Ultimate Guide to Color Gems: Part 2
Our last Gemstone Guide was only just the beginning. With so many gems out there and in our inventory, we’re here to give you part two.
Color gems put the rainbow in your hand… or on your ears, hanging from your neck, around your wrist, you get the point. They have all the sparkle of a diamond but with a bit of extra flavor. Whether you want something vibrant or subtle, gemstones can do it all – and in any color imaginable.
There’s a fabulous gemstone out there for everyone, and gemstone history and structure are at least as fascinating as the gorgeous gems themselves. If you’re ready to fall in love with something rich and vibrant, you’ve come to the right place.
Diamonds vs. Color Gemstones
Diamonds are, unsurprisingly, the biggest competition for color gemstones. They both make undeniably beautiful jewelry, but how do they differ from one another? After all, some diamonds have color and certain gems have little to none.
The major differences start with formation. Diamonds are pure carbon, making them the only stone forged from a single element. They’re created a hundred miles beneath the Earth’s surface, and mined diamonds take billions of years to form. Yes, color diamonds do exist but their formation is a little different and more complicated. You can read more about that in our Introduction to Fancy Color Diamonds.
On the other hand, some gems form as little as three feet below the surface and take considerably less time to form. An emerald, for example, could take as much as 100,000 years to form. While that’s still an impressively long time, that is nothing compared to the billions of years a diamond requires. Emeralds are made with a variety of different elements, compared to a diamond’s singular carbon, too. Depending on the gemstone, they come from Igneous Rock, Sedimentary Rock, or Metamorphic Rock.
The various elements present in different types of rock influence a gemstone’s color and other qualities. For example, sapphires take their color from traces of at least five possible elements!
Tourmaline Gems
Tourmaline, which is October’s birthstone, is an incredible gemstone with shifting colors. It forms in igneous or metamorphic rock. Most tourmaline comes from pegmatites, which are igneous rocks formed during the last of magma’s cooling and crystallization. Boron (along with other elements) is common in tourmaline.
The name tourmaline means “stone mixed with colors” in Singhalese, as it can boast an array of changing colors in a single stone. Green, pink, and blue are common hues in tourmaline, but light sources can change their appearance and it varies from stone to stone.
Pink Tourmaline Rose Gold Solitaire Ring
$3,180
Mint Tourmaline and Diamond Two-Tone Ring
$3,500
Tsavorite Gems
Tsavorite, also known as “green garnet,” is a birthstone for January, and is also associated with the 25th anniversary.
This gemstone commonly contains vanadium and chromium, and it’s formed by folding and refolding during a particular type of metamorphic event (a Neoproterozoic metamorphic event).
Tsavorite is mined mostly in Kenya and Tanzania and takes its name from Tsavo National Park in Kenya.
Tsavorite and Diamond Five-Stone Engagement Ring
$10,950
*Editor’s Pick
3 carat Lab-Grown Antique Cushion East-West Three-Stone Ring
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Garnet Gems
Speaking of January birthstones, Garnet is perhaps the most well-known January birthstone. Garnets come in a range of colors, as evidenced by the Tsavorite mentioned above, but are typically associated with deep red and violet hues.
Various types of garnets are found scattered all over the world, from Canada to Madagascar. Different trace elements, like calcium, iron, and aluminum, influence their color, with aluminum being the most common. There are roughly nine types of garnets, currently, with colors varying between:
- Red (with a violet tint)
- Rose
- Fire Red (with a brown tint)
- Cinnamon
- Orange-Red
- Mint Green (not Tsavorite)
- Blue-Green
- Pinkish-Orange
Many garnets are formed from sedimentary rock, but there is some variation depending on location!
Mahenge Malaya Garnet and Diamond Two-Tone Ring
$3,400
Pear Shape Merelani Mint Garnet and Diamond Two-Tone Ring
$6,350
Merelani Mint Garnet and Diamond Two-Tone Ring
$7,000
Citrine Gems
November claims Citrine as its birthstone. This yellow gemstone is the same as amethyst in composition. They’re so alike that you can create citrine by heating amethyst.
Its yellow and orange color comes from oxidized iron deposits. Citrine is commonly found with smoky quartz, but natural citrine is much rarer than its quartz counterpart. Most citrine is mined in Brazil, or created from heat-treated amethyst, but it’s been used all over the world. It was even popular in Ancient Rome!
Citrine and Diamond Two-Tone Ring
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Peridot Gems
Peridot is one of the birthstones associated with the month of August. It’s typically found in igneous rocks. It forms in the upper mantle, making it only one of a few gems to do so, and reaches the surface during volcanic or tectonic activity. It primarily contains iron and magnesium, and iron is behind the yellow and green colors it is known for.
This gemstone typically comes in various shades of yellow and green. It can range from a green so pure it’s emerald-like in appearance to an olive green with a brown tint. Certain peridots are even yellow.
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Topaz Gems
Topaz joins citrine as one of November’s birthstones. This gemstone is formed in cracks and cavities of igneous rocks, and its formation requires a high amount of fluorine. Some types of topaz form during metamorphic events, too, which can account for the incredibly wide range of colors for this gemstone.
Topaz covers the whole rainbow all by itself. True topaz is actually colorless, but different trace elements bring colors like Orange, Green, Blue, Red, and everything in between.
Some topaz is as white and colorless as diamonds, too! Blue is the color most associated with this gemstone, but it branches in every direction.
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Are Color Gemstones For You?
It’s hard not to love at least one gemstone when there are so many choices out there. Even if you favor diamonds, there’s room in life for both! Which gemstone would you choose? Perhaps a peridot pendant, topaz bracelet, or a pair of tsavorite earrings would showcase your style best.
If you dream it up, Lauren B Jewelry makes it happen. We offer a wide assortment of gemstone jewelry, ranging from the liveliest colors to those with a more understated look. If you can’t find it in our inventory, we can source color gems from all over the world to match whatever you want! Take home your birthstone or branch out to different gems you love. You’re not limited to our current selection, though. We’ll customize any piece, so you can design your own!