Gemstone Earrings

This collection is for choosing earrings by color, with precious and semi-precious gems side by side. Every pair is set with natural gemstones, from ruby, sapphire and emerald to tanzanite, aquamarine, morganite, tourmaline and more.

Blue Sapphire Round Brilliant Bezel Stud Earrings

USD 2,550

Blue Sapphire Round Brilliant Bezel Stud Earrings

USD 2,550

Which stones give which color

Pink comes from pink sapphire, morganite, tourmaline and spinel. Pink sapphire is the most durable. morganite the softest, peachiest pink.
Blue comes from sapphire, aquamarine and tanzanite.
Green comes from emerald, tourmaline and peridot.
Red comes from ruby, spinel and garnet.
Purple comes from amethyst and tanzanite.

Which stones hold their color in small sizes

This matters more in earrings than anywhere else, because earring stones are small.

Strong at small sizes: ruby, sapphire, emerald, tanzanite, amethyst and garnet keep their color well under half a carat.
Needs size to show color: aquamarine and morganite are naturally pale, and in small studs they can read almost colorless. They suit drops and larger stones.

If you are buying small studs, choose from the first group. If you want a pale, bright stone, choose a larger drop.

Matching a pair across different gems

Tanzanite changes with angle. It shows blue from one direction and violet from another, so a pair must be cut the same way to agree.
Emerald pairs must match on clarity as well as color, since inclusions are unique to each stone.
Pale stones forgive more. Slight color differences show far less in aquamarine or morganite than in ruby or sapphire.

Style and metal

Studs are the most worn, hoops and pavé designs spread many small stones, drops and halos suit larger stones, and flower motifs cluster several.

White gold keeps blues and greens crisp, yellow gold warms reds and purples, and rose gold flatters pinks. Earrings take few knocks, so softer stones such as tanzanite are practical here. Keep tanzanite and emerald out of ultrasonic cleaners.

Sapphire and ruby, at 9 on the Mohs scale, are the most durable. Because earrings take few knocks, most stones in this collection handle daily wear.

Pale stones such as aquamarine and morganite need size to show color. In small studs, choose ruby, sapphire, emerald, tanzanite or amethyst.

It depends on the stone. A lot of sapphires and rubies are heated, nearly all emeralds are oiled, and heating is routine for tanzanite. Treatment is disclosed on every pair.

For the pair. A listing of 1.00 carat means both stones together.

Pink sapphire for durability and deeper color, morganite for a soft peach-pink at a lower price, spinel or tourmaline for bright pinks. Choose the pink that appeals to your eye.