Club
Statement gemstones: Enchanting beauty inside and out
Upon hearing the words “rare gem” – as a rule – the imagination conjures images of precious stones of the highest standard: diamonds, sapphires, rubies or emeralds. But are these the only stones that deserve attention and investment?
The concept of ‘rare’ can also include precious stones in other categories, as well as semi-precious stones of impressive sizes. In nature, precious stones that reach 5 carats or more after they have been cut are much less common than the more modestly sized gems of only a couple of carats. Therefore, they have always piqued more interest among collectors and investors. These include the likes of aquamarines, pink and red spinels, neon-blue Paraiba tourmalines, pink-red rubellites in bright shades, spessartine orange garnets, or green tsavorites and violet-blue tanzanites.
It must be said, increasing attention to large rare stones is far from a new trend, because people have always trembled beneath the weight of large, glittering minerals. Now, attaining these large gemstones is the aspiration of each high jewellery art collector, thanks to their attractive investment factors; large stones increase in price faster than small ones. Moreover, a large gem is a masterpiece created by nature, whole and complete. Therefore, generally speaking, when working with these gem ‘giants’, jewellers build the design starting with the stone, and not vice versa. Creating a worthy frame that allows for the maximisation of the stones’ beauty – that is their principal task.
Want to be sure of this? Then I suggest getting to know jewellery lucky enough to have been adorned with large and rare stones that embody – in all senses – the chic qualities of big rocks.
Boucheron
Boucheron
Boucheron L'Hiver Impérial Dome Graphique ring in white gold with a 12.41-carat pear-cut tanzanite, carved blue chalcedony, Akoya cultured pearls and pavé diamonds
Mattioli
Mattioli
Mattioli ring with a fancy cut amethyst, pink sapphires and tsavorites
Dior Joaillerie
Dior Joaillerie
Dior à Versailles, Côté Jardins collection bracelet with an oval opal, multi-coloured sapphires, emeralds and diamonds
Chanel
Chanel
Chanel Azurean Braid ring from Flying Cloud collection in 18K white gold set with a cushion-cut blue sapphire of 11.49carats and 112 brilliant-cut diamonds
Chaumet
Chaumet
Chaumet Pastoral Anglaise ring from the Chaumet est une fête collection embellished with a Colombian emerald
Piaget
Piaget
Piaget Viva L'Arte cuff bracelet from Sunlight Journey collection with 6.68cts cushion cut spinel, sapphires and spessartine garnets set in pink gold
Suzanne Syz
Suzanne Syz
‘Are you Calder or not?’ earrings by Suzanne Syz in aluminium and red gold with aquamarine and morganite drops
Bulgari
Bulgari
Bulgari Festa Palloncini Balloon necklace with amethysts, aquamarines, emeralds, tourmalines and diamonds
Giampiero Bodino
Giampiero Bodino
Giampiero Bodino Tesori del Mare ring from the Mediterranea collection topped with a 11.42cts Paraíba tourmaline
AVAKIAN
AVAKIAN
AVAKIAN Gatsby collection earrings with amethysts, enamel, pearls and diamonds
Van Cleef&Arpels
Van Cleef&Arpels
Van Cleef&Arpels Secret de Amoureaux clip with a pear-shaped orangy-pink sapphire of 2.74 carats from Sri Lanka is paired with a pear-shaped violet sapphire of 1.36 carats, a heart-shaped rubellite of 12.04 carats, with diamonds and sapphires
Moussaieff
Moussaieff
Moussaieff necklace with a natural Burmese sapphire of 91.38 carats, emeralds, colourless and yellow diamonds
Antonio Seijo
Antonio Seijo
Antonio Seijo Оne-of-a-kind cocktail ring with 2.95cts black opal and 141 tsavorites
Ming Lampson
Ming Lampson
Ming Lampson Flower Bud ring with 8.64 carat green Afghani tourmaline and blue sapphires set in rose gold
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton necklace with a tourmaline and diamonds from the Conquêtes collection
Boghossian
Boghossian
Boghossian emerald ring from the Merveilles collection featuring a Colombian hexagon emerald of 14.88 carats and diamonds
Picchiotti
Picchiotti
Picchiotti L’Anfiteatro ring with a ruby weighing over 8 carats dedicated to the company’s 50th anniversary
Buccellati
Buccellati
Buccellati Oasi cuff bracelet with an oval aquamarine and approximately 160 diamonds
De Grisogono
De Grisogono
De Grisogono Love on the Rocks ring with emeralds and diamonds
House of Tabbah
House of Tabbah
House of Tabbah emerald and sapphire ring with colourless and yellow diamonds
Jessica McCormack
Jessica McCormack
Jessica McCormack Flotsam & Jetsam Earrings from the Perfect Storm collection set with a central cabochon emerald and 3.65 carats of heart, marquise and baguette cut diamonds
WORDS
Katerina Perez is a jewellery insider, journalist and brand consultant with more than 15 years’ experience in the jewellery sector. Paris-based, Katerina has worked as a freelance journalist and content editor since 2011, writing articles for international publications. To share her jewellery knowledge and expertise, Katerina founded this website and launched her @katerina_perez Instagram in 2013.
Related Articles
Essential Passion: The Artistic Pursuits of Mehragin Rahmati of Mergin Jewelry
Jewellery can be thoughtful and insular, or it can be effusive and bold and full of character that makes it stand out from the crowd. I would put the colourful and charismatic creations of Mehragin Rahmati into the latter camp because of their attention-grabbing silhouettes, unusual structures, and confident mineral palettes.
Maestro of Masterpieces: New High Jewels in the Picchiotti Classics Collection
Ahead of this year’s Couture show in Las Vegas, Picchiotti has revealed some of the latest additions to its high jewellery repertoire, including new suites in the Picchiotti Classics collection.
Reasons to Shop: The Moments that Demand a Fresh Jewellery Purchase
There's no rule that says you need a reason to buy a new piece of jewellery, but sometimes, a little encouragement makes the decision even more exciting. If you're looking for a playful excuse to book your next jewellery appointment, here are a few irresistible reasons to treat yourself.
Grecian Glamour: The Designers Preparing to Spotlight Greek Style at JCK Las Vegas
Recently, I was approached by the organisers of a special ‘Greek mission’ who are supporting 11 independent designers and brands as they seek to make their mark at JCK Las Vegas from June 6-9, 2025. Below, I would like to introduce you to each of the businesses participating in this incredible showcase of Greek design, ingenuity and craftsmanship.
Naked Attraction: The Best High Jewellery of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
Here’s a rundown of some of the best Cannes jewellery looks from the 78th annual festival (May 13-24), including the likes of Dakota Johnson, Angelina Jolie, and Natalie Portman, who all make striking jewellery the star of their ensembles
In Conversation: Discussing Paraiba — The Legacy of a Color with Vogue Singapore
The conversation encouraged both myself and Kevin Ferreira, my co-author, to recall exactly why we wrote Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color, and I am pleased to share more with you below
Semi-Precious vs Precious Gemstones: Why the Old Labels No Longer Work
I can’t count the number of times I’ve asked myself: what really sets so-called precious and semi-precious stonesapart? Is it their rarity? Colour? Durability? Value? Or is it simply tradition—an outdated hierarchy we’ve inherited without question
Larger than Life: New Mineral Masterpieces and Global Adventures with Margot McKinney
Let’s take a closer look at the pieces and places that have helped to shape the Margot McKinney brand over the last 12 months, including the rather sensational Marina, Aurora and Bloem necklaces
Male Adornment: The Evolution of Men’s Jewellery from the 1400s Until Today
Men's jewellery is often overlooked, yet its history is both rich and cyclical. Over the past six centuries, the popularity of male adornments has fluctuated, reflecting shifts in fashion, status, and cultural values. Here, Amanda Triossi examines the reasons behind male jewellery, along with its periods of abundance and decline.
Perfect Proposal: The Top 10 Engagement Ring Mistakes to Avoid
The moment you start thinking about proposing, everything shifts. Ordinary things become significant: dinner out, a walk in the park, a glance at their jewellery box. And then comes "the ring": a symbol of love, yes, but also a silent spokesperson for everything you feel and hope for. No pressure, right?
Couture Show 2025: The Top 10 Debutants Heading to Las Vegas
The much anticipated Couture Show will return to Wynn Las Vegas from June 4-8, 2025, shining a spotlight on established design talent, new creatives, and international brands that are vying for attention on the global stage. Just like in previous years, I am focusing my attention on the debutants
Designing the Future: Revealing the Winners of the Katerina Perez x Osmium Institute Design Contest
What a ride it has been, witnessing such pure creative energy and original thinking, especially with a material as rare and futuristic as osmium
Latest Stories
Club
Add articles and images to your favourites. Just
Legacy of Love:The Dreamlike Jewels of Emirati Designer Mariyeh Ghelichkhani
During our meeting in Dubai, we spoke about the importance of family, the sweetness of finding joy through creativity, and the ability to translate dreamy visions and deep feelings into wearable pieces…
Jewels Katerina Perez Loves
Continue Reading
Club
Club
Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book
Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color
Brand Focus: Cartier
Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox
Style Guide
Club
Club
Club
Club
Club
