Natural Beauty, artisanal authenticity
Natural Gemstones
Hand-selected natural stones, artisanal craftsmanship, and zero synthetics. Discover jewelry that celebrates the perfect imperfections of nature.
At the heart of the Starberry Jewelry collection is the timeless beauty of natural gemstones—each formed by nature, each one unique. We believe an informed choice is the best choice, so this guide explains what to expect in terms of natural variation, industry-standard treatments, and how to choose the right stone for your lifestyle.
Our Commitment to Natural Gemstones
What to expect？
From Starberry natural gemstones
01｜Color Variation
Unique Hues
Natural gemstones naturally vary in hue, tone, and saturation. These differences come from origin and trace elements, and are part of their natural character.
02｜INCLUSIONS
Fingerprints of Nature
Most natural gemstones contain inclusions or growth textures. These are widely recognized as part of a gem’s identity. While we screen stones for beauty, completely inclusion-free natural stones are rare.
03 | CLARITY ENHANCEMENT
Industry Standards
Some gemstones undergo clarity enhancement to improve stability or appearance. This is a common, disclosed practice and distinct from synthetic manufacturing.
Totally Normal
What You May Notice
| You might see... | Why it happens | Totally normal? |
|---|---|---|
| Slight color differences (even in the same gem) |
Natural formation, trace minerals, origin + lighting/screen | ✅ Yes |
| Small inclusions / “birthmarks” | Natural growth features | ✅ Yes |
| “Cleaner” look than typical | Some gems can be clarity-enhanced (especially emerald) | ✅ Common in the industry |
industry standards
The current state of gemstone treatments
The vast majority of colored gemstones receive some form of treatment after mining to improve beauty and stability. These practices are widely accepted and long-established across the jewelry industry.
| Treatment type | What it does | Most commonly seen in |
|---|---|---|
| Heat treatment | Improves / stabilizes color; may improve clarity | Ruby, Sapphire |
| Oiling / resin filling | Reduces visibility of fractures | Emerald |
| Diffusion | Alters surface color (can affect value) | Some Sapphire in the wider market |
| Irradiation + heat | Creates stable blue shades | Blue Topaz |
Key point: Treatments don’t automatically mean a gemstone is “bad”—but treatment disclosure helps you understand value, care needs, and rarity.
Gemstone Treatments
For the Gemstones We Sell
| Gemstone | Typical market treatment | What we want you to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby | Usually heat-treated | Some rubies may also be diffusion-treated or fracture-filled (e.g., lead-glass filled), which can impact durability and value. |
| Sapphire and Fancy Sapphire | Often heat-treated to improve or stabilize color | Fancy sapphires include pink, yellow, orange, green, etc. Some sapphires in the market may be diffusion-treated. |
| Padparadscha Sapphire | Often treated in the market | Color sits in a pink-orange range; shade can vary a lot. Some Padparadscha on the market may have undergone certain treatments, so the gemstone’s color may not be permanent and could change over time. |
| Emerald | Commonly oiled / clarity-enhanced | Inclusions (“garden/jardin”) are normal. Needs gentler care; avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic/steam, and aggressive cleaning. |
| Spinel | Often minimal treatment | Naturally vivid colors; great durability for regular wear. |
| Chalcedony | Usually minimal | Soft, translucent glow; color may vary. Avoid knocks/scratches. |
| Tsavorite Garnet | Usually minimal | Bright green, often higher clarity than emerald; great everyday option. |
| Spessartine Garnet (Fanta Stone) | Usually minimal | Bold orange tones; color can range from tangerine to deeper orange. “Fanta Stone” is a common market nickname. |
| Tourmaline | Usually Heated and irradiated | Tourmaline has one of the widest color ranges; color zoning can occur naturally. |
| Paraiba Tourmaline | Sometimes treated in the market | Rare neon blue/green look; color can shift under different light. Handle with care; avoid hard knocks. |
| Topaz | Blue topaz is commonly irradiated + heat-treated | Totally standard in the industry. Avoid high heat / harsh cleaning. |
| Opal | Often natural; some market treatments exist | Famous for play-of-color/flashes of spectral color. It contains water, needed to protect from impact and extreme drying/heat. |
| Moonstone | Usually natural | That dreamy sheen is delicate; avoid heat/impact; gentle cleaning only. |
| Crystal / Quartz | Usually natural | Generally durable, but still stored separately to prevent scratches. |
Purchasing Advice
Choosing a gemstone that fits your lifestyle
