Choosing Diamonds or Coloured Gemstones: A Complete Guide for Custom Jewellery

When creating a custom piece of jewellery, selecting the perfect gemstone is perhaps the most significant decision you’ll make. At Joseph George Jewellery, located in Melbourne’s prestigious Collins Street, we guide clients through this important choice daily. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless brilliance of diamonds or the distinctive personality of coloured gemstones, your selection will define the character of your bespoke creation.

This comprehensive guide will help you understand the qualities, benefits, and considerations of diamonds and coloured gemstones, empowering you to make an informed decision about your custom jewellery piece.

Understanding Diamond Quality

The allure of diamonds has captivated humanity for centuries, and with good reason. These remarkable gemstones offer unmatched brilliance, durability, and versatility in custom jewellery design. To make an informed choice when selecting a diamond, it’s essential to understand the 4Cs—the universally accepted standards that determine diamond quality and value.

The 4Cs of Diamond Quality

Diamond Cut and Its Impact on Brilliance

Often considered the most important of the 4Cs, a diamond’s cut determines how well it interacts with light. A well-cut diamond displays optimal brilliance, fire, and scintillation—the three optical effects that give diamonds their characteristic sparkle.

Unlike other aspects of diamond quality, cut is the only factor influenced by human craftsmanship rather than nature. A masterfully cut diamond can appear larger and more brilliant than a poorly cut stone of the same carat weight, making cut quality a crucial consideration for your custom jewellery piece.

When evaluating cut quality, we assess proportions, symmetry, and polish. During your consultation at Joseph George Jewellery, we’ll demonstrate the visible differences between various cut grades to help you understand this critical factor.

Diamond Clarity and Its Grading System

Nearly all diamonds contain natural internal characteristics called inclusions and external features called blemishes. Clarity measures the absence of these characteristics, with grades ranging from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions visible to the naked eye).

The clarity scale includes:

• Flawless (FL)
• Internally Flawless (IF)
• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1, VVS2)
• Very Slightly Included (VS1, VS2)
• Slightly Included (SI1, SI2)
• Included (I1, I2, I3)

Many inclusions are microscopic and don’t affect a diamond’s beauty to the naked eye. We help clients find the sweet spot where clarity meets value without compromising appearance.

Diamond Colour and Its Grading Scale

Most diamonds used in jewellery appear colourless but may contain subtle yellow or brown tints. The GIA colour scale ranges from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown), with each letter representing a narrow range of colour.

Colourless diamonds (D-F) are the most valuable, but near-colourless stones (G-J) can offer excellent value while appearing virtually colourless in jewellery. The difference between colour grades can be subtle, and our experience helps clients identify where diminishing returns begin for their specific design.

Diamond Carat and Weight Considerations

Carat refers to a diamond’s weight, with one carat equal to 200 milligrams. While carat size significantly impacts price, two diamonds of equal carat weight can vary dramatically in value based on the other three Cs.

A common misconception is that carat directly determines a diamond’s visible size. In reality, how large a diamond appears depends on its cut proportions, setting style, and even the size of the wearer’s hand. During your custom design consultation, we’ll help you balance carat weight with other factors to achieve your desired look within your budget.

Natural vs Lab-Grown Diamonds

Natural Diamonds: Origins and Value

Formed over billions of years deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure, natural diamonds carry a rich geological history. Each natural diamond is unique, with its fingerprint of inclusions and characteristics. Natural diamonds’ rarity, uniqueness, and enduring market value have traditionally made them the standard choice for significant jewellery pieces.

Natural diamonds maintain strong resale value and have historically appreciated over time. For many clients, the romantic notion of wearing a gemstone created by nature over billions of years adds meaningful symbolism to their custom jewellery piece.

Lab-Grown Diamonds: Technology and Benefits

Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds but created in controlled laboratory environments that replicate the conditions under which natural diamonds form. These diamonds typically offer a 20-40% price advantage over natural diamonds of comparable quality.

Many clients appreciate lab-grown diamonds for their eco-friendly attributes and ethical sourcing guarantees. A controlled growing environment also allows for a more consistent quality of specific characteristics. At Joseph George Jewellery, we offer natural and lab-grown diamonds, helping clients understand the pros and cons of each option based on their priorities and values.

Exploring Coloured Gemstones

Precious Gemstones: Sapphires, Rubies, and Emeralds

Precious coloured gemstones offer exceptional beauty, rarity, and durability. Each has distinctive characteristics that make them suitable for different custom jewellery applications:

Sapphires come in virtually every rainbow colour, though blue varieties are most renowned. With a Mohs hardness 9, sapphires are exceptionally durable and ideal for daily wear jewellery like engagement rings. Royal blue sapphires from Kashmir are among the most valuable, but Australian sapphires offer excellent value with their distinctive deep blue to blue-green hues.

Rubies are among the most valuable gemstones with their magnificent red colour. Like sapphires, rubies score 9 on the Mohs scale, making them highly durable. The most prized rubies come from Burma (Myanmar) and feature a vivid, saturated “pigeon blood” red colour. These gems make bold statements in custom jewellery pieces.

Emeralds display a lush green colour that has captivated for centuries. With a hardness of 7.5-8, they require more careful handling than sapphires or rubies. Almost all emeralds contain natural inclusions called ” Jardin” (garden), which are considered part of the gem’s character. Colombian emeralds are particularly prized for their vivid green colour.

Semi-Precious Gemstones: Options and Characteristics

Semi-precious gemstones offer a vast palette of colours, often at more accessible price points than their precious counterparts. Popular options include:

Aquamarine is a serene blue to blue-green colour reminiscent of seawater. Its hardness of 7.5-8 makes it suitable for most jewellery applications.

Tourmaline occurs in more colours and colour combinations than any other gemstone. Its hardness of 7-7.5 makes it durable enough for most jewellery types.

Tanzanite displays an extraordinary violet-blue colour found only in one location worldwide. Its hardness of 6.5-7 requires more protection in daily wear settings.

Morganite has become increasingly popular for engagement rings with its soft pink to peach colour. Its hardness of 7.5-8 makes it suitable for most jewellery designs.

When selecting semi-precious gemstones for custom jewellery, we consider factors like hardness, treatment status, and colour stability to ensure your piece remains beautiful for generations.

Coloured Diamonds: Rare and Unique Options

Natural coloured diamonds are among the rarest gemstones. They are formed when trace elements interact with carbon during the formation of the diamond. Yellow and brown diamonds are relatively common, while pink, blue, green, and red diamonds are extraordinarily rare and valuable.

The value of coloured diamonds depends primarily on the intensity and purity of their colour. Fancy Vivid Pink and Fancy Vivid Blue diamonds are among the most expensive gemstones in the world, while champagne and yellow diamonds can offer accessible luxury with distinctive character.

At Joseph George Jewellery, we can source natural coloured diamonds in various hues and intensities, providing a truly unique centrepiece for your custom design.

Choosing the Right Gemstone for Your Custom Jewellery

Considering Lifestyle and Wear Patterns

The perfect gemstone for your custom jewellery depends significantly on how and when you’ll wear it. Durability becomes crucial for daily wear pieces like engagement rings. Diamonds (10 on the Mohs scale) and sapphires or rubies (9) offer exceptional hardness that withstands daily activities.

For occasional wear pieces like dress rings or pendants, softer gemstones like opal (5.5-6.5) or tanzanite (6.5-7) become viable options. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your lifestyle, occupation, and wearing habits to recommend gemstones that will maintain their beauty under your specific conditions.

Matching Gemstones to Metal Types

The metal you choose for your custom jewellery affects how gemstones appear. Yellow gold enhances the warmth of cognac diamonds, citrines, and amber. White gold or platinum creates a clean backdrop that maximises the brilliance of diamonds and cool-toned gemstones like Aquamarine or Tanzanite. Rose gold pairs beautifully with morganite, pink sapphires, and amethysts.

Beyond aesthetics, certain gemstone setting styles work better with specific metals. Our design expertise helps clients create harmonious combinations that maximise beauty and structural integrity.

Choosing Diamonds or Coloured Gemstones: Factors to Consider

Balancing Quality and Budget

Understanding which quality factors matter most for gemstone choice allows for strategic decisions that maximise value. Prioritising cut quality over absolute colour perfection in diamonds often yields a more visually impressive stone within the same budget.

With coloured gemstones, intensity and saturation of colour typically impact price more than perfect clarity. By focusing on the characteristics that contribute most to a stone’s beauty, we help clients allocate their budget effectively.

We source gemstones specifically for each custom project at Joseph George Jewellery rather than maintaining inventory. This approach allows us to find the perfect stone for your design and budget, typically ranging from $3,000 to over $30,000, depending on your specifications.

The Joseph George Custom Design Process

Consultation and Design Development

Our bespoke process begins with a thorough consultation at our Melbourne CBD studio. We discuss your vision, preferences, and practical requirements for the piece. You can examine previously created designs and explore options from our extensive portfolio.

Rather than pushing pre-determined designs, we listen carefully to understand your aesthetic preferences and lifestyle needs. This collaborative approach ensures that your custom jewellery piece reflects your unique story and style.

From these conversations, we develop design concepts that harmonise your preferences with practical considerations of wearability and longevity. Our expertise helps transform your vision into a sophisticated, timeless piece you’ll treasure for generations.

Gemstone Sourcing and Selection Process

Unlike many jewellers who design around existing inventory, we source gemstones for your custom piece. This approach provides maximum flexibility in finding the perfect stone that meets your quality expectations and budget requirements.

We work with trusted Australian and international suppliers to present a curated selection of diamonds or coloured gemstones that meet your specific criteria. You can compare options and understand the qualities influencing each stone’s appearance and value.

This bespoke sourcing approach typically takes 1-2 weeks, with the complete design and creation process requiring approximately 4-5 weeks from consultation to finished piece.

Caring for Your Gemstone Jewellery

Maintenance Tips for Diamonds

While diamonds are extremely durable, they still require proper care to maintain their brilliance. Regular cleaning with mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush will remove oils and residue that diminish sparkle. Avoid touching diamonds with your fingers, as natural oils can affect their appearance.

Professional cleaning and inspection every 6-12 months ensures settings remain secure. Store diamond jewellery separately from other pieces to prevent scratching (while diamonds won’t be scratched by other jewellery, they can scratch other gemstones).

Maintenance Tips for Coloured Gemstones

Coloured gemstones often require more specialised care than diamonds. Some stones (like emeralds, opals, and pearls) should never be cleaned with ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Others may fade with prolonged sun exposure or react to household chemicals.

Generally, clean coloured gemstone jewellery with mild soap and lukewarm water, then dry thoroughly. Store pieces separately to prevent scratching, and remove jewellery before swimming, cleaning, or applying personal care products.

During your custom design consultation, we’ll provide specific care instructions for your chosen gemstones to ensure they maintain their beauty for generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a diamond or coloured gemstone suits my custom engagement ring?

Consider your style, budget, and lifestyle. Diamonds offer unmatched brilliance and durability, making them ideal for daily wear. Coloured gemstones provide a unique personality and often more size for your budget. At Joseph George Jewellery in Melbourne, we help you explore both options during your consultation to find the perfect match.

What’s the difference in maintenance between diamonds and coloured gemstones?

Diamonds are the hardest natural substance (10 on the Mohs scale), requiring minimal maintenance beyond regular cleaning. Coloured gemstones, particularly sapphires (9) and rubies (9), are also quite durable but may need more careful handling. Emeralds (7.5-8) and semi-precious stones typically require more protection from impacts and harsh chemicals.

How do you source your diamonds and coloured gemstones?

Unlike many jewellers, we don’t maintain a standing inventory of gemstones. Instead, we source each stone specifically for your custom piece through our trusted Australian and international suppliers’ network. This approach allows us to find the perfect stone that meets your quality expectations and budget requirements.

Can I combine diamonds and coloured gemstones in a custom piece?

Absolutely! Some of our most distinctive custom pieces feature both diamonds and coloured gemstones. Diamonds often enhance the beauty of coloured gems when used as accent stones, while coloured gems can add personality to diamond-centred designs. We can explore creative combinations during your consultation at our Melbourne CBD studio.

How long does it take to source high-quality diamonds or coloured gemstones?

Typically, we can source diamonds and most coloured gemstones within 1-2 weeks. Rarer specifications may take longer. Our complete custom design process, from consultation to finished piece, generally takes 4-5 weeks.

Is there a significant price difference between diamonds and coloured gemstones?

Price varies widely based on specific qualities. While top-quality diamonds often command premium prices, exceptional coloured gemstones can be equally valuable. Generally, you can get a larger coloured gemstone than a diamond at the same price. During your consultation, we’ll explore options within your budget range of $3,000 to $30,000+.

Create Your Perfect Custom Jewellery Piece

The choice between diamonds and coloured gemstones ultimately depends on your style, practical requirements, and the story you want your jewellery to tell. At Joseph George Jewellery, we’re passionate about helping clients discover the perfect gemstone for their custom creations.

Whether you’re drawn to the timeless brilliance of diamonds or the distinctive character of coloured gemstones, our expertise ensures your custom jewellery piece will be treasured for generations. Visit our Melbourne CBD studio at 271 Collins Street to begin your bespoke jewellery journey, or contact us to arrange a consultation.

Your perfect custom jewellery piece begins with the ideal gemstone—let us help you find it.