Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire: The Big Three of Fine Gemstones

Among the world’s most treasured gemstones, Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire stand as the top three gemstones.

Renowned for their beauty, rarity and value , these gemstones are often referred to as the ‘Big Three Gemstones’ — symbols of luxury, prestige, and society status.

💚 Emerald: The Green Gem of Prosperity and Enduring Love

Emerald has long been cherished for its vivid green brilliance that flatters your skin elegantly, regardless of the skin tone. As one of the most ancient and esteemed gemstones, emerald has captivated admirers for centuries. Cleopatra of Egypt was famously captivated by emeralds, often adorning herself with them.

Emerald symbolizes abundance, lasting love and new beginnings, while also believed to enhance wisdom, serenity and emotional balance in its wearer.

Today, emeralds are highly sought after for engagement rings and high jewelry sets , including necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The iconic Emerald Cut in particular, enhances the gem’s vivid green color, offering timeless elegance.

Renowned Origin

• Colombia, particularly the Muzo mine, produces some of the finest emeralds in the world, with deep, vivid green and exceptional clarity.

Other Origins

• Brazil and Zambia also produce beautiful emeralds, often with darker tones at a more accessible value.

Properties

• Belonging to the beryl family, emerald has a hardness of 7.5–8, more brittle than ruby or sapphire.

• Natural emeralds often contain tiny inclusions, including Jardin which is part of emerald’s unique charm.

• To enhance clarity, oil treatments are commonly applied. Minor or insignificant oil are commonly accepted in the global gemstone industry.

• Exceptional Colombian emeralds without fractures can command prices as high as millions dollars at auction.

❤️ Ruby: The King of Gemstones

Celebrated as the ‘King of Gemstones’ ruby dazzles with its vivid red glow —a symbol of vitality and love. Its deep red hue embodies vitality, motivation, and courage while ancient lore credits ruby with the power to protect its wearer from harm. With its exceptional fluorescence ruby has long been prized in crowns and royal regalia.

Today, ruby continues to captivate hearts worldwide. Its unmatched color makes it a preferred choice for engagement rings, anniversary bands and fine jewelry by prestigious brands embodying captivating charms of wearer.

Renowned Origin

• The finest rubies known as Pigeon’s Blood mostly from the Mogok mines in Myanmar —the oldest mine, producing the most desirable rubies for over a thousand years.

Other Origins

• Rubies from Mozambique, Sri Lanka and Thailand are also well-known , with prices determined by the intensity and its color tone.

Properties

• Belonging to the corundum family, ruby has a hardness of 9 second only to diamond.

• Large, flawless, unheated rubies can reach extraordinary values.

• One of the most famous is the Sunrise Ruby (25+ carats), sold for over USD 30 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva.

💙 Sapphire: The Gem of Wisdom and Loyalty

For centuries, sapphire has been famous among European royalty, symbolizing wisdom, loyalty, and sincerity. Its allure lies in its rich, velvety blue hues , particularly the coveted Blue Sapphire.

 One of the most iconic examples is Princess Diana’s engagement ring, now worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, which has inspired couples around the world.

Today, sapphire remains a symbol of loyalty and enduring love, making it an ideal choice for engagement rings that celebrate a couple’s lifelong journey of love.

Renowned Origin

• Kashmir sapphires, with their legendary ‘cornflower blue’ and velvety texture , and Sri Lankan sapphires, noted for their ‘royal blue’ tones, are among the rarest and most valuable in the world.

Other Origins

• Madagascar and Thailand also produce fine-quality sapphires, admired for their beauty and internationally recognized quality.

Properties

• Like ruby, sapphire belongs to the corundum family with a hardness of 9.

• Large, flawless sapphires of high quality can reach hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in value.

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BTS Asok/MRT Sukhumvit Station.