What is a Fancy Gemstone?
The word 'Fancy' has many definitions. It can mean decorative or ornamental, an illusion or fantasy, a wild thought or idea, extravagant and lavish, I could go on!
These broad terms certainly lend themselves to the wide world of gemstones.
We use the term, fancy, in more than one way, too. Some are technically correct terms others are more like marketing ploys.
Fancy sapphires are any sapphires that are not blue or white. Fancy diamonds include all colors that are not white or colorless to light yellow or brown.
With faceted gemstones, any cut other than a round shape, can be called 'fancy cut'.
Cabochon gemstones in anything other than an oval or round shape such as square, rectangles or free forms are also called fancy.
Some gemstones naturally have a strange appearance or crystal structure - druzy, geodes, fire agates, ammolites and botryoidal gemstones for example - and should certainly fall under the banner of 'fancy'.
Others have unique patterns such as jasper and fossil coral which make them stand out from other stones.
Gemstones which have been carved into animals, flowers or leaves are both technically and rationally called 'fancy'.
What Fancy gemstones are available at GemSelect?
If you are looking for a special gemstone that is out of the ordinary, you have come to the right place. We have compiled all of our 'fancy' gemstones together so you do not have to search through our entire stock of thousands of items to find just the one you want.
Our fancy gemstones feature interesting cutting styles including carved animals and flowers, briolettes and geodes, odd shapes and assembled cabochons.
Gemstone types can be as varied as amethyst to tiger's eye and jasper to sapphire but what they do share is extraordinary and distinctive qualities.
Your choice can be further refined by color, size, price, origin and other factors using the filters at the top of the page as well as the gem types at the side.
All the gemstones pictured are in stock and ready for immediate shipment. The photographs are of the actual fancy gemstone that you will receive - we never use generic images.
What jewelry are Fancy Gemstones suitable for?
The options for fancy gemstone jewelry are as varied as the gemstones themselves. Large individual fancy gemstones would be ideal for unique and eye-catching pendants or very interesting ring settings.
Some of the large cabochons are excellent choices for handmade wire wrapped jewelry pieces both for their originality and manageable sizes.
Our fancy gemstones are very often one-off items but we also have a number of fancy gemstone pairs and lots in stock too. These are very closely matched for color, size and shape for making coordinated jewelry sets or multi-stone items.
What else can Fancy Gemstones be used for?
With their rare and wonderful looks, fancy gemstones make excellent decorative items for both the house and the office.
Many of these fancy gemstones have great spiritual strengths so can be used for physical and emotional crystal healing.
As a hobby, collecting gemstones can be interesting and rewarding. Fancy gemstones make a fantastic addition to any display case or collectable treasure trove.
