Gemstones come in a variety of colours. Rubies, blue sapphires and emeralds are the most sought after and valuable coloured gemstones. Like diamonds, these are classified as precious stones due to their beautiful colour, brilliance and rarity.
Tourmaline, Spinel and aquamarine are also beautiful coloured gemstones that command a high market price. There are a large variety of other semi-precious gemstones that are much more affordable including amethyst, amber, citrine, garnet, peridot, topaz, kunzite and turquoise. These are popular choices for fashion jewellery.
When considering the quality of coloured gemstones, elements of the 4Cs used for grading diamonds – cut, colour, clarity and carat weight, remains relevant. The most important characteristic for determining the quality and value of coloured gemstones is colour.
Colour is judged on three factors – hue, tone and saturation. Coloured gemstones with the purest, intense and vibrant colours are more valuable.
Coloured gemstone jewellery makes beautiful gift ideas for celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.
DIAMETER (mm) | AUSTRALIA | USA | EUROPE |
14.1 | F | 3 | 44 |
14.3 | F 1/2 | 45 | |
14.5 | G | 3 1/2 | |
14.7 | G 1/2 | 46 | |
14.9 | H | 4 | 47 |
15.1 | H 1/2 | ||
15.3 | I | 4 1/2 | 48 |
15.5 | I 1/2 | ||
15.7 | J | 5 | 59 |
15.9 | J 1/2 | 50 | |
16.1 | K | 5 1/2 | |
16.3 | K 1/2 | 51 | |
16.5 | L | 6 | 52 |
16.7 | L 1/2 | ||
16.9 | M | 6 1/2 | 53 |
17.1 | M 1/2 | ||
17.3 | N | 7 | 54 |
17.5 | N 1/2 | 55 | |
17.7 | O | 7 1/2 | |
17.9 | O 1/2 | 56 | |
18.1 | P | 8 | 57 |
18.3 | P 1/2 | ||
18.5 | Q | 8 1/2 | 58 |
18.7 | Q 1/2 | ||
18.9 | R | 9 | 59 |
19.1 | R 1/2 | 60 | |
19.3 | S | 9 1/2 | 61 |
19.5 | S 1/2 | ||
19.7 | T | 10 | 62 |
19.9 | T 1/2 | 63 | |
20.1 | U | 10 1/2 | |
20.3 | U 1/2 | 64 | |
20.5 | V | 11 | 65 |
20.7 | V 1/2 | ||
20.9 | W | 11 1/2 | 66 |
21.1 | W 1/2 | ||
21.3 | X | 12 | 67 |
21.5 | X 1/2 | ||
21.7 | Y | 12 1/2 | 68 |
21.9 | Y 1/2 | 69 | |
22.1 | Z | 13 | 70 |