Each colored gemstone is a mineral species or variety with its own chemistry, sources and treatments, and those differences drive its price. This page links every Carat Brief stone guide, each paired with its price guide where one exists.
Updated November 8, 2026.
The Stones
Stone | What it is | Guides |
|---|---|---|
Ruby | Red corundum | |
Sapphire | Corundum in every color but red | |
Emerald | Green beryl | |
Spinel | Its own mineral species, long mistaken for ruby | |
Tourmaline | A mineral group in a wide range of colors | |
Alexandrite | Color-change chrysoberyl | |
Tanzanite | Blue-violet zoisite from one area of Tanzania | |
Garnet | A mineral group, including tsavorite and demantoid |
Telling Them Apart
Several of these stones look alike. Our gemstone comparisons set them side by side, from ruby vs. spinel to tsavorite vs. emerald.
FAQ
Are ruby and sapphire the same mineral? Yes. Both are corundum; red corundum is called ruby, and the other colors are sapphire.
Which colored gemstones are most often treated? Heating is common in ruby, sapphire and tanzanite, and most emeralds are clarity-enhanced with oil or resin. See our lab reports and treatments guide.
Colored stones only make sense in context.
Supply, auction results and the lab language behind the prices. Every Tuesday.
Carat Brief is editorial and is not investment advice.