Why Should You Say 'Yes!' To A Gemstone?

What are the differences between Diamonds and Gemstones?

All gemstones (including natural diamonds) are formed in the ground over millions of years as incredible, natural phenomenons. And thanks to the incredible trace elements present during their crystallisation, in different combinations and concentrations, we're blessed with the choice of a rainbow of coloured gemstones.

While natural Diamonds can also be found in an array of colours from yellow to pink to red, Gemstones can offer the same sparkling hues for a much more affordable price. Think Rubies, Yellow Sapphires, Pink Sapphires and Blue Sapphires, Emeralds & Aquamarines.

So why are Diamonds often the default?

Although Sapphires, Rubies and Emeralds have a far longer standing history, it’s no secret that Diamonds are one of the most sought-after gemstones on the market today.

Since big Diamond jewellery houses started campaigning heavily for sparkling centre stones in the mid-1950s, it has been considered ‘normal’ for customers to default to Diamonds as their go-to choice, especially for engagement rings.

However, a lot has changed over the last 70 years, with royalty and celebrities alike opting for coloured gemstones, driving an unparalleled resurgence of coloured gemstones as a sophisticated, unique and modern choice.

Read on to discover the top five reasons our customers love gemstones!

1 - Better Value

Often, value can also be an important consideration when it comes to investing in jewellery. Despite being one of the most plentiful gemstones, natural Diamonds come from a very controlled market, with supply limited alongside clever marketing to inflate their price over many decades.

While natural Diamonds are an absolutely stunning gemstone, they are also one of the least affordable, especially if you’re someone who loves the aesthetics of a bigger gemstone.

We particularly love Aquamarines, if you’re seeking something which offers subtlety, sparkle and versatility at amazing value from Original all the way to our show-stopping Grand size!

Below is a visual representation of the size difference you’d normally get with the same budget when comparing Aquamarines and natural Diamonds.

Aquamarines are also a gemstone loved by Royals, which adorned the Queen, Princess Diana and Meghan Markle, which was actually the reason why one of our clients opted for a Solitaire emerald cut Aquamarine!

“I had set my heart on an Aquamarine emerald cut ring, after seeing Meghan Markle wearing one on her wedding day! It is exquisite and has exceeded all expectations. Most importantly, the workmanship & value for money is second to none” - Julie

We briefly touched on the array of colours Diamonds can come in. If you have your eye on a coloured diamond but have a tighter budget or if you want better value for your money, Sapphires are the way to go.

Sapphires come in an array of hues, such as blue, pink, green, yellow, orange, purple, colourless and black while achieving a similar sparkle as a coloured Diamond, without the hefty price tag.

If you'd like to create a Sapphire piece that isn't in our standard blue, pink or yellow sapphire range, submit a bespoke enquiry form here to get in touch with our bespoke team who can bring your ideas to life. 

2 - Gemstone Uniqueness & Individuality

The number one reason we hear from our community as to why they love gemstones is their uniqueness. From the rainbow of Sapphires to the elegant Ruby - formed by nature, no two gemstones are the same.

Each gemstone tells its own complex story, reflecting its formation journey over millions of years. For example, Yellow Sapphires can range from a darker, vivid ‘sunshine’ yellow to a lighter hue. To add, Blue Sapphires can also range from a deep ocean blue to a lighter sky blue!

With gemstones, the world is your oyster. In fact, our team at Fenton can work with you to source the colour of the gemstone you have your heart set on. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss your dream piece.

Fenton gemmologist Susannah FGA expands on this telling us that “certain gemstones within the same family can have perfect clarity, whilst others can have incredible inclusions that cause different optical phenomenons, and leave a totally unique fingerprint on each gemstone.”

Emeralds are the perfect example here. Each boasts a unique set of inclusions (such as wispy feathers or mica platelets) owing to their complex crystallisation process.

While they are always green in colour, some tend to have yellowish undertones, and others more blue, differing depending on their country of origin and the geological conditions under which they were formed. When looking at two Emeralds you will quickly see the uniqueness and character of each.

Another key thing here is the rise of individuality. “We’ve moved away from the 1950s culture of ‘Keeping up with the Joneses to a culture of expressing yourself and being more of an individual”, says Laura, our founder.

We’re seeing more and more people choosing bold, colourful gemstones, which truly reflect their personality, relationship or the feeling they’re looking to express. So if you’re looking to stand out from the crowd a gemstone could be the perfect choice for you!

“I am absolutely in love with my Fenton ring! I went for a Yellow Sapphire Vintage in platinum and it is more beautiful than I hoped it would be. I would highly recommend Fenton to anyone coveting a unique engagement ring.” - Nicolle

3 - Gemstone Colour

Following closely from their uniqueness - is simply the colour of the gemstone! At Fenton, our love for gemstones starts with our founder Laura, who grew up with an obsession with colour.

“When it comes to gemstones, colour equals complexity. With diamonds, colour can be distilled down to a single letter - D, E, F etc. White or less white with a sense that perfection sits at one end of the scale”.

“Coloured gemstones are almost the opposite. Each of us sees colours differently and there is no one perfect colour. As well as the base colour, there’s saturation, hue, dispersal and lustre as a basic starting point.

All of these factors affect what we see and the combination of each goes towards making each coloured gemstone feel truly unique.” Our gemmologists love gemstones for their colour too…

“I love coloured gemstones because of the huge range of colours and optical properties they can have! Even within a single gemstone family, such as corundum (Sapphires and Rubies) and Garnets, you can see the whole spectrum of colours from reds to greens, blues to pinks and oranges, yellows and browns.” Susannah FGA.

“Coloured gemstones are all about the colour! They have such unique personalities and variations from the way they hold colour to the way they’re cut.

Coloured gemstones really showcase what mother nature has to offer! I absolutely adore how coloured gemstones are ‘Chemistry in Action’! One change in trace elements can result in a totally different colour” - Hanna G.G

And our customers adore gemstones for their colour too “[My partner] is super colourful. So the bold Pink Sapphire Trilogy was a perfect fit for her! She loves it!” - Vita.

4 - Gemstone Sentimentality

Sentimentality is another reason why we hear our customers gravitate toward gemstones. For example, most people love gemstones as it serves as a reminder of fond memories of a parent or grandparent who had a gemstone ring or treasured piece of jewellery.

Most times, gemstone jewellery is passed on as heirloom gifts, which are to be treasured for generations to come. And it’s easy to see why fine jewellery can hold so much sentimentality. We absolutely love hearing what fine gemstone jewellery can mean to you.

“I love when a customer comes with a set gemstone in mind, chosen for sentimental reasons. I recently had a couple come in with their hearts set on a Blue Sapphire, inspired by her grandmother's engagement ring and a wish to continue this tradition. They settled on a stunning Star oval cut Blue Sapphire!” Chloe, Concierge

We’ve also had the pleasure of interviewing the likes of Jack & Barbara, Josh & Tishina and Matthew & Madison.

From honouring their late grandparent to Emeralds as a reminder of their home country, we loved hearing their stories of how and why they came to pick their gemstone engagement rings and jewellery.

5 - Gemstone Meaning

We also love when customers are guided by the meaning of the gemstones! Said to hold certain powers, which are gifted upon the wearer since ancient civilisations, you can choose a gemstone to aid you in life. For example, a Garnet represents passion, whereas an Aquamarine can be a symbol of fearlessness and protection.

Laura says, “The symbolic meanings of gemstones feed into why they have been such a popular choice throughout history. You can spell out hidden messages with coloured gemstones and hope to draw powers from the properties that are ascribed to them.”

Gemstones are also loved as birthstones, such as Aquamarines for March, Rubies for July and Sapphires for September. We’ve had many customers opting for their partner’s birthstone as an engagement ring, which adds so much more meaning to their union.

Will you say YES! to a gemstone?

From being able to express your personality to embedding a hidden meaning in your jewellery and being able to size up your gemstone, it is pretty clear gemstones are incredibly special - and shouldn’t be overlooked when investing in fine jewellery.

If you’re dreaming of creating your own piece of jewellery but are not sure where to start, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert concierge and gemmologist team to book your personal or virtual appointment.

We’ve helped hundreds of happy couples and people in choosing their special forever piece and would be honoured to help you find yours.