Gems by Investment Appropriateness
Gemstone types grouped by investment appropriateness (from config)
Blue Chip Investment Gems
| Gem Type | Investment Description |
|---|---|
| Alexandrite | Strong color-change alexandrite from Russia or Brazil highly sought; established collector market with proven appreciation; investment-grade requires strong color change; excellent long-term potential. |
| Blue Diamond | Among most valuable gems; blue from boron extremely rare; proven exceptional appreciation; museum-quality trophy gems; ultimate investment grade. |
| Diamond | Established international market with standardized grading; colorless diamonds (D-F, VS+) and fancy colors offer strong liquidity and proven long-term appreciation; widely accepted as wealth preservation. |
| Emerald | Colombian and Zambian stones with minimal treatment command premium prices; strong auction presence and international recognition; investment-grade requires good color with acceptable inclusions. |
| Green Diamond | Among rarest fancy colors; natural green extremely scarce; proven auction appreciation; museum-quality investment; verification essential. |
| Pezzottaite | Extremely rare beryl variety; single exhausted deposit; proven appreciation; museum-quality rarity; excellent investment for finest specimens. |
| Pink Diamond | Among rarest and most valuable gems; Argyle closure creating scarcity premium; proven investment with exceptional appreciation; museum-quality rarity. |
| Poudretteite | One of rarest gems known; museum rarity; proven extreme appreciation; trophy collector gem; soft (5) limits jewelry use. |
| Ruby | Burmese pigeon's blood and Mozambique unheated rubies are premier investment gems; strong international auction market; proven appreciation over decades; high liquidity for fine specimens. |
| Sapphire | Kashmir, Burmese, and Ceylon sapphires with no heat treatment are top-tier investments; established grading standards; strong auction presence; excellent liquidity and proven appreciation. |
| Yellow Diamond | Established fancy color market; vivid yellows show strong appreciation; more accessible than pink or blue diamonds; excellent investment potential. |
Emerging Investment Gems
| Gem Type | Investment Description |
|---|---|
| Black Diamond | Growing fashion popularity; natural untreated specimens command premium; Carbonado variety extremely rare; moderate investment potential for certified natural stones. |
| Black Opal | Lightning Ridge black opals are premier investment opals; strong collector demand; proven appreciation for finest specimens; requires careful storage. |
| Blue Spinel | Cobalt blue spinel extremely rare and valuable; strong appreciation for finest colors; growing investment market but smaller than red spinel; excellent potential for top specimens. |
| Brown Diamond | Most affordable fancy color; growing market acceptance; moderate investment potential for finest champagne/cognac colors; fashion-influenced. |
| Burmese Spinel | Mogok origin highly prized; established collector market; growing auction presence; excellent investment potential for finest specimens. |
| Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl | Fine honey-colored specimens with sharp eye are valuable; established collector market; moderate appreciation for top specimens; investment-grade requires exceptional chatoyancy. |
| Chrysoberyl | Durable gem (8.5 hardness); alexandrite variety highly valuable; cat's eye sought after; good investment potential for fine specimens. |
| Color-Change Garnet | Color-change phenomenon valued by collectors; moderate appreciation for finest specimens; growing market recognition. |
| Demantoid | Rare green garnet with exceptional dispersion; Russian stones with horsetail inclusions highly prized; strong collector market with proven appreciation; excellent potential for investment-grade specimens. |
| Euclase | Rare beryllium mineral with beautiful blue; perfect cleavage creates scarcity; growing collector recognition; good appreciation potential. |
| Hauyne | One of rarest blue gems; tiny production; established collector market; excellent appreciation for fine specimens; rarity drives value. |
| Imperial Topaz | Rare orange-pink topaz from Brazil with collector demand; finest colors show appreciation; limited supply with growing recognition; investment-grade requires natural color and good saturation. |
| Jadeite | Imperial green jadeite highly valued in Asian markets; strong cultural significance; proven appreciation; investment-grade requires fine translucency and color. |
| Mahenge Spinel | Mahenge hot pink among most desirable spinels; limited single-source supply; excellent appreciation; top investment-grade spinel variety. |
| Malaya Garnet | Unique color range between pyrope and Spessartite; growing collector market; durability excellent; good appreciation potential for finest colors. |
| Padparadscha Sapphire | Rare pink-orange sapphire with strong collector demand; unheated Sri Lankan stones command exceptional prices; growing auction presence; excellent appreciation potential for fine specimens. |
| Paraiba Tourmaline | Brazilian copper-bearing tourmaline among most valuable gems per carat; original deposits nearly depleted; strong auction market and proven appreciation; excellent investment potential despite African sources. |
| Phenakite | Rare beryllium mineral with exceptional clarity and brilliance; established collector market; Russian origin commands premium; good appreciation potential for finest specimens. |
| Pink Spinel | Hot pink spinel gaining popularity; increasing use in fine jewelry; moderate to strong appreciation for vivid colors; growing recognition as investment-worthy gem. |
| Red Spinel | Growing recognition as ruby alternative; fine unheated red spinel from Burma and Tajikistan showing strong appreciation; increasing auction presence and collector demand. |
| Spessartite | Mandarin orange variety highly valued; growing collector interest; moderate appreciation potential for finest colors. |
| Spinel | Growing recognition; fine red and pink spinels have investment potential; durable and beautiful. |
| Star Ruby | Fine specimens with sharp stars and good red color are valuable; established market for phenomenal gems; moderate appreciation for top specimens. |
| Star Sapphire | Fine specimens with sharp, centered stars are valuable; established market for phenomenal gems; moderate appreciation for investment-grade specimens. |
| Tanzanian Spinel | Mahenge deposit highly regarded; hot pink spinel gaining recognition; good appreciation potential; origin increasingly important. |
| Tanzanite | Single-source gem from Tanzania with finite supply; strong market recognition and dealer network; investment-grade requires vivid blue-violet and good size; appreciation potential but supply risk. |
| Tsavorite | Rare green garnet from East Africa gaining investment recognition; limited supply with growing demand; stones over 3ct with vivid color show strong appreciation; increasing auction presence. |
| Vietnamese Purple Spinel | Rare color variety with growing collector recognition; limited supply from Vietnam; spinel durability excellent for jewelry; emerging market with appreciation potential as awareness grows. |
Speculative Collector Gems
| Gem Type | Investment Description |
|---|---|
| Afghanite | Rare from Afghanistan; very limited gem material; small specialist collector market; minimal liquidity; primarily mineralogical interest. |
| Bastnasite | Rare earth mineral; no gem market; specimen value only; soft and unsuitable for wear; purely mineralogical interest. |
| Benitoite | California rarity with limited production; strong collector demand; proven appreciation for finest specimens; small but dedicated market; requires long-term holding. |
| Bixbite | Extreme rarity from limited Utah deposits; small collector market with very high prices; difficult to authenticate and resell; requires specialized knowledge and long holding period. |
| Clinohumite | Extremely rare from Tajikistan; very small collector market; high prices for gem material; illiquid but potential for appreciation among specialists. |
| Erythrite | Cobalt bloom mineral; no gem market; specimen only; extremely soft; purely display and mineralogical interest. |
| Grandidierite | Rare blue-green gem with growing recognition; limited faceted material; strong appreciation in recent years; small but expanding collector market. |
| Jeremejevite | Extremely rare aluminum borate; very small collector market; high prices but virtually no liquidity; requires expert authentication; museum-grade rarity. |
| Musgravite | Among world's rarest gemstones; virtually no market liquidity; museum-quality rarity with exceptional prices; highly speculative with long holding periods required. |
| Painite | Formerly world's rarest gemstone; extremely limited market; museum-quality specimens command extraordinary prices; highly illiquid but potential for appreciation. |
| Sapphirine | Extremely rare silicate; very limited gem market; faceted material museum-quality; high prices but minimal liquidity; primarily for advanced collectors. |
| Serendibite | Exceptionally rare with handful of known faceted stones; no established market; museum-quality only; extremely speculative with no liquidity. |
| Stibiotantalite | Extremely rare tantalate mineral; adamantine luster; very limited gem market; high prices but minimal liquidity; primarily for advanced collectors. |
| Taaffeite | Extremely rare with very limited market; difficult to authenticate; small collector base with high prices; requires expert knowledge; very illiquid but potential for appreciation. |
| Tantalite | Industrial mineral with collector interest; no established gem market; specimen value only; highly specialized niche. |
| Vayrynenite | One of world's rarest minerals; virtually no market; museum specimens only; purely academic and mineralogical interest; no practical investment market. |
| Xenotime | Rare earth phosphate; very limited gem market; specimen value; soft for wear; mineralogical interest primarily. |
Fashion/Trend Gems
| Gem Type | Investment Description |
|---|---|
| Albite | Peristerite variety has appeal; limited investment potential; primarily collector and designer interest. |
| Ametrine | Novelty bicolor quartz; limited investment potential; collector and designer interest. |
| Andalusite | Pleochroism creates collector interest; limited market size; moderate appreciation for finest specimens; fashion-influenced with niche appeal. |
| Andradite | Investment potential concentrated in demantoid variety; most other andradites are collector-oriented with limited markets; demantoid should be evaluated separately. |
| Apatite | Attractive colors but soft; limited jewelry use; collector interest for neon colors. |
| Aquamarine | Popular but relatively common; fashion-driven market; limited appreciation potential except for exceptional deep blue specimens; better for personal enjoyment than investment. |
| Beryl | Generic beryl category; investment potential varies by specific variety; morganite and heliodor have collector appeal; primarily fashion jewelry. |
| Blue Topaz | Popular blue gem; irradiation treatment standard; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market; good for personal jewelry. |
| Boulder Opal | Durable opal variety with ironstone backing; limited investment potential; collector and jewelry market. |
| Bytownite | Oregon sunstone variety has appeal; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market; collector interest. |
| Charoite | Unique purple gem from Russia; limited investment potential; collector and designer interest. |
| Chrysoprase | Attractive green chalcedony; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market. |
| Crystal Opal | Attractive opal variety; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market; requires careful handling. |
| Diaspore | Color-change variety marketed as Zultanite/Csarite; moderate investment potential; primarily Turkish source; fashion-influenced with limited but stable market. |
| Diopside | Attractive green gem but soft; limited jewelry durability; chrome variety has collector interest. |
| Elbaite | Most valuable tourmaline variety; color and size determine value; established market; investment potential for finest colors. |
| Feldspar | Generic feldspar category; investment potential varies by specific variety; moonstone and sunstone have collector appeal; primarily fashion jewelry. |
| Fire Opal | Popular orange gem; limited investment potential; fashion-driven; Mexican material with play of color has some collector value. |
| Garnet | Common gem group; specific varieties (demantoid, tsavorite) have investment value; most varieties decorative. |
| Grossular | Various color varieties; investment potential concentrated in tsavorite; other colors collector interest. |
| Hiddenite | True green spodumene rare with collector appeal; limited market size; moderate appreciation for finest colors; better for collection than pure investment. |
| Idocrase | Californite variety has jade-like appeal; synonym for vesuvianite; limited investment potential; collector and designer interest. |
| Indicolite | Blue tourmaline with moderate collector interest; saturated colors command premiums; fashion-driven market with limited investment potential; better for personal collection. |
| Iolite | Attractive sapphire alternative; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market. |
| Kornerupine | Rare collector gem; limited market; minimal investment potential; primarily mineralogical interest. |
| Kunzite | Large clean crystals available; color fading concerns; fashion-driven market with moderate volatility; limited long-term investment potential. |
| Kyanite | Attractive blue gem but variable hardness; limited jewelry durability; collector interest. |
| Larimar | Unique blue gem from Caribbean; soft for jewelry; fashion-driven with resort market appeal. |
| Mali Garnet | Unique hybrid garnet; limited investment potential; collector and designer interest. |
| Moldavite | Extraterrestrial origin creates appeal; finite supply; fashion and metaphysical market; moderate collector value; not a true gemstone. |
| Moonstone | Popular but common; fashion-driven market; limited appreciation except for exceptional blue sheen specimens; primarily personal jewelry. |
| Morganite | Popular pink gem but relatively common; fashion-driven with bridal market demand; limited investment potential; prices volatile with fashion trends. |
| Nephrite | Cultural significance in China; mutton fat white valued; limited Western investment potential. |
| Opal | Variety dependent; black opal has investment value; common varieties decorative only; requires special care. |
| Opaque Emerald | Opaque green beryl with distinct market from transparent emerald; limited investment potential; primarily for carvings and decorative use; collector interest. |
| Peridot | Popular green gem; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market; August birthstone. |
| Pink Topaz | Natural pink topaz quite rare but limited market recognition; moderate collector appeal; some appreciation potential for natural untreated material but illiquid market. |
| Pyrope | Popular red garnet; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market. |
| Rhodochrosite | Attractive pink gem but soft; limited jewelry use; collector specimens valued; minimal investment potential. |
| Rhodolite | Popular garnet variety; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market. |
| Rubellite | True red tourmaline without color shift has collector appeal; moderate market with some appreciation for finest colors; fashion-influenced with trend sensitivity. |
| Rutilated Quartz | Collector quartz variety; limited investment potential; designer jewelry interest. |
| Scapolite | Collector gem with attractive colors; limited investment potential; cat's eye valuable. |
| Sphene | High dispersion collector gem with limited jewelry use due to softness; small niche market; minimal investment potential; primarily for specialized collectors. |
| Spodumene | Attractive gem with cleavage concerns; fashion-driven market; kunzite variety most popular; limited investment potential; collection gem. |
| Sugilite | Attractive purple gem; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market. |
| Sunstone | Oregon sunstone has collector appeal; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market; primarily personal jewelry. |
| Topaz | Common gem; blue topaz heavily treated with no investment value; imperial topaz has collector interest. |
| Tourmaline | Common gem group; specific varieties may have investment value; generic tourmaline mainly decorative. |
| Turquoise | Popular Southwest gem; limited investment potential; fashion-driven market; treatment concerns. |
| Verdelite | Green tourmaline with moderate collector interest; chrome verdelite more valuable; fashion-driven market with limited investment potential; better for personal collection. |
| Vesuvianite | Californite variety has jade-like appeal; limited investment potential; collector and designer interest. |
| Watermelon Tourmaline | Novelty bicolor tourmaline with collector appeal; primarily designer jewelry market; limited investment potential; valued for aesthetic uniqueness rather than appreciation. |
| Zircon | High dispersion gem often confused with cubic zirconia; limited investment potential; December birthstone. |
| Zoisite | Generic zoisite has limited appeal; tanzanite variety has investment value; thulite collector interest. |
Non-Investment Gems
| Gem Type | Investment Description |
|---|---|
| Agate | Extremely common; no investment potential; decorative use only. |
| Almandine | Common garnet variety; no investment potential; abundant supply. |
| Amazonite | Common ornamental stone; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Amethyst | Common quartz variety; no investment potential; abundant supply keeps prices low. |
| Andesine | Treatment concerns limit market; no investment potential; requires careful authentication. |
| Aragonite | Soft collector mineral; no jewelry durability; no investment potential; specimen interest only. |
| Aventurine | Common ornamental quartz; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Azurite | Soft collector stone; no jewelry durability; specimen interest only. |
| Bloodstone | Common ornamental stone; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Calcite | Extremely common mineral; no investment potential; specimen and optical demonstration use. |
| Carnelian | Common ornamental stone; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Chalcedony | Common ornamental stone; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Citrine | Common quartz; no investment potential; mostly treated material. |
| Enstatite | Collector pyroxene; no investment potential; mineralogical interest. |
| Fluorite | Too soft for jewelry; collector specimens only; no investment potential. |
| Goshenite | Colorless beryl with minimal market demand; no investment potential; collector curiosity only. |
| Green Beryl | Light green beryl without emerald classification; limited market; no investment potential; collector curiosity. |
| Hawk's Eye | Ornamental quartz variety; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Heliodor | Less popular beryl variety; limited collector interest; minimal appreciation potential; primarily for personal collection. |
| Hematite | Common iron ore mineral; no investment potential; decorative and metaphysical use only. |
| Hyalite | Collector curiosity for UV properties; no investment potential; specimen interest. |
| Hypersthene | Collector pyroxene; no investment potential; specimen interest. |
| Jasper | Extremely common; no investment potential; decorative use only. |
| Jelly Opal | Common opal variety without play of color; no investment potential; novelty item. |
| Labradorite | Common feldspar with limited investment potential; spectrolite has some collector value; primarily decorative use. |
| Lapis Lazuli | Popular ornamental stone; no investment potential; decorative and fashion use. |
| Malachite | Common ornamental stone; soft for jewelry; no investment potential. |
| Milky Quartz | Extremely common quartz; no value; decorative use only. |
| Oligoclase | Collector feldspar; no investment potential; mineralogical interest only. |
| Onyx | Common ornamental stone; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Orthoclase | Collector feldspar with limited market; no investment potential; mineralogical interest. |
| Peruvian Opal | Common opal without play of color; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Prasiolite | Common treated quartz; no investment potential; mostly heat-treated amethyst. |
| Prehnite | Attractive but common; no investment potential; fashion jewelry. |
| Quartz | Common mineral; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Rhodonite | Common ornamental stone; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Rock Crystal | Common colorless quartz; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Rose Quartz | Common quartz variety; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Sardonyx | Common ornamental stone; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Seraphinite | Soft ornamental stone; no jewelry durability; decorative use only. |
| Serpentine | Common ornamental stone; too soft for jewelry; no investment potential; decorative use only. |
| Smoky Quartz | Common quartz; no investment potential; abundant supply. |
| Sodalite | Common blue stone; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Sphalerite | Extreme dispersion but too soft for jewelry; collector specimens only; fragility eliminates investment potential. |
| Synthetic Emerald | Common synthetic gem; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Synthetic Ruby | Common synthetic gem; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Synthetic Sapphire | Common synthetic gem; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Tiger's Eye | Common ornamental stone; no investment potential; decorative use. |
| Tourmalinated Quartz | Collector quartz variety; minimal investment potential; decorative interest. |
| Uvarovite | Rarely facetable; collector specimen interest; no investment potential. |
| White Opal | Common opal variety; no investment potential; fashion and personal jewelry. |
Collector Gems
| Gem Type | Investment Description |
|---|---|
| Achroite | Rare colorless tourmaline; collector interest for variety; limited market demand; primarily for tourmaline specialists. |
| Amblygonite | Lithium phosphate gem; cleavage concerns; limited collector market; primarily mineralogical interest. |
| Ammolite | |
| Axinite | Distinctive wedge crystals; strong pleochroism; established collector market; primarily for specialists. |
| Brazilianite | Distinctive yellow-green color; established collector market; moderate prices; softness limits jewelry use. |
| Cassiterite | Collector gem with exceptional dispersion; moderate hardness; established collector market; good appreciation potential for fine specimens. |
| Cerussite | Exceptional dispersion and luster; extreme softness limits to specimens; established collector market; display only. |
| Chondrodite | Rare humite group gem; attractive orange-red colors; limited collector market; primarily for mineral collectors and specialists. |
| Chrome Sphene | Exceptional dispersion and chrome green color; established collector market; softness limits investment potential; specimen and occasional jewelry use. |
| Cuprite | Beautiful red copper mineral; too soft for wear; established specimen market; transparent material commands premium; collection only. |
| Danburite | Lesser-known gem with good optical properties; limited collector market; moderate durability; primarily collector interest rather than investment. |
| Dioptase | Vivid emerald color; too soft for wear; strong collector demand for crystals; primarily specimen market. |
| Epidote | Distinctive pistachio color; strong pleochroism; limited collector market; primarily for specialists. |
| Hackmanite | Unique tenebrescent property creates collector interest; established niche market; good specimens command premiums; phenomenon more important than size. |
| Hambergite | Rare borate mineral with diamond-like brilliance; perfect cleavage creates rarity; limited collector market; primarily for specialists. |
| Herderite | Rare beryllium phosphate; soft for jewelry use; limited collector market; primarily for mineral collectors and specialists. |
| Lepidolite | |
| Opaque Hauyne | Opaque blue hauyne with distinct market from transparent variety; established collector interest; good appreciation potential for fine specimens; primarily decorative use. |
| Pargasite | Rare amphibole gem; chrome-green variety commands premium; limited collector market; primarily for specialists. |
| Parisite | Rare earth mineral with attractive golden color; soft for jewelry; limited collector market; primarily for mineral collectors. |
| Petalite | Lithium silicate gem; cleavage concerns; limited collector market; primarily for specialists. |
| Phosphophyllite | Exceptionally rare and fragile; museum-quality only; extreme softness and cleavage; pure display specimen; high collector demand. |
| Pollucite | Rare cesium mineral; limited gem market; transparent material scarce; primarily mineralogical interest. |
| Scheelite | Collector gem with good dispersion; soft for wear; strong UV fluorescence; limited market but established collector interest. |
| Sillimanite | Chatoyant variety valued; limited collector market; moderate prices; primarily for specialists. |
| Smithsonite | Attractive colors but soft; established collector market; primarily cabochon specimens; limited jewelry durability. |
| Triplite | Distinctive colors; strong pleochroism; limited collector market; primarily for specialists. |