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Sikh Jewellry

Stone Guide

Compare every major stone, then learn how to judge one.

Gemstones

Every Stone, Side by Side.

The main stones on the market, hardest first. Tap any stone to learn more.

Showing 39 of 39 stones

What do the wear labels mean?

They weigh toughness as well as hardness, so a softer but tough stone can rank higher.

Everyday
Hard and tough enough for a daily ring.
Regular wear
Fine to wear often. In a ring, choose a protective setting.
Occasional
Best in earrings and pendants, or rings saved for occasions.
  • DiamondEverydayMohs 10

    The hardest natural material, though a hard knock can still chip it.

    Colors
    Colorless, plus yellow, pink and blue
    Family
    Carbon
    Common treatments
    Some are treated to improve color or clarity.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Birthstone
    April
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Diamond
  • MoissaniteEverydayMohs 9.25

    Shows more fire than diamond. Nearly all of it is lab-grown.

    Colors
    Colorless, sometimes with a gray or green tint
    Family
    Silicon carbide
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Moissanite
  • RubyEverydayMohs 9

    Red corundum, tough enough for a daily ring.

    Colors
    Red
    Family
    Corundum
    Common treatments
    Heat is routine. Some stones are glass filled.
    Care
    Warm soapy water. No ultrasonic if the stone is filled.
    Birthstone
    July
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Ruby
  • SapphireEverydayMohs 9

    Corundum in every color except red. Very tough.

    Colors
    Blue, pink, yellow, orange, green and white
    Family
    Corundum
    Common treatments
    Heat is routine. Some stones are diffusion treated.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Birthstone
    September
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Sapphire
  • AlexandriteEverydayMohs 8.5

    Known for changing color with the light. Natural stones are rare.

    Colors
    Green in daylight, red to purple in warm light
    Family
    Chrysoberyl
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Birthstone
    June
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Alexandrite
  • ChrysoberylEverydayMohs 8.5

    Very tough. Some stones show a cat's-eye line of light.

    Colors
    Yellow, green and brown
    Family
    Chrysoberyl
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Design with Chrysoberyl
  • Cubic ZirconiaRegular wearMohs 8–8.5

    A lab-made diamond look-alike. It can scratch and cloud with wear.

    Colors
    Colorless and many colors
    Family
    Zirconium oxide
    Common treatments
    Coatings are sometimes added.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Cubic Zirconia
  • SpinelEverydayMohs 8

    Durable, and long mistaken for ruby and sapphire.

    Colors
    Red, pink, blue, violet and black
    Family
    Spinel
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Birthstone
    August
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Spinel
  • TopazRegular wearMohs 8

    Hard, but a sharp knock can split it.

    Colors
    Blue, orange, pink, yellow and colorless
    Family
    Topaz
    Common treatments
    Blue topaz is usually irradiated and heated.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Birthstone
    November
    Design with Topaz
  • EmeraldRegular wearMohs 7.5–8

    Inclusions make it brittle, so a protective setting helps.

    Colors
    Green
    Family
    Beryl
    Common treatments
    Filling fractures with oil or resin is routine.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Birthstone
    May
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Emerald
  • AquamarineRegular wearMohs 7.5–8

    A clear, watery blue, often with few inclusions.

    Colors
    Pale blue to blue-green
    Family
    Beryl
    Common treatments
    Heat is common to improve the blue.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Birthstone
    March
    Design with Aquamarine
  • MorganiteRegular wearMohs 7.5–8

    Soft pink beryl, popular for engagement rings.

    Colors
    Pink to peach
    Family
    Beryl
    Common treatments
    Heat is common to improve the pink.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Design with Morganite
  • TourmalineRegular wearMohs 7–7.5

    Found in almost every color, sometimes two in one stone.

    Colors
    Pink, green, blue, and often two colors
    Family
    Tourmaline
    Common treatments
    Heat or irradiation is used on some.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Birthstone
    October
    Design with Tourmaline
  • IoliteRegular wearMohs 7–7.5

    Changes shade as it turns, and can split if knocked.

    Colors
    Violet-blue
    Family
    Cordierite
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Design with Iolite
  • GarnetRegular wearMohs 6.5–7.5

    A large family, from deep red to vivid green.

    Colors
    Red, orange, green and purple
    Family
    Garnet
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Birthstone
    January
    Design with Garnet
  • ZirconOccasionalMohs 6–7.5

    A natural stone, not cubic zirconia. Its facet edges can chip.

    Colors
    Blue, golden, red and colorless
    Family
    Zircon
    Common treatments
    Most blue stones are heated.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Birthstone
    December
    Design with Zircon
  • AmethystRegular wearMohs 7

    Purple quartz. Long exposure to strong light can fade it.

    Colors
    Purple
    Family
    Quartz
    Common treatments
    Heat is used on some.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Birthstone
    February
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Amethyst
  • CitrineRegular wearMohs 7

    Warm yellow quartz. Much of it is heat-treated amethyst.

    Colors
    Yellow to orange
    Family
    Quartz
    Common treatments
    Heat is common.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Birthstone
    November
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Citrine
  • AmetrineRegular wearMohs 7

    Part amethyst, part citrine, in a single crystal.

    Colors
    Purple and yellow in one stone
    Family
    Quartz
    Common treatments
    Heat or irradiation is used on some.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Ametrine
  • Rose QuartzRegular wearMohs 7

    A soft, often milky pink, usually cut smooth.

    Colors
    Pale pink
    Family
    Quartz
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Design with Rose Quartz
  • Smoky QuartzRegular wearMohs 7

    An earthy quartz, easy to find in larger sizes.

    Colors
    Brown to gray
    Family
    Quartz
    Common treatments
    Irradiation is used on some.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Design with Smoky Quartz
  • Tiger's EyeRegular wearMohs 6.5–7

    Silky bands that shift as the stone moves.

    Colors
    Golden brown bands
    Family
    Quartz
    Common treatments
    Dye is used on some.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Design with Tiger's Eye
  • AgateRegular wearMohs 6.5–7

    A banded chalcedony, usually cut smooth.

    Colors
    Banded in many colors
    Family
    Chalcedony
    Common treatments
    Dye is common.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Design with Agate
  • OnyxRegular wearMohs 6.5–7

    A banded chalcedony. Most black onyx is dyed.

    Colors
    Black, or black and white
    Family
    Chalcedony
    Common treatments
    Dye is routine.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Design with Onyx
  • CarnelianRegular wearMohs 6.5–7

    A warm, translucent chalcedony.

    Colors
    Orange to red
    Family
    Chalcedony
    Common treatments
    Heat or dye is common.
    Care
    Warm soapy water and a soft brush.
    Design with Carnelian
  • PeridotOccasionalMohs 6.5–7

    Sudden heat can crack it, and acids can damage it.

    Colors
    Olive to lime green
    Family
    Olivine
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Birthstone
    August
    Design with Peridot
  • JadeEverydayMohs 6–7

    Softer than quartz, but exceptionally tough.

    Colors
    Green, lavender, white and black
    Family
    Jadeite or nephrite
    Common treatments
    Some is dyed, waxed, or bleached and resin-filled.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Design with Jade
  • TanzaniteOccasionalMohs 6–7

    Needs protection in a ring, and dislikes sudden heat.

    Colors
    Blue to violet
    Family
    Zoisite
    Common treatments
    Heat is routine.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Birthstone
    December
    Design with Tanzanite
  • KunziteOccasionalMohs 6.5–7

    Splits easily, and can fade in strong light.

    Colors
    Pink to violet
    Family
    Spodumene
    Common treatments
    Irradiation and heat are used on some.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Design with Kunzite
  • MoonstoneOccasionalMohs 6–6.5

    Known for a soft glow that floats as it moves.

    Colors
    White, gray and peach, with a blue glow
    Family
    Feldspar
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Birthstone
    June
    Design with Moonstone
  • LabradoriteOccasionalMohs 6–6.5

    Flashes of color appear as the stone turns.

    Colors
    Gray with blue and green flashes
    Family
    Feldspar
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Design with Labradorite
  • SunstoneOccasionalMohs 6–6.5

    Tiny metallic flecks catch the light.

    Colors
    Orange to red, with glittering flecks
    Family
    Feldspar
    Common treatments
    Usually none.
    Care
    Warm soapy water only. No ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
    Design with Sunstone
  • OpalOccasionalMohs 5.5–6.5

    Famous for flashes of color. It holds water, so avoid heat and dryness.

    Colors
    White, black and orange, with flashes of many colors
    Family
    Hydrated silica
    Common treatments
    Some are dyed, impregnated or assembled in layers.
    Care
    Wipe with a soft damp cloth. No ultrasonic, steam or chemicals.
    Birthstone
    October
    Lab-grown
    Available
    Design with Opal
  • TurquoiseOccasionalMohs 5–6

    Porous, so oils and perfume can change its color.

    Colors
    Blue to green
    Family
    Turquoise
    Common treatments
    Most is stabilized or dyed.
    Care
    Wipe with a soft damp cloth. No ultrasonic, steam or chemicals.
    Birthstone
    December
    Design with Turquoise
  • Lapis LazuliOccasionalMohs 5–5.5

    A rock, not a single mineral, and fairly soft.

    Colors
    Deep blue, often with gold flecks
    Family
    Lazurite-rich rock
    Common treatments
    Dye and wax are common.
    Care
    Wipe with a soft damp cloth. No ultrasonic, steam or chemicals.
    Design with Lapis Lazuli
  • PearlOccasionalMohs 2.5–4.5

    Organic and soft. Put pearls on last, after perfume.

    Colors
    White, cream, pink, gold and black
    Family
    Organic, grown by mollusks; most are cultured
    Common treatments
    Bleaching and dye are common.
    Care
    Wipe with a soft damp cloth. No ultrasonic, steam or chemicals.
    Birthstone
    June
    Design with Pearl
  • MalachiteOccasionalMohs 3.5–4

    Soft, and damaged by acids and heat.

    Colors
    Banded green
    Family
    Malachite
    Common treatments
    Wax or resin is used on some.
    Care
    Wipe with a soft damp cloth. No ultrasonic, steam or chemicals.
    Design with Malachite
  • CoralOccasionalMohs 3–4

    Organic and soft. Trade in some species is restricted.

    Colors
    Red, pink, orange and white
    Family
    Organic
    Common treatments
    Dye and wax are common.
    Care
    Wipe with a soft damp cloth. No ultrasonic, steam or chemicals.
    Design with Coral
  • AmberOccasionalMohs 2–2.5

    Fossilized tree resin, very light and easily scratched.

    Colors
    Honey, yellow and brown
    Family
    Organic
    Common treatments
    Heat and pressing are common.
    Care
    Wipe with a soft damp cloth. No ultrasonic, steam or chemicals.
    Design with Amber

Looking for something else? Ask us. Availability is confirmed in your quote.

The Basics

Learn How to Judge a Stone.

Short lessons. Open only what you want to know.

What Makes a Stone LastHardness, toughness, stability and the Mohs scale.

  • Hardness

    Resists scratches. Measured on the Mohs scale, from 1 to 10.

    The scale shows rank, not equal steps. Diamond is many times harder than corundum, though only one step above it.

  • Toughness

    Resists chipping and breaking.

    It is separate from hardness. Jade is softer than quartz but far tougher, and even diamond can chip if struck the wrong way.

  • Stability

    Resists heat, light and chemicals.

    Opal can crack as it dries out, while amethyst and kunzite can fade in strong light.

The Mohs Scale

  1. 10Diamond · Hardest natural material
  2. 9Corundum · Ruby, sapphire
  3. 8Topaz · Spinel
  4. 7Quartz · Amethyst, citrine
  5. 6Orthoclase · Moonstone, opal
  6. 5Apatite · Turquoise, lapis
  7. 4Fluorite · Malachite
  8. 3Calcite · Pearl, coral
  9. 2Gypsum · Amber
  10. 1Talc · Too soft for jewelry

Household dust can contain quartz, level 7, so softer stones tend to dull faster with wear.

Where Stones Come FromNatural, lab-grown, simulant and treated.

  • Natural

    Formed by nature, with no human help.

    Inclusions are often clues to how and where a stone formed.

  • Lab-Grown

    Made in a lab, with essentially the same chemistry and crystal structure as the natural stone.

    Diamonds are grown by HPHT, which recreates the heat and pressure underground, or CVD, which builds carbon layers from a gas.

  • Simulant

    Looks like another stone but is a different material.

    Moissanite and cubic zirconia are common diamond simulants, each with its own hardness and sparkle.

  • Treated

    Improved after forming, whether natural or lab-grown.

    Heat, oil, dye and irradiation are common. Treatments can change how a stone needs to be cared for, so ask what has been done.

Judging a Colored StoneWhy color comes first, and how clarity and size differ.

  • Color

    Usually matters most.

    Hue is the color itself, tone is how light or dark it is, and saturation is how vivid it looks.

  • Clarity

    Expectations change from stone to stone.

    Aquamarine is often clean to the eye, while most emeralds have visible inclusions.

  • Cut

    Shows off color and light.

    Colored stones have no single cut standard. Look for even color and a lively surface, without a dull, see-through center.

  • Carat

    Weight, not size.

    Stones differ in density, so a one-carat ruby looks smaller than a one-carat emerald.

Light and Special EffectsFire, stars, cat's eyes and color change.
Brilliance
White light returned from inside the stone.See it in: Diamond
Fire
Flashes of rainbow color.See it in: Moissanite
Play of color
Shifting patches of spectral color.See it in: Opal
Color change
A different color in daylight and warm light.See it in: Alexandrite
Asterism
A star of light across a smooth-cut stone.See it in: Star sapphire
Chatoyancy
A single line of light, like a cat's eye.See it in: Chrysoberyl
Adularescence
A soft glow that floats as the stone moves.See it in: Moonstone
Pleochroism
Different colors from different angles.See it in: Iolite
Choosing for How You'll Wear ItRings, bracelets, earrings and pendants.

  • Rings

    Take the most knocks. Choose a tough stone or a protective setting.

  • Bracelets

    Knock against surfaces too. Treat them much like rings.

  • Earrings & Pendants

    Take fewer knocks, so softer stones like opal and pearl suit them.

Reports and PaperworkWhat a report tells you, and what to ask.

  • Grading Report

    Describes a stone's qualities. It does not set a price.

  • Appraisal

    Estimates value, usually for insurance.

  • Questions to Ask

    Is it natural or lab-grown? Has it been treated? How should I care for it?

Glossary22 terms you'll see on reports and quotes.
Assembled stone
Layers joined to look like one stone, such as a doublet or triplet.
Bezel
A metal rim that wraps the edge of a stone.
Cabochon
A stone cut with a smooth, domed top and no facets.
Carat
A unit of stone weight. One carat is 0.2 grams.
Cleavage
A plane along which a crystal tends to split.
Crown
The part of a cut stone above the girdle.
Culet
The small point or facet at the very bottom of a stone.
CVD
Chemical vapor deposition: growing diamond layer by layer from a gas.
Eye-clean
No inclusions visible without magnification.
Facet
A flat, polished surface on a cut stone.
Fracture filling
Filling surface-reaching cracks with oil, resin or glass to hide them.
Girdle
The narrow edge around a stone's widest point.
HPHT
High pressure, high temperature: growing or treating diamond under extreme conditions.
Inclusion
A tiny crystal, feather or other feature inside a stone.
Karat
The purity of gold, out of 24 parts. Not the same as carat.
Luster
How light reflects from a stone's surface.
Pavé
Small stones set close together, held by tiny metal beads.
Pavilion
The part of a cut stone below the girdle.
Point
One hundredth of a carat.
Prong
A metal claw that holds a stone in place.
Rhodium plating
A thin, bright white coating often used on white gold.
Table
The large, flat facet on top of a stone.

Caring for a piece? See jewelry care.

Found Your Stone?

Tell us the idea. We'll design the piece around it.

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