Guide to Diamonds and Gemstones
Choosing the right stone is an important part of creating your custom jewelry. In addition to finding a color and shape that you love, the durability of your stone should be concurrent with your lifestyle, how often you will wear the stone, and the type of jewelry you are creating. Considering all of these factors will help ensure that your custom piece stays in excellent condition for years to come, and we will be there every step of the way to find the perfect stone for you.
Durability
The Mohs hardness scale can be very helpful in determining the best stone for your custom piece. The Mohs scale rates each stone from 10 to 1 in comparison to the hardest substance on earth, diamond-10, and the softest, talc-1.
The type of jewelry being created is also an important factor to consider. Rings and bracelets get regular contact throughout the day, so will be better fitted with harder stones; whereas pendants and earrings are less likely to receive contact with hard surfaces, so may be better vehicles when you want to use a softer gem.
Everyday Wear
Stones that rate 9 and 10 are the best choice for items you will wear everyday, especially if the item is a ring or bracelet. Diamonds are the hardest at a 10, so they are perfect for everyday wear. Sapphires are a 9 and come in a wide range of stunning colors, so they are also an excellent choice. The stones in this category will be the best choice for a commitment ring.
Regular Wear
Stones that are 7 and 8 on the scale are very strong and can withstand regular wear. Some popular stones that fit this category are: spinel, aquamarine, topaz, emerald, amethyst, peridot, garnet, iolite, and quartz.
Occasional Wear
Anything that is a 6 or below should be treated with more care. They are more likely to scratch easily, and may change color when they come in contact with harsh soaps, hand sanitizers, and the oils from your skin. A few examples are: Opal, turquoise, pearl, and amber.
Find Your Stone
We have a small selection of stones in our inventory and we additionally work with a diversity of amazing miners, cutter, and dealers so we can source the percect stone for you.
Diamonds
Diamonds come in all sorts of colors and cuts including traditional, antique, salt & pepper, opalescent, black, and more. From pre-owned to transparent sourcing to lab grown, we have a diversity of ways to provide a responsible sourced stone.
Sapphires, Rubies, and Emeralds
Corundum is the mineral that is more commonly known as sapphires and rubies. Rubies are known for their red color and while sapphires are known by many as blue, they actually come in a huge variety of colors. Some sapphires even have multiple colors present in one stone or change color depending on the lighting conditions. We have a diversity of responsibly sourced Sapphires including ones from Montana.
We don't recommend Emeralds as center stones in everyday rings, as they can be brittle and require delicate care. Additionally, responsibly sourced emeralds are harder to source than other stones. However, we do have sources for both ethically sourced and lab grown emeralds if they are right for your project.
Gemstone Shapes
Diamond and Gemstones are being cut in more and more unique shapes in order to highlight the unique qualities of each stone. Learn more about some of the more traditional and modern shapes below.
Round
The most classic of all gemstone cuts, this shape works for almost all stones.
Oval
Another classic shape that allows for some creativity in how it is set.
Pear
A traditional cut that provides a lot of sparkly and pairs well with accent stones.
Marquise
Somewhere between a pear and an oval, with two points and a rounded center.
Rose Cut
Many stones shapes can be rose cut, which means they have facets on the top of the stone.
Radiant
This cut is rectangular like an emerald cut but faceted more like a round to give more sparkle.
Emerald
A rectangular shape with cut corners and step facets for a very timeless design.
Princess
A geometric square cut that still has plenty of sparkle.
Cushion
A rounded square shape. The example above is also rose cut with facets on the top.
Lozenge
Four-sided trapazoid shape that is both very modern and unique.
Hexagon
Hexagons are great fit for a modern aesthetic that stands out.
Elongated Hex
These geometirc cuts provide a great deal of unique design opportunities.
Kite
Another modern geometric cut, these can come with traditional faceting or in a rose cut design.
Portrait
Great for unique colored stones, these have flat facets on the top and bottom so the stone is transparent.
Shield
Shield cut diamonds can come in a diversity of similar shapes, but all with a geometric style.
Trillion/Triangle
Trillions and Triangles can have more straight sides or be a little more rounded on the sides.
