Gemstone Jewelry Trends: Which Stone Will Hold Its Value Over Time?
For thousands of years, people have appreciated the natural beauty of gemstones. However, it’s not just their aesthetic charms that make them so sought after. Gemstone jewelry has long been considered an excellent investment, but you may wonder which gemstones offer lasting value.
Investing in jewelry requires careful consideration. Here, we’ll explore which gemstones offer enduring appeal and are likely to grow in value.
Factors Influencing Gemstone Value
Several factors influence the value of gemstones; these include the following:
Rarity & Scarcity
When a gemstone is hard to find, demand increases, and its value skyrockets. So, the rarer a gemstone is, the more valuable it’s likely to be.
Quality & Clarity
A gemstone’s clarity is directly linked to its value and quality. The higher the clarity, the more valuable the gemstone.
Clarity refers to the presence of imperfections, such as cracks and marks on the gemstone. Diamonds have a standardized clarity grading scale. However, other gemstones do not have a standard clarity scale; this makes their valuations in terms of clarity more subjective.
Color & Hue
Color is a significant factor in a gemstone’s value. When a gemstone is valued, its hue, tone, and color saturation are considered. Gemstones with an intense, strong color have a higher value.
Each type of gemstone has a preferred color, which is the most sought-after. Gemstones that match this color are more highly valued.
For rubies, the Burma ruby, hailing from what is now Myanmar, is extremely rare and high in value. Thanks to the geological conditions found in Myanmar, these rubies boast a far more intense, vivid red, referred to as ‘pigeon’s blood.’
The Kashmir sapphire is extremely valuable. Its value is driven up by its beautiful, highly prized, soft blue hue and its rarity. The mines that produced Kasmir sapphire have been dry for almost 100 years, so this scarcity has meant that these gemstones are now exceptionally valuable.
Timeless Classic: Gemstones With Enduring Value
Some gemstones are classics that are constantly sought-after. This provides them with a consistently high value.
Diamonds
Diamonds are the ultimate example of a gemstone with timeless appeal and the ability to hold its value. Aside from their obvious beauty, a few other factors contribute to the enduring value of diamonds. These include:
- The scarcity of high-quality diamonds with high levels of clarity.
- Diamonds symbolize luxury and wealth, which makes them highly sought-after, and increases their value.
Rubies, Sapphires & Emeralds
Rubies, sapphires, and emeralds are often called the ‘big 3' because they are considered precious gemstones.
These gemstones have long been considered valuable. As far back as 700 BC, the Romans used rubies, sapphires, and emeralds to make jewelry. The ancient Greeks highly prized these precious Stones, associating them with qualities such as wisdom and power.
The big 3 are also extremely durable gemstones, as shown on the Mohs’ Hardness Scale. This means the gemstones can potentially last forever, making them even more valuable.
Emerging Trends: New Contenders in the Market
Diamonds and the big 3 hold an enduring appeal. However, it’s also wise to consider the value of new contenders when investing in jewelry.
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is an attractive gemstone with blue or violet hues. As well as being beautiful, Tanzanite is extremely rare and only found in a very small area of Tanzania. This scarcity should see Tanzanite’s value rise in the future.
Paraiba Tourmaline
You might not have heard of Paraiba tourmaline, but this gemstone is one to watch. The price per carat of this blue-green stone is continuing to rise.
Spinel
Spinel shares many characteristics with ruby. However, it’s a rarer gemstone. In recent years, demand for spinel has started rising, increasing its value.
Morganite
Morganite is often compared to diamond as it boasts similar hardness. Recently, morganite has become a viable alternative to diamonds in engagement rings. This popularity has led to an increase in value.
Balancing Beauty & Investment: Selecting the Right Gemstone
Investing in gemstones can be highly lucrative. However, you need to choose the right gemstone. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for gemstone jewelry:
Investment Potential Vs. Aesthetic Appeal
Choosing beautiful gemstone jewelry is essential to gaining pleasure from your investment. However, you also need to make money from it. Discussing your aesthetic preferences with a jewelry expert will help you find beautiful jewelry with solid investment potential.
Market Predictions & Trends
Due to their scarcity, gemstones will always be a strong investment choice. However, the performance of individual gemstones is influenced by market trends. Recently, the popularity of colored gemstones has prompted an increase in value for emerald, sapphire, and ruby jewelry. Diamonds are enduringly popular, which enables them to consistently hold their value.
Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing
Consumers are increasingly aware of the ethics surrounding gemstone mining. Therefore, it’s essential to be mindful of how this may impact the value of jewelry you invest in.
Importance of Ethical Practices
With ethical sourcing and sustainability becoming increasingly important to consumers, you must understand the origins of the gemstones you purchase. Unethical sourcing could impact the future value of your gemstones, making them unattractive to prospective purchasers.
Sustainable Alternatives
Research shows demand for sustainably-sourced, ethical fine jewelry purchases is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. Demand drives value so now could be the ideal time to get ahead of the curve and invest in sustainably-sourced jewelry.
Discover Beautiful Gemstone Jewelry With Lasting Value at G Marie Luxuries
Investing in fine jewelry requires a careful balance between your preferred aesthetic and predicting which gemstones will increase in value. At G Marie Luxuries, we can help you explore our carefully-curated fine jewelry collection to find pieces you will adore wearing now and will hold value in the future.
Book an appointment with one of our fine jewelry specialists to get started looking for your perfect gemstone jewelry! We offer both in-store and virtual appointments to serve you regardless of your location.