In the world of fine jewellery, the allure of precious coloured gemstones is undeniable. From the deep blues of sapphires to the vibrant greens of emeralds, each one tells a unique story.
However, there is a growing appreciation for the understated elegance of grey gemstones. These gems, with their subtle hues and sophisticated charm, offer a refreshing alternative to the more bold colours. In this blog, we will delve into the captivating world of grey sapphires, tourmalines, and spinels, exploring their history, physical properties, and the art of selecting the finest pieces.
A Brief History
Grey gemstones have a storied past, often associated with royalty and nobility. Grey sapphires, for instance, have been used in various notable pieces of jewellery throughout history. Similarly, grey spinels have adorned the crowns and regalia of ancient monarchs, symbolising strength and resilience.
Physical Properties
● Grey Sapphires: Known for their exceptional hardness, grey sapphires score a 9 on the Mohs scale, making them incredibly durable and suitable for everyday wear. Their brilliance and luster are comparable to their more colourful counterparts, offering a unique blend of elegance and strength.
● Grey Tourmalines: These gems are prized for their versatility and range of hues, from light silvery tones to deep charcoal greys. With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, grey tourmalines are both durable and captivating, often exhibiting a beautiful play of light.
● Grey Spinels: Spinels are renowned for their brilliance and clarity, often mistaken for Sapphires and Diamonds. With a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, grey spinels are both tough and stunning, making them a perfect choice for fine jewellery.
Evaluating and Selecting the Best Pieces
When selecting grey gemstones, there are several key qualities to consider:
● Colour: Look for stones with a consistent and even colour. The most desirable grey gemstones have a pure, untainted hue without any brown or green undertones.
● Brilliance: A high-quality gemstone will exhibit excellent brilliance, reflecting light beautifully.
● Refractive Index: This measures how much light is bent when entering the gemstone. Higher refractive indices indicate greater brilliance.
● Clarity: While some inclusions are acceptable, the best gemstones have minimal visible inclusions.
● Cut: The cut of the gemstone affects its overall appearance and brilliance. Well-cut stones will have symmetrical facets that enhance their natural beauty.
Cost Considerations
The price of grey gemstones can vary widely based on several factors, including colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from SGD 500 to SGD 5,000 per carat for high-quality grey sapphires. Grey tourmalines typically range from SGD 200 to SGD 2,000 per carat, while grey spinels are priced between SGD 300 to SGD 3,000 per carat. Exceptional specimens can command higher prices.
At Calla Lily, we offer a curated selection of exquisite grey gemstones, including sapphires, tourmalines, and spinels. Our team is always available to help you find the perfect piece. We also provide bespoke sourcing services to meet your specific needs. If you’re in Singapore, you can always schedule a visit to our atelier to discover our fascinating gemstones in person!
When considering the cost of a grey gemstone, it’s important to remember that the value of the gemstone is influenced by its unique characteristics. The subtle hues, exceptional brilliance, and overall quality of the gemstone all play a role in determining its price. We pride ourselves on offering only the finest gemstones, ensuring that each piece is a true reflection of our commitment to quality and excellence.
A Comprehensive Comparison of Grey Sapphires, Tourmalines, and Spinels
When it comes to choosing the perfect grey gemstone, understanding the unique characteristics of grey sapphires, tourmalines, and spinels can help you make an informed decision. Each of these gemstones offers distinct qualities that cater to different tastes and preferences. Let’s delve deeper into their individual attributes and how they compare to one another.
Grey Sapphires
● Colour: Grey sapphires are known for their subtle, sophisticated hues that range from light silvery greys to deeper, stormy shades. The colour is often even and consistent, making them a popular choice for those seeking understated elegance.
● Brilliance: With a high refractive index, grey sapphires exhibit excellent brilliance and
sparkle. Their ability to reflect light beautifully enhances their overall appeal.
● Hardness: Scoring a 9 on the Mohs scale, grey sapphires are incredibly durable and resistant to scratches, making them ideal for everyday wear.
● Clarity: While inclusions are common in sapphires, high-quality grey sapphires have
minimal visible inclusions, ensuring a clear and captivating appearance.
● Cut: The cut of a grey sapphire significantly impacts its brilliance. Well-cut stones with symmetrical facets maximise their natural beauty and light reflection.
Grey Tourmalines
● Colour: Grey tourmalines are prized for their versatility, offering a range of hues from light silvery tones to deep charcoal greys. This variety allows for greater customisation and personal expression in jewellery design.
● Brilliance: Although tourmalines have a slightly lower refractive index compared to
sapphires, they still exhibit a beautiful play of light, especially when well-cut.
● Hardness: With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, grey tourmalines are durable enough for regular wear but may require more care to avoid scratches.
● Clarity: Grey tourmalines often have fewer inclusions compared to other coloured
tourmalines, resulting in a clearer and more attractive gemstone.
● Cut: The cut of a grey tourmaline can enhance its natural beauty, with well-cut stones displaying excellent symmetry and light reflection.
Grey Spinels
● Colour: Grey spinels are renowned for their pure, untainted grey hues, which can range from light to dark shades. Their colour is often consistent and free from secondary tones, making them highly desirable.
● Brilliance: Spinels have a high refractive index, similar to sapphires, which gives them
exceptional brilliance and sparkle. Their clarity and light reflection are often compared to more expensive gemstones.
● Hardness: Scoring an 8 on the Mohs scale, grey spinels are both tough and durable, suitable for everyday wear.
● Clarity: Grey spinels are known for their exceptional clarity, with minimal inclusions that
enhance their overall brilliance and appeal.
● Cut: A well-cut grey spinel will have symmetrical facets that maximize its brilliance and light reflection, making it a stunning choice for fine jewellery.
Which One to Choose?
● Grey sapphires offer a range of even, sophisticated hues; grey tourmalines provide versatile shades from light to dark; grey spinels boast pure, consistent grey tones.
● Grey sapphires and spinels have high refractive indices, resulting in excellent brilliance,
while grey tourmalines, though slightly lower, still exhibit a beautiful play of light.
● Grey sapphires (9) and spinels (8) are more durable than grey tourmalines (7-7.5), making them better suited for everyday wear.
● Grey spinels are typically the clearest, followed by grey sapphires and then grey
tourmalines, which may have more inclusions.
● All three gemstones benefit from a well-executed cut, enhancing their natural beauty and brilliance.
Each of these grey gemstones brings its own unique set of features to the table. Whether you prefer the durability and brilliance of grey sapphires, the versatile hues of grey tourmalines, or the pure, consistent tones of grey spinels, there is a perfect grey gemstone for every style and preference. At Calla Lily, we celebrate the distinct beauty of each of these gems, offering a curated selection that showcases their individual qualities.
Conclusion: Why We Love Grey Gemstones
The allure of grey gemstones lies in their ability to combine the best of both worlds: the subtle, sophisticated hues and brilliance of a high-quality gemstone with the durability and relative affordability that make them accessible to a wide range of jewellery enthusiasts. Their unique properties and undeniable beauty make them a perfect choice for those seeking a distinctive and elegant gemstone.
At Calla Lily, we are admittedly passionate about these special gems and are dedicated to helping our clients discover their many qualities. Our fine jewellery collection often includes designs featuring grey sapphires, tourmalines, and spinels.
Lastly, we would like to invite you to explore our collection of coloured gemstones and fine jewellery pieces from our collection.
Our knowledgeable designers are always available to provide guidance and answer any questions you may have. We also offer bespoke sourcing services, allowing you to find the perfect gem to meet your specific needs!
