Collecting Colored Gems?

[Gloria27]

This post might be better suited for a geology forum, but I've learned so much about diamonds on Pricescope so I thought I'd ask here first...

I'm thinking about gathering up some inexpensive colored gemstones, say 5ct or bigger, so they could be held in the hand and shared with my dozens of nieces and nephews. I think I might put them in my wife's stocking for christmas.

I'm very new and don't really know anything but my eye has been drawn to:

Sphene
Zircon (blue or otherwise)
Moissanite
Rutile & Cerussite - but I couldn't find many that were cut.

Are there other neat colored gemstones I'm missing? Something that can be had for $50-$200?

Thank you!

Unpopular opinion incoming:

Why not get some gems already set, from the Jtv or similar brands? They probably won't have quality rubies but might have decent turquoise, amethyst, garnet, spinel (small sizes) etc?
If you never had stones before, it's worth getting some already set, they will make pretty gifts and you get to see them in real life without having to keep them in a drawer all the time.

I got some Zachery Sleeping beauty like this, small African Sapphires (heat only) in sterling silver, a 2ct Kenyan Amethyst and Garnets and I enjoy wearing them.

This is a good way to learn and have fun before you get serious with buying loose gems.
It takes years to learn about stones, so buckle on!

 

[georgecostanza]

I really like this idea, but you would need a massive budget to go over 5 carats of gems worth looking at in most natural stones. Even a lot of quartz is irradiated at this price, as is common with lemon yellow “citrine.” If you size down to 1 carat, your options are still very limited. We try not to talk about it in this forum, but I would seriously consider looking at lab grown options. Some vendors facet bigger lab grown stones that are used for scientific purposes (lasers and such), which could be cheaper and fun for kids to learn about.

 

[Gloria27]

in Sterling, 3ct Citrine, 30 GBP

Diamantina Citrine Pendant with White Topaz in Sterling Silver 3cts

Diamantina Citrine Pendant with White Topaz in Sterling Silver 3cts

www.gemporia.com

in 9ct Gold, Citrine, 3.30 ct, 179 GBP

Diamantina Citrine Ring in 9K Gold 3.30cts

Diamantina Citrine Ring in 9K Gold 3.30cts

www.gemporia.com

in 9ct Gold, 10,55 ct Citrine, 299 GBP

Diamantina Citrine Ring in 9K Gold 10.55cts

Diamantina Citrine Ring in 9K Gold 10.55cts

www.gemporia.com

in 9 ct Gold, 2.8 madeira Citrine, 130 GBP

Madeira Citrine Pendant with White Zircon 9K Gold 2.80cts

Madeira Citrine Pendant with White Zircon 9K Gold 2.80cts

www.gemporia.com

in 9 ct Gold, 7,54 ct Citrine, 199 GBP

Diamantina Citrine Ring with White Zircon in 9K Gold 7.45cts

Diamantina Citrine Ring with White Zircon in 9K Gold 7.45cts

www.gemporia.com

and I can go on for other stones too and there is always some sort of sale code which cuts the price even more and no I don't work for them I just like the prices, the fact that they clearly state the treatments and stone origin

Good stuff for learning and gifting if one has more expensive taste for collecting.

 

[rattatooE]

I really like this idea, but you would need a massive budget to go over 5 carats of gems worth looking at in most natural stones. Even a lot of quartz is irradiated at this price, as is common with lemon yellow “citrine.” If you size down to 1 carat, your options are still very limited. We try not to talk about it in this forum, but I would seriously consider looking at lab grown options. Some vendors facet bigger lab grown stones that are used for scientific purposes (lasers and such), which could be cheaper and fun for kids to learn about.

Yup! Either that or you gotta risk it and buy from a source in India. For example: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1764490854/13035-cts-big-round-smokey-smokey-quartz?ref=cart .
This vendor has another giant 200 carat one he just listed like today.

208.25 CTS | Lemon Smokey | Huge Size | Smokey Quartz | Clean Smokey Quartz | Good Gemstone | SG248 - Etsy

This Gemstones item by SALAMGEMSSHOP has 4 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from India. Listed on Mar 15, 2025

www.etsy.com

Like, you’re not really going to get a better deal in terms of price, but the trade off is not knowing exactly if it’s real haha. Could be fake, but could be real. Can’t really do much research rn since out of town and all I got is my phone haha. India does have a rich history in gems and has legit stuff, but you have to know your stuff and have a sharp eye to discern fake from real when shopping for cheap stuff. Just wanted to drop in cause just saw this randomly browsing. Pretty sure OP looking for something fun like this. Maybe doesn’t care for super high cut quality or smaller treatments like irradiation since stuff like that is often undisclosed especially when shopping on low price category. As long as it’s real quartz, maybe good enough! But not saying if this is real cause I don’t know.

 

[autumngems]

Let me see if I have any that fit the bill.