Rare & Exotic Gemstones
Rarity is one of the most valued qualities in a gemstone. Each piece from our exotic gemstone collection has unique features that make them desirable additions to your fine jewelry wardrobe. Jewels like kunzite and diopside boast bright, extraordinary colors to grab your attention and leave you desiring more. When you shop for unique gemstone jewelry, you'll covet these truly fabulous pieces that very few own. Collecting and wearing these stones will distinguish your discerning collection from that of other jewelry lovers because of the rarity and unusual qualities these breathtaking jewels possess.
What Makes a Gemstone Exotic?
Any gemstone can be considered unique, depending on the rarity of the color. For example, star sapphires can be found in a few colors like gray, brown, and blue. But what makes them so special is the stellar optical effect shown in the sapphire when light is reflected. If you're lucky, you'll be able to purchase this exclusive gemstone in our Estate collection!
Did you know that other favorites come in vibrant and remarkable varieties: discover spinel in blue, orange, pink, or purple; or zircon in blue, green, yellow, or orange. These unique and unusual gemstones are ideal for the collector or any jewelry lover who loves to stand out.
Why are Some Gemstones Considered Rare?
Various exotic gemstones have color-changing abilities. For example, alexandrite is sometimes described as "emerald by day, ruby by night" because it can appear green under natural light and a deep red under indoor light. Some exotic gemstones come in numerous colors, which makes their value variable. Tanzanite is known for its blue-violet color; however, rarer tanzanite can be found in a green or aqua hue. Another standout exotic gemstone is ametrine. Ametrine is a rare bi-colored gemstone that mixes amethyst and citrine in a stunning half-and-half display of each signature color. In addition, many exotic gemstones, like Larimar and abalone shells, are unique—no two are quite the same.
Only a limited number of mines in the world produce exotic gemstones. Thus, the quantities are not as abundant as other semi-precious and precious stones. For example, the rarest type of opal—black opal—can only be found in New South Wales, Australia. Tanzanite is from Tanzania, amber from Poland, alexandrite from Russia, and more—examples of exotic gemstones that are more valuable based on where they're mined.
Did you know diamonds can be rare, too? Although treating diamonds with a permanent color-change process is common, finding a naturally occurring diamond is possible. One of the most exceptional and expensive ones in the world is a natural red diamond. Depending on the vibrancy, yellow diamonds can be considered exotic, too. You'll find that brighter yellow diamond jewelry is priced higher than other shades.
Vintage Exotic Gemstone Jewelry
Our Estate collection offers genuine vintage finds from around the world. Here, you'll discover unusual gemstones in designs you can't find anywhere else. With new additions almost every week, our Estate collection has featured black opals, certified pink topaz, brown star sapphires, and so much more. You never know what you'll find, but one thing is for sure—you'll want one of these exceptional treasures.
The Ross-Simons Exotic Gem Collection
We offer a fabulous selection of exotic gemstones, from bright tanzanite and serene aquamarine to lovely morganite and iridescent labradorite. Choose from pendant necklaces, bolo bracelets, hoop earrings, cocktail rings, and more! No matter what extraordinary piece you choose, you'll stand out in its exclusive design and vivacious color.
Which exotic gemstone appeals to you?
| Gemstone | Gem Information |
|---|---|
| Alexandrite | Mined in Russia, alexandrite is a rare variety of chrysoberyl with a unique color-changing property. The gemstone will appear green under natural light and purplish-red under artificial light. |
| Ametrine | A rare and captivating bi-colored gemstone, ametrine combines the majestic purple of amethyst with the sunny glow of citrine. The contrasting colors give it a distinct appearance. Ametrines are typically cut so that there is a sharp boundary between the two colors towards the center. |
| Apatite | This gemstone is found in many colors, from shades of the sea and sky to vibrant greens and yellows. Apatite lends a distinctive glow to necklaces and earrings, particularly when used in multi-gemstone jewelry settings. |
| Aquamarine | The birthstone of March, harbinger of spring, aquamarine's powers of revelation are legendary. Usually, a brilliant or a step cut and a member of the beryl family, aquamarine, can be found in a range of pale blue hues and aqua green colors. |
| Diopside | Though considerably rare, diopside is one of the most affordable green gemstones. This gorgeous newcomer, mined mainly in Siberia, lights up jewelry designs with vibrant shades of green and makes an ideal choice for pendants, rings, and earrings. The most popular variety is chrome diopside which features a medium-dark vivid green hue. |
| Fire Opal | This blazing gemstone is a transparent to semitransparent opal prized for its fire-like color. It is an incredibly distinct variety of opal and comes in shades of yellow, orange, and red. |
| Iolite | Ranging in shades from light blue to violet blue to deep rich blue, the iolite mesmerizes with its ability to change colors when viewed from different angles. Long ago, Vikings relied on this unique gemstone to help guide them at sea. |
| Kunzite | This pretty pastel gemstone shimmers in shades of soft pink and violet. When viewed from different angles, kunzite seems to shift colors, adding to the stone's romantic allure. Kunzite has been gracing necklaces, bracelets, and rings since the early 1900s. |
| Kyanite | Kyanite is gemstone-quality aluminum silicate. It typically comes in shades of blue, although it can be found in other colors as well. In addition to jewelry, kyanite is also used to make porcelain. |
| Morganite | Named after the great American tycoon and gem collector J. P. Morgan, morganite's soft pink-to-peach shades add blushing beauty to jewelry designs. This rare gemstone is surprisingly affordable and brings an undeniable charm to rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. |
| Padparadscha | Padparadscha is the highest valued variety of fancy sapphire (sapphires that come in colors other than blue or colorless). It exhibits richly saturated shades of pinkish-orange to orange-pink. The word "padparadscha" derives from the Sinhalese word for "lotus blossom." |
| Rhodolite | Rhodolite charms in a range of feminine shades—from rose to raspberry to purplish-red. Lighter than a ruby, rhodolite garnets offer a lovely, romantic look. Rhodolite can be a delightful twist on the traditional January birthstone. |
| Spinel | This rare and durable gemstone, found in a beguiling shade of inky black, catches the eye when set in rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Exotic spinel includes captivating tones of pink, purple, orange, blue, gray, and green. The red variety is beautiful in its own right, and in ages past, it was mistaken for a ruby. |
| Tanzanite | Found in the 1960s in Tanzania, tanzanite is a new and rare discovery that captures magnificent purple, violet, and blue shades. Its crystal structure allows light to enter the stone and divide it into two or three sectors, which enhances the intensity of color. Tanzanite is an alternative for December birthstones. |
| Tourmaline | The "gemstone of the rainbow" comes in a dizzying array of colors and is usually created from more than a dozen elements, making it perfect for jewelry. The most popular tourmaline is deep pink, and a true favorite is watermelon—a gem that combines green and pink. |
| Tsavorite | Tsavorite is a deep green variety of garnet. First uncovered in the 1960s in Tanzania, it was given its name with the discovery of mines in Kenya's Tsavo National Park in the early 1970s. |
| Zircon | Gem-quality zircon is a transparent crystal from the mineral zirconium silicate. It comes in a variety of colors but is most commonly colorless. Contrary to common belief, zircon is not cubic zirconia; it is a naturally occurring gemstone with different properties. Exotic varieties of zircon include blue, green, yellow, and orange. |