What Types of Gemstones Are Used for Jewelry Making

When you shop for fine jewelry, knowing what types of gemstones are used for jewelry making can make a big difference in how your piece looks, how it wears, and how much joy it brings you. Gemstones add color, meaning, and style, but not all gemstones are created equal. Some are rare and precious, others are affordable and vibrant. Some are super durable and great for everyday wear; others require more care.

In this guide, we’ll explore the jewelry gemstone types, compare precious and semi‑precious gemstones, natural vs synthetic options, durability, symbolism, and how to choose gemstones for custom jewelry or an engagement ring.

By the end, you'll feel confident to pick the best gemstones for jewelry that match your style, budget, and lifestyle.

Precious vs Semi‑Precious Gemstones: What’s the Difference?

Traditionally, gem experts classify gemstones into precious and semi‑precious categories.

• Precious gemstones are the “big four”: diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. These stones have high rarity, excellent hardness and durability, and historically very high value.

• Semi‑precious gemstones include nearly all other gemstones: amethyst, garnet, topaz, peridot, turquoise, spinel, opal, tourmaline, etc. Many are beautiful, colorful, and more affordable. Some semi‑precious stones can rival precious ones in striking beauty. 

However, the line between the two is not always sharp. Some semi‑precious gems are rare or prized enough to cost as much as or more than certain precious stones, depending on quality.

Natural vs Synthetic Gemstones

Another big distinction when learning gemstones used in jewelry making is whether the stone is natural (mined) or synthetic / lab‑created.

• Natural gemstones form in the earth; they often show inclusions, natural color variations, and unique features. They are valued for their authenticity and rarity.

• Synthetic gemstones are created in controlled lab environments. They have very similar chemical, physical, and optical properties to natural gems (depending on the type). They typically cost less and often have fewer inclusions. For example, lab‑grown sapphires, rubies, or diamonds may be more affordable and more ethically sourced. They are strong picks for custom jewelry work when you want beauty without extremely high cost.

The Mohs Hardness Scale & Durability: Why It Matters

Durability is key, especially for jewelry you’ll wear often. One of the best tools to compare durable gemstones for everyday wear is the Mohs hardness scale, which measures a mineral’s resistance to scratching (from 1 = very soft, to 10 = hardest).

Here are some examples:

Gemstone	Mohs Hardness	Notes on Durability
Diamond	10	The hardest natural gem, very scratch‑resistant. Great for everyday wear.
Ruby & Sapphire (both corundum family)	9	Excellent hardness; good toughness; very popular for rings and engagement rings.
Emerald	~7.5–8	Good hardness but often includes internal fissures/inclusions, which can make it more fragile. Requires protective settings.
Morganite & Aquamarine	~7.5–8	Lovely color, moderate durability. Great for pendants, earrings, sometimes rings with protective settings.
Opal, Pearl	~5–6	Softer, vulnerable to scratching or impact. More suited to necklaces, earrings, rather than rings for daily wear.

So when considering which gemstones are best for engagement rings, or jewelry you wear daily, aim for gems with a hardness of 7.5–10 whenever possible and also check their toughness and how the stone is set.

Popular Gemstones & Their Characteristics

Here are some of the most common and beloved popular gemstones for jewelry, along with their colors, meanings, durability, and where they shine best.

Gemstone	Color(s)	Meaning / Symbolism	Typical Uses & When It’s Best
Diamond	Clear / variable (white, fancy colors)	Eternal love, strength, purity	The top choice for engagement rings. The highest hardness.
Ruby	Rich red to pink‑red	Passion, courage, protection	Great for rings, especially vintage or bold cocktail style rings.
Sapphire	Blue is classic; also pink, yellow, green, “padparadscha”	Wisdom, faithfulness, royalty	Durable, versatile; excellent for engagement rings or heirloom pieces.
Emerald	Deep green	Rebirth, growth, love	Beautiful, but care needed. Protective settings are helpful.
Morganite	Pink to peach	Compassion, healing, love	Beautiful for pendants or softer styled rings.
Aquamarine	Pale blue / bluish-green	Calm, clarity, serenity	Great for summer jewelry, earrings, necklaces. Good when you want color with moderate cost.
Opal	Shifting “play of color” in many hues	Creativity, protection, inspiration	Stunning in earrings or pieces not subject to impact.
Amethyst	Purple (varied shades)	Sobriety, peace, clarity	Popular and affordable; often used in fashion jewelry or pieces with less daily wear.
Garnet	Deep red, most commonly; also green, orange, yellow	Commitment, vitality, warmth	Elegant, affordable; good for pendants, earrings.

Each one balances color and meaning with durability and cost. If you want something rare or vibrant, expect to pay more or need special care.

Rare Gemstone Options & Unique Choices

If you’re designing custom jewelry or want something beyond the usual, rare gemstones can offer distinct color and story. Some notable, rare, or less common gemstones include:

• Alexandrite: known for color‑change; quite rare and prized.

• Tsavorite Garnet: a vibrant green garnet that rivals emeralds in color and brilliance.

• Paraíba Tourmaline: neon blue/blue-green, very striking and rare.

• Padparadscha Sapphire: rare pink‑orange sapphire highly coveted.

These stones can have higher cost, more limited supply, and possibly require more care, depending on hardness and inclusions.

How to Choose Gemstones for Custom Jewelry or Rings & Necklaces

When you want a piece that lasts beautifully and reflects your personality, these criteria will help you choose gemstones for custom jewelry or select the best stone(s) for rings and necklaces.

1. Durability & Hardness: Choose gems with higher hardness (Mohs 7.5–10) for rings and bracelets. Necklaces and earrings can allow softer gems.

2. Toughness and Stability: Besides hardness, some gems (like emeralds) are more brittle. The setting can help protect fragile stones (e.g., halo, bezel).

3. Color & Meaning: Think about what color appeals to you, and whether birthstones or meaningful symbolism are important. For example, birthstones in jewelry often carry both personal and aesthetic value.

4. Natural vs Synthetic: Decide whether you prefer natural stones (for their rarity and individuality) or synthetic (for cost, ethical sourcing, and often clarity).

5. Setting and Design: The metal, setting style, and whatever might rub against the stone (daily tasks, habits) can affect how long the gemstone looks good. Protective settings help extend wear.

6. Price & Budget: The rarer the gem, the higher the cost, especially for large, high‑quality stones. Complementing with semi‑precious stones or synthetic options can give color and sparkle without a huge cost.

7. Symbolism & Color Meanings: Many gemstones have color meanings and metaphysical or healing associations (if that matters to you). While these are personal, they often guide people's choices, like sapphire for loyalty, emerald for growth, amethyst for calm, etc.

The Gemstone Hardness Scale: A Closer Look

Here’s a more detailed view of gemstone hardness for popular and common stones. A solid understanding helps when you're considering stone care and whether a piece is suitable for everyday wear.

• 10 – Diamond: highest hardness; excellent scratch resistance.

• 9 – Ruby & Sapphire: second only to diamonds; great for rings.

• 7.5‑8 – Emerald, Aquamarine, Morganite, Topaz: good hardness; some are more fragile due to inclusions. 

• 6‑7 – Garnet, Peridot, Turquoise: more delicate; best if set in protective settings or used in lower‑impact jewelry.

• Below 6 – Opal, Pearl, etc.: more vulnerable to scratching or damage; beautiful but need more care.

Using Gemstone Colors & Meanings in Jewelry

Beyond durability, gemstones shine because of their color, sparkle, and what they mean. Some popular gemstone colors and their associations:

• Red (Ruby, Garnet): Passion, strength, love

• Blue (Sapphire, Aquamarine, Turquoise): Trust, calm, communication

• Green (Emerald, Tsavorite, Peridot): Renewal, growth, prosperity

• Pink / Peach (Morganite, Rose Quartz): Compassion, romance, gentleness

• Purple (Amethyst): Spirituality, peace, clarity

Many pieces incorporate birthstones in jewelry, making gifts personal. Understanding gemstone colors and meanings adds a layer of connection to what you wear.

Best Gemstones for Different Jewelry Pieces

When choosing stones for rings vs necklaces vs everyday wear, think about different demands:

• Engagement Rings: High durability, high hardness (diamonds, sapphires, rubies) are top picks. Unique stones are beautiful but need protective settings.

• Everyday Jewelry: Earrings, pendants, bracelets can use somewhat softer stones, especially if they’re not exposed to rough treatment.

• Custom Jewelry: Gives you freedom to mix precious and semi‑precious, natural and synthetic stones, rare colors, etc.

Final Thoughts: What Types of Gemstones Are Best for You

Every piece of jewelry has a balance to strike among beauty, durability, cost, and meaning. If you want something classic and built to last, go with high‑hardness stones like diamond, sapphire, or ruby. If color and personal meaning are most important, consider semi‑precious or rare gems, and just plan for more care.

When in doubt, ask a jeweler’s opinion, look at how the stone is set, ask about its hardness and inclusions, even see similar pieces in person. Knowing what are the most common gemstones in jewelry helps you appreciate value and avoid surprises later.

Find the Perfect Gemstone for Your Next Jewelry Piece

Thinking about the perfect gemstone for your next piece, or maybe designing something truly personal? At JM Scully Jewelers, we carry an exquisite selection of both precious and semi‑precious gemstones and offer custom pieces that balance beauty, durability, and meaning.

Check out our gemstone collections, let us help you find the gemstone that tells your story.