JEWELRY AS A SMART INVESTMENT: FOCUS ON COLOURED GEMSTONES
Jewelry has long been recognized as one of the most portable and wearable forms of wealth. Among the various options available, coloured gemstone pieces stand out for serious investors who want both beauty and strong potential returns. According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report, this segment rewards deep knowledge and careful selection more than most luxury categories.
The strongest performers are Burmese pigeon blood rubies
Colombian emeralds
and Kashmire sapphires
(often described as velvet blue). These stones consistently achieve premium prices because of their exceptional colour, clarity, and historical significance. A standout example is a 10.33-carat Burmese ruby ring
that sold at a major auction for US$5.5 million nearly double its high estimate.
What Makes Jewellery Perform Well
Best in class quality : Only top grade stones with intense, even colour and minimal inclusions deliver the highest returns.
Strong provenance : Stones with documented history from classic mines Rarity from legendary sources Burmese rubies, Colombian emeralds, and Kashmir sapphires are the most sought after because supply is extremely limited.
Dual benefit : Many buyers wear their collections daily while the pieces continue to appreciate, combining lifestyle enjoyment with investment growth.
US and Asian high networth individuals are among the most active and knowledgeable buyers in this space.
What Causes a Jewelry to Underperform
The coloured gemstone market is less regulated than coloured diamonds, which creates higher risk. Pieces without proper certification, poor provenance, or stones from lesser known sources often struggle to find buyers or achieve good resale values. Lower quality examples or stones lacking the signature colour intensity can sit unsold for years or sell well below purchase price. Buyers who rush in without expert advice frequently face disappointment because the market heavily penalises anything that is not “best in class.”