What Is The Difference Between Precious and Semi-Precious Gemstones?

When it comes to jewellery, the world of gems is a fascinating one and stones often have deep historical roots. However, the labels we assign to gemstones often cause confusion. So, what is the difference between precious and semi-precious gemstones?

In this post we’re going to explore the historical classification of gemstones, delve into the characteristics of the most prized precious stones, and introduce you to a number of semi-precious gems that we love working with in our bespoke jewellery London studio.

So if you’ve ever wondered “what are the 4 most precious gemstones?” or if you’d like to understand the difference between precious and semi-precious gemstones, read on and we’ll answer your questions.

Traditional Classification: Precious vs Semi-Precious Gemstones

Historically, gemstones were classified into two categories: precious and semi-precious. This classification has been around for hundreds of years and was based on rareness, value, and cultural significance.

The four gemstones traditionally considered to be "precious" are diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. These four stones are prized for their beauty, rarity, and hardness, making them some of the most sought-after materials in the world of fine jewellery.

In contrast, there are far more semi-precious gems, including lapis lazuli, amethyst, citrine, opal, jade, tourmaline, garnet, topaz and aquamarine gemstones. Indeed, most stones that are not in the ‘top four’ are categorised as semi-precious.

This is because these stones are often more abundant than their precious counterparts. However, it's important to note that the difference between precious and semi-precious gemstones doesn't always reflect the stone's quality or aesthetic appeal. In fact, some semi-precious stones can be relatively rare and highly valuable.

What Are the 4 Most Precious Gemstones?

As we’ve briefly touched upon, the four most precious gems are diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. These sparkling stones have held onto their elevated status for centuries and are often featured in high-end jewellery collections.

The Diamond Gemstone

Known for its unparalleled brilliance and hardness, the diamond gemstone is, famously, the hardest natural substance on Earth. Diamonds have been coveted for thousands of years and are associated with luxury and romance, often making them the gemstone of choice for diamond jewellery, especially engagement rings.

Because diamonds are so durable, they are ideal for everyday wear, ensuring that diamond jewellery maintains its beauty for a lifetime. In bespoke jewellery London workshops, such as Simon Wright’s, diamonds often take centre stage when we’re creating an engagement ring that a couple will treasure forever.

Round brilliant cut diamond four claw engagement ring with diamond band

The Sapphire Gemstone

Sapphires are known for their stunning blue hue, coming in everything from deep navy blue to a beautiful rich green-blue teal. Although, interesting fact, they also come in a range of pinks, running the spectrum from blush through to magenta to purple.

Like diamond gemstones, sapphires are also remarkably durable, making them ideal for everyday wear including sapphire jewellery pieces like rings, necklaces, and earrings. The sapphire gemstone, again, like the diamond, has long been regarded as one of the most valuable and desirable gems in the world and is another popular choice for Simon’s clients when designing their own sapphire engagement ring.

Oval sapphire and diamond rose gold trilogy engagement ring

The Emerald Gemstone

Emeralds, with their vibrant green colour, are known for their rich hue and slight inclusions, which are often referred to as the “garden” within the stone. Emeralds are relatively softer than diamonds and sapphires but are still durable enough to be used in emerald jewellery.

The stunning colour of the emerald gemstone has made it a staple in fine jewellery and is a wonderfully unique choice if you’re looking for an alternative to a diamond engagement ring. Indeed, if you’re looking for bespoke engagement rings in London, we’d be happy to show you samples of emerald jewellery, including engagement rings, that we’ve designed and crafted.

The Ruby Gemstone

The ruby gemstone is known for its deep red colour and is regarded as one of the world’s most rare gems. They have a hardness similar to sapphires, making ruby jewellery suitable both for special occasions and for everyday wear.

Ruby jewellery remains a popular choice for those seeking an eye-catching piece that dares to be different. At Simon Wright, we have had a number of clients who have been convinced that they want to take the diamond route only to have their heads turned by a slightly less traditional ruby engagement ring!

Ruby split shank double claw engagement ring

Semi-Precious Gemstones: A World of Choice

While the term semi-precious might imply lesser value, this is not always the case. Many semi-precious gemstones are incredibly beautiful and can be valuable, especially when rare varieties are considered. There are simply too many for us to list them all here, but we’ll take a look at some of the most popular semi-precious gemstones used for coloured stone jewellery.

Aquamarine

The aquamarine gemstone, named for its ocean-blue colour, is a popular choice for bespoke engagement rings and other jewellery. Prized for its clarity and light blue hue, this semi-precious gem is similar to an emerald in that it’s not as hard as a diamond or sapphire, but is still durable. This makes it a good choice for aquamarine jewellery that can be worn daily or stored away for special occasions.

Opal

Opals are unique among gemstones because of their distinctive play of colour. Unlike other gems that are a single colour, opals display a kaleidoscope of hues. They can be found in various types of jewellery and are cherished for their one-of-a-kind appearance.

Jade

Jade has been, and still is, revered in many cultures, particularly in Asia, for its beauty and symbolism Green is the most well-known jade, but it can come in a variety of colours ranging from white, to lavender, to blue. Jade is often used in carved jewellery and ornaments.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a versatile gemstone that comes in almost every colour imaginable, from pink, to green, to black. This makes it a popular choice for custom-designed or bespoke engagement rings, where personalisation and unique colour combinations are important.

The Real Difference Between Precious and Semi-Precious Gemstones

Let’s briefly return to the central question: what is the difference between precious and semi-precious gemstones?

As we’ve said, although historically, the difference was based on cultural significance and scarcity, today this distinction is less rigid and regarding a gemstone as “precious” or “semi-precious” isn’t quite as clear cut. While rarity still impacts the value of a stone, other factors such as colour, clarity, and size come into play.

Understanding the difference between precious and semi-precious gemstones is about more than just labels. While diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald jewellery remain iconic, semi-precious gemstones offer their own unique appeal too.

Therefore, whether you're hoping that proposing with a sapphire engagement ring will have your intended saying “yes!”, purchasing diamond jewellery for a milestone birthday, or commissioning bespoke aquamarine jewellery for an anniversary, the value is very much about the stone, its setting, and the thought that’s gone into the gift.

Precious and Semi-Precious Gemstone Jewellery at Simon Wright

At Simon Wright’s London studio, we create beautifully crafted custom jewellery with stones, both precious and semi-precious. From the highest-graded diamonds, to unique pink sapphire jewellery, to stunningly-hued aquamarine gemstones, we love working with a variety of different gems and metals.

From engagement rings to cufflinks, if you’re looking for an artisan who creates bespoke jewellery in London, get in touch with us at Simon Wright and talk to us about what you have in mind.