Looking for a gemstone with real character? From spinel’s royal history to Paraiba’s neon glow, discover the rare, naturally vibrant stones collectors are chasing in 2025/2026 — plus expert tips on how to buy them.
Bold & Rare Colourful Gemstones:
Top 4 to Watch in 2025/26
Heading into 2026, gemstone trends are all about vibrant colour, natural beauty, and rarity. Collectors are seeking untreated gems with character — like spinel, rare garnet, Paraiba tourmaline, and alexandrite.
“It’s less about size and more about owning something rare and meaningful,” says Matthew Ely. “Clients want natural gems that truly stand out.”
1. Spinel
The Misidentified Ruby in the Crown Jewel
For centuries, spinel was mistaken for ruby, even taking pride of place as the famous 'Black Prince’s Ruby' in the British Crown Jewels.
Today, it’s valued in its own right for its brilliant reds, vivid pinks, and rare cobalt blues — and it’s almost always untreated.
“Many people don’t even know what spinel is,” Matthew says. “But collectors love it because it’s rare, naturally vibrant, and unheated.”
BUYING TIPS
Prioritise Colour: The hotter the pink, the deeper the red, or the brighter the cobalt, the more collectible the stone.
Unheated Assurance: Spinel is almost always untreated, but a reputable certificate (like Lotus) confirms this.
Look for a Good Cut: Spinel’s brilliance depends on its cut. Don’t sacrifice cut quality for size.
Watch the Market: Top-colour spinels are rising steadily in value.
1. Spinel
The Misidentified Ruby in the Crown Jewel
For centuries, spinel was mistaken for ruby, even taking pride of place as the famous 'Black Prince’s Ruby' in the British Crown Jewels.
Today, it’s valued in its own right for its brilliant reds, vivid pinks, and rare cobalt blues — and it’s almost always untreated.
“Most people don’t even know what spinel is,” Matthew says. “But collectors love it because it’s rare, naturally vibrant, and unheated.”
BUYING TIPS
Prioritise Colour: The hotter the pink, the deeper the red, or the brighter the cobalt, the more collectible the stone.
Unheated Assurance: Spinel is almost always untreated, but a reputable certificate (like Lotus) confirms this.
Look for a Good Cut: Spinel’s brilliance depends on its cut. Don’t sacrifice cut quality for size.
Watch the Market: Top-colour spinels are rising steadily in value.
2. Garnet (Tsavorite & Spessartite)
Unheated Beauty Straight from the Earth
Garnet is often thought of as deep red, but rare varieties like vivid green tsavorite and fiery orange spessartite are rewriting the story. The best part? They’re naturally coloured and untreated.
“Garnet comes straight from the earth like that — no heat, no enhancements,” Matthew explains. “Tsavorite is one of the brightest greens you’ll find, and Spessartine’s vibrant orange is something else entirely."
BUYING TIPS
Tsavorite: Seek vivid green with good clarity. Stones over 2ct are rare and valuable.
Spessartite (Mandarin Garnet): Look for the intense ‘Fanta orange’ colour. They rarely come large, so colour matters more than size.
Certificates Matter: Confirm no heat treatment and authenticity with respected labs like Lotus.
2. Garnet (Tsavorite & Spessartine)
Unheated Beauty Straight from the Earth
Garnet is often thought of as deep red, but rare varieties like vivid green tsavorite and fiery orange spessartine are rewriting the story. The best part? They’re naturally coloured and untreated.
“Garnet comes straight from the earth like that — no heat, no enhancements,” Matthew explains. “Tsavorite is one of the brightest greens you’ll find, and Spessartine’s vibrant orange is something else entirely."
BUYING TIPS
Tsavorite: Seek vivid green with good clarity. Stones over 2ct are rare and valuable.
Spessartine (Mandarin Garnet): Look for the intense ‘Fanta orange’ colour. They rarely come large, so colour matters more than size.
Certificates Matter: Confirm no heat treatment and authenticity with respected labs like Lotus.
3. Paraiba Tourmaline
A Neon Gem With No Rival
Discovered in Brazil in the 1980s, Paraiba tourmaline is famous for its electric, copper-rich glow — a colour that’s truly one of a kind.
“Paraiba is over 10,000 times rarer than diamond,” Matthew says. “Its neon glow is unmistakable — you simply won’t find anything else like it.”
BUYING TIPS
Aim for Neon Blue: The most valuable Paraibas are those with vivid, electric blue tones.
Expect inclusions: These are normal — in fact, they often enhance the stone’s luminous effect.
Know Your Source: Brazilian stones command top prices, but Mozambique-origin stones are also highly collectible. Always buy certified.
A Rarity Worth the Investment: Global supply is extremely limited, so Paraibas hold long-term value. The prices reflect that.
3. Paraiba Tourmaline
A Neon Gem With No Rival
Discovered in Brazil in the 1980s, Paraiba tourmaline is famous for its electric, copper-rich glow — a colour that’s truly one of a kind.
“Paraiba is over 10,000 times rarer than diamond,” Matthew says. “Its neon glow is unmistakable — you simply won’t find anything else like it.”
BUYING TIPS
Aim for Neon Blue: The most valuable Paraibas are those with vivid, electric blue tones.
Expect inclusions: These are normal — in fact, they often enhance the stone’s luminous effect.
Know Your Source: Brazilian stones command top prices, but Mozambique-origin stones are also highly collectible. Always buy certified.
A Rarity Worth the Investment: Global supply is extremely limited, so Paraibas hold long-term value. The prices reflect that.
4. Alexandrite
The Colour-Change Chameleon Gem
Few gemstones capture the imagination like alexandrite, known for its rare ability to shift from green in daylight to red under lamplight. This natural phenomenon makes it a standout among collectors.
“Finding a high-quality alexandrite with strong colour change is almost impossible,” Matthew says. “But when you do, it’s a remarkable investment — like owning two gems in one.”
BUYING TIPS
Strong Colour Change Is Key: The more distinct the shift between green and red, the higher the value.
Russian Origin Fetches a Premium: But Brazilian and Sri Lankan stones can still offer excellent colour change.
Clarity Counts: Cleaner stones with vivid change command strong prices.
Get Certified: Always buy with a certificate verifying authenticity and
colour change.
4. Alexandrite
The Colour-Change Chameleon Gem
Few gemstones capture the imagination like alexandrite, known for its rare ability to shift from green in daylight to red under lamplight. This natural phenomenon makes it a standout among collectors.
“Finding a high-quality alexandrite with strong colour change is almost impossible,” Matthew says. “But when you do, it’s a remarkable investment — like owning two gems in one.”
BUYING TIPS
Strong Colour Change Is Key: The more distinct the shift between green and red, the higher the value.
Russian Origin Fetches a Premium: But Brazilian and Sri Lankan stones can still offer excellent colour change.
Clarity Counts: Cleaner stones with vivid change command strong prices.
Get Certified: Always buy with a certificate verifying authenticity and
colour change.
The Gemstone Buying Checklist
Choose Colour Over Size: Vibrant colour is far more valuable than bigger carat weight.
Prioritise Origin & Treatment: Know where your gem comes from and whether it’s treated. Unheated and untreated gems hold higher collector value.
Buy Certified Stones: Always request a gemmological certificate, especially for investment.
Work With Trusted Jewellers: Transparency on treatment, origin, and cutting quality matters.
The Gemstone Buying Checklist
Choose Colour Over Size: Vibrant colour is far more valuable than bigger carat weight.
Prioritise Origin & Treatment: Know where your gem comes from and whether it’s treated. Unheated and untreated gems hold higher collector value.
Buy Certified Stones: Always request a gemmological certificate, especially for investment.
Work With Trusted Jewellers: Transparency on treatment, origin, and cutting quality matters.
Matthew's Final Word
“These are stones with real character,” Matthew says. “They aren’t just pretty — they’re rare, they’re natural, and they each tell a story. If I were buying for my family collection, spinel, tsavorite, spessartine, Paraiba, and Alexandrite would be at the top of my list.”
Whether you're looking to brighten up your winter wardrobe or build a legacy collection, these gemstones offer a rare opportunity to own something truly extraordinary — and unmistakably your own.
Matthew's Final Word
“These are stones with real character,” Matthew says. “They aren’t just pretty — they’re rare, they’re natural, and they each tell a story. If I were buying for my family collection, spinel, tsavorite, spessartine, Paraiba, and Alexandrite would be at the top of my list.”
Whether you're looking to brighten up your winter wardrobe or build a legacy collection, these gemstones offer a rare opportunity to own something truly extraordinary — and unmistakably your own.
