Coloured Gemstones for Bespoke Pieces
A diamond isn't the only option for your custom engagement ring or bespoke piece, and for many clients it isn't even the first choice. From the deep red of a ruby to the warm glow of a champagne diamond, colour brings a different kind of character to a piece that's built entirely around you. Whether you've already fallen for a particular stone or you're starting from nothing but a feeling, our designers can source and set almost anything you can imagine.
Natural or Lab-Grown: Both Are the Real Thing
Just as with diamonds, coloured gemstones now come from two sources, and both are genuine, both are beautiful, and the right choice depends entirely on what matters to you.
Natural gemstones are formed over millions of years under the earth's surface. Each one carries a geological history that's entirely its own, which is part of why fine natural stones can command a premium reflecting their rarity. Inclusions and minor variations aren't flaws so much as fingerprints; they're what make a natural stone unrepeatable.
Lab-grown gemstones share the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical properties as their natural counterparts. The difference is origin, not authenticity. Grown in controlled environments, lab gemstones offer exceptional clarity and colour consistency at a more accessible price point.
Neither is "better." We're happy to source whichever path suits your priorities, and to talk you through the trade-offs honestly when you come in for a consultation.
Precious Stones
The most durable, most classic choices for daily wear, and a natural starting point if your piece is an engagement ring.
Ruby
The red sibling to sapphire, sharing its hardness and durability. Fine rubies carry an intensity of colour that catalogues rarely do justice to, and make a striking, confident centre stone for those who want genuine presence.
Sapphire
The classic alternative to diamond, and one of the most durable choices available for daily wear. Most people picture deep blue, but sapphires occur naturally in pink, yellow, peach, violet, and the rare colour-shifting padparadscha.
Emerald
Rich, saturated green and unmistakably romantic. Emeralds are softer than sapphire and ruby and almost always include natural inclusions, often described as a "jardin," or garden, within the stone. We'll always talk clients through protective settings if an emerald is destined for daily wear.
Diamonds in Colour
Diamond's hardness and brilliance, with a personality all its own.
Pink, yellow, champagne, cognac, brown, and black diamonds.
Each colour brings something different. Yellow and champagne tones bring warmth, pink reads romantic, cognac and brown sit somewhere rich and earthy in between, and black diamonds make a bold, contemporary statement, particularly striking against white or rose gold. Whatever the colour, you're getting the same durability and brilliance as a classic diamond.
Semi-Precious & Quartz
Accessible, wide-ranging, and never short on character.
Tanzanite
A striking blue-violet stone found in only one place on earth, near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Its rarity and rich colour make it a favourite for clients wanting something genuinely distinctive.
Spinel
Often mistaken for ruby or sapphire historically, spinel has come into its own as a sought-after choice in recent years. It's hard, durable, and available in a striking range of colours, often at a more accessible price than its better-known lookalikes.
Citrine
A warm, sunny yellow to amber stone that's durable and accessible, citrine brings brightness to a piece without the cost of yellow sapphire or diamond.
Topaz
Naturally clear but most commonly seen in blue tones, topaz is hard-wearing and affordable, making it a popular choice for clients wanting a cool, clean colour palette.
Amethyst
A deep purple quartz that's affordable, readily available in larger sizes, and has long been associated with both luxury and calm. A reliable choice for statement pieces as well as engagement settings.
Carnelian
A warm orange-red stone with a soft, glowing quality, often used in vintage-inspired or statement designs.
Onyx
A deep, solid black stone often used for bold, graphic pieces or as a striking contrast against diamonds and white metals.
Tsavorite
A vivid green garnet, often compared to emerald for its colour but with greater durability and clarity. A strong choice for clients who love emerald green but want a tougher, more wearable stone.
Aquamarine
Cool, clear blue reminiscent of seawater. Aquamarine is durable enough for daily wear, relatively affordable, and has a clean, modern look that suits minimalist settings particularly well.
Organic & Unique Stones
Not mined in the traditional sense, but no less special.
Opal
Unlike any other stone, opal displays a shifting play of colour across its surface. It's softer and more delicate and not the best fit for a ring worn daily, but for clients drawn to its almost otherworldly colour, we can talk through settings and care that help it last.
Pearls
Organic rather than mineral, pearls bring a soft, classic elegance unlike any gemstone on this list. They require a little more care than harder stones but remain a timeless choice for those wanting something quietly luxurious.
Book Your Coloured Gemstone Consultation
Every coloured gemstone piece starts the same way every Micheli piece does: a conversation. Bring your inspiration, your stone of choice (or no idea at all), and we'll guide you through sourcing, setting, and design.
