In the world of gemstones, we often find ourselves enchanted by the allure of precious gemstones like diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires or the well-known semi-precious stones like topaz, citrine or garnet. However, there also exists a treasure trove of lesser-known gemstones that are just as captivating, yet underappreciated. In this blog, we embark on a journey to explore five such "hidden gems" spread over 5 price ranges selected for their beauty, wearability and hardness to ensure that you can put it in jewellery without having to worry about it breaking on everyday wear.
Iolite ($):
At the lower price range, we encounter Iolite. This blue-violet stone is often referred to as the "water sapphire" by jewellers due to its pastel blue colour that evokes the essence of flowing water. Its affordability, combined with its delightful colour play rivalling that of top tier tanzanites at its best, makes it an attractive option for those seeking a unique and wallet-friendly gemstone for their jewellery collection.
Morganite ($$):
Moving up the price ladder, we encounter the gentle Morganite. With its pastel pink to peach shades, Morganite exudes subtle elegance and sophistication. A member of the beryl family, morganite possesses all of the charm of its cousin stone the emerald but less of the characteristic imperfections. Morganite's affordability within the mid-range price band offers an opportunity to own a gemstone with an alluring pastel charm, perfect for adorning oneself with grace and gracefulness.
Spinel ($$$):
In the mid-high price range, we unearth the resplendent Spinel. Spinels are available in a wide array of colours ranging from pastel blues to bright oranges; however, most famously, top quality spinels often come in a vibrant shade of red that historically has frequently been mistaken for top quality rubies. A surprisingly rare stone, spinels are less common than not only diamonds, but also the other precious stones. Spinel's relatively affordable price in this category offers a chance to own a captivating gemstone that rivals its more renowned counterparts.
Tsavorite ($$$$):
Climbing up the price band, we encounter Tsavorite, an enchanting green gemstone that belongs to the garnet family. Tsavorite is known as one of the rarest stones in the world, boasting the trait of being 200 times rarer than emeralds and rarer even than tanzanites. Finding tsavorites of a size of over one carat is especially rare, with large gems often costing well within the thousands of dollars per carat; that being said, at small sizes yet it often comes at a more accessible price point than emerald, despite having colours that rival and often surpass the more well known stone. Its rarity and rich green colour make it a coveted choice for those seeking an elegant and distinctive gemstone that embodies the beauty of nature.
Alexandrite ($$$$$$):
Well known in the gem world, however generally overlooked by those outside it, the majestic alexandrite is the pinnacle of tasteful extreme luxury. Renowned for its remarkable chameleon-like colour changing properties, Alexandrite showcases shades of green in daylight and transforms into a mesmerising red or purplish-red under incandescent light. It is because of this unique property that Alexandrite is often described as “emerald by day, ruby by night.” Alexandrite is an exceptionally rare colour change variety of the more common yellow-green stone chrysoberyl. With a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale, Alexandrite boasts exceptional durability and wearability for a wide array of jewellery pieces. It being one of the rarest stones in the world and its unique optical effects place it among the most valuable and sought-after gemstones in the world.
These hidden gems offer jewellery enthusiasts an opportunity to embrace the extraordinary and make a distinctive statement with their unique and enchanting beauty.
