Gemstones
At Couleurs, we carry a variety of beautiful colored gemstones. Each of these stones has a unique history, lore, characteristics, and care. Below, we list the stones we carry and information about each. Click on the gemstone name or the "Details..." links to see additional information about each.
The colors of the rainbow set in stone.
You may link to the GIA's encylopedia for more information on gemstones by clicking on the button on the left.
Alexandrite
The color changing alexandrite is nature's magic trick and is a rare variety of mineral chrysoberyl. This color changing characteristic makes the gemstone one of the most valuable of all, in fine qualities. The alexandrite is an 8.5 on the Mohs scale which means it is quite durable. The rarest and coveted color change is from green to red, but if you can find a GIA certified alexandrite in any color change it will command much higher prices than a regular chrysoberyl. Details...
See our collection of alexandrites.
Emerald
Emerald is a bluish green to green colored variety of Beryl. This is in the same family as the aquamarine and morganite. This stone is a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale which means it is quite durable and hard. Inclusions are accepted and expected in emeralds and, in fact, top quality emeralds are considered more valuable than diamonds. Emeralds and the less expensive green beryls are differentiated by their color. A light beryl is normally not considered emerald and thus commands lower prices. Details...
See our collection of emeralds.
Kunzite
Kunzite is a pink hued gemstone which has only been known to mankind for roughly 100 years. Kunzite is a variety of spodumen that is fairly durable as it is a 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. However, do be aware that kunzites are light sensitive and the color can actually fade if worn for prolonged periods of sunbathing or at the beach. A kunzite has pleochroism which means that when you move the stone slightly the colors will change! Most kunzites are transparent and eye clean. Details...
See our collection of kunzite.
Opal
Opals are known for their flashing display of rainbow colors or 'play-of-color' and 95% of them are found in the Australia. There are two classes of opal, precious (which has the play-of-color) and common. The opal is between a 6 and a 6.5 on Mohs scale and should be treated somewhat gently. They should be worn frequently because the gem will then receive the humidity it needs to ensure it does not become brittle. Details...
See our collection of opals.
Morganite
Morganite is a pretty pastel colored variety of Beryl. This is the same species as an Emerald and is a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale which means it is quite durable and hard. This gemstone is heat treated to bring out the pink color and reduce any yellow or orange colors, this is a normal practice resulting in a color that will not fade. A morganite has pleochroism which means that when you move the stone slightly the colors will change! Most morganites are transparent and eye clean. Details...
See our collection of morganites.
Ruby
Ruby is a red gemstone in the corundum family, as is Sapphire, and is often considered the most valuable of the two. Any color of corundum, other than red, is considered to be a sapphire. As a matter of fact, the ruby can command some of the highest prices of the colored gems. The gemstone is a 9 on Mohs scale which means that is very hard and ideal for everyday wear. Details...
See our collection of rubies.
Sapphire
Sapphires are normally thought of as Blue stones, but there are many other colors that are called 'fancy sapphires.' As a matter of fact, a sapphire can be any color except for red - if it is red it is a ruby! The sapphire is in the corundum family and is a 9 on the Mohs scale which means it is very durable and hard. In addition to fancy sapphires there are also some sapphires that can color change - this means that they are one color in the daylight and fluorescent lighting and change to a different color in incandescent light. Another unusual variety of sapphire is the star sapphire, a 6 ray star pattern that can be seen on some cabachon sapphires at certain angles. Details... See our collection of sapphires.
Spinel
Spinels are one of the greatest imposters in jewelry as many can be found in the royal collections and labeled rubies. This stone is a favorite among gem dealers and collectors and can be found in shades of red, pink, blue, purple and violet. It is an affordable stone, although more rare than a ruby itself, and is an 8 on Mohs scale which means it is quite durable. Details...
See our collection of spinels.
Tanzanite
Tanzanites are blue to violet to bluish purple and are found at only one place in the world near Kilimanjaro. The fact that these incredible stones are found in only one spot make them extremely coveted and a "gemstone of a generation." It is estimated that at the current levels of mining that the tanzanite supply will be depleted within 25 years The tanzanite is a pleochroic stone which means that 3 distinct colors will be seen in 3 crystal directions. This stone is a 6 to 7 on Mohs scale which means that some level of care must be taken not to hit or drop the stone. Details...
See our collection of tanzanites.