ALL OUR GEMSTONES ARE ONE-OF-A-KIND
Because they are 100% natural, each gemstone is unrepeatable. There is only 1 available of each model. Once sold, there is no other like it.
One-of-a-kind natural gemstones with custom setting service in Mexico
At Gold Shield we personally curate every natural gemstone in this collection. We do not sell industrial lots or synthetics: each piece arrives from the mine to the workshop with its documented history — geographic origin, exact weight in carats, type of cut and treatments if any. We work with gemologists in Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Mozambique, Thailand, Brazil, Cambodia and Russia to bring you pieces normally seen only at auctions or international gem fairs, at direct prices with no middlemen.
You can buy the loose gemstone to collect or invest, have us set it in sterling silver (925) or 14k gold, or ask us for a 100% personalized design. Each product in this collection includes variants with fixed pricing for ring and pendant, so you do not have to guess how much your final jewel will cost.
Quick glossary: the 10 gemstones you will find in this collection
Tanzanite (Tanzania) — Hardness 6.5-7 Mohs
Discovered in 1967 in the Merelani hills at the foot of Kilimanjaro, it is the only known source in the world. Intense violet-blue color with pleochroism (it changes tone depending on the angle of light). A thousand times rarer than diamond; geologists estimate the mine will be depleted in less than 20 years. Ideal for anniversary rings and investment pieces.
Sapphire (Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Thailand) — Hardness 9 Mohs
The blue variety of corundum, the second hardest gem after diamond. Ceylon sapphire (Sri Lanka) is the gold standard for its clean cornflower blue; Madagascar's has deeper tones. There are also yellow, pink, green and "padparadscha" (pink-orange) sapphires. Excellent for daily wear thanks to its hardness.
Ruby (Mozambique, Burma) — Hardness 9 Mohs
The red variety of corundum. Modern Mozambique ruby rivals the classic Burmese ones for its "pigeon's blood" red color. The more saturated the red and the less brown, the more valuable. Historically the most valuable gem per carat when of high quality and untreated.
Opal (Ethiopia, Australia) — Hardness 5.5-6.5 Mohs
A gem with a unique play of color: it reflects the entire rainbow spectrum depending on the angle. The Ethiopian black opal (Welo) is the most coveted for its dark background that enhances the flashes. It contains water (3-21%), which is why it needs special care — do not expose it to extreme heat or ultrasonic cleaners.
Spinel (Tanzania, Burma) — Hardness 8 Mohs
Confused for centuries with ruby (the "Black Prince's Ruby" of the English crown is actually a spinel). Naturally untreated — something increasingly rare among red gems. Colors: red, pink, blue, violet, black. Black spinel is a modern option for fine gothic jewelry.
Garnet (Madagascar, Mozambique) — Hardness 6.5-7.5 Mohs
A broad family: spessartite (mandarin orange), almandine (wine red), tsavorite (emerald green), demantoide (green with fire dispersion). Spessartite garnet from Madagascar has the most vivid orange on the market and is ideal for pieces with warm light.
Tourmaline (Mozambique, Brazil, Africa) — Hardness 7-7.5 Mohs
The most diverse gem in color: pink, green, blue, "watermelon" (bicolor), and the very rare neon Paraiba tourmaline (copper + manganese). Chrome tourmaline from Tanzania has greens that rival emeralds at a fraction of the price. Excellent clarity and good hardness.
Amethyst — Hardness 7 Mohs
The purple variety of quartz. The best pieces have a deep uniform "Siberian" color with red-blue flashes. Affordable and durable for daily wear, perfect as a center gem in casual pieces or large gems for cocktail rings.
Alexandrite (Russia, Sri Lanka) — Hardness 8.5 Mohs
The rarest gem in the world in high quality: it changes color from green (daylight) to purple-red (incandescent light). Russian Ural alexandrites are legendary and practically extinct; each small piece is a museum piece. A long-term, very high-return investment.
Fine quartz: lemon, smoky, citrine — Hardness 7 Mohs
An affordable but underrated family. Lemon quartz with a precision cut (Octagon, Portuguese) can visually compete with stones 10x more expensive. Ideal for large statement pieces without destroying the budget.
How to choose your gemstone
If you are looking for investment: tanzanite, Russian alexandrite, untreated Mozambique ruby, Paraiba tourmaline, padparadscha sapphire. Request independent certification (GIA/GRS) if you are going to invest more than $50,000 MXN.
If you are looking for daily wear: sapphire (any color), ruby, spinel, alexandrite — all with hardness 8+ withstand day-to-day use. Avoid opal and tanzanite in dominant-hand rings.
If you are looking for a unique gift: choose by color (turquoise = Paraiba tourmaline or neon apatite; green = tsavorite or chrome tourmaline; deep red = ruby or garnet; rainbow = black Welo opal).
Setting process
- You choose the gemstone and the variant (gemstone only, silver ring, 14k gold ring, silver pendant or 14k gold pendant).
- We confirm size and design by email or WhatsApp within 24 business hours.
- Setting in our own workshop: 10-20 business days. Custom designs with 3D rendering for approval: 3-5 weeks.
- Insured shipping throughout Mexico with trackable tracking and signature on delivery.
Certification and warranty
Each gemstone carries a signed internal Gold Shield certificate with origin, weight, cut and treatments. For investment pieces we arrange certification from independent labs (GIA, IGI, GRS) at an additional cost. Warranty: 7-day returns on unused loose gemstones, 6 months on setting defects, lifetime support for resizing and maintenance. We invoice before the SAT (16% VAT included in displayed prices) or USA without VAT through our entity Gold Shield LLC (New Mexico) — just request it when asking for a quote at ventas@goldshield.com.mx.
Note: because they are one-of-a-kind pieces, stock changes in real time. If you see a gemstone you are interested in, we recommend reserving it with 30% the same day — we cannot guarantee availability if you leave it for later.
Frequently asked questions about our natural gemstones
Are the gemstones natural and do they come certified?
Yes. All gemstones in this collection are 100% natural, not synthetic. Each piece is inspected individually and its origin is documented (Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil, Russia, Mozambique, Thailand, Cambodia, etc.), weight in carats, cut and treatments if any. For investment gemstones (alexandrite, premium tanzanite, Mozambique ruby, Paraiba tourmaline) we issue a signed internal Gold Shield certificate. If you need certification from an independent laboratory (GIA, IGI, GRS), we can coordinate it at an additional cost before shipping.
Why is each gemstone unique or one-of-a-kind?
Natural gemstones form over millions of years under unrepeatable geological conditions, so no two are identical. At Gold Shield we work only with one-of-a-kind pieces: when you see a gemstone in this collection, there is exactly one available. Once sold, that specific combination of color, clarity, cut and weight never repeats in our catalog. That is why we recommend reserving it quickly if you are interested: it is literally the only one in the world with those exact characteristics.
Can you set my gemstone? In which materials and at what price?
Yes, we offer in-house setting service. Each product includes variants with integrated setting: Sterling Silver (925) Ring (+$5,030 MXN), 14k Gold Ring (+$15,624 MXN), Sterling Silver (925) Pendant (+$4,311 MXN), 14k Gold Pendant (+$7,811 MXN). We also set in 10k and 18k gold upon quote. Delivery time for set pieces is 10 to 20 business days. If you have a design in mind (diamond halo, cathedral-style solitaire ring, pendant with a specific chain), send us references at ventas@goldshield.com.mx.
Do you ship throughout the Mexican Republic? What is the packaging like?
Yes, we ship to all 32 states of Mexico with free shipping on gemstones and jewelry. We use insured carriers (Estafeta, DHL, FedEx depending on destination) and all shipments go with trackable tracking and signature on delivery. The packaging is discreet for security (a box with no visible branding) and includes an internal Gold Shield case with the gemstone in a padded gemological capsule. For orders over $20,000 MXN we arrange shipping with declared value and extended insurance at no extra cost. Immediate shipping (1-3 business days) for loose gemstones; 10-20 days for settings.
What is the difference between a natural, synthetic and treated gemstone?
Natural: formed in the earth without human intervention — this is what we sell in this collection. Synthetic (or lab-grown): has the same chemical composition as the natural one but was grown in a lab in weeks — it is worth much less. Treated: it is natural but modified (heat, irradiation, fracture filling) to improve color or clarity — most sapphires and rubies on the market are. At Gold Shield we differentiate clearly: each product page specifies whether it is untreated (premium, higher investment value) or heat-treated (industry standard, still natural).
Can you do custom jewelry design with my gemstone?
Yes, this is one of our standout services. You choose your gemstone from the collection, send us inspiration (Pinterest, photos, hand sketches) and our workshop designs the piece in 3D for you to approve before manufacturing. We make solitaire rings, rings with diamond halos, pendants with chains, earrings, chokers and bracelets. Materials: sterling silver (925), 10k/14k/18k yellow or white gold, gold vermeil. Total time: 3 to 5 weeks (3D design + approval + casting + setting + polishing). Free quote by writing to ventas@goldshield.com.mx with the gemstone you are interested in.
How do I care for a natural gemstone so it lasts a lifetime?
Basic rules: 1) Take it off to bathe, exercise, clean with chemicals or swim (chlorine and salt water cause damage). 2) Store each gemstone or jewel separately in a cloth pouch or padded case — harder gems (sapphire 9 Mohs, alexandrite 8.5) scratch softer ones (tanzanite 6.5, opal 5.5-6.5). 3) Clean with warm water, mild soap and a soft-bristle brush; avoid ultrasonic cleaners on opal, emerald and tanzanite. 4) Check the setting every 6 months; we offer a free workshop inspection. 5) Avoid sharp blows: even a sapphire chips with a hard impact.
