Precious gemstones have been around for centuries and have been used as a form of currency, jewelry, and decoration. People have always been fascinated by their beauty and rarity. Even today, they continue to hold a special appeal. You might wonder whether it is worth putting your money toward these assets. Here are some reasons why investing in precious gemstones in Hong Kong may be a good idea.
Why invest in gemstones?
There are many reasons to invest in gemstones. Gemstones are a natural resource and, as such, they are not subject to the same inflationary pressures as other investments. Unlike most other assets, gemstones do not lose value or quality over time, making them a timeless piece of investment.
How to pick a great gemstone
The first and most important factor concerning a gemstone’s value is its type. Precious gemstones such as ruby, sapphire, and emerald are extremely expensive due to their rarity, and can sometimes cost even more than diamonds. Exotic gemstones such as aquamarine, morganite, and varieties of the beryl family follow closely behind in terms of rarity and value, which makes them another great investment. There are also semi-precious gemstones, such as pearl and amethyst, that are more accessible in terms of price. They are popularized as gemstone earrings, necklaces, and rings in Hong Kong, and could also bring great value if the size, cutting, and color are excellent.
In addition, a gemstone’s price also depends on seven major factors: size, shape, quality of cutting, country of origin, color, and uniformity of color.
Size, Shape, and Quality of Cutting
Usually, a larger stone is much harder to obtain and will be worth a lot more. The shape of the raw gemstone is also important because it determines how the stone can be cut and what kind of designs are possible.
The quality of the cutting can also make or break a gemstone. Uncut gems are way less expensive than cut ones because the quality of the artist’s work is a big part of unleashing a stone’s true potential. Those that are cut by renowned artists can often go up significantly in value. These products often end up as top-quality gemstone rings, earrings, and necklaces that are many times more valuable than when they were rough or uncut.
Origin, Color, and Uniformity of Color
The origin of the stone is also very important. Certain geographical locations tend to nurture more desirable stones due to their unique climate and environment. Blue sapphires from Kashmir, for example, are extremely rare and highly sought after due to their unique, natural, and intense blue color.
As such, some colors are more desired in the market than others due to their aesthetic beauty and rarity. The combination of hue, saturation, and tone make up the color range of a gemstone. In most cases, gemstones with higher saturation are more expensive than those that are pale, but there are exceptions. Some customers prefer less saturated stones due to them being brighter and having more sparkle.
Another factor is the uniformity of color. How evenly color is distributed within a gemstone can significantly affect its aesthetics and value. The finest and most expensive gemstones are always uniform in colour.
Quick way to spot value
Gemstones often come in many more shapes, cutting, and designs than diamonds. Gemstones that are symmetrical with point-to-point facets are a tell-tale sign of good cutting. Pieces that play around with fancy or irregular shapes often indicate masterful craftsmanship because not every artist has the skill to execute those designs.
Aequa & Co’s Gemma Elona collection, for example, furbishes elongated special cut citrines and tsavorites into intricate shapes and designs. We also offer a series of gemstone necklaces, earrings, and rings that showcases the dynamism of modern artistry and craftsmanship. Check out our coal collection for men and our delicately crafted Tag collection for some of the finest cutting and designs in Hong Kong.
Which gemstones make the best investments?
Precious Stones: Ruby, Emerald, Blue Sapphires and Multi-Sapphires
Precious Stones such as ruby, emerald, and blue sapphires are exceptionally rare stones that sometimes are much rarer even than diamonds. While they are most commonly known for their uniquely red, green and blue colors, some dramatically rare types of multi-colored sapphires can also be orange or pink orange, red, yellow, pink, green and purple. Discover our selection of gemstone rings, necklaces, and earrings made with sapphires.
Amethyst
Amethyst is another transparent quartz and is prized for its violet color. It is a very affordable gemstone and makes for a good and steady investment. Around the world, amethyst is used to clear negative energy. It is also thought to help overall control of one's thoughts and mindfulness. Check out these stunning amethyst & gemstone earrings, pendants, and rings available in Hong Kong.
Blue Topaz
Blue topaz comes in an array of beautiful hues. Sky Blue Topaz has a very light blue hue that offers a more neutral and cleaner look. Swiss Blue Topaz, on the other hand, has a fresh blue hue that is extremely eye-catching and can add a touch of personality to a gemstone necklace or ring. There is also London Blue Topaz, whose darker color adds a unique sense of elegance and charm. Topazes are said to soothe, heal, re-motivate, and bring the wearer strength, protection, and healing.
Citrine
Citrine is transparent quartz valued for its yellow, orange to brownish color. Similar to topaz, Citrine is not as expensive as diamonds. The meaning of Citrine is focused on prosperity, joy, and energy. This pair of Gemma 14K Yellow Gold Citrine and Madera Citrine Earrings easily shows off the appeal of Citrine in contemporary ladies' jewelry.
Garnet
Garnets are transparent-to-translucent gemstones that are most commonly known for their beautiful red hue, but can also come in a purplish red tone. These are known as Rhodolite Garnet. Garnets are considered to be lucky stones that inspire love, passion, and serenity through balancing and purifying the wearer’s energy. Discover our selection of gemstone earrings and necklaces made with garnet.
Malachite
Often found in caverns and cavities deep within caves, Malachite is a mineral that forms above copper deposits deep in the earth. Its dark green color and marble-like, swirly, and rippled patterns give it an elegant and classy appearance that has been widely sought after since they were discovered by the ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago. They are said to possess immense energy, love, and healing powers, as well as protect the wearer’s heart against impurities. Discover beautiful malachite necklaces, pendants, and bracelets here.
Meteorite
Meteorite gemstones originally came from outer space. They are rare and can be a good investment. This gemstone represents emotional balance and support, physical healing, and spiritual growth. Meteorite gemstones create unique and special pieces, like this men's beaded bracelet, with their one-of-a-kind texture.
Black Onyx
A silicate stone created by silicon, these opaque jet-black gemstones turn glossy once polished and give off a marvelous black appearance that is both serene and mysterious at the same time. They are believed to have strong healing powers, with historical civilizations using them as a treatment for illnesses concerning the bones, teeth, skin, and more. As black becomes increasingly important in today’s design motifs, black onyx jewelry is a must-have item in a fashionista’s look book.
Start investing in gemstones!
If you're looking to start investing in gemstones, you'll need to find a reputable jeweler who can help you assess the value of different gemstones and help you make a purchase. Aequa & Co offers competitive pricing on a wide selection of gemstones. Make sure to get in touch with us to learn more.
Final words
There is so much more to cover when investing in precious and semi-precious gemstones, which we will do in later blog posts. The gemstones listed in this blog are all perfect gifts for your special someone in Hong Kong. Gemstones such as Malachite and Onyx also deserve an honorable mention for their investment value and elegant aesthetics.
Use this blog as a reference when you start investing in precious gemstones. Most importantly, find a reputable jeweler who can help you with your investment. Here at Aequa & Co, we can guide you with your investment and offer competitive pricing on a wide selection of gemstones. Don't hesitate to get in touch to learn more.