Gemstone colour guide
A Colour Reference for Retailers,
combining beauty with practical insights on species, durability and value.
GEM INSIGHTS
PARAIBA: They are among the most expensive tourmalines in the world, often priced higher than diamonds of the same size.
TANZANITE: Naturally mined tanzanite is usually brownish and is heat-treated to bring out its famous blue-violet colour.
Jewellery Tip – Tanzanite is best suited for earrings, pendants and occasional-wear rings, as it is softer than
many traditional gemstones and can be vulnerable to knocks.
TURQUOISE: The most valuable quality of turquoise is pure, intense sky blue. Natural untreated turquoise is rare and highly collectible.
LAPIS LAZULI: Cleopatra used powdered lapis as eyeshadow. EMERALD: Most emeralds are oiled to improve clarity.
TSAVORITE: One of the gem world’s best-kept secrets. A stone that looks like emerald but behaves like sapphire.
MOSS AGATE: A forest you can wear. PERIDOT: Has been found in meteorites, making it one of the few gemstones known to exist in outer space.
GEM INSIGHTS
RUBY: Top tier = “pigeon blood red”. Burmese rubies = most prized for vivid colour and saturation.
RED SAPPHIRE: The Ruby Cousin – Red sapphires are technically rubies. In gemmology, a corundum gem is classified
as a ruby if its red hue meets certain criteria; otherwise, it may be labelled a red sapphire.
PADPARADSCHA: Literally means lotus blossom in Sinhalese – reflecting its soft orange-pink colour.
MORGANITE: Highlight: Being part of the beryl family links Morganite to high-value stones like emerald and aquamarine.
PINK SAPPHIRE: The “Modern Engagement Gem”.
Increasingly popular as a diamond alternative for engagement rings – romantic, durable, and unique.
PINK SPINEL: Key sources: Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, Madagascar.
Burmese and Vietnamese pink spinels are especially prized for bright, lively colour.
- +27 76 162 3741 | +27 64 903 0380
- gems@ajanta.co.za
- +27 21 422 4677
- ajantaafrika.com
