SINGHASAN / GEMSTONESColour, held
Colour, held
in a stone.
A shade that stays with you. A facet that catches the light. Loose stones, chosen for colour and described for what they are.
Find your stone
Sapphire, emerald and ruby.
The three classic coloured stones. Choose one to see what it is, where its colour comes from and what to check.
Corundum, Neelam
Sapphire
Blue corundum. Every colour of corundum except red is called sapphire, but the classic stone is a deep, even blue that holds its colour in any light.
- Mineral
- Corundum, aluminium oxide
- Colour from
- Traces of iron and titanium
- Hardness
- 9 on the Mohs scale
- Known sources
- Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar, Kashmir
What to look for
- An even, saturated blue: not greyish, not so dark it turns inky
- A lively cut that returns light across the whole face
- Heat treatment is common; it should be stated
CareVery durable. Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft brush.
The stone library.
30 stones described here, and others found on request. Search by English or Hindi name, or browse by colour.
30 stones · all stones
RubyManikCorundumBlue sapphireNeelamCorundumEmeraldPannaBerylYellow sapphirePukhrajCorundumDiamondHeeraDiamondPearlMotiOrganicRed coralMoongaOrganicHessoniteGomedGarnetCat’s eyeLehsuniaChrysoberylFancy sapphireCorundumAlexandriteChrysoberylSpinelSpinelGarnetGarnetTsavoriteGarnetAquamarineBerylMorganiteBerylTourmalineTourmalineTanzaniteZoisiteTopazTopazPeridotZabarjadOlivineAmethystKatelaQuartzCitrineSunelaQuartzZirconJarkanZirconIoliteNeeliCordieriteKunziteSpodumeneMoonstoneChandrakantFeldsparOpalOpalTurquoiseFirozaTurquoiseLapis lazuliLajwardRockJadeJadeSomething else?Found on request
Found a stone? See it in jewellery.
Ask whether jewellery featuring a stone from the library is available: rings, pendants, stud earrings and bracelets.
How to read a stone.
Four things decide how a coloured stone looks and what it is worth. Ask about each when you enquire.
- Colour
Hue, tone and saturation. In coloured stones colour matters most: vivid and even, neither too dark nor washed out.
- Clarity
Inclusions are natural. Emeralds are expected to show them; sapphires and rubies are prized when the face looks clean.
- Cut
Good proportions return light across the whole face. Watch for a dull centre, called a window, or dark patches.
- Treatment and report
Heating and oiling are common and accepted when disclosed. A laboratory report records treatment, weight and sometimes origin.
Studies in colour.
Illustrative photographs, not current pieces. Open one for a closer view.
Emerald
Green, geometry and shifting light.
Ruby
Red, held in shadow.
Colour study
A shifting study of three stones and three kinds of light.
Swipe or drag to choose, then tap to open
Ask about a stone.
Enquiries happen on WhatsApp. Nothing is sold or charged through this website.
Enquire on WhatsApp or save +91 99877 94660
- Message us
Tell us which piece, or what you are looking for.
- See it properly
Current photographs, a short video and any certificate.
- Agree the details
Price, holding a piece, payment and delivery, agreed directly.