The fashion and luxury world can be described as ever-changing these days, and trendy gemstones have made themselves at home there, lighting up celebrity red carpets, taking over Pinterest boards, and popping up in engagement rings in a distinctive new way. Exotic teal sapphires to moody salt and pepper ruby stone and garnets, these stones are long-lasting trends to make not just fashionable but also valuable investments in beauty and symbolism, and of course, self-expression.
Trends are fun; however, marketing hype comes along with it, and that is why every gemstone buyer, be it a seasoned or an inexperienced one, will have to scratch the surface of the shine and actually look at the core of the matter.
Here, in this blog, we have mentioned the things you need to learn before buying fashionable gems.
All the fashionable gemstones are not necessarily suited to everyone, and it is alright. Ask yourself:
As an example, the increasing demand for Padparadscha sapphire s is not only due to their salmon colour, but also to maintaining a balance of beauty and rarity. This does not imply, however, that everybody does.
Knowing your emotional, cultural, or spiritual attachment to a gem means that you are buying it with a purpose and not what is on Pinterest.
If you are buying it for astrological purposes, make sure that you consult an astrologer and wear the right gem, as wearing an astrologically wrong gem can lead into the arms of harm.
Read More - 14 rules of wearing gemstones to consider .
As a product increases in demand, so do synthetic look-alikes and creative re-labelling. Whether you are aiming at a glow
opal stone
or a fashionable
sapphire stone
, you must at any cost demand the certification of a gemstone by a recognised laboratory such as:
The certifications are also used to verify authenticity and other information, such as origin and disclosure of treatment, information that is most vital when investing in rare or high-value gems.
Explore More - Gemstone Certifications: The Ultimate Guide
Not all of the vibrant colouring implies a natural origin. When dealing with gemstones, a good number of them are treated in order to appear better. Some gemstones are treated less surreptitiously than others.
For example:
Having any information about whether a gem is treated or not makes you make accurate evaluations concerning its worth--before you end up purchasing a treated gem at natural prices.
Also Read - Type of Treatment Used on Rubies and Sapphires
There is a gem that is breathtaking, but is it functional?
Your best friend in this is the Mohs scale of hardness. When wearing the rings as daily wear, consider stones rated 7 and above:
Like Sapphire (9), Spinel stone (8), Topaz (8), Garnet stone (6.5-7.5), Ruby (9), emerald stone (7), etc.
Fashionable choices, such as opal or moonstone , are delicate but celestial. They would be great in earrings or a pendant , but may not do so well on a high-contact piece of jewellery such as a ring . Because they can get damaged with a little bit of temperature change, chemicals or can be chipped easily as well.
Further Reading - Gemstone Hardness, Toughness & Durability
Fashionable = lacking quality - No, its not necessary. Most of the new stones are increasing Investment.
There are fashionable stones turning into the new missing goods in investment portfolios. For instance:
Fashionable does not have to be trivial, especially when selected wisely; it might imply one who is ahead of the times. So, research the market for gems that are in trend as well as are rare and will give you a good return value in future.
Discover - Gemstones You Should Invest In - A Planning For Future!
Nuances of tone, saturation and hue can extremely increase prices in most trendy gems.
Consider, as an example, spinels: A hot pink spinel of Mahenge sells much more and is much more valuable, compared to a greyish-pink spinel of another locality. Or peach sapphire for their matter, a too-pinkish tone will make them pink sapphire while an orange hint makes them orange sapphires. And their price range varies entirely.
Collaborate with dealers or websites that not only give romantic definitions but also teach you how to grade colours like Navratan . Ask your questions freely, and our experts will guide you.
Know More - The Astrology of Color: Choosing Colors Based on Your Sign
The source of a gemstone has an enormous effect on the value of the stone. It is like the terroir of gems, because the origin can help define the quality of gems, since each geological condition of different regions differs.
For example, the well-known Kashmir sapphires are loved for their very deep, velvet blue colour and are incredibly rare since the Kashmir mines are depleted now.
Colombian emerald are particularly known for their intense green color with minimal inclusions.
Burmese rubies are legendary because of their pigeon blood red colour.
Fashionable gems whose source is known usually command a higher price, not just in the beauty of the stones but also in the story or history behind it.
The consumers are getting more conscious about the origin and the method in which they attain the supply of their gemstones. Of particular concern when it comes to trendy gems (part of which are sourced in newly-discovered or artisanal mines), ethical sourcing is essential. If you also have concerns, you can ask your gemstone dealers questions like - Does the gem have any conflict? Do miners get reasonable wages? Or does the mine exercise environmental sustainability?
Transparent brands are more likely to promise that beauty has not been purchased on the back of exploitation (as is the case with Navratan).
More to know - Colored Engagement Rings: Types & Meanings
A gem can be hot now, and what will it be five years later?
In case you invest in a popular stone, make it a traditional setting or a classic design. In that way, in case the gem is coming out of style, your piece does not look outdated anymore, but rather sophisticated.
Consider bezel settings, or three stone rings, or east-west settings that point up the uniqueness of the gem, but not just as a momentum-driven fashion item.
Lastly, select platforms or jewellers that are transparent, educational, and have after-sales support. Be sure to shop at its stores or its online store, like Navratan, where you prioritise those who:
An industry-savvy jeweller will make sure that a fad gem turns into a smart, long-term buy.
Also Read - What Are The 9 Navratna Stones?
The most important thing is that you should make sure that price you are paying is not too much. The price of a coloured gemstone depends on 4 C’s:
Color - The most defining factor is the color, the more accurate the color is, with uniform distribution and no undertones or overtones, the higher the price will be.
Clarity - Inclusions are very common in gemstones, but the fewer they are, the more appealing the gem will be; hence, clear gemstones are valued more.
Cut - A precisely and accurately cut enhances the brilliance, and the symmetry elevates the depth; hence, a fine cut gem costs more.
Carat Weight - Larger gemstones of higher carat weights are very rare, and hence more valuable.
When evaluating a trendy gem, don’t let the fashion factor distract from these technical fundamentals. A visually stunning stone must still stand strong on its 4Cs foundation to justify its price.
Also Read - Luckiest gemstone for you - How to decide?