Beyond White Diamonds: The Complete Guide to Coloured Gemstone & Unique Diamond Jewellery
From royal blue sapphires to vivid teal, deep ruby red to soft morganite pink — discover the full spectrum of coloured gemstone jewellery, black diamond pieces, and one-of-a-kind designs in our collection.
Not every great ring is a white diamond solitaire. Coloured gemstones have been at the heart of fine jewellery for millennia — sapphires in royal crowns, rubies in Mughal treasuries, emeralds in Aztec ceremonial pieces. Today, they are having a significant renaissance in Australian engagement rings and fine jewellery, driven by buyers who want a ring that tells a more personal story than "it's the biggest diamond I could afford." This guide is for those buyers.
Gemstone Meanings at a Glance
| Gemstone | Traditional meaning | Hardness | Best setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Sapphire | Loyalty, wisdom, faithfulness | 9 | Any — highly durable |
| Teal Sapphire | Calm, depth, originality | 9 | Any — highly durable |
| Pink Sapphire | Romance, femininity, grace | 9 | Any — highly durable |
| Ruby | Passion, courage, love | 9 | Any — highly durable |
| Morganite | Compassion, healing, promise | 7.5–8 | Bezel or protected claw |
| Tanzanite | Transformation, new beginnings | 6.5 | Bezel recommended |
| Aquamarine | Courage, clarity, serenity | 7.5–8 | Four-claw or bezel |
| Amethyst | Protection, inner peace | 7 | Four-claw or bezel |
| Black Diamond | Authority, mystery, power | 10 | Any — same as white diamond |
Blue Sapphire — The Engagement Ring Stone of Royalty
Blue sapphire's association with engagement rings predates modern diamond culture by centuries. It was the stone of choice for royalty across Asia, the Middle East and Europe — and since Princess Diana's famous sapphire ring entered the public consciousness, it has never left the engagement ring conversation. Its hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale makes it perfectly suited to daily wear, and the range of blue tones available — from pale sky to deep royal — means no two sapphire rings look alike.
Our blue sapphire collection spans several beautifully distinct designs. The blue sapphire diamond engagement ring in 18k white gold is a refined, classic setting that lets the stone speak without distraction. The second white gold sapphire ring offers a different setting proportion — worth viewing alongside the first to compare. The two-tone white and yellow gold blue sapphire ring introduces warmth and vintage character. For a sapphire alongside a round diamond in an equal partnership, the round diamond and sapphire ring with pavé side stones in white gold and its rose gold bezel-set sapphire counterpart are both extraordinary. The natural blue sapphire halo ring with pavé diamond setting is a statement piece — the halo amplifies the sapphire's presence magnificently. For a three-stone arrangement, the three-stone oval sapphire ring with oval diamond sides is a graceful, elongated design.
Teal Sapphire — The Colour Everyone Is Talking About
Teal sapphires — which sit between blue and green on the colour spectrum — have become one of the most sought-after gemstones in Australian fine jewellery over the past three years. Each stone is unique: some lean more blue, others more green, and the way the colour shifts under different lighting conditions (a phenomenon known as colour change) is one of the most captivating things in gemology. The teal sapphire tulip-setting ring in 18k white gold showcases the stone beautifully with its six-claw elevated setting. The vintage-inspired antique-style teal sapphire oval halo in white gold is one of the most admired pieces we carry — the yellow gold setting intensifies the green component of the teal.
Pink Sapphire & Morganite — Soft Colour, Strong Statement
Pink sapphires offer the same extraordinary hardness as blue sapphires with a romantic, feminine colour that has nothing to do with pastels — deep pink sapphires can be as vivid and saturated as a ruby. The cushion cut pink sapphire with split band pavé setting in 18k white gold is a beautiful, contemporary design — the cushion shape suits pink sapphires' warm brilliance particularly well.
Morganite — the peachy-pink member of the beryl family — has become enormously popular in Australian fine jewellery for its warm blush colour that photographs beautifully and pairs extraordinarily well with rose gold. The morganite oval halo engagement ring in rose gold is one of the most visually harmonious pieces we carry — the stone, the metal and the design all pull in the same direction.
Ruby — Passion in Stone
Ruby is corundum (the same mineral as sapphire) coloured red by chromium. A fine ruby — vivid, transparent, deeply saturated — is actually rarer and more valuable than a comparable diamond. Our ruby collection is curated for those who want to make an unambiguous statement about passion, commitment and colour.
The ruby diamond engagement ring with round cut six-claw setting in white gold is a bold, classic combination. The red ruby trilogy three-stone engagement ring in white gold flanks the ruby with two diamonds — the white stones intensify the red. The ruby and diamond engagement ring with baguette channel setting in white gold pairs the ruby centre with the geometric precision of baguette-cut diamond shoulders. For earrings, our emerald and diamond hoop earrings in white gold complete the coloured stone jewellery picture beautifully.
Tanzanite & Other Statement Gemstones
Tanzanite is found in only one place on earth — a small area of northern Tanzania near Mount Kilimanjaro — and its deep violet-blue colour is unlike any other gemstone. It is trichroic, meaning it appears differently coloured under different lighting conditions: violet in incandescent light, blue in daylight, and sometimes burgundy in candlelight. The vintage-style tanzanite diamond ring with channel setting in white gold is an elegant choice for an engagement or dress ring. The double-band round tanzanite ring in white gold with pavé side stones makes a more fashion-forward statement. The vintage oval tanzanite ring with round diamond side stones in white gold is beautifully proportioned.
For something truly unusual, our orange fire opal diamond ring is a genuine conversation piece — the play-of-colour inside an Australian fire opal is one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena in gemology. The Good Luck Dragon diamond dress ring in 18k yellow gold is a one-of-a-kind artistic piece, and our multi-colour diamond gemstone ring in 14k white gold is a joyful, fashion-forward piece that refuses to be categorised.
Black Diamond — Strength, Mystery & Edge
Black diamonds have a character that white diamonds simply cannot replicate. Whether as a centre stone, as an accent, or as a statement piece in their own right, they create a dark, powerful aesthetic that is increasingly popular with buyers who want jewellery that makes a statement outside the conventions of fine jewellery tradition. The black diamond pendant in rose gold is a stunning contrast — the darkness of the stone against the warmth of the rose gold is deeply striking. The round cut black diamond pendant in 9k rose gold is a more accessible version of the same idea. For a gents piece, the black diamond gents wedding band in 18k yellow gold is one of the most striking men's bands in our collection — the contrast of black diamonds against yellow gold is a bold, modern aesthetic.
Designer Named Rings — Pieces with Personalities
Beyond the category-driven collection, we carry a range of named designer rings — pieces with their own identities, each suited to a specific buyer. Here are some of the most compelling that haven't yet been featured in this series.
The Abbey
The Abbey radiant cut solitaire in 18k white gold, in 18k yellow gold, and in platinum are named for a low-profile hidden halo setting that keeps the radiant cut stone close to the hand — an unusually practical solitaire with hidden brilliance.
Flora, Sanaa & Sarah
The Flora three-stone ring with pear side stones and hidden halo in platinum and in white gold are feminine, complex pieces — the pear sides give the trilogy format an elegant asymmetry. The Sanaa three-stone hidden halo ring in platinum is a more structured version of the hidden halo trilogy, and the Sarah trilogy hidden halo ring in 18k yellow gold brings warmth and movement to the three-stone format.
Nana, Dani & Saba
The Nana oval ring with a round and marquise diamond band in white gold and in rose gold are richly detailed pieces where the band itself is a design statement. The Dani three-stone oval with bezel and six-prong heads in 18k yellow gold combines the oval cut with a distinctive mixed setting treatment. The Saba oval bezel with four-prong head in 18k white gold is a refined piece that mixes protection with elegance.
Eleanor, Riviera & Zoe
The Eleanor antique hidden halo oval with milgrain in rose gold is a romantic, heritage-inspired piece of great beauty. The Riviera cathedral hidden halo in rose gold is bold and architectural — the cathedral sides lift the stone dramatically. The Zoe oval hidden halo with three-quarter pavé setting in white gold is a generous, contemporary piece suited to the buyer who wants their ring to be noticed across a room.
Unusual Pendants & Earrings Worth Knowing About
Several pendant and earring pieces in our remaining collection deserve specific attention. The horseshoe diamond pendant in white and yellow gold is a lucky charm elevated to fine jewellery — grain-set diamonds in a two-tone setting. The 18k white gold diamond cross pendant with princess cut diamond is a beautifully made devotional piece. The oval amethyst and diamond halo pendant in 14k white gold is a graceful, coloured stone pendant with excellent everyday wearability. The multi-colour gemstone pendant with green amethyst centre in 18k yellow gold is a joyful, optimistic piece, and the amethyst and diamond earrings in 14k white gold bring a complementary coloured stone to the ear. The smoky quartz and diamond earrings in 14k yellow gold are warm, earthy and unexpected — a beautiful gift for someone who wears colour. The multi-colour gemstone earrings in 14k yellow gold are a burst of colour that will work with almost any outfit. The 2ct centre stone hoop earrings with bezel and pavé in white gold are one of the most substantial earring pieces we carry. The natural turquoise and diamond evil eye necklace in 18k white gold is a protective talisman elevated to fine jewellery.
Notable Loose Diamonds — For Your Bespoke Commission
The following loose certified diamonds are among the most distinctive remaining in our collection. Each is suited to a custom commission built around it. The 1.70ct marquise natural D SI1 GIA is a top-colour marquise with dramatic elongation potential. The 1.64ct pear lab grown D VS2 IGI is an excellent entry into the pear shape at above D colour. The 1.38ct round lab grown D VVS2 Excellent IGI is a top-specification round brilliant that would be outstanding in any setting. The 1.20ct oval lab grown D VS1 IGI is a D-colour oval at a very practical size. The 1ct round natural F SI1 VG GIA is an eye-clean natural one-carat at top practical value. And the 9k yellow gold locket bracelet — a genuinely charming, personalised piece — closes out this collection with something that is simply about the joy of giving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a sapphire engagement ring as durable as a diamond ring?
For practical daily wear, yes. Sapphire (hardness 9) is the second hardest mineral on earth — only diamond scratches it. You can wear a sapphire engagement ring every day, wash your hands in it, exercise in it, and it will not scratch from normal life activities. The one scenario where diamond has a meaningful advantage is resistance to chipping under direct impact: sapphire, like all corundum, can be brittle under extreme force, whereas diamond's crystalline structure absorbs impact better. For most wearers, this is a theoretical rather than practical distinction.
What is the difference between a blue sapphire and a teal sapphire?
Both are corundum (aluminium oxide), and both are typically treated with heat to improve their colour and clarity — standard practice in the industry and fully disclosed. A blue sapphire ranges from pale sky blue to deep royal or inky navy, depending on iron and titanium content. A teal sapphire contains a mix of iron and other trace elements that produce a blue-green colour, similar to the colour of the ocean in shallow tropical water. No two teal sapphires are exactly the same, which is part of their appeal. Our teal sapphire tulip ring in white gold is a good example of what a fine teal looks like in a beautifully designed setting.
Should morganite or tanzanite be set in a bezel for daily wear?
For morganite, a well-made four-claw or six-claw setting is perfectly adequate for daily wear — it is 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, durable enough for everyday use. A bezel offers extra protection but is not strictly necessary. For tanzanite (6.5), we do recommend a bezel or well-protected setting for a ring worn daily — the softer mineral can be scratched by common materials including quartz dust in everyday environments. Tanzanite is an excellent choice for an occasional-wear or special-occasion ring rather than a daily engagement ring.
What makes fire opals different from white opals?
Fire opals get their name from their vivid body colour — typically orange to red — rather than from their play of colour. Australian fire opals are among the most spectacular in the world, with a transparency and intensity of colour that Mexican opals (also sometimes called fire opals) rarely match. The orange fire opal diamond ring in our collection features a genuine Australian fire opal with a saturated orange body colour and flashes of spectral colour — a genuinely rare and remarkable stone.
Can coloured gemstone rings be resized?
Yes, in most cases — the same way diamond rings can be resized. Heat-sensitive stones like tanzanite need to be removed and reset around the resizing work, which adds slightly to the cost and complexity, but is standard practice for a skilled jeweller. Sapphires, rubies and diamonds can typically be resized in the ring. Contact us for advice on any specific piece before resizing, and we will guide you through the process.
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