Your Ultimate Guide to Gemstones: 10 Gemstones to Shop at Samuel Perry
A jewellery box is like a box of chocolate with its glittery gemstones and shiny metals, each offering something different for those who peak inside. While diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, gemstones are her ride and die. Whether you’re shopping for your birthstone or a stone in your favourite colour, gemstones each hold their own significance.
At Samuel Perry, we offer a collection of 10 gemstones, including lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, and opals. Every gemstone is unique, and our guide below gives you an introduction to our 10 best-selling gemstones to help you find your perfect match.
9ct Rose Gold Eternity Ring with Cubic Zirconia
Cubic Zirconia
Cubic zirconia is one of the most popular diamond alternatives. Technically known as a ‘diamond simulant’, cubic zirconia was developed in the 1970s to mimic the appearance of diamonds as a more affordable alternative. Typically used for fashion and costume jewellery, cubic zirconia is a great choice for everyday wear.
However, it’s not a genuine alternative to natural diamonds (look at lab-grown diamonds instead!). While natural and lab-grown diamonds are made with carbon, cubic zirconia is made from zirconium dioxide. Our cubic zirconia jewellery is the perfect choice for a gift and suitable for all ages, including kids.
Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds (also known as lab diamonds) and natural diamonds have the same physical and chemical makeup. What makes them different is their manufacturing. Lab-grown diamonds are more environmentally friendly than mined diamonds as they’re ethically made in a lab.
By comparison, natural diamonds are mined in three ways, from a pit with heavy machinery, by disturbing riverbeds and banks, and marine mining by searching the ocean floor. Both mined diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are graded by the 4Cs of diamond quality: cut, colour, clarity, and carat.
Although they look and act exactly like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds represent attainable luxury with a lower price tag. At Samuel Perry, we offer traditional diamond jewellery and lab-grown diamonds to give you the freedom to choose a piece that suits your budget and preferences.
Read more: What are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Sapphire
Sapphires are one of the most popular gemstones for engagement rings, often symbolising “something blue” for your big day. Considered as one of the ‘big four’ gemstones, a sapphire is a great alternative to a diamond – especially if you have a September birthday!
This gemstone has a rich history that we can trace back to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, who believed sapphires symbolised truth and faithfulness. Sapphires are naturally produced in countries like Australia, Cambodia, and Thailand with Kashmir producing the rarest sapphires.
Although commonly a blue gemstone, sapphires can be formed in any colour – although red sapphires are known as rubies. Non-blue sapphires are typically known as ‘fancy sapphires’.
Celeste Mini Star Necklace in Emerald Green
Emerald
Emeralds are one of our favourite gemstones and another great diamond alternative, symbolising truth, and love. Thought by the ancient Egyptians to represent eternal life, the ancient Greeks and Romans associated emeralds with Aphrodite and Venus. For most of history, emeralds have been seen as romantic gemstones.
The most popular green gemstone, the colour represents new beginnings, vitality, and spring. Emeralds are a great choice if you’re buying emerald jewellery to celebrate a milestone occasion or a new chapter in your life.
The May birthstone, emeralds are also given as gifts for 12th and 35th wedding anniversaries. Emerald jewellery broke into the mainstream in the early 20th century during the era of Egyptian revival, having a higher price tag than diamonds due to their rarity.
Ruby
Rubies are known as the ‘king of precious stones’ with an intense red hue that is believed to symbolise wealth and protection. While often considered strictly a red gemstone, you can also find rubies with an orange, pink, or purple tint.
Rubies are also the July birthstone and are associated with 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. Ruby jewellery is typically more expensive than diamonds as they are usually a smaller size, although they’re tough and durable enough for everyday wear.
Pearl
Pearls are the oldest gemstone – and amongst the most desirable. Created organically in the ocean, pearls come in a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes – just like diamonds. They’re a versatile gemstone with pearl jewellery being a popular choice for everyday jewellery, while being elegant enough for special occasions.
This gemstone is also the June birthstone and associated with 3rd and 30th wedding anniversaries with a rich history that makes them the perfect gift for any occasion.
Amethyst
Amethyst is a type of crystalline quartz and the February birthstone. Varying in colour from pale lilac to a dark reddish purple, amethyst is a gemstone strongly associated with folklore, offering everything from spiritual protection to helping reduce anxiety. Amethyst jewellery is the perfect gift for those in need of clarity, meditation, and a little serenity.
Topaz
Topaz is a gemstone that comes in a myriad of colours, including honey yellows, deep oranges, and cool blues. What makes Topaz unique is that the stone can look different in certain lights. Blue topaz is an alternative option as a December birthstone and is also associated with 4th and 23rd wedding anniversaries. Topaz jewellery is a great choice for everyday wear as the gemstone gets an 8 rating on the Mohs hardness scale.
Morganite
Morganite is one of the most popular gemstone alternatives to diamonds, becoming the second most common diamond alternative for engagement rings after sapphires. The stone is a variety of beryl and is a semi-precious gemstone, typically available in either a soft pink or a copper peach. Named after J.P Morgan, this gemstone is not a birthstone, but is strongly associated with the Libra zodiac. Morganite jewellery is a modern alternative to diamonds for those who want a subtle pop of colour or who prefer rose gold for their jewellery settings.
Opal
Opal is one of the most unique gemstones, but it’s a delicate beauty. Although visually stunning – and the perfect choice for fans of vintage jewellery. This gemstone requires a little extra TLC as it has a 5.5 to 6.5 rating on the Mohs hardness scale. While scratching can happen, most opal jewellery is placed in a protective setting to enhance the stone’s durability. Opal is the October birthstone and associated with 14th wedding anniversaries.
18ct White Gold 4ct Lab-Grown Diamond Solitaire Earrings
Shop Gemstone Jewellery at Samuel Perry in Basildon, Essex
At Samuel Perry, we’re proud to be the leading jewellers in Basildon, Essex. As a family-run jeweller, we’re here to help you find the piece for your jewellery box – whether you’re popping the question or marking a milestone. Explore our range of luxury jewellery online or book an appointment to find your perfect piece in-store.
