Jewellery From Around the World: Where Your Favourite Gemstones Are Found

In a world where we often turn to alternatives and synthetics because of affordability, owning a genuine natural gemstone becomes that much more special. When you stop and think about it, each gemstone was formed naturally within the earth over millions of years, shaped by heat, pressure, and time. Wearing a piece of fine jewellery with a real gemstone means carrying a small part of the earth’s natural beauty with you, and we think that is super special!

Let's take a journey around the world and see what gems are mined in your favourite places, or where your favourite gems are found!

Emerald: Columbia's Green Treasure

Few gemstones can compete with the rich green glow of an emerald, and the world’s most famous examples come from Colombia.

Long before European explorers arrived, Indigenous civilizations such as the Muzo and Chibcha peoples mined emeralds in what is now the Andes Mountains. When Spanish conquistadors discovered these mines in the 1500s, they quickly realized the stones were some of the finest emeralds ever found.

Today, Colombian emeralds remain the global standard for colour and clarity, particularly from the historic mining regions of:

• Muzo

• Chivor

• Coscuez

Their deep, slightly bluish-green tone is considered the most desirable in the world.

Sapphire: Sri Lanka’s “Island of Gems”

Sapphires are found in several countries, but one of the most historically significant sources is Sri Lanka. For more than 2,000 years, Sri Lanka has been known as the “Island of Gems.” Ancient traders travelling along the Silk Road carried sapphires from Sri Lanka across Asia, the Middle East, and eventually Europe.

The region around Ratnapura, whose name literally means City of Gems, has produced some of the most beautiful blue sapphires ever discovered. In addition to deep blue stones, Sri Lanka is famous for lighter “Ceylon sapphires,” prized for their bright and lively colour.

Tanzanite: A Gem Found in Only One Place on Earth

Some gemstones are found in multiple places across the globe, but tanzanite is incredibly rare because it comes from just one location: the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 near the town of Merelani Hills. According to local stories, lightning may have caused a brush fire that heated brown crystals in the ground, revealing the vibrant violet-blue colour that would later make the gemstone famous.

Shortly after its discovery, the jewellery company Tiffany & Co. introduced the gemstone to the world and named it tanzanite after its country of origin.

Morganite: Brazil’s Romantic Pink Gem

Morganite is cherished for its soft blush and peach tones, making it a popular alternative to traditional gemstones in engagement rings.

This gemstone was first discovered in the early 20th century in Brazil, which remains one of the world’s most important sources of the stone today. Brazil’s pegmatite deposits (large crystal-forming geological structures) produce many of the world’s finest pink gemstones.

Morganite was named in honour of American financier and gemstone collector J. P. Morgan, who was an avid supporter of the arts and natural sciences.

Opal: Australia’s National Gem

Opals are famous for their mesmerizing “play of colour,” where flashes of rainbow light appear to move across the stone’s surface. More than 90% of the world’s opals come from Australia. The gemstone became widely known during the late 1800s when miners began discovering opal deposits in the remote Australian outback.

Some of the most famous mining towns include:

• Coober Pedy

• Lightning Ridge

Lightning Ridge is particularly famous for rare black opals, which display dramatic flashes of colour against a dark background.

Pearls: The Ocean’s Natural Gem

Unlike most gemstones, pearls aren’t mined from the earth, they are formed naturally inside mollusks (oysters in saltwater and mussels in freshwater). For centuries, natural pearls were harvested from waters in the Persian Gulf, where divers risked their lives to collect oysters from the ocean floor. These pearls were treasured by royalty throughout Asia and Europe.

In the early 1900s, cultured pearl farming revolutionized the industry thanks to innovations developed in Japan. Today, Japan remains one of the most famous producers of Akoya pearls, known for their perfect round shapes and brilliant lustre.

Ruby: Myanmar’s Historic Source of the “King of Gems”

Rubies have been prized for thousands of years, often referred to as the “King of Gems” because of their rich red colour and rarity. Some of the most legendary rubies come from Myanmar (formerly Burma). The region around Mogok has produced extraordinary rubies for centuries.

These stones, known as Burmese rubies from the Mogok region, are especially valued for their vivid red hue, often described as “pigeon blood red”, which remains the benchmark for the finest rubies.

Celebrating A World of Beauty

Understanding where these gems come from adds another layer of meaning to the jewellery we wear. Each gemstone carries a story - of the earth’s natural forces, the landscapes where it was discovered, and the generations of people who have treasured it.

The next time you admire a piece of jewellery, remember: that gemstone may have travelled across continents and centuries before becoming part of your story.

If you're in Guelph or the surrounding area, looking for gemstone jewellery stop by Silveri Jewellers or visit our online shop to see our full collection.