For years, the world of fine jewellery was dominated by white diamonds and classic yellow gold, with rubies and emeralds occasionally making appearances—often guided by astrological beliefs. But at the heart of every gemstone lies something more profound: each is a product of millions of years of natural formation, believed to carry energy and healing properties that connect across cultures.
Today’s consumers are drawn to gemstones not just for symbolism, but for how they make them feel. Jewellery has become a reflection of identity, emotion, and aspiration. Across demographics and cultures, coloured gemstones have emerged as powerful tools of self-expression. No longer confined to spiritual or traditional roles, they now command a central role in fashion, personal style, and cultural dialogue.
At GSI, we’re seeing a notable increase in coloured gemstones being submitted for both identification and origin analysis—indicating a growing awareness of their value and story.
Colour Knows No Age
What’s striking is how the appeal of gemstones spans generations. Millennials and Gen Z are embracing colour through bold, custom creations—from vibrant multi-sapphire bracelets to unique ear studs and modern rings designed to match a personal vibe or memory. Middle-aged buyers are leaning toward statement cocktail rings featuring exotic centre stones—think tanzanites, rubies, or emeralds—often paired with diamonds or rarer finds like alexandrites and padparadscha sapphires, admired for their colour-shifting charm.
Even men’s jewellery is seeing a colourful renaissance, with rubies, sapphires, turquoise, garnets, and amethyst appearing in bracelets, brooches, and more. Meanwhile, birthstone jewellery is enjoying a stylish revival, reinterpreted with modern, minimalist aesthetics suitable for everyday wear.
The Power of Rarity and Storytelling
While diamonds are rare, many coloured gems are even rarer—sourced from exclusive mines such as those in Zambia (emeralds), Mozambique (rubies), or Tanzania (tanzanites). Consumers are increasingly valuing authenticity, origin, and the stories behind these stones.
At GSI, we’ve seen a sharp rise in demand for origin reports, especially for the “Big Three”—emeralds, sapphires, and rubies. Provenance now adds not only credibility and value but also emotional significance and storytelling depth.
A Broader Palette, A Rising Market
Coloured gemstones offer unmatched versatility. Whether expressing boldness or subtlety, timelessness or modern flair, consumers are choosing stones that reflect personal style. Designers are breaking away from traditional templates, using sapphires in sleek earrings, tourmalines in asymmetric rings, and mixing gems in bespoke brooches, chokers, and bridal jewellery.
Soft hues—like pinks and peaches—are especially trending, from the romantic morganite and dreamy kunzite to the rare padparadscha sapphire. These tones are resonating widely, with retailers noting a 30% rise in demand.
Coloured gemstones are also proving to be sound investments. Many, such as fine Paraiba tourmalines, have seen prices triple since the mid-2000s. Unheated Burmese rubies and Kashmir sapphires continue to break records at auctions, while once-underappreciated spinels in vivid shades are now commanding prices on par with traditional precious stones.
This growth isn’t speculative—it’s grounded in scarcity, rising collector interest, and a shift towards valuing uniqueness and story.
A New Age of Exploration
Beyond the classic gems, consumers are now exploring a broader spectrum—electric pink and violet spinels, candy-coloured tourmalines, and vibrant yet affordable zircons are all gaining popularity. This openness marks a significant shift: buyers are curating collections based on meaning, emotion, and individuality, rather than convention.
From a gemological perspective, this evolution is thrilling. It pushes laboratories like GSI to elevate our services, deepen our analysis, and maintain stringent standards across a wider array of materials. In a world full of choice, colour has become the most intimate and powerful form of personal expression.