Colour is Back!

Coloured gemstones are on the rise. Here’s what to look for when shopping for one

- Annie Darling

Whether it’s the 12-carat sapphire ring that Prince William chose to make his proposal to Kate Middleton or the 128.54-carat Tiffany diamond worn by Lady Gaga to the Oscars, coloured gemstones are gaining favour over traditional white diamonds.

Splashes of colour have been used in jewellery design for centuries, of course, but colourless diamonds have reigned supreme among gemstones since at least the 19th century. After the De Beers Mining Company was established in 1888, diamonds quickly became symbols of power and romance, notions that were reinforced in 1946 when New York copywriter Frances Gerety came up with the company’s iconic advertising slogan: “A Diamond is Forever.”

“A decade ago, colourless diamonds were widely perceived by consumers to be the most prestigious of gems,” says Gemfields CEO Sean Gilbertson. “Now the swing toward precious coloured gemstones is overwhelming, with robust demand prompting double-digit growth in many countries.” Gemfields, the world’s leading supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones, announced in March that it expects to record $39.1 million in net profit for 2019, with its Montepuez mine in Mozambique, the richest known ruby deposit, generating revenue of almost $122 million. Maybe this is because today’s jewellery buffs are seeking something unique—a one-of-a-kind treasure that’s yours and yours alone.