Mineral or organic; red, blue or yellow; discreet or all-out bling-bling: there's a jewel out there to suit everyone. While all jewel stones are different, they are all gems. And all gems are jewels. Before you look into gemstone quality, you'll need to choose a gem, which isn't always easy. Pixmania's Buyer's Guide will help you sift through all the information out there to help you find the perfect gem for you or your loved one.

Gemstones: diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires

These gemstones are among the most popular and favoured by the most prestigious names in the jewellery industry. You'll see stunning pieces adorning VIPs on the red carpet or locked up safely in glass cases in museums.
The diamond is traditionally used as a symbol of eternal love. Before you make your choice, find out everything you need to know in our Diamond guide
Emeralds, rubies and sapphires are the top three coloured gemstones for those who are looking for a twist on the classic diamond.

We all know rubies are red, sapphires are blue and emeralds are green. But did you know that rubies and sapphires are identical in terms of resistance? Plus, sapphires have hues that range from purple to green to the rare orange-pink. The beauty, quality and colour of all gemstones are enhanced by their cut and size.
Each stone symbolises something: the ruby represents victory, the sapphire symbolises peace, and the emerald is for eternal youth. But when it comes down to choosing a gemstone, it’s really a question of taste and preference.
Pixmania has a huge choice of gemstones to suit everyone’s budget and taste.

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Diamonds are graded on the quality of cut, which is defined as follows: Ideal | Premium | Very Good | Good

The cut refers to the diamond's reflective qualities. It's important not to confuse "cut" with "shape". Shapes include pear, princess, trilliant, marquise, oval, cushion, emerald, baguette, trapeze, radiant and heart.

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Diamond quality is also determined by Carat weight.

The size of a diamond does not reflect its weight.

Diamond prices increase exponentially according to the weight of the stone, which is calculated in levels. There can be a huge difference between a 0.89 carat diamond and a 0.9 carat diamond, as these two values belong to different levels.

Because large stones are rare, price increases are not proportional to weight: a 1.5 carat diamond is three times the weight of a 0.5 carat diamond, but the price can be five to seven times higher than a 0.5 carat stone.

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Precious stones: a wide choice of materials and colours.

There’s a huge choice of precious stones – also referred to as semi-precious gemstones – including topaz, amethyst, citrine, garnet, aquamarine and turquoise. They’re available in a range of colours, and are much more accessible in terms of budget because they are found more easily.
These stones tend to adorn jewellery worn on a daily basis by women, men, kids and teenagers.
Read on to find out more about these stones and their symbolism.

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The 4 Cs

Now that you know a little more about gemstones and precious stones, you can delve deeper into the technical side of things. The industry grades and categorises jewels using four criteria, commonly known as the 4 Cs, for colour, cut, clarity and carat.

1. Colour

Diamond colour is graded according to hue, saturation and tone. The hue corresponds to the dominant colour; saturation to the intensity of colour, and tone to its clarity (from palest to darkest). A brilliant stone with an intense colour will be worth more than a paler, duller stone. The light refraction index is used to estimate a stone’s brilliance: the higher the index, the more brilliant the stone.

2. Cut

Just like diamonds, precious stones have specific cuts. The cut defines the appearance of the stone. The quality of a cut affects the properties and value of a stone.

3. Clarity

Clarity refers to the transparency index of a stone. Most stones contain surface flaws and inclusions. Flaws lower a stone’s value, so the most expensive (and rarest) stones are the clearest.

4. Carat weight

A stone’s weight is measured in carats, which affects the quality of the stone. One carat is 0.20 grams; a 5-carat stone corresponds to 1 gram.

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Pearls: in a class of their own

Pearls are used to adorn all sorts of jewellery, such as necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets. They are often paired with diamonds in exquisite settings.
Pearls are the most widespread organic stones. Previously, pearls only occurred naturally, but these days entire pearl farms exist where these precious beads are cultured. Oysters, which produce pearls naturally, are raised in the strictest conditions; the environment and water quality have a direct impact on the quality of pearls.
Four types of pearl exist: Freshwater pearls, Akoya pearls, Tahitian pearls and South Sea pearls.

Pearls are used to adorn all sorts of jewellery, such as necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets. They are often paired with diamonds in exquisite settings.
Pearls are the most widespread organic stones. Previously, pearls only occurred naturally, but these days entire pearl farms exist where these precious beads are cultured. Oysters, which produce pearls naturally, are raised in the strictest conditions; the environment and water quality have a direct impact on the quality of pearls.
Four types of pearl exist: Freshwater pearls, Akoya pearls, Tahitian pearls and South Sea pearls.

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Certificates and care

Pixmania is committed to providing customers with quality stones. A certificate of authenticity is supplied with every piece of jewellery to prove that gems are genuine.
Although weather-resistant, most stones tend to wear over time. It is therefore strongly recommended that you clean them regularly. Wash them in hot soapy water once or twice a year. Use a soft brush to remove dust and dirt.
Pearls require special care. Since they are organic, they should be kept away from acid and chlorine. Wearing them on top of your clothes is preferable. It is best not to place them directly on skin that may have chemical residues such as cosmetics, hairspray or perfume. After wearing your pearls, wipe them with a soft dry or damp cloth and store them separately in a cloth bag, away from harder jewellery.

Regular care will greatly extend the life of your pearls. Check out the other buyer’s guides on Pixmania to find out more about metals, jewellery, wedding rings and solitaire rings.

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