About Gemstones

About Gemstones

Everything You Need to Know About Natural Gemstones, Explained Simply

Gemstones have captivated people for thousands of years — admired for their beauty, valued for their rarity, and cherished for their symbolism. Whether you’re a collector, a jeweler, or someone looking to make an informed purchase, understanding gemstones is the key to choosing pieces that truly speak to you.

At Sora Gems, we source and inspect each stone directly from the world’s most respected trading centers, ensuring authenticity, transparency, and quality. This page serves as your foundation for understanding gemstones before exploring specific stones such as rubies, sapphires, emeralds, garnets, aquamarines, and more.

How Gemstones Are Formed

Most gemstones are created deep within the earth under extreme heat and pressure. Over millions of years, geological movement brings them closer to the surface, where they can be mined. Each type of gemstone has a unique formation process, which influences everything from color to inclusions.

Some stones, such as diamonds, form under intense pressure; others, like opals, form from mineral-rich water in sedimentary environments. This diversity in formation is what gives each gemstone its character and uniqueness.

What Makes a Gemstone Valuable?

Value is determined by several universal factors:

Color

The most important factor for most gemstones. Rich, pure, evenly distributed color typically commands higher value.

Clarity

Refers to the presence (or absence) of natural inclusions. Some inclusions are acceptable, even expected, depending on the stone.

Cut

A well-cut gemstone maximizes brilliance, enhances color, and improves symmetry. Cuts vary by shape and purpose.

Carat Weight

Larger gemstones are rarer and often significantly more valuable. The relationship between size and value is not linear — it increases sharply with rarity.

Origin

Certain origins, such as Burmese rubies or Ceylon sapphires, are culturally renowned and often command premium prices.

Treatment

Many gemstones undergo traditional treatments (such as heating) to improve color and clarity. Untreated stones are significantly rarer and more valuable.