Colour is often the first thing that draws us to a gemstone. It is also one of the most important characteristics to consider when choosing a stone, because it has such a strong influence on the overall look and personality of a piece of jewellery.
Some people are naturally drawn to rich, saturated colours, while others prefer softer, more delicate tones. Neither is better, the right choice is simply the colour that feels right for you and works with the way you plan to wear the piece.
When choosing a gemstone, think about the colours you already wear most often, your skin tone, the metal you prefer, and whether you want the stone to stand out or blend more naturally into your everyday style. A vivid blue sapphire in yellow gold, for example, can feel bold and striking, while a pale green or soft pink stone can create something much more subtle.
More Than Just “Blue” or “Pink”
Gemstone colour is not always as simple as naming a single shade. Gemmologists often consider three main aspects of colour: hue, tone and saturation.
Hue refers to the basic colour of the gemstone, such as blue, green, pink or yellow. Some gemstones also show secondary hues, so a stone might be described as slightly greenish blue or purplish pink.
Tone describes how light or dark the colour appears.
Saturation refers to the strength or intensity of the colour. A highly saturated gemstone will usually appear vivid and rich, while a stone with lower saturation may look softer, greyer or more muted.
These differences can completely change the appearance of two gemstones that technically belong to the same colour family.
Gemstones Come in More Colours Than You Might Expect
Many gemstones occur naturally in an incredible range of colours.
Sapphire is a perfect example. Although it is most commonly associated with blue, sapphires can also occur in pink, yellow, green, orange, purple and many colours in between.
Tourmaline is another gemstone known for its remarkable variety, ranging from soft pinks and greens to rich blues and vivid combinations of multiple colours.
Spinel can also be found in beautiful shades of red, pink, purple, blue, grey and other tones.
Some gemstones naturally display two or more colours within a single stone, creating striking and completely individual patterns.
Australian parti sapphires are a beautiful example, often showing combinations of blue, green and yellow within the same crystal, while tourmalines can form with distinct bands or transitions of colour.
Because the placement and balance of these colours varies from stone to stone, bi-coloured gemstones can be especially appealing if you are looking for something unusual and one of a kind.
This means that if you love the durability or character of a particular gemstone but not the colour you first associate with it, there may be many other options worth exploring.
Colour Can Look Different in Different Light
The appearance of a gemstone can also change depending on the lighting around it. A stone viewed in natural daylight may look slightly different under warm indoor lighting, and some gemstones can show noticeable shifts in colour between different light sources.
The metal surrounding the gemstone can influence its appearance too. Yellow or rose gold can bring warmth to a stone, while white gold or platinum may create a cooler overall look.
Choosing a Colour That Feels Like You
There are plenty of traditional ideas about which colours are the most valuable or desirable, but those rules do not necessarily determine which gemstone will be the right choice for you.
Sometimes the most memorable stones are the ones with unusual tones, subtle colour zoning or a shade that does not fit neatly into a standard description.
Taking the time to explore different gemstones, shades and colour combinations can help you find something that feels genuinely personal.
Ultimately, the best colour is the one you keep coming back to; the gemstone that catches your eye and feels like it belongs in your piece.