Home / Engagement RingsLauren B Color LAUREN B COLORYour Guide to the World of GemstonesWelcome to Lauren B Color, where the most vibrant gemstones meet fine craftsmanship. Our carefully curated gemstone inventory features every color of the rainbow, and all of those in between. We offer you access to viewing a selection of gemstones personalized to your interests, across a wide range of types, shapes, sizes and of course colors. Any ring or jewelry design from Lauren B can be custom made to suit the center stone of your choice, so it's time to start designing the beautiful and unique gemstone piece of your dreams! Our gemstone program is available both in store and to remote clients worldwide. Come explore Lauren B Color with us today!Check out our current Lauren B Color ring collection here or continue here to watch looose color gemstone videos. Interested in learning more about gemstones? You can find all of the information you need in our Lauren B Color catalog below CORUNDUMSAPPHIRE and RUBYCOLORComes in every hue, tone, and saturation possible! Purity and intensity of the color is what drives cost and can either occur naturally or from various treatments.HARDNESS9 Makes a great, durable stone for any type of jewelry, especially a ring, and is great for daily wear and passing down for generations.CUTAny shape or type of cut. Faceted stones often mixed cut and is optimized to show the best color. Can often be a deeper cut stone to highlight or deepen color. Cabochons, slices, and more unique cuts are readily available and used for jewelry pieces.TREATMENTMost often heat treated. More invasive treatments such as lattice diffusion (use of heat and chemicals to diffuse colors within the stone) can affect price.PRICINGFor heated and/or treated stones, cost can start at a few hundred per carat and range to tens of thousands for rare, naturally occurring colors. Certified, high quality stones will fetch a premium.FUN FACTSCorundum is pleochroic, meaning it can show different colors or tones in different light and from different angles. Sapphires can also commonly be bi-color, showing two colors, or a mixture of color.VARIATIONSRuby: only applies to corundum that is a pure red color. All other colors are called “sapphire. BERYLEMERALD, MORGANITE, AQUAMARINECOLORMany colors, most notably green, blue, and pinkish for emerald, aquamarine, and morganite.May also be multi-colored. Uncommon colors are red and yellow.HARDNESS7.5 to 8 Though harder than most gemstones, more susceptible points in the crystal structure can mean that beryl must be worn carefully, especially emerald.CUTComes in most shapes and cuts and varies by color or variety. Step cut stones are common due to the elongated shape and structure of beryl crystals.TREATMENTWide variety of treatments based on the variety and color of the stone. Emeralds are almost always clarity enhanced using various methods, particularly fracture filling to enhance clarity.PRICINGModerately priced to very expensive; particularly in fine emeralds.VARIATIONSEmerald: The pure green to yellowish or bluish green beryl. Very expensive precious gem Morganite: Orangey-pink to purplish color, often high clarity and moderately priced. Aquamarine: Blue to greenish-blue and moderately priced. TOURMALINECOLOREvery color of the visible spectrum, even multiple colors in one gemHARDNESS7 to 7.5 Durable stone that is good for everyday wear and requires proper care for longevity.CUTAny cut or shape, even rough or sliced. Crystal structure is very long, so is often found in step cuts, or more elongated shapes.TREATMENTMany stones not treated, but some colors can be attained or enhanced from heat treat- ment. Some types can also be clarity enhanced.PRICINGFrom poor commercial quality costing a few dollars, to one of the most expensive gems on the market.FUN FACTSComes from many locations around the world, but the most famous is Minas Gerias state in Brazil, which produces the most various types of gems than anywhere in the world.VARIATIONSParaiba: Copper bearing, blue, greenish-blue, or green. Extremely rare and expensive.Very bright even when saturated with color.Blue-green: Similar color to Paraiba but less saturated and slightly less expensiveRubellite: Red stone with color saturation almost as pure as ruby. Expensive stone QUARTZAMETHYST, TOPAZ, CITRINE, PRASIOLITECOLORCan be found in a wide variety of colors.HARDNESS7 Durable stone that is good for everyday wear and requires proper care for longevity.CUTComes in any type of cut and shapeTREATMENTVaries greatly based on the variety, but some varieties exposed to normal heat treatment.PRICINGGenerally inexpensive.FUN FACTSPure quartz is silicon and oxygen, making quartz one of the most abundant substances on Earth, and making Earth a silica based planet.VARIETIESAmethyst: Purple to reddish-purple Topaz: Commonly blue. Imperial/precious topaz is pinkish to orange Citrine: Color from heat is yellow to orange. Less valuable than topaz. Prasiolite: Light, minty green quartz. Others: Chalcedony, jasper, agate, rose quartz, smoky quartz, onyx, aventurine, carnelian, tiger’s eye, opal, moonstone, and many more. TSAVORITE GARNETGROSSULARITECOLORLight to dark green, or yellowish green. Most desired color is vivid, grass green.HARDNESS6.5 to 7.5 Suitable for everyday wear but should be set in a more protective style setting like a halo or bezel and requires proper care for longevity.CUTAny shape or type of cut. Brilliant faceted stones are often very bright and high luster.TREATMENTOften, but not always heat treated. Non-heated can increase pricing.PRICINGOne of the more expensive garnets. Much larger stones can reach sapphire price per carat ranges. Color and quality is driving cost factorFUN FACTSCalled Tsavorite after the Tsavo National park in Kenya, though it was discovered nearby in Tanzania. Often occurs with Tanzanite.VARIATIONSMerelani Mint Garnet: A lighter tone and saturation, giving this stone a cool, mint green color.Looks amazing with rose gold! TANZANITEZOISITECOLORNumerous colors, but most famously blue to violet. Pure blue is the most desired, but some people actually prefer a more violet-blue tone.HARDNESS6.5 Must be worn with care. If worn in a ring, a more protective setting such as a halo or bezel is encouraged.CUTVarious cuts and shapes. Often found in unusual, custom cuts.TREATMENTHeat treatment is common and expected yet does not influence price because it is expected. The level of color vibrancy, whether heated or not, determines cost.PRICINGUntreated tanzanite is very rare and expensive, but typically an expensive gem despite treatment, comparable to fine sapphire. Good alternative to sapphire, but not quite as durable.FUN FACTSUntreated tanzanite is trichroic, meaning it can show 3 different colors. After heating, it becomes dichroic, showing different blue to violet shades. Mined exclusively in Tanzania. SPINELCOLORComes in a huge variety. Red, pink, blue, lavender/violet, dark green, brown, black, and colorless.HARDNESS8 Very durable stone that is great for everyday wear and offers longevity.CUTAny shape or type of cut. Faceted stones come in mixed cuts and are optimized to show the best color.TREATMENTTop quality stones are unheated, but heat treatment and more advanced treatments can be used. Synthetic spinel has been around for quite some time and has use in jewelry as well as commercial and industrial applications. A gemologist can differentiate natural versus synthetic.PRICINGHuge range of price based on color, quality, and treatment. The best alternative to sapphire.FUN FACTSBefore modern gemology, red spinel was categorized as “ruby”. Many famous “rubies” in royal collections are spinel. This also goes for blue spinel, which is often confused for sapphire.VARIATIONSMahenge Spinel: A region in Tanzania most famous for pure red and vivid pink spinel. Burmese Spinel: Some Burmese stones have the purest colors seen. PERIDOTOLIVINECOLORYellowish-green to green to greenish-yellow. The purest is green with no trace of yellow or brown, typically seen in larger stones.HARDNESS6.5 to 7 Fairly durable but must be worn with care. Does well in a halo or setting with the stone more protected. Prone to abrasion.CUTStandard faceted cuts and shapes along with cabochon. Faceted peridot shows strong doubling and high luster, which adds up to a very nice brilliance.TREATMENTNot commonly treated.PRICINGLess expensive to moderate, depending on color, origin, and quality.FUN FACTSOlivine peridot is often found in meteorites, as well as on the moon and mars! Fine peridot often comes from from Pakistan, as well as Myanmar (Burma). Can be over 4 billion years old, forming at the very birth of our solar system. Popular in ancient Egypt where it was also mined to non-existence by the Pharaohs. OPALOPAL, BOULDER OPAL, FIRE OPALCOLORBody color: Color of the actual stone itself, which comes in many colors. Black body color is the rarest and most valuable. Common white opal is the most popular. Play of color: Flashes of iridescence, or fire, comes in every color. Price can be determined by amount of different colors, as well as desired colors like red, orange, and purple.HARDNESS5.5 to 6 Opal is best suited for necklaces and earrings as opposed to rings or bracelets because it is a soft stone that cannot take heavy wear and tear.CUTCabochon. Rarely faceted except for Fire Opal. Fine rough stones sometimes free-form, which is cut to maximize color with no specific shape in mindTREATMENTNot often heated, but lower grade opals can be smoke treated or made into doublets or triplets. Doublets and triplets are fine opal slices, mounted on or in between different materials, which can make it more durable.PRICINGFrom inexpensive to one of the most expensive stones possible. White opal is generally inexpensive to moderate, whereas black opal can be thousands per carat.FUN FACTSThe world’s finest black opal comes from numerous locations in the Australian outback. This stone makes a great Google image subject because they are each so different. RHODOLITE GARNETPYROPE-ALMANDITE GARNETCOLORRose-pink to red to reddish-purple. Color can vary, and rare colors are purple-violet to orangeHARDNESS7 to 7.5 Durable stone that is good for everyday wear and requires proper care for longevity.CUTComes in most traditional shapes and cuts, often mixed cut. When well cut, it is a very bright stone that shows very vivid color.TREATMENTMost often untreated, but heat treatment to enhance color is possible. Garnets can be a mixture of different species, creating greatly varied color, so the color is often natural.PRICINGLower to moderately priced gem.FUN FACTSComes from many deposits around the world, but one notable one is Western North Carolina. Fine specimens can look similar to ruby or red spinel. Malaya or Malaia Garnet is a variety that is more pinkish-orange to reddish-orange, often a nice “sunset” color. SPESSARTITE GARNETSPESSARTINECOLORAlways has orange component ranging from yellowish-orange to red-orange. Very vibrant color.HARDNESS7 Durable stone that is good for everyday wear and requires proper care for longevity.CUTComes in most shapes and cuts, often mixed cuts which combine brilliant and step cut facetingtTREATMENTAlmost always natural, untreated color. Garnet species are often mixed and are the cause of naturally occurring color.PRICINGMid-priced gemstone. Affordable and very bright, attractive color, and size for the cost.FUN FACTSThe name comes from the Bavarian word “Spessart,” meaning forest, a mountain range in the region where it was discovered in 1880. Vivid color stones often found in East African gem-producing countries.VARIATIONSMadarin Garnet: Pure orange color Malaya Garnet: A beautiful red-orange “sunset” color. A hybrid between garnet species Pyrope and Spessartite ZIRCONCOLORComes in many colors. Most popular are blue and orange.HARDNESS7.5 Durable stone that is good for everyday wear and requires proper care for longevity.CUTComes in most cuts and shapes; almost always faceted. Stones come in mixed cuts and are optimized to show the best color.TREATMENTHeat treatment common. Almost all blue and colorless zircon are heated, with most other colors occurring naturally.PRICINGSomewhat less expensive to moderately priced. Great stone for brighter, more durable alternative to aquamarine or topaz.FUN FACTSZircon shows doubling, which occurs in doubly refractive stones and appears as a mirror image inside the stone. This enhances the fire and brilliance of the stone. This is NOT to be confused with Cubic Zirconia, which is a low grade, synthetic gem, completely different from natural zircon. CHRYSOBERYLALEXANDRITE or CAT’S EYE CHRYSOBERYLCOLORYellow to green. Alexandrite varies and color changes from reddish to greenish. Super fine colors are much more Vivid colors are more costly and have a stronger color change.HARDNESS8.5 Third hardest gem. Extremely great stone for ring use and every-day wear and longevity.CUTFaceted or cabochon in any shape. Often round, oval, or cushion.TREATMENTNot commonly treated. Color change and Cat’s eye are naturally occurring phenomenal characteristics which cannot really be altered by treatment.PRICINGModerate to extremely expensive. Less expensive alexandrite will be a dull color and have a weaker color change, while very expensive alexandrite will be vivid red to green with strong color change.VARIETIESAlexandrite: This is a color change gem which completely changes color in different light wavelengths. The most valuable changes from purplish-red to greenish-blue or green. Alex- andrite can be both Cat’s eye and color change in a cabochon cut. Cat’s Eye: Displays chatoyancy, or a phenomenal effect that looks like a line of light, much like a cat’s eye. This can vary from simple, solid color with a Cat’s eye to muliple colors called “milk and honey”
LAUREN B COLORYour Guide to the World of GemstonesWelcome to Lauren B Color, where the most vibrant gemstones meet fine craftsmanship. Our carefully curated gemstone inventory features every color of the rainbow, and all of those in between. We offer you access to viewing a selection of gemstones personalized to your interests, across a wide range of types, shapes, sizes and of course colors. Any ring or jewelry design from Lauren B can be custom made to suit the center stone of your choice, so it's time to start designing the beautiful and unique gemstone piece of your dreams! Our gemstone program is available both in store and to remote clients worldwide. Come explore Lauren B Color with us today!Check out our current Lauren B Color ring collection here or continue here to watch looose color gemstone videos. Interested in learning more about gemstones? You can find all of the information you need in our Lauren B Color catalog below
CORUNDUMSAPPHIRE and RUBYCOLORComes in every hue, tone, and saturation possible! Purity and intensity of the color is what drives cost and can either occur naturally or from various treatments.HARDNESS9 Makes a great, durable stone for any type of jewelry, especially a ring, and is great for daily wear and passing down for generations.CUTAny shape or type of cut. Faceted stones often mixed cut and is optimized to show the best color. Can often be a deeper cut stone to highlight or deepen color. Cabochons, slices, and more unique cuts are readily available and used for jewelry pieces.TREATMENTMost often heat treated. More invasive treatments such as lattice diffusion (use of heat and chemicals to diffuse colors within the stone) can affect price.PRICINGFor heated and/or treated stones, cost can start at a few hundred per carat and range to tens of thousands for rare, naturally occurring colors. Certified, high quality stones will fetch a premium.FUN FACTSCorundum is pleochroic, meaning it can show different colors or tones in different light and from different angles. Sapphires can also commonly be bi-color, showing two colors, or a mixture of color.VARIATIONSRuby: only applies to corundum that is a pure red color. All other colors are called “sapphire.
BERYLEMERALD, MORGANITE, AQUAMARINECOLORMany colors, most notably green, blue, and pinkish for emerald, aquamarine, and morganite.May also be multi-colored. Uncommon colors are red and yellow.HARDNESS7.5 to 8 Though harder than most gemstones, more susceptible points in the crystal structure can mean that beryl must be worn carefully, especially emerald.CUTComes in most shapes and cuts and varies by color or variety. Step cut stones are common due to the elongated shape and structure of beryl crystals.TREATMENTWide variety of treatments based on the variety and color of the stone. Emeralds are almost always clarity enhanced using various methods, particularly fracture filling to enhance clarity.PRICINGModerately priced to very expensive; particularly in fine emeralds.VARIATIONSEmerald: The pure green to yellowish or bluish green beryl. Very expensive precious gem Morganite: Orangey-pink to purplish color, often high clarity and moderately priced. Aquamarine: Blue to greenish-blue and moderately priced.
TOURMALINECOLOREvery color of the visible spectrum, even multiple colors in one gemHARDNESS7 to 7.5 Durable stone that is good for everyday wear and requires proper care for longevity.CUTAny cut or shape, even rough or sliced. Crystal structure is very long, so is often found in step cuts, or more elongated shapes.TREATMENTMany stones not treated, but some colors can be attained or enhanced from heat treat- ment. Some types can also be clarity enhanced.PRICINGFrom poor commercial quality costing a few dollars, to one of the most expensive gems on the market.FUN FACTSComes from many locations around the world, but the most famous is Minas Gerias state in Brazil, which produces the most various types of gems than anywhere in the world.VARIATIONSParaiba: Copper bearing, blue, greenish-blue, or green. Extremely rare and expensive.Very bright even when saturated with color.Blue-green: Similar color to Paraiba but less saturated and slightly less expensiveRubellite: Red stone with color saturation almost as pure as ruby. Expensive stone
QUARTZAMETHYST, TOPAZ, CITRINE, PRASIOLITECOLORCan be found in a wide variety of colors.HARDNESS7 Durable stone that is good for everyday wear and requires proper care for longevity.CUTComes in any type of cut and shapeTREATMENTVaries greatly based on the variety, but some varieties exposed to normal heat treatment.PRICINGGenerally inexpensive.FUN FACTSPure quartz is silicon and oxygen, making quartz one of the most abundant substances on Earth, and making Earth a silica based planet.VARIETIESAmethyst: Purple to reddish-purple Topaz: Commonly blue. Imperial/precious topaz is pinkish to orange Citrine: Color from heat is yellow to orange. Less valuable than topaz. Prasiolite: Light, minty green quartz. Others: Chalcedony, jasper, agate, rose quartz, smoky quartz, onyx, aventurine, carnelian, tiger’s eye, opal, moonstone, and many more.
TSAVORITE GARNETGROSSULARITECOLORLight to dark green, or yellowish green. Most desired color is vivid, grass green.HARDNESS6.5 to 7.5 Suitable for everyday wear but should be set in a more protective style setting like a halo or bezel and requires proper care for longevity.CUTAny shape or type of cut. Brilliant faceted stones are often very bright and high luster.TREATMENTOften, but not always heat treated. Non-heated can increase pricing.PRICINGOne of the more expensive garnets. Much larger stones can reach sapphire price per carat ranges. Color and quality is driving cost factorFUN FACTSCalled Tsavorite after the Tsavo National park in Kenya, though it was discovered nearby in Tanzania. Often occurs with Tanzanite.VARIATIONSMerelani Mint Garnet: A lighter tone and saturation, giving this stone a cool, mint green color.Looks amazing with rose gold!
TANZANITEZOISITECOLORNumerous colors, but most famously blue to violet. Pure blue is the most desired, but some people actually prefer a more violet-blue tone.HARDNESS6.5 Must be worn with care. If worn in a ring, a more protective setting such as a halo or bezel is encouraged.CUTVarious cuts and shapes. Often found in unusual, custom cuts.TREATMENTHeat treatment is common and expected yet does not influence price because it is expected. The level of color vibrancy, whether heated or not, determines cost.PRICINGUntreated tanzanite is very rare and expensive, but typically an expensive gem despite treatment, comparable to fine sapphire. Good alternative to sapphire, but not quite as durable.FUN FACTSUntreated tanzanite is trichroic, meaning it can show 3 different colors. After heating, it becomes dichroic, showing different blue to violet shades. Mined exclusively in Tanzania.
SPINELCOLORComes in a huge variety. Red, pink, blue, lavender/violet, dark green, brown, black, and colorless.HARDNESS8 Very durable stone that is great for everyday wear and offers longevity.CUTAny shape or type of cut. Faceted stones come in mixed cuts and are optimized to show the best color.TREATMENTTop quality stones are unheated, but heat treatment and more advanced treatments can be used. Synthetic spinel has been around for quite some time and has use in jewelry as well as commercial and industrial applications. A gemologist can differentiate natural versus synthetic.PRICINGHuge range of price based on color, quality, and treatment. The best alternative to sapphire.FUN FACTSBefore modern gemology, red spinel was categorized as “ruby”. Many famous “rubies” in royal collections are spinel. This also goes for blue spinel, which is often confused for sapphire.VARIATIONSMahenge Spinel: A region in Tanzania most famous for pure red and vivid pink spinel. Burmese Spinel: Some Burmese stones have the purest colors seen.
PERIDOTOLIVINECOLORYellowish-green to green to greenish-yellow. The purest is green with no trace of yellow or brown, typically seen in larger stones.HARDNESS6.5 to 7 Fairly durable but must be worn with care. Does well in a halo or setting with the stone more protected. Prone to abrasion.CUTStandard faceted cuts and shapes along with cabochon. Faceted peridot shows strong doubling and high luster, which adds up to a very nice brilliance.TREATMENTNot commonly treated.PRICINGLess expensive to moderate, depending on color, origin, and quality.FUN FACTSOlivine peridot is often found in meteorites, as well as on the moon and mars! Fine peridot often comes from from Pakistan, as well as Myanmar (Burma). Can be over 4 billion years old, forming at the very birth of our solar system. Popular in ancient Egypt where it was also mined to non-existence by the Pharaohs.
OPALOPAL, BOULDER OPAL, FIRE OPALCOLORBody color: Color of the actual stone itself, which comes in many colors. Black body color is the rarest and most valuable. Common white opal is the most popular. Play of color: Flashes of iridescence, or fire, comes in every color. Price can be determined by amount of different colors, as well as desired colors like red, orange, and purple.HARDNESS5.5 to 6 Opal is best suited for necklaces and earrings as opposed to rings or bracelets because it is a soft stone that cannot take heavy wear and tear.CUTCabochon. Rarely faceted except for Fire Opal. Fine rough stones sometimes free-form, which is cut to maximize color with no specific shape in mindTREATMENTNot often heated, but lower grade opals can be smoke treated or made into doublets or triplets. Doublets and triplets are fine opal slices, mounted on or in between different materials, which can make it more durable.PRICINGFrom inexpensive to one of the most expensive stones possible. White opal is generally inexpensive to moderate, whereas black opal can be thousands per carat.FUN FACTSThe world’s finest black opal comes from numerous locations in the Australian outback. This stone makes a great Google image subject because they are each so different.
RHODOLITE GARNETPYROPE-ALMANDITE GARNETCOLORRose-pink to red to reddish-purple. Color can vary, and rare colors are purple-violet to orangeHARDNESS7 to 7.5 Durable stone that is good for everyday wear and requires proper care for longevity.CUTComes in most traditional shapes and cuts, often mixed cut. When well cut, it is a very bright stone that shows very vivid color.TREATMENTMost often untreated, but heat treatment to enhance color is possible. Garnets can be a mixture of different species, creating greatly varied color, so the color is often natural.PRICINGLower to moderately priced gem.FUN FACTSComes from many deposits around the world, but one notable one is Western North Carolina. Fine specimens can look similar to ruby or red spinel. Malaya or Malaia Garnet is a variety that is more pinkish-orange to reddish-orange, often a nice “sunset” color.
SPESSARTITE GARNETSPESSARTINECOLORAlways has orange component ranging from yellowish-orange to red-orange. Very vibrant color.HARDNESS7 Durable stone that is good for everyday wear and requires proper care for longevity.CUTComes in most shapes and cuts, often mixed cuts which combine brilliant and step cut facetingtTREATMENTAlmost always natural, untreated color. Garnet species are often mixed and are the cause of naturally occurring color.PRICINGMid-priced gemstone. Affordable and very bright, attractive color, and size for the cost.FUN FACTSThe name comes from the Bavarian word “Spessart,” meaning forest, a mountain range in the region where it was discovered in 1880. Vivid color stones often found in East African gem-producing countries.VARIATIONSMadarin Garnet: Pure orange color Malaya Garnet: A beautiful red-orange “sunset” color. A hybrid between garnet species Pyrope and Spessartite
ZIRCONCOLORComes in many colors. Most popular are blue and orange.HARDNESS7.5 Durable stone that is good for everyday wear and requires proper care for longevity.CUTComes in most cuts and shapes; almost always faceted. Stones come in mixed cuts and are optimized to show the best color.TREATMENTHeat treatment common. Almost all blue and colorless zircon are heated, with most other colors occurring naturally.PRICINGSomewhat less expensive to moderately priced. Great stone for brighter, more durable alternative to aquamarine or topaz.FUN FACTSZircon shows doubling, which occurs in doubly refractive stones and appears as a mirror image inside the stone. This enhances the fire and brilliance of the stone. This is NOT to be confused with Cubic Zirconia, which is a low grade, synthetic gem, completely different from natural zircon.
CHRYSOBERYLALEXANDRITE or CAT’S EYE CHRYSOBERYLCOLORYellow to green. Alexandrite varies and color changes from reddish to greenish. Super fine colors are much more Vivid colors are more costly and have a stronger color change.HARDNESS8.5 Third hardest gem. Extremely great stone for ring use and every-day wear and longevity.CUTFaceted or cabochon in any shape. Often round, oval, or cushion.TREATMENTNot commonly treated. Color change and Cat’s eye are naturally occurring phenomenal characteristics which cannot really be altered by treatment.PRICINGModerate to extremely expensive. Less expensive alexandrite will be a dull color and have a weaker color change, while very expensive alexandrite will be vivid red to green with strong color change.VARIETIESAlexandrite: This is a color change gem which completely changes color in different light wavelengths. The most valuable changes from purplish-red to greenish-blue or green. Alex- andrite can be both Cat’s eye and color change in a cabochon cut. Cat’s Eye: Displays chatoyancy, or a phenomenal effect that looks like a line of light, much like a cat’s eye. This can vary from simple, solid color with a Cat’s eye to muliple colors called “milk and honey”