For millennia, the allure of natural gemstones has enchanted mankind. Their remarkable colours and unrivalled beauty have bewitched individuals from cultures and regions worldwide. Every gemstone boasts a distinct geological origin and mineral makeup, with some excavated from the depths of the Earth while others are found in rivers and streams coursing through our planet's fissures. The collaborative processes of extracting, shaping, and polishing these gems culminate in their stunning and captivating appearance.
At Precious Earth, we are committed to sourcing only the highest-quality gemstones from trusted suppliers. Our mine-to-market approach ensures that our gemstones are made available to you at the best possible value. However, when looking for a gem to purchase, it is essential to understand which sources produce superior gemstones and which ones to prefer for a particular stone. It's also important to note that some gemstones hold a higher value than others depending on their origin, even if they may appear identical at first glance. In this guide, we take a deep dive into understanding the different sources of origin for precious stones, and how these origins play a key role in determining a gemstone’s value.
How Does a Gemstone’s Origin Affect Its Value?
A gemstone’s origin is the geographical region or mine that it is extracted from. Some gem mines are known for high-quality specimens as the conditions there are favourable to produce gemstones with good grading. The presence of certain trace elements can lead to gemstones with deep colours, while certain conditions during their formation can produce exceptionally clear specimens that can be used in jewelry pieces that stand out. Some regions may even be rich in minerals like rutile or boehmite, which can lead to gemstones with asterism (star rubies and cat’s eyes) or high levels of silk. Further, some regions are even known for their inferior-quality gemstones and should be steered clear of them, especially if you are a first-time buyer.
When a gem mine starts to run ‘dry’, and starts producing fewer high-quality specimens, the rarity can cause the value of individual gemstones to increase. If the gem mine entirely stops producing gemstones, the specimens already in the market find their value enhanced as well, as is the case with Kashmir Blue Sapphires, known for their saturated blue hues. These mines, discovered in the 1880s, produced breath-taking specimens but were depleted in just 5 years, and today, Kashmir Blue Sapphires are among the most coveted and valued gemstones in the world.
Where Are Gemstones Found?
Although gemstone deposits are found across the world, some regions are particularly renowned for their abundance of high-quality gemstones. From diamonds in Africa to the sapphires of Sri Lanka (Ceylon), and the emeralds of Colombia, some regions have become synonymous with certain types of gemstones.
1. Sapphires
Sapphires are gemstones made of the mineral Corundum. Depending on the trace elements present in the minerals, they can have a range of colours such as yellow, gold, green, lavender, blue, or even multi-coloured (parti sapphires).
Sapphires are found on almost every continent, and different regions are renowned for particular types. Blue sapphires, for instance, which are the most notable corundum species–are especially prized when sourced from Kashmir, known for its deep velvety blue stones, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) with its unique cornflower blue hue, and Burma and Madagascar. Yellow sapphire (pukhraj) is abundantly found in Ceylon, Madagascar, and Burma, while pink sapphires are notably sourced from Ceylon, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Burma. Green sapphires are prominently found in Madagascar and Australia. Sri Lanka is also an abundant source of Padparadscha sapphires, which exhibit a rare and exquisite sunset-hued pink and orange colour.
2. Rubies (Manik)
Rubies are gemstones composed of the mineral Corundum - the same as all other sapphires. Their red and pink hues are attributed to Chromium, which is present in trace amounts in the gemstone.
Rubies from the Mogok Valley in Myanmar (Burma) are the most desired rubies in the world. They are highly coveted for their exceptional beauty, scintillation, and unique colour, popularly known as “Pigeon’s Blood”. Owing to political conflicts in Myanmar (Burma) and generally sporadic supply, Mogok rubies are among the most expensive rubies in the world. Despite other gem mines in Burma, Mogok rubies continue to be coveted by collectors and connoisseurs.
Good quality rubies are also found in Madagascar and Mozambique, with the ones from Madagascar known for their pinkish-red tones. Tanzania also has ruby mines, located in the northern (Longido and Lossongonoi), central (Morogoro and Kizwa), and southern (Rukwa province) parts of the country. Kizwa and Rukwa are noted for their fine and large specimens.
India produces rubies primarily in the Southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Quality transparent rubies are sourced from the host rocks in Karur, Tamil Nadu. Tabular hexagonal crystals, ranging from transparent to translucent, are mined from the corundum granulites in Madikeri, Karnataka. Additionally, opaque star rubies are found in the mango and coconut orchard soils of Channapatna, Karnataka. Thailand, on the other hand, is a popular origin for glass-filled rubies.
A - Burmese Ruby; B - Madagascan Ruby; C - Mozambique Ruby; D - Australian Ruby; E - Madagascan Ruby; F - Greenland Ruby (Source: “Ruby Deposits: A Review and Geological Classification”, Giuliani, et al.)
3. Emeralds (Panna)
The green variety of the mineral beryl, emeralds are a wonder in themselves. Of every 10 emeralds in the world, 7 are found in Colombia. Colombia has many emerald mines and is among the largest source of emeralds in the world, also producing the highest-quality specimens. Key mining areas in Colombia include Coscuez, Muzo, and Chivor. Among these, Muzo is renowned for producing some of the best emeralds in the world, known for their deep green colour and exceptional clarity.
The Kagem mine in Zambia is the world's largest source of high-quality emeralds. The Kagem emerald mine is renowned for its high-quality emeralds, which are prized for their deep green colour and relatively few inclusions. It produces a significant portion of the world's emerald supply. The Panjshir Emerald, also called the Afghanistan emerald, is a high-quality emerald found in the Panjshir Valley, Afghanistan. Its unique bluish-green colour ranks it among the finest emeralds in the world. Brazil, too, is an abundant source of emeralds, although these emeralds are generally of lower quality. They are almost opaque and have a large number of inclusions present. Russia and Ethiopia are also recognised as important sources of emeralds. Emeralds from these sources tend to have lighter greens relative to Colombian or Zambian emeralds.
Colombian Emeralds (left) boast higher transparency while Zambian Emeralds (right) exhibit deeper greens
4. Diamonds
The hardest natural mineral on Earth, diamonds have an appearance unlike any other. For hundreds of years, India was the world’s primary source of diamonds, but today they are mined in over 35 countries across the world. High-quality diamonds are mined in Australia, Botswana, Brazil, China, Congo, Russia and South Africa. Since these are a lot more abundant (relative to coloured gemstones) in various geographies across the globe, their value mostly depends on their quality grade according to the 4Cs, instead of their origin.
Origin of Organic Gemstones
Pearls and corals are among the only species of gemstones found underwater, within the seas. They are produced by living organisms and are called organic gemstones. Both pearls and corals are made up of the mineral Calcium Carbonate.
5. Pearls (Moti)
Pearls are creamy-white gemstones with an iridescent shimmering sheen, akin to soap bubbles. Broadly classified into natural pearls or cultured/cultivated pearls, these gems hold varying degrees of rarity and allure.
Natural pearls, such as the legendary Basra pearls named after the Iraqi city of their trade, are among the most coveted. Basra pearls are highly esteemed, although Venezuelan and Australian pearls are also esteemed. Due to the near-extinction of their producing oysters, Basra pearls have become exceptionally rare and expensive.
Cultured pearls include Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian (black), Freshwater (primarily from China), and Keshi pearls. South Sea pearls, renowned for their large size and symmetry, are mainly cultivated in the marine waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, particularly in the Philippines and Indonesia. Tahitian black pearls originate predominantly from the waters around French Polynesia and Tahiti, prized for their distinctive dark hues. Keshi pearls, composed entirely of nacre, are valued for their exceptional lustre and unique shapes, with cultivation expanding beyond traditional origins in Japan and China to pearl farms worldwide.
Different Types of Pearls
6. Precious Corals (Moonga)
Precious Corals come in red, white, and pink variants. Gemstone-quality red corals are primarily harvested from the western Mediterranean Sea and are sourced from Italy. Japan, particularly the waters around Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Kōchi, Okinawa, and Ogasawara islands, is renowned for producing high-quality red corals valued 3-4 times higher than Italian red corals. This premium is due to their rarity, superior quality, and the rare "Ox Blood" colour. White corals are primarily sourced from Australia, Algeria, and various locations in Africa. White corals from Italy are highly sought-after for their quality, while those from Japan are also considered rare.
Different Types of Precious Corals from Italy
Gemstones Around the World
Gemstones occur in all kinds of shapes and colours and are found in every corner of the world. While it might be impossible to list all of them, some are more recognisable than others. Here's a closer look at gemstone deposits around the world.
1. Gemstones in Africa
The African continent boasts a wealth of gemstones, with several countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar standing out as particularly abundant sources. These gems include rubies, sapphires, chrysoberyl cat's eyes, citrine, aquamarines, and zircons. Zambia is a major global supplier of amethyst. Mozambique is a recently discovered but highly promising source of top-quality rubies, as well as Paraiba Tourmaline. Madagascar has been producing both treated and untreated rubies and sapphires of exceptional quality. Tanzania, exclusively known for producing Tanzanite, also yields rubies, garnets and tsavorite garnets. South Africa is noted for its production of diamonds and zircons, while Nigeria, Namibia, and Zimbabwe are prominent sources of topaz. Additionally, some recent discoveries have uncovered new sources of high-quality sapphires in East African reservations.
2. Gemstones in Asia
The largest of the continents, Asia features a diverse variety of gem-quality minerals and birthstones. Russia’s Ural Mountains are a significant source of high-quality emeralds and citrine. Russia’s gemstone industry also includes diamonds and other semi-precious stones. In Central Asia, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan have emerging gemstone mining activities. Mongolia has a notable production of various coloured gemstones including sapphires, rubies, and tourmaline, while Kyrgyzstan produces a range of gemstones including rare and unusual varieties such as hiddenite, diopside, and various coloured tourmalines.
Along with gem mines for precious gemstones, India, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have several rich semi-precious gemstone sources. India, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have several rich semi-precious gemstone sources. Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is said to be awash with garnets, zircons, and tourmalines, and India has rich gem mines that produce moonstones, aquamarines, and star rubies. Myanmar (Burma) stands out for its world-renowned rubies, prized for their "Pigeon's Blood" hue, and also produces sought-after "Burmese Blue" sapphires, spinel, jadeite, and peridot. Peridot is found across Asia – particularly Pakistan and China.
In Southeast Asia, Vietnam's gemstone industry has grown significantly, with notable production of rubies, sapphires, spinel, and peridot from regions such as Luc Yen and Quy Chau. Cambodia is noted for its high-quality rubies and sapphires, particularly from Pailin and Ratanakiri. China boasts a diverse gemstone industry, encompassing peridot, jadeite, nephrite, turquoise, and various jades, sourced from different provinces. Japan specialises in high-quality pearls, notably cultured Akoya pearls, along with historically significant production of gems like jade, coral, and turquoise. Thailand is a popular source of yellow sapphire and rubies, but these are often highly-treated.
3. Gemstones in the Americas
Brazil, in South America, is home to a spectrum of colourful gemstones including tourmaline, amethyst, topaz, aquamarine, and emeralds. Chile is a top producer of the beautiful blue lapis lazuli. Colombia is renowned worldwide for its emeralds, notably from gem mines in Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez, while also producing other gems like tourmaline and quartz. Mexico is celebrated for its fire opals, turquoise, amber, and obsidian, adding to the region's rich gemological heritage, while Peru contributes to the gemstone market with opal, turquoise, and various types of quartz, further diversifying the gemstone offerings from the Americas.
The United States (USA) has notable sources of diamonds from Arkansas, turquoise from states like Arizona and New Mexico, opals primarily from Nevada, and sapphires from Montana and North Carolina, but these tend to be more expensive due to high labour costs and production expenses. In Canada, the Northwest Territories are known for diamonds, Alberta for ammolite, and British Columbia for jade, highlighting the country's diverse gemstone deposits.
4. Gemstones in Australia
Australia is home to the world's highest-quality opals; its opal fields are larger than those found in the rest of the world combined. Many varieties of opal are spread across the continent. Among all the varieties, black opals from Lightning Ridge in New South Wales and white opals from Southern Australia are especially well-known; the former for their rarity and the latter for their rainbow shimmer and play of colour. Australia is also home to varieties of parti-coloured and teal-coloured sapphires.
How to Choose a Gemstone?
In addition to the 4Cs, the origin of a coloured gemstone can significantly affect its value. Certain origins are known to produce higher-quality gems than others, and similar-looking gemstones found in different locations will almost always have different characteristics and value premiums. It is also worth keeping in mind that rarity does not always equate to superior quality.
When looking to purchase a coloured gemstone, one should always consider the origin of the stone in conjunction with its quality grading. Finding a quality gemstone that aligns with your budget and tastes, may need you to compromise on one or the other factor. When buying a gemstone, all that ultimately matters is how it makes you feel – and at Precious Earth, we firmly believe that there’s no such thing as a perfect gem, but there certainly is one that is perfect for you.
How Can I Know Where My Gemstone Was Mined From?
To know where your gemstone was mined from, look for certifications or documentation provided by reputable jewellers and gemstone sellers. These documents typically include information about the gemstone's origin. Additionally, gemstones from certain regions may have unique characteristics, such as colour variations or inclusions, which can help identify their origin. An experienced gemologist or gem lab can pinpoint a gem's origin by analysing its distinctive inclusions. For instance, Kashmir blue sapphires are renowned for their velvety blue hue attributed to minute milky parallel rutile particles. This expertise helps authenticate and appreciate the unique qualities of gemstones from different origins.
At Precious Earth, transparency is our priority. Each gemstone we offer comes with a certificate of authenticity, ensuring that a genuine and natural gem is delivered to you. Our mine-to-market process makes sure that you are fully informed about your gemstone’s journey.
Where Can I Buy Ethically Sourced Gemstones Online in India?
Ethically sourced gemstones can be purchased online from retailers who prioritise transparency and ethical practices. Look for jewellers that provide detailed information about their sourcing process, certifications, and partnerships with ethical suppliers. Reviews and testimonials from other customers can also provide insights into the retailer’s commitment to ethical sourcing.
At Precious Earth, our extensive collection of high-quality gemstones is available through our user-friendly online store and can be shipped anywhere in India. Whether you are looking for precious gemstones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls to use in jewelry, or semi precious gemstones like amethysts, agates, tourmalines, moonstones or other birthstones, each purchase is backed by our commitment to ethical sourcing and transparent practices. In case you are not satisfied with our gemstones, we offer a lifetime return policy for your peace of mind.
