Gemstone jewellery has long been loved for its colour, sparkle and sense of meaning – not to mention the touch of luxury it brings to any outfit. Whether you’re drawn to bold statement pieces or dainty designs, there’s something truly special about wearing beautiful stones that speak to your personality or tell a story.
But if you’ve ever found yourself wondering what gemstone jewellery actually is (and whether some stones are ‘better’ than others), you’re not alone. Add in confusing terms like ‘precious’ and ‘semi-precious’ – not to mention questions about gemstone ethics and sourcing – and it’s easy to feel a bit lost when you’re trying to choose a piece you’ll love for years to come.
As an Australian jewellery designer with decades of experience, I’ve worked with all kinds of gemstones. I’ve also developed some strong opinions about the industry’s outdated classifications and the importance of ethical sourcing.
In this article, I’ll walk you through what you really need to know about gemstone jewellery, from the terminology to the values that shape the choices I make when creating our Australian jewellery designs.
If you’re curious about gemstone jewellery, want to shop more thoughtfully, or just love beautiful stones, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in …
What is Gemstone Jewellery?
Gemstone jewellery is exactly what it sounds like: jewellery made with gemstones as a feature, perhaps as a set stone or as beading. Explore examples of silver gemstone jewellery along with gold gemstone jewellery in our online store.
Once you start looking into it, you’ll quickly discover that the world of gemstones is a surprisingly complex one – and it’s full of misconceptions.
One of the most common (and, frankly, unhelpful) distinctions is between so-called precious stones and semi-precious stones. The ‘precious’ label is traditionally reserved only for diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. However, this is a very outdated and unscientific way to look at gemstones – and I’m not a fan!
There are many so-called ‘semi-precious’ stones that are rarer or more valuable than these four. There also isn’t an especially clear distinction between some precious and semi-precious stones. For example, emeralds and aquamarines are both types of beryl gemstones, but only emeralds get the ‘precious’ label. Why? No real reason …
Honestly, I think it’s a silly and out-dated distinction! I much prefer to focus on the beauty, appropriate use and ethical sourcing of stones rather than these old-fashioned and poorly considered classifications.
If you’re curious to dig deeper into this, we break it down in more detail over in our Jewellery Glossary, but the takeaway is this: choose stones that you love, not just the ones that someone long ago decided were ‘precious’.
Types of Gemstones
When shopping for gemstone jewellery, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer variety of stones out there. So let’s break it down into a few useful categories to help you understand what’s available – and what might be right for you.
Natural Gemstones: These are formed in the earth over millions of years and are mined from nature. They can vary wildly in quality, clarity and colour, which is part of their charm. We use a range of natural gemstones in our designs, generally more affordable varieties that come with fewer ethical concerns and which are chosen for their aesthetics in relation to our jewellery designs, rather than as an investment. We have natural opal jewellery and pearl jewellery, as some examples.
Lab-Grown Gemstones: These are created in a lab rather than mined from the earth, but they’re chemically and structurally identical to natural stones. We love using lab-grown gems, especially for stones like rubies and sapphires. They’re a more ethical and affordable alternative to mined stones, with all the sparkle and colour you could want. We’ll always tell you when we’re using a lab-grown stone in one of our designs.
Simulated Gemstones: These look similar to certain gemstones but are made from different materials (often glass or cubic zirconia). They’re not chemically the same as the stones they imitate, but they can be a great option if you love the look but want to keep things affordable and even more ethical. We use a small number of simulated gemstones, but always make this clear in our product listings.
We’re always thoughtful about the stones we choose. Our focus is on creating jewellery that’s beautiful, meaningful, and ethically made, whether that means a vibrant lab-grown ruby or a dreamy natural aquamarine. Ultimately, the best gemstone for you is the one you love to wear.
Ethical Considerations
Gemstones are beautiful, but their origins can be complicated, as alluded to above. From environmental destruction to unfair labour practices, traditional gemstone mining often raises serious ethical concerns. That’s why we think it’s so important to consider where your gemstones come from and how they’re sourced.
At Simone Walsh Jewellery, we’ve always been committed to creating ethical jewellery. For higher value stones that may be ethically compromised, we’ll often opt for lab-grown or simulated alternatives, which don’t have the same environmental or human costs that mined natural stones may have.
We do use plenty of natural stones too, but we aim for more affordable varieties that have fewer associated issues, and we always work with trusted, ethical suppliers. For example, we don’t use natural diamonds at all due to the widespread concerns around their origins.
Ultimately, our goal is to design jewellery that you can feel good about wearing: beautiful, thoughtfully made, and better for the world around us.
Why Gemstones Are So Popular in Jewellery
Gemstones have been used in jewellery for thousands of years — and with good reason. Their colour, sparkle and natural beauty bring life and personality to even the simplest designs. Whether it’s a richly hued sapphire, a soft-toned moonstone or a fiery garnet, gemstones are a way to express mood, meaning and style all at once.
And these stones work beautifully in a wide array of jewellery designs. There are gemstone rings, birthstone earrings, gemstone beaded necklaces and much more to choose from.
Some people are drawn to stones for their symbolism or believed properties, while others simply fall in love with a colour or the way a gem catches the light.
From subtle accents to bold centrepieces, gemstones let you customise your jewellery and make it feel personal. They’re also incredibly versatile: a single stone can be delicate or dramatic, depending on how it’s styled. It’s no wonder gemstone jewellery continues to be so enduringly popular.
Learn more in our guide to The Meaning of Gemstone Jewellery and also see our collection of Birthstone Jewellery for meaningful pieces to be loved.
How We Choose Gemstones for Our Jewellery
We put a lot of thought into choosing the gemstones we use in our designs – not just for their beauty, but for their quality, suitability in our designs and sourcing. Our pieces often feature natural gemstones, which we love for their colour, uniqueness and more accessible pricing. We also use lab-grown and simulated stones, especially when they offer a more ethical and affordable alternative to mined varieties.
We always aim to avoid gemstones with complex ethical issues, which is why we don’t use natural diamonds and are cautious with high-value stones. Instead, we seek out reputable suppliers who share our values around fair trade and responsible sourcing.
We also choose stones based on how well they suit a design. Some gems are best showcased in minimalist settings to let their colour shine, while others are perfect for more elaborate pieces. At the end of the day, our goal is to use gemstones in a way that highlights their natural beauty – and helps you to feel beautiful wearing them.
Common Gemstone Cuts We Use
Gemstones come in a wide variety of cuts, some designed to maximise sparkle, others to highlight colour or shape. In our jewellery, we focus on a small range of cuts that complement our signature style and make each piece feel special. Below are some common cuts we use in our jewellery designs.
Cabochons: Smooth, domed stones with no facets. They have a soft, organic feel and are ideal for showing off rich colours or unique internal patterns in a gemstone. We love using cabochons for their timeless look and versatility. They are most often set in bezel-type settings (a strip of metal which is rubbed over the edge of the stone to hold it in place).
Rose Cut Cabochons: A lovely variation which have have a flat base and a faceted, dome-like top, giving you the best of both worlds between cabochons and faceted stones: a soft shape with just a touch of sparkle.
Faceted Stones: These are cut with flat surfaces (or facets) to reflect light and add brilliance. We use classic faceted cuts in designs where the stone can really shine, both literally and figuratively. These may be set in claw or basket settings (prongs of wire which are shaped and cut to hold the stones) or in settings made from tube and using a rubbed over bezel to hold them in place.
Beads: Gemstone beads are shaped and polished pieces of stone, usually drilled so they can be strung together. They come in many shapes – from smooth rounds to faceted or freeform cuts – and are ideal for creating layered, wearable pieces full of texture and colour. We use gemstone beads in many of our beaded necklaces for a relaxed but vibrant look that’s easy to dress up or down.
Rather than following trends, we choose gemstone cuts based on how they work with the stone itself and especially how they fit into our wearable, everyday designs. It’s all about balance, beauty and personality.
Why Buy Gemstone Jewellery from a Small Business?
When you buy gemstone jewellery from a small business like ours, you’re getting more than just a beautiful accessory. You’re supporting thoughtful design, ethical choices and independent creativity, not mass production or trend-chasing. You’ll also likely be avoid all of that terribly boring jewellery out there!
We take the time to source our gemstones responsibly, select materials with care, and design each piece with real people in mind. That means you’ll often find jewellery that’s more distinctive, better made and backed by genuine expertise, not just marketing buzzwords.
Plus, when you shop small, you’re often supporting someone’s dream directly. Every order helps keep our tiny workshop running, and every piece we send out into the world matters to us. It’s a personal connection that no big brand can replicate – and we think that makes the jewellery you choose even more special.
(Reading this on a website that isn’t simonewalsh.com? Be aware that the content has been stolen, infringing the copyright of a small business. ABN: 65108844126)
Wrapping Up
Gemstone jewellery is a beautiful way to express your style, tell your story, and support thoughtful design. Whether you’re drawn to a particular stone for its meaning, colour or sparkle – or you simply love wearing something unique – there’s a world of options out there beyond the big jewellery chains.
We hope this guide has helped you feel more confident and informed about choosing gemstone jewellery you’ll love – and feel good about wearing. Thanks for supporting small makers and shopping with heart.
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