Gemstone Education: Your Guide to Buying Gemstones

Education Gemstone Education

Gemstone education

Choose from blue sapphire, amethyst, ruby, and more for the perfect engagement ring or statement jewelry.

HOW TO BUY A GEMSTONE

Learn all about gemstone colors, grades, and types. We break down all the essentials about durability, pricing, and quality so you can make an informed and confident choice. Whether it's black diamond, moissanite, or white diamond, our gemologists can make the best recommendations.

Learn more

Diamond guide

Diamonds are the rarest, hardest, most valuable and precious gemstone on earth. Moreover, they are the ultimate symbol of commitment and love. Use our diamond guide to learn the essentials of purchasing this symbol of your commitment.

Learn more

Our gemstones

Gemstone education

All about the essentials for gemstones of all colors, always of the highest quality.

Moissanite possesses an exceptional visual impact and durable nature that makes it a valuable alternative to mined and lab made diamonds. Moissanite has a unique faceted pattern that creates a rainbow effect under light. Therefore giving moissanite engagement rings and jewelry a brilliance for many to love. Learn more

A deep and soulful blue, the sapphire is most popular after the diamond. Sapphires have a royal blue hue that makes it a widely popular gemstone jewelry choice (especially for the 5th, 45th, and/or 70th wedding anniversary). Sapphires are an elegant addition to rings and necklaces. View our Sapphire guide to learn the essentials of sapphire like sourcing, pricing, and selection. Learn more

Rubies are famous for their deep, vibrant red color that highlights any piece of jewelry. Rubies famously represent the 15th, 40th, and/or 80th wedding anniversary and are an ultimate symbol of love and long term commitment. Ruby color is like none other. Full of passion, this fiery red gemstone captures the essence of life and love. Learn more

The most popular blue topaz option next to Sky Blue Topaz and Swiss Blue Topaz. This deep blue precious stone with grey and brown hues is considered a healing stone that promotes calm, creativity, and strength. Notably known for its unique color and labeled as the November birthstone, it is also gifted for the 4th wedding anniversary. Learn more

Earthy, green with a touch of sparkle. This twinkling gemstone is the ideal match for any hand. One of the most ancient gems in the world, with roots dating back to the Egyptians, this stone is gifted for 15th and/or 16th wedding anniversary. Moreover the ideal stone for August babies, or anyone who needs some peace and balance. View more in our guide to learn all about this budget-friendly gemstone. Learn more

A smooth and icy blue stone that pairs perfectly with precious metals and diamond accents. Aquamarine engagement rings famously worn by royalty: Princess Diana, and now worn by Meghan Markle. This blue-green gem is usually gifted for 19th wedding anniversary or those born in March. An aquamarine engagement ring could prove to a more affordable, and unique alternative to diamond engagement rings. Learn more

Regal in its purple look, this gem has been a symbol of royalty and authority since ancient times. Varying from a light shade of lilac to a deep plum color, this gem signifies calmness and stillness. Those born in February links to a story of Saint Valentine who wore an amethyst ring etched with Cupid's likeness. Learn more

White diamonds are the ultimate symbol of love and a strong relationship. Black diamonds are no different. Famously known for their modern and edgy appearance, use our black diamond guide to learn the essentials of purchasing this symbol of your commitment. Definitely a great choice for a gemstone engagement ring that will be unforgettable. Learn more

8 STEPS TO SELECT A GEMSTONE RING

8 STEPS TO SELECT
A GEMSTONE RING

STEP NO. 1

Set a budget

When it comes to this topic, the advice is subjective. There is this rather antiquated piece-of-advice to save 2 to 3 months' salary. However, spend what is comfortable for you, and your partner. There are various ways to maximize any budget when purchasing with the right jeweler. For non-diamond gemstone rings, most of the budget will go towards the type of gemstone, the carat weight, and then the ring style/look. Buy Diamond with Clarity gemstone rings start at $350 and can range upwards to $3,600.

Learn more

STEP NO. 2

Pick a gemstone

The center stone is what eyes draw to first, and is the one of the main reasons for its price tag. We offer Diamonds, White Moissanite, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, London Blue Topaz, Peridot, Aquamarine, Amethyst, and Black Diamond. Don't know where to start? We recommend learning about their meanings or going based on our Birth Gemstone Chart.

Birth gemstone chart

Garnet GemstoneCapricorn 1/01-1/19 or Aquarius 1/20-1/31
Meanings: Victory and eternal love.
Gifted for the 2nd wedding anniversary.

Amethyst GemstoneAquarius 2/01-2/18 or Pisces 2/19-2/29
Meanings: Courage, clarity, and calmness.
Gifted for the 6th year wedding anniversary. Shop now

Aquamarine GemstonePisces 3/01-3/20 or Aries 3/21-3/31
Meanings: Cheerfulness, new growth, and compassion.
Gifted for the 19th wedding anniversary. Shop now

Diamond GemstoneAries 4/01-4/19 or Taurus 4/20-4/30
Meanings: Eternal love, strength, endurance
Gifted for the 10th, 60th, and/or 75th wedding anniversary. Shop Now

Emerald GemstoneTaurus 5/01-5/20 or Gemini 5/21-5/31
Meanings: Royalty, intuitiveness, and love.
Gifted for the 20th, 35th, and/or 55th wedding anniversary. Shop now

Pearl or Light Amethyst GemstonesGemini 6/01-6/20 or Cancer 6/21-6/30
Meanings: Happiness, intuitiveness, and strength.
Gifted for the 3rd, 12th, and/or 30th wedding anniversary.

Ruby GemstoneCancer 7/01-7/22 or Leo 7/23-7/31
Meanings: Nobility, courage, and passion.
Gifted for the 15th, 40th, and/or 80th wedding anniversary. Shop now

Peridot GemstoneLeo 8/01-8/22 or Virgo 8/23-8/31
Meanings: Creativity, peace, and balance.
Gifted for the 15th and/or 16th wedding anniversary. Shop now

Blue Sapphire GemstoneVirgo 9/01-9/22 or Libra 9/23-9/30
Meanings: Clarity, wisdom, and commitment.
Gifted for the 5th, 45th, and/or 70th wedding anniversary. Shop now

Opal or Pink Tourmaline GemstonesLibra 10/01-10/22 or Scorpio 10/23-10/31
Meanings: Clarity, intuitiveness, and luck.
Gifted for the 8th and/or 14th wedding anniversary.

Topaz or Citrine GemstoneScorpio 11/01-11/21 or Sagittarius 11/22-11/30
Meanings: Healing, inspiring, and happiness.
Gifted for the 13th and/or 23rd wedding anniversary.

Blue Topaz or Light Sapphire GemstoneSagittarius 12/01-12/21 or Capricorn 12/22-12/31
Meanings: Calming, creativity, and love/warmth.
Gifted for the 4th wedding anniversary. Shop now

STEP NO. 3

Pick a shape

Some popular gemstone shape examples are Round, Princess, Cushion, Emerald, Oval, and Pear. For gemstones, the most popular picks are round and emerald shapes.

GEMSTONE SHAPES

STEP NO. 4

Shop with your eyes

Choose from our distinct five ring style collections: Classic, Contemporary, Halo, Solitaire, and Three Stone. Work to find the best style that corresponds with your partner and current jewelry preferences.

View catalog

Get Inspired

Popular gemstone ring styles & settings

Open French Cut Pave Sapphire Ring

starting at: $1,950
Open Twist Halo Ruby Ring

starting at: $2,235
Braided Twist Amethyst Ring

starting at: $1,950
Regalia Pave Aquamarine Ring

starting at: $2,200
Heirloom Milgrain Moissanite Ring

starting at: $1,020
Flourish Solitaire London Blue Topaz Ring

starting at: $520
Knife Edge Solitaire Peridot Ring

starting at: $400

STEP NO. 5

Choose a metal

What feeling do you want the ring to invoke? Many people enjoy the versatility of white gold, while others enjoy the vintage/traditional look of yellow gold, and the romantic feel of rose gold. Those who enjoy platinum metals select it because they want their colorless stone to appear to hold no yellow tinge, they want a more durable choice than yellow gold, and it has hypoallergenic properties.

More about metals

STEP NO. 6

Carat

STEP NO. 6

Carat

When it comes to gemstone rings, the carat weight has the largest impact on the look of the ring. However, when it comes to the price tag, the carat weight for loose gemstones (other than diamonds), does not increase highly as you go up in carat weight. At Buy Diamond with Clarity, we can set center stones as small as 0.5 carat.

STEP NO. 7

Find the ideal timing

Now that you have an idea of your ideal ring, set the proposal date ahead of time. This way you can give yourself enough time to plan and research the ring. As well as, have enough time for the ring to be picked up or shipped to you. We recommend giving yourself at least three months to sort all the details.

STEP NO. 8

Order the ring

Before you purchase, we urge you to ask all the right questions to your jeweler. This way you can get the best value for your jewelry purchase, and have some peace-of-mind. Some key things to ask your jeweler about are gemstone certification(s) from a reputable place (like GIA or IGI), if they use pure precious metals, if they have appraisals, and the return and warranty policy.

Shop now

We're here to help.

Our expert gemologists are here to help.
We’re available seven days a week to guide you on
diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry.

Chat

Call

How to care for gemstone jewelry

Gemstones can be more delicate than diamonds in terms of durability and hardness. Ensure that you're removing your jewelry when doing anything overly physical or dealing with harsh soaps or chemicals. When purchasing with Buy Diamond with Clarity, all jewelry is covered for general wear and tear with our lifetime warranty. View our Gemstone Treatment & Care Chart for more.