Colorful Gemstone Fine Jewelry

Colored gemstones offer a meaningful alternative to the traditional diamond. Whether you are drawn to the deep blue of a sapphire, the fiery passion of a ruby, or the fresh green of an emerald, gemstone jewelry offers something that goes beyond sparkle: meaning, personality, and a story that is uniquely yours.

In this guide we walk you through choosing gemstone jewelry, from stone types and symbolism to jewelry styles and the trends we love most. Part of the appeal is personalization: a sapphire that matches a grandmother’s eyes, an emerald that recalls a favorite hiking trail, or a ruby that celebrates a spirited personality. A colored stone lets a piece carry meaning a colorless diamond alone cannot.

Why Gemstone Jewelry Is More Popular Than Ever

Colored stones now turn up everywhere from engagement rings to everyday fine jewelry, and the reason is personal rather than fashionable. A colored stone carries an association a colorless one does not: a month, an anniversary, a place, a person. That is why so many of our guests reach for color, and why they tend to keep the piece rather than rotate it out.

Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald

Our colored gemstone collection spans sapphires, rubies, emeralds, blue topaz, amethyst and pearls, set in earrings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets and rings. These three are the classic colored stones, and what they have in common here is that none of them is doing the obvious thing: not one is a single stone in the middle of a setting.

14k White Gold Genuine Blue Sapphire and Natural Diamond Pendant 1/10 ct. tw.

• Four genuine blue sapphires set as a clover around a diamond center
• 14k white gold, rhodium plated, 1/10 ct. tw. of natural diamonds
• A 16 inch rollo chain, short enough to sit above a neckline

14k Yellow Gold Ruby and Natural Diamond Fashion Ring 1/8 ct. tw.

• Ruby flower clusters alternating with single natural diamonds
• 14k yellow gold, which deepens the red rather than cooling it
• A band rather than a solitaire, so it stacks with what she owns

14k White Gold Emerald and Natural Diamond Earrings 1/8 ct. tw.

• Emeralds and natural diamonds alternating along the front of each hoop
• 14k white gold, rhodium plated, 1/8 ct. tw.
• Small hoops on hinged snap backs, which stay put through a long day

Sapphire stands for loyalty, wisdom and protection, and suits September birthdays and 5th and 45th anniversaries. Ruby carries passion, courage and vitality, for July birthdays and 15th and 40th anniversaries. Emerald means growth and renewal, for May birthdays and 20th and 55th anniversaries, and you will find it in beaded necklaces, pendants, earrings and rings from designers such as Doves.

Pearl, Blue Topaz, and Amethyst

The second group is the everyday end of the range. Pearls are the one gem here made by a living creature rather than the earth, which is part of why they read as calm and personal. Blue topaz gives you a clear sky-blue without the weight a sapphire carries. Amethyst is the February birthstone and the easiest violet to wear. All three suit someone who wants color in the rotation rather than on the occasion.

14k White Gold Japanese Cultured Pearl Necklace

• A full strand of Japanese cultured pearls, not a single pendant pearl
• 18 inches, with a 14k white gold milgrain clasp
• The traditional choice for 3rd and 30th anniversaries and for bridal

Special Buy 14k Yellow Gold Genuine Swiss Blue Topaz and Natural Diamond Pendant .08 ct. tw.

• A cushion-cut genuine Swiss blue topaz below a pave-set tapered bail
• 14k yellow gold, .08 ct. tw. of natural diamonds
• A 16 inch cable chain with a 2 inch extender, so the length is adjustable

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

• A round genuine amethyst ringed by a fine halo of diamonds
• 14k white gold, .07 ct. tw., on friction backs
• The February birthstone, and the softest stone in this group

Pearl symbolizes purity and calm; blue topaz is associated with clear communication and emotional balance, for December birthdays and 4th anniversaries; amethyst carries intuition. If you would rather start from a month than from a stone, the birthstone collection is arranged that way, with halo pendants and scallop halo earrings built to put the stone center stage.

Gemstone Jewelry Trends We Are Loving

Colored stones in bridal jewelry

More couples are adding color to engagement rings and wedding bands, and in our range it arrives at the shoulders rather than the middle. Sapphires set either side of a diamond give you a ring nobody else is wearing while keeping the brightness a diamond center brings. It is the easiest way to make a classic bridal look personal.

Gabriel & Co. 14k White Gold Blue Sapphire Natural Diamond Engagement Ring Setting 3/8 ct. tw.

• Two pear-shaped blue sapphires flanking an oval diamond halo
• 14k white gold with milgrain detailing, 3/8 ct. tw. of diamonds
• A setting, so the center stone is chosen separately

Tacori 18k White Gold Blue Sapphire Natural Diamond Engagement Ring Setting 1/4 ct. tw.

• Trapezoid blue sapphires set tight against a cushion-shaped halo
• 18k white gold with milgrain along the shoulders, 1/4 ct. tw.
• Also a setting, built for a round center stone

Poem 14k White Gold Blue Sapphire Natural Diamond Engagement Ring 5/8 ct. tw.

• A complete ring rather than a setting, center stone included
• That center is a round diamond in a double halo, with a round blue sapphire either side
• 14k white gold on a twisted pave shank, 5/8 ct. tw.

Emeralds and yellow gold

Warm golden tones make emerald’s green look lusher and more saturated than a cool metal does. It is vintage glamour with a modern edge, and it is one of the easiest ways to give a green stone real presence on the hand.

Bezel settings

Instead of prongs, a rim of metal wraps the whole stone. Bezels give you the security prongs give with a cleaner finish, they snag less on knitwear, and on a softer colored stone they protect the girdle, which is where chips start.

Vintage and art deco

For an heirloom look, the pieces to hunt for are the ones that could pass for something inherited: intricate milgrain, geometric patterns and a mix of stone shapes. Our vintage-inspired styles add depth and a hint of mystery, and in colored stones the style lives almost entirely in bands.

14k Yellow Gold Genuine Ruby and Natural Diamond Fashion Ring .08 ct. tw.

• Rubies and diamonds alternating in marquise-shaped milgrain settings
• 14k yellow gold, and a vintage design style per the catalog
• The mixed shapes and milgrain edge this section describes

Sethi 18k White Gold Genuine Blue Sapphire Fashion Ring

• Genuine blue sapphires bezel-set the whole way around the band
• 18k white gold, by Sethi, one of the designers featured below
• A bezel eternity, so there is nothing to snag and nothing to catch

Sethi 18k Yellow Gold Genuine Green Sapphire Fashion Ring

• Green sapphires, a color most people do not know sapphire comes in
• 18k yellow gold, which warms the green the way the section above describes
• The same bezel eternity idea as its white gold counterpart

How to Choose the Right Gemstone Jewelry

What is the occasion?

• Birthday gift? Start with their birthstone. It is personal and it takes the guesswork out.
• Anniversary? Check the traditional stone for the milestone, or their favorite color.
• Engagement? Consider the colors she gravitates toward and the symbolism you want the ring to carry.
• Just because? Go with your gut and choose the stone that catches your eye.

What jewelry style suits them?

• Minimalists love simple pendant necklaces and classic stud earrings.
• Statement makers gravitate toward bold cocktail rings and dangle earrings.
• Classic elegance seekers appreciate tennis bracelets and pearl strands.

What metal complements the gemstone?

• Yellow gold warms up emeralds, citrines, and rubies.
• White gold or platinum makes cool-toned sapphires and aquamarines pop.
• Rose gold adds romantic warmth to pink stones and pearls.

Our Favorite Gemstone Jewelry Designers

Verragio

Detailed, architectural settings from Verragio, including pearl pieces that pair a classic gem with a modern frame.

Doves

Romantic, feminine pieces from Doves featuring unique gemstone combinations.

Shy Creation

Modern elegance from Shy Creation with a focus on everyday wearability.

Sethi

Bold, artistic designs from Sethi that make a statement, including the bezel-set sapphire bands above.

The Robbins Brothers Difference

When you choose gemstone jewelry from us, you are getting more than 100 years of expertise and a genuine commitment to your satisfaction. Colored stones are the part of the case where that experience earns its keep: there is no grading shorthand to fall back on, so knowing what a good green or a good blue looks like is a matter of having seen thousands of them.

With our showrooms across California, Arizona, Texas, and Washington, you can see gemstones up close, compare colors side by side, and get expert guidance from our jewelry consultants. Color reads differently in person, and two stones of the same name can sit a long way apart, so seeing them under one light makes the choice much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What gemstones does Robbins Brothers carry?

The stones on this page are the core of what we stock, and there is a birthstone range covering every month on top of them. Availability in any given stone moves, particularly in the smaller ranges, so if you are hunting for one specific color our consultants can tell you what is in the case and what we can source.

What types of gemstone jewelry are available at Robbins Brothers?

You will find gemstones in virtually every jewelry style: stud earrings, hoop earrings, dangle earrings, pendant necklaces, tennis necklaces, tennis bracelets, chain bracelets, bangles, and fashion rings. Gemstone engagement rings and wedding bands are available too.

Which gemstone is best for an engagement ring?

Sapphires and rubies are excellent choices because they are extremely durable, a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. Emeralds are beautiful but softer and more brittle because of their natural inclusions, so they call for a more protective setting. The best choice comes down to personal style, favorite colors, and the meaning you want the ring to hold.

Can the colored stone be the center stone rather than an accent?

It can, and custom is usually the route. The colored-stone bridal pieces we carry ready-made put the color at the shoulders and keep a diamond at the center, which is what the rings on this page do. To put a colored stone in the center instead, we would build the ring around a stone you choose, and our master jeweler will tell you honestly how it will live on a hand before you commit.

How do I care for gemstone jewelry?

Most gemstones can be cleaned with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. Pearls, opals, and emeralds need extra care, and it is best to remove gemstone jewelry before swimming, exercising, or using household chemicals. We are happy to provide care instructions for each piece and offer complimentary cleaning and inspection at any of our showrooms.

Do I need an appointment to shop for gemstone jewelry?

Walk-ins are always welcome, but we recommend booking a personalized consultation so you have dedicated time with one of our jewelry experts. It also means we can have several examples of a stone pulled and waiting, which is what you want if you are choosing between two blues.

Can I design a custom gemstone piece?

Absolutely. Our in-house design studio works closely with you to create something uniquely yours. Whether you are starting from scratch, modifying an existing design, or reimagining an heirloom, our master jeweler can build it with you.

What warranty comes with gemstone jewelry?

We offer a best-in-class lifetime warranty covering cleaning, inspection, and repairs, including our Lifetime Diamond, Sapphire, and Ruby Limited Warranty. Stop by any of our showrooms and we will keep your gemstone jewelry looking its best.

Can I see gemstone jewelry in person before purchasing?

Yes, and with colored stones we would go further and say you should. A screen cannot show you how a stone behaves when the light changes, which is the whole question with color. Come in and our consultants will put several examples in front of you and let you compare them properly.

Or find a Robbins Brothers near you to see our full gemstone collection in person. You can also browse our Pinterest board for inspiration.