The Collection List
Starting a gem collection feels daunting when there are thousands of gemstones in the world. But in actual fact, there is only a handful of gems that Jewellers will collect. Other kinds mostly remain as mineral specimens that Geologists are more interested in.
If you're starting your gem journey, this would be a useful guide for you.
If we categorize them in the most traditional way, Precious Gems vs Semi-Precious Gems.
Diamond
Most of the time colourless, which is what people commonly use in engagement rings.
Ruby
Sapphire
Emerald
Red, Blue and Green respectively. These are most commonly seen in all retail shops. They can range from dirt cheap to extremely unaffordable.
Only these four gemstones are considered Precious Gems, everything else would be a Semi-Precious Gem. This is mainly due to historical reasons. However today, there are many semi-precious gemstones that are even rarer and more expensive than some of these precious gems, like Paraiba Tourmalines or Alexandrites.
The Chart is visible on Desktop Version only.
**If the locality is not stated, it means that we do not buy it at all, mainly because it is below market standard. Also the recommended carat sizes are based on the underlined locality
Corundum
Pigeon Blood Ruby
Burma, Mozambique
2-3ct
Royal/Cornflower Sapphire
Kashmir, Burma, Sri Lanka
3ct <
Sunset/Sunrise Padparadscha
Sri Lanka only
3ct
Pink, Purple, Colour-change
Not much value:
Yellow, Teal, Bicolour, green and everything else
Beryl
Muzo Green Emerald
Colombia, Zambia
2-3ct
Santa Maria Aquamarine
Any locality
5-7ct
Pink Morganite
Any locality
5-7ct
Vanadium, Red Beryl
Not much value:
Heliodor, Green Beryl and everything else
Spinel
Jedi Spinel, Neon Pink
Namya (Burma), Mansin (Burma)
1ct
Cobalt Spinel
Luc Yen (Vietnam),
Sri Lanka *Dark coloured
3-5ct
Pink and Red Spinel
Burma, Tanzania
3-5ct
Not much value:
Every other colour, especially grey, teal
Tourmaline
Paraiba, Neon Blue
Brazil, Mozambique
4ct
Watermelon (Red & Green)
Any locality
5ct
Rubellite
Any locality
5ct
Chrome Tourmaline
Not much value:
Every other colour
Chrysoberyl
Alexandrite
Russia, Brazil, Sri Lanka
1ct
Vanadium Chrysoberyl
Any locality
1ct
Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl
Any locality
5ct
Yellow
Not much value:
Brown, Lime and other colours
Garnet
Demantoid Garnet
Russia
1ct
Tsavorite
Any locality
3ct
Spessartite, Fanta Orange
Any locality
5ct
Colour-changing
Not much value:
Everything else
Other Gems
Tanzanite
Tanzania
5ct
Rhodochrosite
Colorado (USA)
3ct
Imperial Topaz
Kornerupine
Grandidierite
Sphene
Kunzite
Zircon
Hauyne
Benetoite