April
Diamond
The hardest natural material on earth, and the classic for every day.
Hardness 10Gemstones · 16 stones · Natural and lab grown
THE GEMSTONE GUIDE
A clear starting point for understanding gemstones by color, meaning, durability, care and value. Every stone below links to its own in depth guide, and to the jewelry we make with it, with every cost disclosed.
Start here
Choose By What Matters Most
The stones
Explore By Stone
Sixteen stones we set in fine jewelry, from the hardest diamonds to the softest pearls. Read the guide for the full story, or go straight to the pieces.
May
Emerald
Deep green beryl, loved for its color and its natural garden of inclusions.
Hardness 7.5 to 8September
Sapphire
Second only to diamond in hardness, so it is made for daily wear.
Hardness 9July
Ruby
The red variety of corundum, as tough as sapphire and twice as bold.
Hardness 9Black Diamond
Opaque and modern, with all the hardness of a white diamond.
Hardness 10March
Aquamarine
Sea blue beryl, a cousin of emerald that is usually cleaner and tougher.
Hardness 7.5 to 8December
Tanzanite
Blue violet, mined in only one place on earth, near Mount Kilimanjaro.
Hardness 6 to 7June
Alexandrite
Shifts from green in daylight to red purple under warm light.
Hardness 8.5October
Opal
Flashes of every color in one stone, no two alike.
Hardness 5 to 6.5October
Tourmaline
Found in almost every color, often two colors in a single crystal.
Hardness 7 to 7.5November
Topaz
Bright, clear and hard enough to wear in a ring every day.
Hardness 8November
Citrine
Warm golden quartz, sunny color at a gentle price.
Hardness 7January
Garnet
Deep wine red, with a long history in fine jewelry.
Hardness 6.5 to 7.5February
Amethyst
Purple quartz, from soft lilac to rich royal violet.
Hardness 7August
Peridot
Lime green, one of the few gems that comes in a single color.
Hardness 6.5 to 7June
Pearl
Grown, not mined, inside a mollusk, with a soft glow all its own.
Hardness 2.5 to 4.5More stone guides
Pink sapphire
Morganite
Blue diamond
Yellow diamond
Champagne diamond
Salt & pepper diamond
Durability
How Hard Is Each Gemstone?
Hardness is measured on the Mohs scale, from 1 for talc to 10 for diamond. It tells you how well a stone resists scratches, and scratches are what dull a ring over the years. Everyday dust contains quartz, which rates 7, so anything softer than 7 will slowly lose its polish if it is worn on the hand every day.
Hardness is not the whole story. Toughness, a stone's resistance to chipping, matters too. Emerald is fairly hard but often has natural fissures, so a protective setting such as a bezel or halo is a smart choice for an emerald ring.
For an engagement ring or a ring you never take off, choose a stone rated 8 or higher. For earrings and pendants, almost any stone works.
| Stone | Mohs | Scale | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond | 10 | Every day, any setting | |
| Black Diamond | 10 | Every day, any setting | |
| Sapphire | 9 | Every day, any setting | |
| Ruby | 9 | Every day, any setting | |
| Alexandrite | 8.5 | Every day, any setting | |
| Topaz | 8 | Every day, any setting | |
| Emerald | 7.5 to 8 | Every day, protective setting | |
| Aquamarine | 7.5 to 8 | Every day, protective setting | |
| Tourmaline | 7 to 7.5 | Every day, protective setting | |
| Citrine | 7 | Every day, protective setting | |
| Amethyst | 7 | Every day, protective setting | |
| Garnet | 6.5 to 7.5 | Occasional wear in rings | |
| Peridot | 6.5 to 7 | Occasional wear in rings | |
| Tanzanite | 6 to 7 | Occasional wear in rings | |
| Opal | 5.5 to 6.5 | Occasional wear in rings | |
| Pearl | 2.5 to 4.5 | Earrings and necklaces |
Color
Gemstones By Color
Start with the color you love. Many stones come in more than one color, so they appear in more than one family. In every stone, the most saturated, evenly spread color is the most valuable.
Blues and violets
Reds and pinks
Black
Color change
Many colors in one
Meaning
What Each Gemstone Means
Gemstones have carried meaning for thousands of years, and many people choose a stone for what it stands for as much as how it looks. These are the traditional associations.
- DiamondStrength and lasting love
- EmeraldRenewal, growth and loyalty
- SapphireWisdom, truth and faithfulness
- RubyPassion, courage and vitality
- AquamarineCalm, clarity and courage
- TanzaniteTransformation and new beginnings
- OpalCreativity and inspiration
- GarnetCommitment and protection
- AmethystCalm and balance
- PeridotHarmony and good fortune
- CitrineWarmth, joy and abundance
- PearlPurity and grace
Care
How To Care For Gemstones
Clean gently
Warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft toothbrush are safe for every stone. Rinse well and pat dry with a lint free cloth.
Know the sensitive ones
Keep emerald, opal, tanzanite and pearl away from ultrasonic and steam cleaners, heat and harsh chemicals. Put pearls on last, after perfume and lotion.
Store apart
Harder stones scratch softer ones. Keep each piece in its own pouch or compartment, and take rings off for the gym, gardening and cleaning.
Value
What Makes A Gemstone Valuable?
Color
Color matters most for colored stones. Rich, even, saturated color is worth far more than pale or patchy color.
Clarity
Fewer visible inclusions raise value, though some stones, emerald above all, are expected to have them.
Cut and carat
A good cut brings out color and brilliance. Price per carat climbs quickly as stones get larger, because large, fine stones are rarer.
Natural or lab grown
Natural stones are rarer and cost more. Lab grown stones offer the same beauty and hardness at a fraction of the price.
Every cost, disclosed
Most jewelers hide what the stone costs. We publish it.
MaterialPrecious metal, priced to market
StonesWhat the stones cost us
CraftArtisan labor and setting
LogisticsInsured, signed for delivery
Protocol feeWhat we make, published
Read the Transparency Manifest →Natural and lab grown
Lab Grown Gemstones
A lab grown gemstone is chemically and physically the same as the natural stone, grown in controlled conditions instead of mined. We never mix the two: every piece is clearly listed as natural or lab grown.
Questions
Gemstone FAQs
Which gemstones are best for an everyday ring?
Look for a hardness of 8 or higher on the Mohs scale. Diamond, black diamond, sapphire and ruby are the safest choices for rings worn daily, with alexandrite and topaz close behind. Softer stones such as opal, tanzanite and pearl are lovely in earrings and pendants, where they take fewer knocks.
What is the hardest gemstone after diamond?
Corundum, the mineral that makes both sapphire and ruby, rates 9 on the Mohs scale, just below diamond at 10. That is why sapphire is such a popular alternative to a diamond center stone.
Are lab grown gemstones real gemstones?
Yes. A lab grown emerald, sapphire or diamond has the same chemistry, crystal structure and hardness as the natural stone. The difference is origin: one formed in the earth, the other was grown in controlled conditions. At TrueSanity, lab grown and natural stones are always listed separately, so you know exactly what you are buying.
Which gemstones should not go in an ultrasonic cleaner?
Keep emerald, opal, tanzanite and pearl out of ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Emeralds often have natural fissures, opals and pearls are sensitive to heat and vibration, and tanzanite can crack under sudden temperature change. Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush are safe for every stone.
How is a gemstone priced at TrueSanity?
Every piece comes with a Transparency Manifest that breaks the price into material, stones, craft, logistics and our protocol fee, which is what we make. The stone's color, clarity, cut, size and whether it is natural or lab grown drive what it costs us, and we show you that number.
What is the difference between a treatment and an enhancement?
There is no difference. Both words describe any process used to improve a gemstone or diamond's appearance or durability.
Every stone deserves clarity.
Clarity is a Form of Luxury.
- 45 day returnsFree both ways in the US.
- Lifetime promiseCraftsmanship covered for life.
- Insured shippingSignature on every delivery.
- Transparency ManifestEvery cost, with every order.