The ‘Big Three’ (Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby) may be timeless, but they’ve hogged the spotlight for far too long. And let’s be real: the prices for really fine specimens are eye-wateringly high.
Maybe it’s time to redirect your attention to the new kids on the block! The new wave of rare gemstones offer a refreshing change from the ‘Big Three’. So, why not snag these rarities before everyone else catches on to their underrated beauty?
Spinel
Spinels aren’t exactly a new discovery, but you could say they’ve had a case of mistaken identity for the longest time. For one, the famous 14th century Black Prince’s Ruby that sits atop the Imperial State Crown is actually a red Spinel!
The most valued Spinel colours are red, cobalt blue, and vivid pink. As a singly refractive gem, Spinel is known for their brilliance AKA super sparkly.
Once the gem industry’s best kept secret, their prices have soared in recent years, going up by over a thousand percent in the last decade or so.
If you’re looking for an investment gem, Spinel is a precious gemstone that should definitely be on that list. Spinel is THE gem that got our MADLY founder, Maddy, hooked on coloured gems (and the rest is history)!
Tsavorite Garnet
Discovered in 1967, this particular variety of Garnet is one of the newest gemstones to emerge in the gemstone industry. They are characterised by a bluish-green colour, and the best Tsavorites can rival even the vivid green of Emeralds.
Just like Spinel, Tsavorite is singly refractive; light enters in a single ray, making it appear much more ‘lively’ as compared to an Emerald. Only a few sources of Tsavorite have been discovered, thus the supply of it has been limited.
The fact that it is beautiful without any treatment, while Emerald is almost always oiled, makes it even more of a gem collector’s piece; the beautiful green you see is all Mother Nature’s work!
Tanzanite
Discovered in 1962, Tanzania remains the only known source of Tanzanite, with new sources yet to be discovered. Geologists have said that the chances of finding another source of Tanzanite is next to impossible given the circumstances that led to its formation 585 million years ago, making it a thousand times rarer than Diamond.
Tanzanite is known as a ‘dupe’ for Sapphire, but they are so much more than that! With the heated variety being known for their bright blue-purple hues, no heat Tanzanite can come in a range of hues, from champagne or pink to mermaid grey, blue, purple and green.
Paraiba Tourmaline
Paraiba Tourmaline, with its otherworldly neon glow, has been increasingly sought after these past few years. First discovered in Paraíba, Brazil in 1989, these extraordinary gemstones showcase an unparalleled vivid blue-green hue that appears almost electric or neon, thanks to trace amounts of copper.
Paraiba is exceptionally rare; and the surge in demand for Paraiba Tourmaline has nearly depleted the original Brazilian source, causing prices to skyrocket. Alternative sources such as Paraiba from Mozambique present a great alternative, occurring in larger sizes, and tend to be less included than their Brazilian counterparts.
Indicolite Tourmaline
Indicolites are aptly named for their captivating blue-green indigo hues. The finest Indicolites are saturated, yet lively with little to no trace of grey. With no other gemstone that presents in such a shade, gem enthusiasts and collectors are recognising their distinct charm, meaning there’s no better time than now to get one.
At MADLY, we’re passionate about raising awareness about these beautiful new generation gemstones, and with the top 0.1% of coloured gems, you can be sure we have the most stunning stones in-store, waiting to find the right owner who will appreciate their beauty.
So come in to see their splendour in real life!