Green is one of the most popular colors for gemstones. For centuries, it has been a highly sought after color with a lot of significance and high value in the gemstone world. The color itself is powerful and adds a sophisticated touch and elegance to any outfit.
Green gemstones are versatile, giving you a lot of options when it comes to your self-expression and style. However, choosing the perfect green gemstone for you can be rather challenging.
Let’s take a deep dive into the world of green gemstones, their pros and cons, and how to style green gemstone jewelry and outfits.😝
Why is green the most cherished color by humans?
Colors are believed to bring about psychological reactions in people. Color psychology suggests that color and its intensity has an impact on emotions and moods. These reactions are usually a result of cultural influences and experience.
Green is one of the most popular colors and one that is cherished by many people. For most people, it has a strong association with nature, and therefore is thought to be tranquil, cheerful, health-giving, and refreshing.🌲 It can also symbolize fertility and new growth.
What are green gemstones?
Green gemstones are some of the most popular gemstones. Green is the second most common favorite color, second only to blue. For this reason, green gemstones have been worn and valued for centuries.
As a color, green is beautiful and holds a lot of symbolism. It is also the most common color in the natural world, associated with fertility, revitalization, and rebirth. It is also sometimes associated with money and even aliens!
The quality of green gemstones is usually determined by assessing the hue, tone, and saturation of the color in the gemstones. Green gemstones have green as their primary hue, but most have secondary hues too, like blue or yellow.
List of popular green gemstone names: Our 10 top popular picks
The most popular types of green gemstones include; emerald, green diamond, green sapphire, jade, demantoid garnet, tsavorite garnet, green agate, aventurine, green labradorite, and green topaz.
Below is a list of the top green gemstones, their properties, and buying tips.
Emerald
Emerald is probably the most popular green gemstone. It is the birthstone of May and has been used in jewelry for centuries, with evidence dating as far back as the ancient Egyptians. Emeralds were adorned by Egyptian pharaohs, Mogul rulers of India, Spanish conquistadors, and Inca kings.
Perhaps the most famous green emerald jewelry is the 2-carat diamond and 2-carat emerald ring that John F. Kennedy used to propose to Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953. The ring has a unique design that makes it stand out, making it an interesting and memorable engagement ring.
Features
Emerald is the deep green member of the beryl family of gemstones, with a rating of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. Emeralds get their green color from the presence of either chromium or vanadium in their crystal structure, and their value is determined by the vividness of their color.
Most emeralds have inclusions, often looking like moss threads, which are a result of gas bubbles, fractures, and minerals. As such, most emeralds often require treatment to disguise these inclusions and improve the appearance of the gemstone.
Emeralds are usually treated by filling fractures with wax, oil, or resin, though dyes and fillers are impermanent and may be removed or damaged. Therefore, emeralds usually need a lot of care.
Eye-clean emeralds are almost impossibly rare and are very valuable. The most valued emeralds are vivid blue and green gemstones and pure dark green gemstones with intense color saturation.
Pros
- Has a wide price range
- Fairly durable
Cons
- Requires regular treating
Green Diamond
Green is one of the rarest natural colors of diamonds. The green hue of diamonds is exceptionally attractive, making green diamonds very expensive. Green diamonds are available in various shades, ranging from light green gemstones to deep green.
Features
The green shade of green diamonds is a result of years of irradiation. The price of green diamonds increases with an increase in the intensity of the hue. However, there are also lab-grown synthetic diamonds that possess similar qualities and are available at a fairer price.
Pros
- Unique
- Very durable
Cons
- Very rare
- Very expensive
- Possible confusion with lab-grown synthetic diamonds
Green Sapphire
A few years back, green sapphires were not considered to be very valuable. However, their popularity and value are increasing today. Blue is the more desirable sapphire color. For this reason, green sapphire jewelry is rare. Sapphire is the September birthstone and is believed to enhance faith and bring faith to the wearer. It is the stone of abundance, wisdom, and prosperity.
Features
Green sapphire is difficult to come by. Its color is a result of the presence of iron in its crystal structure. Most sapphires undergo heat treatment to improve their appearance, with only the rarest benign left untouched.
Green sapphires are not as expensive as their blue counterparts. They are also very hard, with a rating of 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamonds. As such they are an ideal choice for an engagement ring.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Quite affordable for sapphires
Cons
- Very rare
- Possible confusion with synthetic varieties
Jade
Jade is a precious gemstone that has been valued since ancient times. Evidence of the use of jade can be traced back to more than 7,000 years ago in China. Jade is often used as a symbol of harmony and balance and is a gemstone of protection and purification. There are two varieties of jade; jadeite and nephrite.
Jade is one of the most expensive green gemstones. In 2014, a new world record for the most expensive jade jewelry ever sold was set. The piece was sold for a whopping HKD 214,040,000 ($27M USD)💰
Features
Jade is fairly soft, having a rating of 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, but it is durable enough that it can be hit with a hammer without breaking. Jade occurs in a wide range of colors, usually in yellowish-green, grayish-green, blackish green, or yellow. The most valuable, however, is the semi-transparent jade with a striking green color, usually referred to as imperial green.
Jade that has a polished luster and a fine texture is considered to be more valuable than jade that has a dull luster and a coarse texture.
Nephrite is tougher than jade, but the color of nephrite is darker, more subdued, and less saturated. Nephrite can be translucent or opaque, with a wide color variation, including dark green, brown, yellow, red, gray, black, and white. It is the more readily available variety and generally less expensive than jadeite.
Pros
- Tough and compact
Cons
- Medium hardness
Demantoid Garnet
Garnet is the January birthstone and is best known for its red hues, but it is available in a range of colors. Demantoid is a rich green variety of the andradite garnet, believed to inspire love and commitment. It is a rare gemstone that has protective and energizing properties.
Features
Demantoid garnet is one of the most stunning green gemstones available. The gemstone has diamond-like properties, with its fiery green luster and impressive dispersion properties. Demantoid is available in different hues, ranging from brownish to yellowish-green to the very rare intense green hue.
The green color of the demantoid garnet is a result of the presence of chromium in the crystal structure of the gemstone. Demantoid is the only green gemstone known to have horsetail inclusions, which actually increase the value of the gemstone.
Although garnets are found in several locations around the world, demantoid garnets are found in a few locations. They have a rating of 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning that they are quite durable.
Pros
- Relatively tough
- An ideal substitute for emerald
Cons
- Very rare
- Quite expensive
Tsavorite Garnet
Tsavorite garnet is a relatively new gemstone, having been first mined in Tanzania in the late 1960s. The gemstone is a January birthstone and is a symbol of love and commitment. It is also a positive and protective stone symbolizing affluence, prosperity, and benevolence.
Tsavorite is a popular variety of the garnet family of gemstones due to its rarity, and is quite valuable. The tsavorite garnet is named after the Tsavo East National Park in Kenya where the gem is mined.
Features
Tsavorite garnet is a striking gemstone with a bright green color, with superior clarity to emerald, though it is a little softer.
The stunning green color of the gemstone is a result of the presence of vanadium in its crystal structure. Vanadium produces the gemstone’s range of color, from lime green to yellowish-green and bluish green gemstones. The strongly saturated and vivid green to bluish green tsavorite is considered to be most valuable.
Tsavorite has a rating ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning that they are relatively tough.
Pros
- An ideal and cheaper substitute for emerald
- Relatively tough
Cons
- Very rare
Green Agate
Agate is a gemstone with a range of colors, green being one of the rarest. It is usually translucent or opaque and is an alternative birthstone for May—symbolizing love, wealth, abundance, and security.
Features
Green agate usually has dendritic inclusions. Most green agates are usually dyed to achieve a desirable color. The gemstone is smooth and has a vitreous luster. It is fairly hard, having a rating of 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, so can be used on almost all types of jewelry.
Pros
- Fairly affordable
Cons
- Possible confusion with the dyed varieties
Aventurine
Aventurine is an opaque green colored gemstone that is a member of the common quartz family. It can be a variety of colors, but is usually green—and is considered a lucky gemstone that brings wealth and prosperity. It is believed to be good for gamblers.
Features
Aventurine has a glitter effect on the surface as a result of the presence of impurities within the stone. This phenomenon is known as aventurescence. The stone has a rating ranging from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is a tough gemstone as a result of its compactness.
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Medium durability
Green Labradorite
Labradorite is a stunning green crystal that often exhibits a distinct iridescence, known as labradorescence. The desirability of this gemstone depends on its labradorescence. Opaque varieties of this gemstone are more desirable than the rarer transparent ones because they exhibit this phenomenon.
Features
Green labradorite has a rating of 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. As a result, it is not very resistant to scratches. However, it is a fairly tough stone and is used in several styles of jewelry.
Pros
- Affordable
- Displays labradorescence
Cons
- Low hardness
Green Topaz
Topaz is a naturally colorless stone. However, it gets its coloration from the presence of trace elements in the crystal structure. The shade of green in this gemstone is usually very light. It also has a vitreous luster.
Features
Green topaz is a brilliant gemstone. It is usually transparent with no visible inclusions. It has a rating of 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. As such, it can be used on all types of jewelry.
Pros
- Durable
- Affordable
Cons
- Not a popular topaz color
Other Notable Green Gemstones
There is a wide variety of green gemstones in the world. Some of the green gemstones that did not make it on the list include; green zircon, green pearl, green apatite, peridot, alexandrite, amazonite, green tourmaline, etc.
Benefits from green color, and heal with green gems
Green is a powerful color that symbolizes nature and the natural world. It vitalizes and inspires, symbolizing the abundance and richness of life.
Green gemstones are believed to help in the balancing of your emotions. They are also essential in the restoration of depleted energy, health, wisdom, and peace.
Chakras are energy centers that are found in points of the body. They influence your physical and mental health. Each point has a color associated with the region. The color green represents the Heart Chakra. For this reason, green gemstones are usually associated with the Heart Chakra in the Hindu tantric philosophy. Jade, aventurine, and emerald are the popular gemstones used in meditation and chakra healing.
Useful tips to choose and wear green gemstone jewelry
One important factor that needs to be considered when choosing a green gemstone is the skin tone. Certain colors complement certain skin tones better than others. Green gemstones are especially stunning against warm skin, bringing out the earthy undertones of the skin. However, this is not a rule set in stone. All that matters is that the gemstone looks good on you.😊
Emerald jewelry, for example, emerald earrings and emerald engagement rings are quite popular in the fashion industry and among celebrity circles.
Green gems have a wide range of hues and tones. They should be paired with the right outfit to accentuate their symbolism and special appearance. Different shades of green jewelry are best suited for particular occasions. 💡For instance, emerald earrings and pendants are excellent for auctions and cocktail parties.
Recommended places to buy green gem jewelry
Green is a popular color for gemstones. For this reason, there are several places where you can buy green gem jewelry.
- James Allen, for instance, has many quality green emeralds and green sapphires in various shapes and carats.
- Blue Nile has a wide selection of quality emerald jewelry, including earrings, rings, bracelets, pendants, etc.
- Etsy has many unique green gemstone jewelry pieces with one-of-a-kind designs.
- Amazon has many affordable green gem jewelry suitable for daily wear.
Green gemstones: In conclusion
Green gemstones are stunning to behold. Not only that, when used in jewelry, the pieces often end up having some sentimental value to the wearer.
Before purchasing green gemstones, you should first ensure that the gemstone suits your personal preferences. You should also consider your budget and go for pieces that are well within your price range. Other factors you should consider include the rarity of the stone vs its popularity, its durability, wearability, its brilliance, and so on, as outlined in this guide.
Hopefully, the tips provided above will help you select the best green gemstone.
