Gemstone guides, education and stories from our gemologists and craftsmen, for those who want to buy intelligently and collect with real confidence.
A practical guide to caring for well worn jewellery: the signs a piece needs attention, when a chipped or dull stone can be repolished or recut, and what happens when you bring a piece in.
Read more →
The terms 'natural' and 'untreated' are used constantly in the gemstone world, but not always correctly. Here is what they actually mean and why the distinction matters for any buyer.
Read more →
The honest answer: fine, natural, certified coloured gemstones have performed well as a store of value, but only when bought correctly. Here is what 'correctly' means.
Read more →
Colour, clarity, cut, carat, origin, treatment: buying a sapphire well requires understanding all six. Here is the definitive guide from Safir's gemologists.
Read more →
Birthstones carry centuries of meaning. Here is the complete guide, month by month, to the stones, their significance and what to look for when buying.
Read more →
Both are corundum. Both are among the most valuable coloured gemstones in the world. But ruby and sapphire are very different in colour, rarity, price and meaning.
Read more →
See the stones for yourself.
