TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
OtherFeb 09, 2016
Rocks On: Color Predictions for the Tucson Gem Shows
In this month’s Rocks On, National Jeweler looks at which colored gemstones dealers expect to be most popular at the upcoming Tucson gem shows.
Pale pink hues, as seen in the morganite at the center of this Audrius Krulis ring, are expected to sell well at the upcoming gem shows in Tucson, Ariz.
New York--It’s about that time of year again.
Just as many areas of the country are hunkering down to get through the worst of winter, any and all involved in the colored gemstone market are heading out to desert to attend the Tucson gem shows, where an array of gems in all colors of the rainbow will be on display.
The hottest gems among buyers can be influenced by a number of factors, including trends that have carried over from the last year and the colors Pantone predicts will be popping up everywhere.
Here are the hues gemstone dealers and suppliers expect to be popular in Arizona this year.
Cotton candy colors
During last year’s shows, many exhibitors reported to National Jeweler that blues and pinks were selling well, and it seems like that will be a theme in Tucson again this year, with blue stones in particular expected to be in demand.
“I continue to see blue gemstones as being the most popular sellers for our customers,” said Richard Shull of gemstone dealer Out of Our Mines, adding that he expects to continue to see a demand for fine turquoise, indicolite, Peruvian blue opal and Paraiba tourmaline.
In fact, it seems like tourmaline stones in general could be one of the stars of the Tucson shows, offering up both saturated, stronger blues as well as blue-green and other even lighter hues.
Caesar Habib of Kaiser Gems, meanwhile, said that his company has been getting many inquiries for aquamarine since the end of the holiday season, which could be due to the fact that it is the March birthstone. He said that most of the customers looking for aquamarine center stones are requesting medium to medium-dark gems ranging in price from $200 to $300 per carat.
Similarly, gemstone dealer Kimberly Collins said she believes aquamarine, pale blue sapphires and the “sea foam/ocean colors of tourmaline” will be popular.
RELATED CONTENT: The Top Gems of 2015
Pantone’s colors of the year--Serenity and Rose Quartz--also will play a strong part in what is popular in Tucson. Not only will it help push the blues to the forefront, especially in softer hues, but the blush hue of Rose Quartz likely will boost demand for many light pink stones.
At the top of this list, not surprisingly, is the gemstone rose quartz as well as morganite. The latter stone has
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
been riding high for some time now. While it might not yet make up as large a percentage of sales as more well-known stones such as sapphires, it likely will continue to close that gap this year.
Habib said that in addition to aquamarine, the other stone they’ve been getting requests for almost daily has been for morganite valued at between $65 and $75 per carat, mostly in pear-shaped sets of two or three for earrings and a pendant.
The big three
For Diana Atieno at Porini Gems, it looks likely that sapphires, rubies and emeralds will maintain their in-demand status. At the same time, tsavorite garnet, a possible alternative to emeralds, is expected to be popular during the gem shows, she said.
“Its brilliance is unmatched and its green is very intense, giving it quite a sparkle,” she said. “Color is becoming quite a trend in engagement and wedding rings, and now people are looking for colored gems, especially tsavorite, for their center stones. I can say that tsavorites are the new diamonds.”
Meanwhile, while traditional blue sapphires will continue to reign, many dealers noted that they expect sapphires of all colors to sell.
With a variety of colors that can be applied to many trends, fancy sapphires seem to be a favorite when it comes to the new bridal market. Today’s young bride is looking for something that will set her apart, and as gemstone dealer Collins noted, “There is so much opportunity to do that when working with colored stones, specifically sapphires or spinel.”
She added that they provide even more size for the customer’s budget as well as a greater bottom line for the retailer. What’s more, she said, increased marketing of fancy colored diamonds is helping to boost interest in fancy sapphires.
Fine and rare stones
Today’s consumer, as has been discussed time and again, is looking for something different to express themselves, and in Tucson this could come in the form of buyers looking for that unusual or exceptional stone.
“This year I expect there to be a premium on fine and rare items,” said Bill Heher of gemstone company Rare Earth Mining, noting that he’s been seeing a rush on chrysocolla and Mexican jelly fire opal in unusual shapes, and expects to have a good show with fine rutilated quartz and cat’s eye stones.
For Boston Gems, moonstone tends to be particularly strong in Tucson, according to Paul Dragone. In fact, the company’s booth usually is comprised of 80 percent moonstone with five different varieties. But he also noted one new area that had opened up for them recently.
“The surprise stone for the holidays … that I feel will hold going forward into the summer is alexandrite,” Dragone said. “We had an unusually high volume of calls this season for matched pairs, melee and medium to large singles.”
Even as the finer material offering the best color-change characteristics has become increasingly difficult to source, pushing prices increasingly higher, consumer purchase history has shown us that there always will those willing to pay the price for that rarity.
More on Other
The Latest
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
