Beyond rubies and sapphires, meet the new 'rock stars' of the jewellery world

Who says only diamonds are a girl’s best friend? Or only rubies, emeralds and sapphires symbolise wealth and power? The times they are A-changin’ and the world of jewels is now a smorgasbord of new possibilities. Slowly but steadily, alternative gemstones are taking over the jewellery hemisphere by storm and are opening up a new horizon for connoisseurs. Think onyx, garnet, rubellite and amethyst to aquamarine and tanzanite to add some fresh allure to your jewellery cabinet. 

“True luxury isn’t limited to emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The mesmerising blues of tanzanite, the golden brilliance of topaz and the regal allure of amethyst reveal the endless beauty of coloured gemstones making them diverse,” Queenie Singh from Jewels By Queenie explains the transition.    

DISCOVERING NEWER GEMS

In a world rife with talks of diamonds and sapphires, what’s really making this shift towards other vibrant stones? Perhaps because of the unique hues that they showcase along with ethical factors and different varieties and cuts. 

“Tanzanites and pink sapphires are extremely special gemstones that deserve their own spotlight for a while,” says Prerna Rajpal, founder and CEO, Amaris by Prerna Rajpal, who has a particular affinity towards tanzanites, rare gems found only in Tanzania. “Pink sapphires, on the other hand, with their delicate yet intense colour, offer a perfect balance of playfulness."

That different gemstones bring a vibrant palette to fine jewellery is one of the most important factors behind the rising popularity of gemstones. Neelam Kothari, founder of Neelam Jewels, loves using turquoise, amethyst, aquamarine and kunzite. 

“Going forward, people will be incorporating semi-precious stones in their jewellery wardrobe,” she’s certain. “While rubies, emeralds and sapphires always remain timeless gemstones, sometimes, the price factor may end up changing the look of jewellery, making it more fun than classic. From crown jewels to heritage necklaces and rings, these unusual gemstones have become bespoke statements, making them classy and versatile.”

TIME FOR CHANGE

Luxury today is about expressing yourself—and what better way can you express yourself than with gemstones that tell your unique story? The move towards gemstones isn’t just for their visual appeal but also as long-term investments, considering their availability. Moreover, these jewels also have beautiful, one-of-a-kind designs. Jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali likes to pair unexpected stones to create mystical bejewelled pieces.

“I don’t stick to traditional gemstone rules,” she stresses. 

The ever-growing world of coloured gemstones is bringing in a fresh, new look to women’s wardrobes. Even as a growing set of connoisseurs are keen to experiment with new looks and newer stones, jewellery designers are having the best time of their lives steering clear of the same old precious stones.