What makes a coloured stone worth buying?
The diamond 4Cs were designed for a colourless stone. Coloured gemstones need a different framework — one where colour reigns, and cut precision determines how that colour lives.
Browse the CollectionThe SAVATORI Standard
All our stones are graded to Idar-Oberstein cut standards, with treatments fully disclosed. Colour grades follow GIA nomenclature for coloured stones.
Why Knowledge Matters
Diamonds are priced by machine. Coloured stones are priced by eye. Knowledge is your most valuable asset when buying.
The four factors for coloured stones.
Not the diamond 4Cs — a framework built for stones where colour is the primary value driver.
Colour
Assessed on three axes: hue (the spectral colour), tone (light to dark), and saturation (weak to vivid). The most valuable stones achieve strong saturation and medium-dark tone, without greyness or unwanted secondary hues. This is what separates a EUR 200 stone from a EUR 2,000 stone of identical weight.
At SAVATORI: We describe colour using GIA standard nomenclature and photograph in standardised daylight.
Cut
In coloured stones, cut serves colour. A well-cut stone maximises the return of the stone's own colour to the viewer's eye. Poor cutting — a visible window, or an overly deep pavilion — kills an exceptional stone. Calibrated cuts are also critical for trade buyers who need stones to fit standard settings reliably.
At SAVATORI: All stones cut to Idar-Oberstein tolerances. Calibrated sizes available for trade.
Clarity
Unlike diamonds, coloured stones are assessed by species-specific standards. Eye-clean emeralds are extremely rare — inclusions (called “jardin”) are expected and accepted by the trade. Aquamarines and topazes are expected to be eye-clean. Rubies and sapphires sit in between. Knowing the species norm is essential to evaluating fair price.
At SAVATORI: Significant inclusions are always disclosed. We never hide jardin in emeralds.
Carat
Weight matters, but visual size matters differently. A 2ct sapphire looks larger face-up than a 2ct diamond because sapphire is denser. Always compare face-up dimensions (mm) alongside carat weight. Price-per-carat for fine coloured stones increases sharply above thresholds — typically 1ct, 3ct, and 5ct — so size jumps have real cost implications.
At SAVATORI: All listings include carat weight and approximate face-up millimetre dimensions.
Quick guide to what we stock.
Key facts about each stone species in our current collection.
| Stone | Colour Range | Clarity Expectation | Hardness | Key Buying Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhodolite Garnet | Rose to violet-red | Eye-clean expected | 7.0–7.5 Mohs | Rarely heated. What you see is what you get. |
| Blue Sapphire | Cornflower to royal blue | Minor inclusions common | 9.0 Mohs | Heat treatment very common. Unheated stones carry premium. |
| Colombian Emerald | Vivid green to bluish-green | Jardin (inclusions) normal | 7.5–8.0 Mohs | Origin documentation adds significant value. |
| Imperial Topaz | Golden-orange to sherry | Eye-clean expected | 8.0 Mohs | True Imperial (orange-red) is rarer than yellow topaz. |
From first look to finished piece.
For collectors, trade buyers, and first-time gemstone buyers alike.
Learn the Stone
Use this guide to understand what you are looking for before committing. The right stone for you is a function of colour preference, purpose, and budget.
Select Your Stone
Add to cart with preferred carat range. Include setting preference in order notes. Contact us if you want guidance choosing between options.
We Source & Set
We select the best stone in your range from current stock or fresh from Jaipur, then set it in sterling silver to your specification.
Delivered
Insured shipping across the EU. Full documentation, care card, and treatment disclosure enclosed. Free for orders over EUR 150.