacular gemstone bounty and let’s turn your jewellery dreams into reality. Whether for everyday elegance or special celebrations, our custom jewellery with ethical, colourful gems offers timeless style and responsible craftsmanship.