A Celebration Of Authenticity, Uniqueness, and Sparkle (With Gemstones of Course!)

As we celebrate Pride Month, we thought it would be fun to explore the meaning behind the colors of the pride flags and match them to sparkling gemstones. Every color tells a story of authenticity and joy, and a colored gemstone lets you wear a little of that meaning wherever you go.

Below we pair each flag color with a stone we adore, so you can find the sparkle that feels most like you. We recognize all kinds of love, and this is one of our favorite ways to say so.

Gemstone Colors to Celebrate

Color is at the heart of both the pride flag and our colored gemstone jewelry. Here is how we like to match the two, along with the symbolism behind each stone.

• Red, ruby. A rich, fiery ruby captures passion, love, and vitality. It is one of the boldest ways to wear color, and one of the hardest-wearing.
• Orange, fire opal, imperial topaz, tiger’s eye. Warm orange stones radiate creativity, strength of will, and courage. Their glowing tones feel like a burst of confidence.
• Yellow, citrine. Bright as sunlight, citrine symbolizes manifestation and life force. Its cheerful golden sparkle brings warmth to any piece.
• Green, emerald. Lush like nature itself, emerald stands for rebirth, renewal, and truth. Our guide to emerald gemstones and May birthdays covers what to look for in that deep green.
• Blue, sapphire. Cool and calming, blue sapphire represents harmony, wisdom, and clarity. A classic that pairs beautifully with diamonds.
• Violet, amethyst. Regal amethyst carries the spirit of the violet stripe, symbolizing intuition. Its soft purple glow feels both grounding and magical.

Beyond the flag, we love blue topaz for clarity and calm, paraiba tourmaline for grounding and abundance, color-changing alexandrite for duality and transformation, and rosy morganite for compassion. There is a shade for every story, and our guide on how to add colored gemstones to your jewelry style walks through working them into what you already wear.

Here is one of each, in the same 14k white gold so the stones do the talking. Between them they carry three of the flag colors: yellow, violet, and blue.

14k White Gold Genuine Citrine and Natural Diamond Earrings .07 ct. tw.

• Yellow. Genuine citrine with .07 ct. tw. natural diamonds
• 14k white gold, rhodium plated, polished finish
• Friction backs, and the safest place to wear a softer stone

14k White Gold Genuine Amethyst and Natural Diamond Fashion Ring 1/10 ct. tw.

• Violet. Genuine amethyst with 1/10 ct. tw. natural diamonds
• 14k white gold, rhodium plated, polished finish
• 1.5 mm shank, slim enough to stack with what you already wear

14k White Gold Blue Sapphire Natural Diamond Bracelet 1/2 ct. tw.

• Blue. Genuine blue sapphires with 1/2 ct. tw. natural diamonds
• 14k white gold, rhodium plated, tennis style
• 7 inches with a push-lock clasp, and sapphire takes daily wear well

Find Your Sparkle at Robbins Brothers

Colored stones vary more between two examples of the same gem than diamonds do, which is the honest argument for seeing them in person. Two amethysts can sit a long way apart on depth of purple, and a photograph will not tell you which one you would actually pick up. Our jewelry consultants will lay several out so you can choose the tone rather than the name.

We have been helping guests find pieces they will keep since 1921, and we are employee owned. Our master jeweler works in house, so a custom setting built around a stone that means something to you happens under our roof. Stop by any of our showrooms across California, Arizona, Texas, and Washington, or book an appointment to see them in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do gemstone colors symbolize?

Every color carries its own meaning, from ruby’s passion and citrine’s life force to sapphire’s wisdom and amethyst’s intuition. We love helping guests choose a stone whose symbolism speaks to them, so ask our team when you visit.

Which colored gemstones are durable enough for everyday wear?

Sapphire and ruby are the hardest of the colored stones and suit daily pieces including rings. Softer stones like opal and morganite are happier in earrings or occasional wear, where they take fewer knocks. Emerald sits in between: reasonably hard, but its natural inclusions make it more brittle than hardness alone suggests.

Can a colored gemstone go in an engagement ring?

Yes, and sapphire is the usual recommendation because it stands up to being worn every day for decades. If you love a softer stone, it can still work with the right setting, or as side stones flanking a diamond center. We can show you both approaches on the hand.

Do colored gemstones need special cleaning?

Some do. Sapphire and ruby handle routine cleaning easily, while opal, emerald, and other porous or included stones should stay away from ultrasonic cleaners and harsh solutions. Warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth is the safe default, and we will clean anything properly for you at a showroom.

What is the difference between a genuine and a lab-created gemstone?

A genuine stone formed in the earth; a lab-created one has the same chemistry and appearance but was grown in controlled conditions. Both are real gemstones rather than imitations. The pieces in this guide are all genuine stones, and our consultants can explain the trade-offs if you are weighing the two.

Can I wear a colored stone that is not my birthstone?

Of course. Birthstones are one tradition among many, and plenty of guests choose a stone for its color, its symbolism, or simply because they love it. The best reason to wear a stone is that it means something to you.

Can you create a custom colored gemstone piece?

Yes. Our master jeweler and in-house design studio can build a piece around a stone you choose, or reset one you already own. Bring your idea to an appointment and we will start from the stone.

Do I need an appointment to see colored gemstones?

Walk-ins are always welcome. Booking ahead simply means we can have several examples of a stone pulled and ready, which is worth doing if you want to compare tones rather than look at one of each.

Or find a Robbins Brothers near you and choose your color in person. You can also browse our Pinterest board for inspiration.