Green Gemstones

The most notable precious and semi-precious green gemstones include emerald, green sapphire, and green tourmaline, including Paraiaba tourmaline, alexandrite, demantoid garnet, tsavorite garnet and peridot.

All these green gemstones can be used in jewellery and are considered hard and durable. The general rule is that the higher the hardness on the Mohs scale, the more valuable the gemstone. Ranking from the hardest to the softest in order are green sapphire (9), alexandrite (8.5), emerald (8), demantoid and tsavorite garnet (7.5), tourmaline (7.5), and peridot (7). Sapphire is our most popular green gemstone, followed by green tourmaline. Sapphire is incredibly resistant to scratching and is well-suited for daily wear, making it a longstanding favourite for an engagement ring because it will withstand the test of time.

Yes! A green gemstone will make a beautiful choice for an engagement ring, allowing you to express your style and aesthetic. Green sapphire, emerald, and tsavorite garnet are popular engagement ring gemstones. Green sapphires are desired for their vibrant boldness hue and hardness, emerald for their rarity and prestige, and tsavorite for their vivid green hue and bright vitreous lustre.

High-quality emeralds with good clarity and a strong verdant green rank among the highest-valued gemstones. With beautiful examples coming from Colombia, Zambia, Panjshir Valley in Afghanistan and Swat Valley in Pakistan, emeralds remain one of the most exclusive and luxurious precious gemstones available.

Paraiba Tourmaline is one of the most valuable green gemstones, with the finest examples coming from Brazil. Paraiba tourmaline is set apart from green tourmaline because it is copper-bearing. Cherished for its neon greens, which are out-of-gamut, Paraiba tourmaline prices rival those of quality emeralds, and much like emeralds, natural inclusions are tolerated.

Demantoid garnets, especially gemstones of Russian origin, are rare and valuable. The Russian demantoid garnet often displays an inclusion entirely unique for this garnet variety. A well-formed horsetail inclusion in a demantoid increases its desirability. Following closely in Demantoid's footsteps is Tsavorite garnet, a green garnet exclusive to the Merelani Hills in Tanzania. Tsavorite continues to grow in value, and its bold and vibrant green hues attract admirers and gem connoisseurs Earth-wide.

Green sapphires were traditionally less valuable than sapphires of other colours. However, this has shifted in recent years, with a strong trend towards green and teal sapphires sought after for engagement rings. This demand for green and teal green sapphires has naturally increased their value, and fine-quality examples rival popular sapphire colours such as cornflower blue.

Seven birthstones come in a green colour option. January's birthstone is (green) garnet, May's birthstone is emerald, September's birthstone is (green) sapphire, October's birthstone is (green) tourmaline and December's birthstone is turquoise. These gemstones form part of the traditional birthstone list, which has been used for centuries and is rooted in ancient customs and beliefs.

June's birthstone is Alexandrite, and August's birthstone is peridot. These green gemstones were added to the modern birthstone list in the 20th century to reflect a wider variety of available gemstones and complement traditional options, giving more choice to gem lovers.

Kornerupine is one of the rarest green gemstones, named after Danish geologist Andreas Nikolaus Kornerup; it was first discovered in Greenland in the late 19th century. Since then, it has been unearthed in various origins, including Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Tanzania. Kornerupine's attractive mint-green hue is caused by iron, chromium and vanadium trace elements. It is not widely known and is considered a collector's gem due to its rarity. Fine-quality stones, especially those with vibrant green hues or exceptional pleochroism, are highly prized. Larger, eye-clean Kornerupines are particularly sought after. Featuring a hardness of 7, its durability, combined with its rarity, makes it an excellent choice for unique, custom jewellery pieces.

Green is an earthy, grounded and soothing colour. It is the ultimate symbol of our connection to Mother-Earth. It inspires feelings of respect for the environment and encourages sustainable living. Green is the colour of new beginninngs, just as we see green buds burst forth in spring, a time before nature blooms again, green links into the symbolism of renewel. Green also has symbolism rooted in wealth, abundance and prosperity.

Emerald, green sapphire and alexandrite can be lab-created (synthetic). For this reason, when buying a green gemstone, precautions should be taken to protect against being sold a lab-created green gemstone under the guise of a natural gemstone. Always buy your gemstone from a reputable gem dealer and request a laboratory report. Most laboratory reports are completed upon purchase of the gemstone, and a reputable gem dealer will offer several well-known and trusted gem labs as options for the gem certification process.