Gemstones for Night Time

Choosing a gemstone to wear when night falls is a matter of personal choice. It will come down to the colors you prefer, what clothes you will be wearing and where you are going.

There are, however, some colored gemstones that just look better in the evening than others.

Often it can be simply a fact of science and physics, wavelengths and spectrums that make some gemstone colors look spectacular under incandescent or candle light and others look black or dull.

If you visit a good jewelry store you will probably find the display cases have bright halogen lamps as the intensity of these lights brings out the beauty of certain colors in gemstones.

Some stores will have different lighting to enhance the look of different gemstones usually based on the temperature of the light source. Low temperature lamps are used to show off warm reddish colors, medium temperatures for white colors and higher temperatures for blue gemstones.

The appearance of gemstones can be significantly influenced by sunlight or regular daylight, with colors potentially changing based on the time of day and the sun's direction.

Some gemstones should be kept out of the sun as it can cause their color to fade.

We have put together a list of the best gemstones to wear in the evening when the man-made light can bring out the best of the color, sparkle and glow of each crystal.

Let’s start with a couple of classic pink gemstones which are always fun for parties.

Kunzite

This gemstone is called ‘the evening stone’ and for good reason as the color can flash from light pink to almost purple as it turns on your finger.

Morganite

Morganite is a touch paler than Kunzite with a delicate color but a well cut gemstone will show off its famous sparkle and brilliance.

A slightly darker color next with some lovely deep reds – go for the lighter and brighter hues.

Ruby

This iconic gemstone has a vibrant red color in the best example and they can look especially good in candlelight. Some can even seem to glow in the dark - the King of Ceylon had a ruby that gleamed so brightly that it would light up his entire palace.

Pyrope Garnet

A large red garnet was supposedly used as a light on Noah’s Ark to allow the boat to sail safely at night and Ancient Greeks thought you could see in the dark if you wore one around the neck. What better evening stone?

Next along the rainbow is orange and there are some lovely gemstones in this color, ideal for evenings.

Fire Opal

A type of opal which does not have the usual play-of-color display, but instead a burnt orange glow which conjures up images of a hot desert sun high above Mexico where they come from.

Hessonite Garnet

Another member of the garnet family, this gorgeous orange gemstone is famous for its high dispersion - light hits the stone then breaks up into the individual colors - an effect known as ‘fire’.

There is one distinctive yellow gemstone that is very popular for cocktail rings and red carpets.

Citrine

This lovely stone covers the whole range of yellowy colors and its sunny appearance is sure to light up everyone’s evening. Can be found in big sizes, too, if you really want to stand out!

Green has quite a few eye-catching gemstones:

Demantoid Garnet

The name ‘demantoid’ can be translated into ‘like a diamond’ and this is because of this gemstone’s amazing ‘brilliance’. Jewelers recommend wearing this bright sparkly stone in the evening.

Tsavorite Garnet

A totally natural, untreated gemstone found in only one corner of Africa, gorgeous green Tsavorites seem almost luminous when worn in the evening.

Peridot

Glistening green peridots are called ‘evening emeralds’ such are their beauty in the light after sundown. Ancient Egyptian miners searched for them at night because they would glow in the lamplight.

Then we have blue where we can go from light tones to dark classics

Aquamarine

This cool blue gemstone which got its name for its similarity to the clear waters of the Mediterranean sea make great evening wear as they glint and gleam in even the most muted of lights.

Blue Topaz

This striking gemstone appears to be purpose-made for wearing at night. Eye-popping blue colors and available in large sizes in every possible cut and shape.

At the bottom of the rainbow we find the deep blues, violets and purples.

Tanzanite

Tanzanites can be described as violet with blue tints or blue with violet tints! Either way they are stunning and seem to jump from color to color as they turn. At night time extra flashes of red can also appear – three colors in one stone!

Amethyst

Amethysts make fabulous party and cocktail jewelry. Vivid purple colors, crystal clear clarity and big bold sizes at very reasonable prizes - you cannot ask for more.

The next three gemstones can be found in every color of the rainbow making them all ideal versatile evening gemstones.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is often considered the most colorful gemstone type with literally every color available including the neon blue and green Paraiba Tourmalines. Tourmalines can show two or three colors when viewed from different angles giving this gemstone an extra exciting feature.

Zircon

Zircons also come in a wide range of colors but it is probably the blues that get the most attention. Technically, we say they have a high refractive index and display pleochroism – simply, it means they are very sparkly and can change color when moved around.

Sapphire

Deep blue sapphires may be one of the most sought after gemstones but they can look better in the daylight than candlelight although there are always exceptions to this rule. Yellow, orange, purple and pink sapphires often shine brighter in the evening than the day.

And let’s finish with a perfect gemstone for men - or women who want a dramatic touch.

Black Tourmaline

These cool gemstones make great cocktail rings, bracelets and pendants that will enhance any look during the evening.

So that is our selection of gemstones for the evening.

Many factors can affect this choice, gemstones are unique objects of nature with their own chemical and crystal make up which can vary how light is absorbed and reflected.

The cut and size can also alter the way light hits the gemstone and subsequently how the color looks as it bounces back.

Generally our choices represent what jewelry designers and gemstone cutters consider to be the best gemstones for the lighting conditions found after dark.