Pierres précieuses

You can buy gemstones at Allurez. Buy loose gemstones including sapphires, rubies, emeralds and amethysts, among others. You can also purchase gemstone jewelry, including customized options and rings you design yourself using our tool.

Gemstone refers to pieces of specific types of crystals that are cut and polished so they can be included in jewelry. Not all stones are considered gems, though. Typically, to be considered a gem, the stone must be able to resist damage from scratches and present what is known as "fire." This is the color and clarity that allows a gemstone to sparkle.

The value of a gemstone depends on its size, clarity and other factors. However, when all things are equal, some types of gemstone are typically worth more than others. Some of the most valuable gemstones in the world include blue diamonds, jadeite, pink and red diamonds and emeralds.

Clean gemstones in a mixture of mild detergent with a little water and ammonia. Swish the gemstones or jewelry around in the mixture and then dry them with a soft, lint-free towel. If you're cleaning stones in settings, you can use a soft toothbrush to brush away dirt that might be stuck in the setting.

There are hundreds of gemstone types. Some of them are considered precious or semiprecious because of their rarity and value. These are gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies.

The value of gemstones varies widely. It depends on the type of stone, how big it is, the clarity and color of the stone and other factors. Gemstone prices and value can range from around $100 to millions of dollars.

Investing in gemstone jewelry can be fun, but you should always start with a plan:

• Why are you buying the stone? This helps you figure out which type of gemstone to buy. If it's a gift, you might pick a stone in the person's favorite color. You can also match stones to birth months.
• What is your budget? How much you have to spend helps you narrow down your choices. You may be able to do more with certain semiprecious stones, for example, if your budget is limited.
• What's most important to you? A stone with exceptional fire can be more expensive. However, you can get a higher quality stone with less money if you aren't worried that much about size.

Learn more about buying gemstones in our gemstone buying guide or exotic gemstone buying guide.

Gemstones are classified as precious or semiprecious. Precious gemstones include diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies. Most other gemstones are considered semiprecious.

Diamonds are by far the most popular choice for engagement rings. But that doesn't mean you have to go with tradition. Sapphires, rubies and emeralds are also popular, and you can choose any gemstone you prefer for an engagement ring.