Diamonds and Gemstones: A Beautiful Comparison of Brilliance, Color, and Value

We celebrate both the timeless brilliance of diamonds and the captivating beauty of colored gemstones at E.D. Marshall Jewelers. Each one has a story–from how it forms deep within the earth to what makes it valuable. In this comparison, we’ll explore the differences between diamonds and gemstones: where they come from, how they’re rated, which gemstones are considered semi-precious, how treatments and lab grown diamonds and gemstones affect value, and even how they compare in hardness and durability.

Where Diamonds And Gemstones Come From

Diamonds are a specific gemstone made of pure carbon atoms, formed under extreme heat and pressure deep within the earth’s mantle. Volcanic eruptions carry them upward leaving behind deposits which are found today in diamond mines in Botswana, South Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia. Diamonds have a higher refractive index than other gemstones which is why diamonds are known for their sparkle and brilliance.

Gemstones, by contrast, come from a variety of minerals and elements. Most colored gemstones (i.e. emeralds, rubies, sapphires, amethyst, topaz.) form in the earth’s crust in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks where temperatures and pressures are much lower than in the earth’s mantle. Gemstones can be found at the earth’s surface through the processes of erosion, weathering, and transport. 

Emeralds are found in Colombia and Zambia. Rubies are from Myanmar and Mozambique. Featured below are an emerald cut emerald with trapezoid shaped diamonds and a star ruby and pave diamond ring.

Sapphires are found in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Australia. Here is a Ceylon sapphire and pave diamond ring, a pink sapphire and pave diamond ring, and an orange and green sapphire and diamond ring.

Amethyst comes from Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia, while topaz is found in several parts of the world. Below, an amethyst cabochon diamond halo ring and an Imperial topaz and pave diamond ring.

Other types of gemstones like peridot and some garnets can be formed in the earth’s mantle; opals form near the earth’s surface from the deserts of Australia. The earth’s crust is geologically diverse which gives us gemstones that vary widely in color, chemical makeup, and formation style. Shown is a marquise peridot and diamond ring, a pyrope garnet inline bracelet, and an opal and diamond halo ring.

How Diamonds and Gemstones Are Graded

Diamond grading uses a precise, universal system (created by the Gemological Institute of America, GIA) known as the 4Cs for grading white diamonds (colorless diamonds). The 4Cs measures gem-quality of diamonds by examining a diamond’s cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

• Cut determines how brilliantly a diamond sparkles. An excellent diamond cut has the best light dispersion giving it more brilliance and sparkle.

• Color is graded on a scale from D (colorless and most valuable) to Z (light yellow or brown).

• Clarity measures impurities like inclusions or surface blemishes.

• Carat weight refers to the size of the diamond, not diamond shape. Larger high-quality gemstones are rarer and more valuable.

Gemstones, however, are evaluated differently because color plays a far greater role. For colored gemstones grading is more complex because every type of gemstone has its own standards and ideal characteristics. Thus, no single universal scale exists, being every gemstone species has its own standards. 

With gemstones, color is the most important–experts judge the hue (color), tone (light or darkness of stone), and saturation of color (intensity or vividness of color). A rich, vivid color often outweighs size or clarity. Beyond just looking at color, gemologists also consider clarity, cut, and carat weight of gemstones. 

Gemstone treatment, rarity, and origin are also measurements of gemstones. Natural, untreated gems or those from renowned locations (like Kashmir sapphires, Colombian emeralds, or Burmese rubies) command premiums. Shown is a Columbian emerald and diamond ring and GIA certified Burmese ruby and Euro diamond vintage ring.

Precious Gemstones vs. Semi-Precious Gemstones

Traditionally, the world’s "precious" gemstones were the diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald which are all known for their rarity and enduring value. All other colored stones fell into the "semi-precious gemstones" category (i.e. turquoise, moonstone, aquamarine, tanzanite, zircon). Displayed are a diamond and moonstone ring, an antique aquamarine and diamond necklace, and blue zircon and diamond earrings.

Today, gemologists view the “semi-precious” label as outdated. Many so-called semi-precious gemstones, such as Paraiba tourmaline, alexandrite, and tanzanite, can be rarer and more valuable than traditional “precious” stones. Shown are a Paraiba tourmaline ring and a tanzanite and diamond halo ring.

Semi-precious gemstones are often more abundant, varied in color, and usually more affordable, though some (like fine tanzanite or high-quality garnet) can still be very valuable. The true measure of worth lies in quality, rarity, and beauty, not the old-fashioned label. Below are tanzanite and diamond halo earrings and a pyrope garnet and diamond curve accent drop pendant.

Hardness and Durability

The Mohs scale measures the durability and hardness of gemstones resistance to scratching. Diamonds sit at the top with a perfect 10, followed by corundum gemstones like ruby and sapphire at 9, and spinel at 8. Beryl varieties such as emerald and aquamarine range between 7.5-8, while quartz (like amethyst and citrine) ranks at 7. Softer stones, such as opal or turquoise (around 5-6) require more delicate handling in jewelry.

Natural vs. Lab-Grown Gemstones

Technology now allows us to grow gemstones in laboratories under the same conditions that create them in nature. The result is synthetic diamonds or gemstones–chemically, physically, and visually identical to natural stones like diamonds, ruby, sapphires, emeralds, and moissanite.

Lab-created diamonds and gemstones offer brilliant color and clarity at a lower price. The main difference lies in rarity. Natural gemstones remain more valuable because each is one-of-a-kind, formed by the earth itself. Shown is a synthetic sapphire and diamond curved bracelet, a lab grown sapphire and diamond ring, and a lab grown ruby eternity band.

Treated vs. Untreated Gemstones

To enhance their beauty, some natural gemstones undergo treatments like heat, irradiation, or oiling. These are industry-standard and often permanent. For example rubies and sapphire are often heat-treated to intensify color. Emeralds are oiled to fill small surface fissures. Below an irradiated blue diamond engagement ring and a fracture filled ruby and diamond ring.

However, untreated gemstones–precious stones that display their natural color without enhancement are exceptionally rare and command premium prices. Collectors and connoisseurs especially prize them for their authenticity. Shown is a GIA certified unheated purplish pink sapphire ring.

Fancy Colored Diamonds: The Exception to the Rule

While most diamonds are prized for being colorless, rare few diamonds display brilliant hues like pink, blue, yellow, and green–known as fancy color diamonds. These colored diamonds are extraordinarily rare and their prices reflect that rarity. 

For example, vivid pink diamonds like the Star of the East or blue Hope diamond have sold for millions per carat. Their color comes from trace elements or distortions in their crystal structure–nature’s accidents turned into treasures.

In general, the rarest high-quality colored diamonds are among the most valuable gemstones in the world–often commanding higher prices than even the finest rubies, emeralds, or sapphires. Below is a GIA certified fancy yellow round brilliant cut diamond solitaire and a fancy yellow diamond solitaire halo ring.

What Determines Value

Whether it’s a natural diamond or a colored gemstone, value depends on five key factors.

• Rarity – the harder it is to find, the higher the value.

• Beauty - the quality of its color and brilliance, and visual appeal.

• Durability - it’s ability to withstand wear and scratches. Diamonds have the most durability with a Mohs scale 10 rating, sapphires and rubies with a 9.

• Size and Quality - larger carat diamonds or gemstones and top-grade stones are exponentially more valuable.

• Market Demand - shaped by trends, origin, and desirability can all influence wealth.

Diamonds certified by GIA are considered more valuable. Featured is a GIA certified round brilliant cut diamond engagement ring.

Diamond gemstones embody timelessness and endurance, while colored gemstones offer individuality and emotion. The choice often comes down to personality – a diamond for everlasting brilliance, or a gemstone for color and character.

Beyond Jewelry: Industrial Uses of Gemstones

You may be surprised to learn that beyond their beauty, some types of gemstones have an industrial use due to their hardness. Diamonds with their unmatched hardness, are used in cutting, drilling, and polishing tools. 

Corundum (the mineral family of sapphire and ruby) is found in watch crystals, lasers, and semiconductors because of its strength and transparency. Quartz powers timepieces and electronic circuits through its precise vibrations. The watches below both have a sapphire crystal.

Beryl is a source of beryllium for aerospace and electronics. Garnet is used with abrasives, filtrations, and waterjet cutting. Finally, spinel is used with armor glass, ceramics, and optics.

These industrial applications reveal another dimension of their worth–the same qualities that make gemstones desirable in jewelry, also make them indispensable in modern technology.

A Beautiful Comparison

Both diamonds and gemstones capture the imagination in different ways. Diamonds are celebrated for their brilliance, durability, and symbolism of forever in wedding rings and diamond jewelry. Gemstones, with their incredible variety of colors and origins, speak to individuality, emotion, and natural artistry with popular use as birthstones, anniversaries and gift giving.

Whether admired for their sparkle or their spectrum of color, both connect us to the earth’s geological wonders–reminders that beauty can be as deep as it is dazzling. 

The Final Sparkle

At E.D. Marshall Jewelers, we believe every precious gemstone tells a story–whether it’s the strength of a diamond or the vibrancy of a gemstone. At the heart of it all, the true beauty of any gemstone–diamonds or otherwise–lies in what it represents. A diamond speaks of eternal strength and devotion. A sapphire whispers of loyalty, a ruby burns with passion, and an emerald glows with renewal.

Visit us to explore sparkling diamonds, vibrant gemstones, and one-of-a-kind designs that let your personality shine. Come explore our selection of fine jewelry today!