When the first natural diamonds were discovered in a cave in India some 4,000 years ago, humans were immediately captivated by their brilliant allure.
Rough and unpolished, the precious stones found their way along trade routes spanning Europe and Asia. Symbolizing status, it didn’t take long for diamonds to become objects of power, greed and murderous conquests.
Today, diamonds remain the most coveted precious gemstones. Their intrinsic value outshines any other gemstone. The ultimate token of everlasting love, diamonds will always be a “girl’s best friend.”It’s no wonder celebrities are lovers of the sparkly and shiny jewel.
Below, we’ll discuss five precious stones that have gained the celebrity mark of approval.
1.Diamond
As mentioned, diamonds will always be the world’s most beloved gemstone. What makes it even more unique is that diamonds are made from just one element: carbon.
The hardest-known substance known to humanity lasts a lifetime and beyond. The infinite beauty of a rare natural diamond is incomparable. Each stone’s complex characteristics can’t be duplicated. They are one of a kind.
Their rarity is incomparable. Only 50% of the diamonds mined are of the highest quality to be sold on the diamond market.
But the reign of the diamond is losing its luster. Since the invention of lab-grown diamonds, many celebrities have championed lab diamonds. Leonardo DiCaprio, Meghan Markle and Pelenlope Cruz are a few A-listers endorsing lab-grown diamonds.
2.Sapphire
Second on our celeb-endorsed precious stones list are sapphires. This stone inspired thousands of brides-to-be when Princess Kate donned her sapphire and diamond engagement ring for the first time.
Zooey Deschanel is another celebrity who chose sapphires for her engagement ring. Going for an unconventional route, the actress opted for a central configuration of purple sapphires surrounding a white diamond.
This design inspires women who want to stand out for their sophisticated and unique sartorial choices. Many jewelers offer customization services, making it easy to get a design of one’s dreams.
For example, Leibish’s custom ring setting services enable discerning women to get a ring made to match their taste. The best thing about custom jewelry is that you can emulate a celeb style without spending a fortune.
The sapphire is the most durable colored gemstone, scoring 9 on the MOH scale. Most people associate the stone with brilliant blue, but the rarest colored sapphire is the Padparadscha, described as a salmon, sunset hue.
3.Ruby
Dorothy’s ruby slippers will always be engrained into the collective psyche as those sparkling jewels that magically took her back to Oz.
Arguably one of the most important gems on the colored stone market, GIA explains in their purest form, rubies are colorless. Trace elements in a mineral’s crystal structure can alter the tone. For instance, chromium gives rubies their red hue, which can vary from orangy red to purplish red.
Celebrities wearing vintage jewels are the latest red carpet trend. The sustainable fashion choice has also been seen on the cover of magazines.
Blake Lively’s recent photoshoot with Vogue had her wearing Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic ruby and diamond necklace. The It Ends With Us actress leaned into her glam Hollywood persona as she posed for the Hitchcock-inspired shoot.
Taylor may have had a penchant for dating and marrying some of the world’s most handsome men, but her collection of jewels was more stunning. The ruby and diamond piece was part of a set with matching Cartier earrings and bracelet gifted by her third husband Mike Todd.
4.Emerald
One might think that diamonds are extremely rare. But, according to Live Science, there are 49 emerald deposits around the globe compared to 1,000 rock formations that contain diamonds. As gemstone experts say, “It’s far more complicated than that.”
Emerald is a green variety of the mineral beryl, colored by chromium and vanadium. And like diamonds, they are mined from the Earth’s crust.
The Aga Khan Emerald is the most coveted. For years, collectors have had their eye on the jewel. The gem was part of a broach commissioned by Prince Aga Khan for his bride, Nina Dyer in 1960. The piece is a 37-carat square emerald, surrounded by 20 marquise-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 12.04 carats.
Now decades later, the Aga Khan Emerald will go on auction for the second time in 55 years at Christie’s in Geneva.
5.Tanzanite
Found around the Manyara region of Tanzania, tanzanite’s beauty outstrips its precious stone counterparts. A relatively new discovery, the gemstone became popular in the 1960s. And the gem continues to be the darling of Hollywood.
The Oscars red carpet this year was a kaleidoscope of colored gemstones. Actress Britney Snow departed from the rosy hues and opted for a tanzanite and brown diamond Pomellato necklace with a bold custom yellow dress by Mônot.
The precious stones list encompasses several other gemstones, from aquamarine to monazite to blue topaz.
And let’s not forget the allure of semi-precious stones. Hollywood celebs like Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry are highly appreciative of the jewels and are often seen rocking their gemstone pieces.
When you’re in the market to spoil yourself, why not consider a piece with a unique precious gemstone?
