THE PRAVINS GUIDE TO CHOOSING A GEMSTONE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO CHOOSE THE GEMSTONE THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

Unlike diamonds, coloured gemstones are chosen as much for their personality as their beauty. Every gemstone has its own distinctive colour, character and history, making each one a unique way to celebrate life's most meaningful moments.

From the deep blue of a sapphire to the rich green of an emerald and the vibrant red of a ruby, this guide explores some of the world's most treasured gemstones, helping you understand their qualities, symbolism and what makes each one so special.

At Pravins, we carefully select natural gemstones for their exceptional beauty, colour and character. Whether you're choosing an engagement ring, marking a special occasion or simply looking for a gemstone that speaks to you, we're here to help you choose with confidence.

Sapphire

Few gemstones are as admired as the sapphire. Best known for its rich blue colour, sapphire has long been associated with wisdom, loyalty and sincerity, making it one of the world's most treasured gemstones and a popular choice for engagement rings and fine jewellery.

When choosing a sapphire, colour is often the first quality people notice. While deep blue is the most recognisable, natural sapphires are also found in a remarkable range of colours, including pink, yellow, green and the rare orange-pink Padparadscha sapphire. The finest sapphires are prized for their vibrant colour, exceptional clarity and beautiful brilliance, with Sri Lanka renowned for producing some of the world's most sought-after stones alongside Madagascar and Myanmar (formerly Burma).

Sapphire is also an excellent choice for jewellery designed to be worn and enjoyed every day. Second only to diamond in hardness, it offers exceptional durability, making it one of the most popular gemstones for engagement rings, as well as rings, pendants and earrings intended to last a lifetime.

At Pravins, we carefully select natural sapphires for their colour, clarity and overall beauty rather than any single characteristic. Whether you're drawn to the timeless beauty of a royal blue sapphire or the individuality of a rarer colour, our specialists will help you choose a gemstone that's right for you.

Birthstone: September
Anniversary: 45th Wedding Anniversary

Ruby

For centuries, ruby has been admired for its rich red colour and remarkable beauty. Long associated with love, passion and vitality, it remains one of the world's most treasured gemstones and a striking choice for fine jewellery and engagement rings.

When choosing a ruby, colour is the first quality to consider. The finest natural rubies are prized for their rich, vibrant red colour and lively inner brilliance. The most exceptional examples display the famous 'pigeon's blood' hue, regarded as the benchmark for fine rubies.

Like sapphire, ruby is exceptionally durable, making it an excellent choice for jewellery that's designed to be worn and enjoyed every day. Second only to diamond in hardness, it's perfectly suited to engagement rings as well as rings, pendants and earrings intended to last a lifetime.

Natural rubies are found in several parts of the world, including Myanmar (formerly Burma), Mozambique and East Africa. Burmese rubies have long been admired for their exceptional colour and remain among the world's most sought-after gemstones.

At Pravins, we carefully select natural rubies for their colour, brilliance and overall beauty rather than any single characteristic. Whether you're drawn to the rich crimson of a classic ruby or the exceptional beauty of a 'pigeon's blood' stone, our specialists will help you choose a gemstone that's right for you.

Birthstone: July
Anniversary: 40th Wedding Anniversary

Few gemstones are as instantly recognisable as the emerald. Admired for its rich, velvety green colour, emerald has long been associated with renewal, hope and prosperity, making it one of the world's most treasured coloured gemstones.

When choosing an emerald, colour is the first quality to consider. The finest natural emeralds display a rich, vibrant green with exceptional depth and character. Unlike many other gemstones, emeralds naturally contain internal characteristics, often referred to as jardin or "garden", which are part of their unique identity. Completely flawless emeralds are exceptionally rare.

Although emerald is not as hard as diamond, sapphire or ruby, it remains a beautiful choice for rings, pendants and earrings when cared for appropriately. Its distinctive emerald cut was developed to help protect the gemstone while showcasing its remarkable colour.

Many of the world's finest emeralds are sourced from Colombia, with Zambia and Brazil also producing exceptional natural emeralds admired for their distinctive shades of green.

At Pravins, we believe an exceptional emerald is defined by its colour, character and overall beauty rather than its clarity alone. Our specialists carefully select natural emeralds that display outstanding colour and life, helping you choose a gemstone that's right for you.

Birthstone: May

Anniversary: 55th Wedding Anniversary

Tanzanite

Found in just one place on Earth, tanzanite is one of the world's rarest gemstones. Discovered in 1967 in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania remains the only known source of this remarkable gemstone, making it one of the most distinctive gemstones in the world of fine jewellery.

When choosing a tanzanite, colour is often the first quality to capture your attention. The finest natural tanzanites display a rich velvety blue with captivating violet undertones, creating a depth of colour unlike any other gemstone. Tanzanite is also unique in having its own internationally recognised colour grading system, developed by the Tanzanite Foundation.

With a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, tanzanite is softer than sapphire, ruby and diamond, making it best suited to jewellery that's worn with a little more care. While it can be beautifully showcased in engagement rings, many people choose tanzanite for pendants, earrings and dress rings, where its exceptional colour can be enjoyed while helping to protect the gemstone.

At Pravins, we carefully select natural tanzanites for their colour, vibrancy and overall beauty rather than any single characteristic. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or looking for something truly distinctive, our specialists will help you choose a gemstone that's right for you.

Birthstone: December (Alternative)

Few gemstones possess the natural beauty of pearls. Unlike any other gemstone, pearls are created by living oysters and mussels, giving each one its own unique character, soft lustre and timeless appeal. From classic pearl necklaces to contemporary earrings and rings, pearls have remained one of the most cherished choices in fine jewellery for centuries.

When choosing pearls, lustre is often the first quality to capture your attention. The finest cultured pearls display a bright, reflective surface, smooth appearance and balanced shape. Akoya pearls are the classic choice for timeless elegance, Freshwater pearls offer exceptional versatility, Tahitian pearls are admired for their dramatic natural dark colours, while South Sea pearls are treasured for their remarkable size and luxurious satin-like lustre.

At Pravins, we carefully select cultured pearls for their lustre, surface quality and overall beauty rather than any single grading characteristic. Whether you're choosing a classic strand of pearls or a contemporary pearl design, our specialists will help you choose pearls you'll treasure for years to come.

Birthstone: June
Anniversary: 30th Wedding Anniversary

The world of coloured gemstones extends far beyond the classics. From the soft blush tones of Morganite and the tranquil blues of Aquamarine to the vibrant hues of Blue Topaz, Amethyst, Rhodolite Garnet and the remarkable beauty of coloured diamonds, every gemstone has its own distinctive character, colour and story.

At Pravins, we believe choosing a gemstone is about finding the one that feels right for you. Whether you're searching for something rare, marking a special occasion or creating a bespoke piece of jewellery, our specialists are here to help you explore the possibilities and choose a gemstone you'll treasure for years to come.

Every piece featured throughout this guide has been created by Pravins and reflects our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and beautifully chosen gemstones. If one of these pieces has captured your imagination, or you'd like to explore the possibilities of creating something uniquely yours, we'd be delighted to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which gemstone is best for an engagement ring?

There's no single "best" gemstone, it depends on what's most important to you. Diamonds remain the most durable choice for everyday wear, while sapphires and rubies are also excellent options thanks to their exceptional hardness. Emeralds, tanzanite and pearls can all make beautiful engagement rings but may require a little more care. At Pravins, we'll help you choose a gemstone that suits both your style and your lifestyle.

How do I choose the right gemstone?

Start by considering what matters most to you. Some people are drawn to a particular colour, while others choose a gemstone because of its symbolism, rarity or birthstone connection. Durability is also worth considering, especially if the jewellery will be worn every day. The right gemstone isn't necessarily the rarest or most valuable, it's the one that feels right for you.

Are natural gemstones better than lab-created gemstones?

Natural and lab-created gemstones can both be beautiful, but they differ in origin. Natural gemstones are formed over millions of years within the earth, making each one unique. Lab-created gemstones share many of the same physical characteristics but are produced in controlled environments. At Pravins, we specialise in carefully selected natural gemstones, chosen for their beauty, character and individuality.

What makes one gemstone more valuable than another?

A gemstone's value is influenced by several factors, including its colour, clarity, rarity, size and overall quality. Some gemstones are naturally rarer than others, while exceptional examples with outstanding colour or beauty are especially sought after. Rather than focusing on a single characteristic, Pravins considers every gemstone as a whole to ensure it offers exceptional beauty and lasting enjoyment.

Can coloured gemstone jewellery be worn every day?

Many coloured gemstones are suitable for everyday wear, although some are naturally more durable than others. Sapphires and rubies are exceptionally hard, making them ideal for frequently worn jewellery, while emeralds, tanzanite and pearls benefit from a little more care. Choosing the right setting and looking after your jewellery will help it remain beautiful for years to come.

Continue exploring

If you'd like to learn more about natural diamonds, bespoke jewellery or the remarkable world of fine gemstones, our collection of guides and journal articles offers expert advice to help you choose with confidence.

Experience Pravins

While a guide can help you understand the qualities that make every gemstone unique, seeing them in person is something altogether different. Colour, brilliance and character are best appreciated with the gemstone in front of you.

If you're ready to explore further, discover our collection of gemstone jewellery, where exceptional natural gemstones are brought to life through beautifully crafted rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets.

Whether you're choosing a piece of jewellery to celebrate a special occasion or creating something entirely bespoke, our specialists would be delighted to welcome you to one of our showrooms in Cardiff, Reading or Milton Keynes, where you can explore our carefully selected collection of natural gemstones and receive expert guidance tailored to you.