In 2025, jewelry has evolved beyond mere sparkle; it embodies personal narratives, vibrant hues, and character. This year’s gemstone favorites — sapphire, ruby, emerald, spinel, and tourmaline — aren’t just fashionable but filled with fascinating backstories and earthy origins.
These five gems aren’t merely decorative. Each has a distinct journey from deep within the Earth, shaped by nature’s forces over millions of years and now elevating jewelry into treasured keepsakes.
Sapphire’s Colorful Elegance
Sapphires are making waves, especially with unconventional colors. While blue remains timeless, 2025 is Padparadscha orange-hue and pink sapphires, each offering its unique allure, for engagement rings and statement necklaces.
Padparadscha sapphire, known for its rare blend of pink and orange hues, stands out as one of the most unique and coveted gemstones in the world, evoking calm sophistication. Pink sapphire’s warmth reflects delicate hues reminiscent of blossoming flowers and twilight skies, making it both trendy and timeless.
Sapphires originate from Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Montana, known for their exceptional durability, perfect for everyday pieces like rings or earrings. A notable example is the Rockefeller Sapphire, a stunning 62.02-carat gem valued at over $3 million, showcasing sapphire’s enduring desirability.
Ruby’s Bold Passion
Rubies are synonymous with passion and vitality, their rich reds symbolizing strength and love. Extracted from marble deposits in Mozambique, Myanmar, and Thailand, rubies form under intense pressure and heat.
The iconic Sunrise Ruby, a vivid 25.59-carat gem, fetched over $13 million in 2023, reinforcing ruby’s timeless status as a coveted gemstone, and a top favorite in rings and earrings and bracelet designs.
Emerald: Nature’s Green Masterpiece
Emeralds captivate with their refreshing, vibrant greens reminiscent of dense forests and springtime gardens. Found primarily in Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil, these gems crystallize within rocky fissures rich with minerals and water.
Emerald’s internal patterns, known as "jardin," are unique to each stone, enhancing their charm. A prime example is the Rockefeller Emerald, an impressive 18.04-carat stone, valued at $5.5 million, epitomizing the rarity and allure of emeralds. Toi et Moi with at least one emerald is a good investment in your future.
Spinel: Rising Star of Gems
Spinel, often mistaken historically for ruby, now proudly claims its own spotlight. Available in a spectrum ranging from deep reds and soft pinks to violets and metallic grays, spinel’s diverse color palette has boosted its popularity. This unique cobalt spinel ring is definitely worth a consideration.
Extracted predominantly from river gravels in Myanmar, Tanzania, and Vietnam, spinel’s unique glow makes it irresistibly attractive. The renowned Hope Spinel, at 50.13 carats, notably sold for $1.5 million in 2015, highlighting spinel's growing appeal.
Tourmaline: The Gem of Endless Color
Tourmaline delights with its unmatched color diversity — from radiant pinks and vivid greens to sunny yellows and unique "watermelon" hues (green exteriors and pink cores).
Among its varieties, Paraíba tourmaline from Brazil and Mozambique stands out due to its electrifying blue-green shades, glowing almost neon-like. Its playful, lively color makes tourmaline a top choice for distinctive, artistic jewelry designs.
From Mine to Masterpiece: Ethical Paths
The extraction process of these precious gems typically involves gentle, meticulous techniques. Miners in Sri Lanka manually retrieve sapphires using traditional methods, while emeralds are delicately unearthed from deep Colombian mountain tunnels. In Mozambique and Afghanistan, spinel and tourmaline emerge from painstaking sifting through river gravels.
At Robin Woolard we adhere to ethically sourced gemstones as we prioritize sustainable practices that respect both communities and the environment, embedding each gem with an ethical legacy.
Final Thoughts…
The trending gems of 2025 — sapphire, ruby, emerald, spinel, and tourmaline — are more than mere jewelry options. Each stone carries unique shades, compelling histories, and personalized significance. Whether you’re drawn to sapphire’s tranquility, ruby’s passion, emerald’s lushness, spinel’s distinct charm, or tourmaline’s joyful vibrancy, these gemstones transform everyday jewelry into cherished symbols of individuality and connection to the Earth.
Discover timeless elegance and unique custom pieces at the most trusted jewellery store SF locals and visitors alike rely on for quality and craftsmanship.
