COLOURED STONE GUIDE

Colour is the first thing the eye reads in a gemstone, and the most personal choice in jewellery. This guide covers the stones we set most at the atelier, and how to choose between them.

THE BIG THREE

Sapphire — exceptional hardness and a colour range far beyond blue (pink, yellow, even colour-change). The most practical precious stone for daily wear. Shop sapphires.

Ruby — sapphire's red sibling, prized for saturated 'pigeon's blood' colour; fine rubies are rarer than comparable diamonds. Shop rubies.

Emerald — the green of royalty, naturally included and softer than corundum; best in pendants, earrings, and protective ring settings. Shop emeralds.

THE WIDER WARDROBE

Aquamarine brings cool blue clarity; amethyst a regal violet at a generous size; topaz crisp sky blues; citrine warm honey tones; garnet deep wine reds; tanzanite a velvet blue-violet found in only one place on earth; turquoise and malachite opaque, ancient, and bold; pearl the only gem made by a living creature. Explore them all in the coloured gemstone collection.

HOW TO CHOOSE

• Colour first: rich, even saturation matters more than technical clarity.
• Hardness matters for rings: sapphire and ruby for daily wear; emerald, amethyst, and softer stones prefer occasional wear or protective settings.
• Meaning: born to a stone? See the birthstone guide.
• Provenance: every Izmirian stone is natural — read about our certification.

Caring for coloured stones differs by gem, the care guide covers each. Or commission a piece around the stone you love.