Orange gemstones are warm, vibrant, and lively, making them highly sought after for use in jewelry. Additionally, orange gems often have intriguing meanings and a variety of benefits, making them suitable not only for wearing but also for meditation and other similar purposes.
Orange crystals are vibrant stones that symbolize creativity, energy, and warmth. Their profound symbolic meaning and striking aesthetic appeal make them highly sought after in the world of jewelry design.
As with most gemstone colours, there are far more orange stones than most people realize. Here’s an overview of orange gemstones and a closer look at 30 orange gemstones for jewelry.
Introduction to Orange Gemstones
Orange gemstones are a vibrant and diverse group of stones that bring a burst of energy and warmth to any jewelry collection. Ranging from the fiery brilliance of padparadscha sapphire to the sunny glow of citrine, these gemstones offer something for every taste and style. Whether you’re drawn to the rare and bold hues of an orange sapphire or prefer the subtle charm of a peach-toned stone, orange gemstones are celebrated for their radiant beauty and unique appeal. Their captivating colours—spanning deep, burnt oranges to soft, pastel shades—make them a favorite among jewelry lovers who want to make a statement or add a touch of warmth to their everyday look. With options that suit both collectors and casual wearers, orange gemstones are a stunning way to express individuality and creativity through jewelry.
Orange Gemstones Meaning
The colour orange is associated with vibrancy, positive energy, and creativity. Many people believe it’s also related to the sun’s power and Mother Earth’s warmth, essentially blending the two together. Additionally, many think it supports confidence and self-expression, uplifting people to help them connect with their spirituality while keeping them grounded. Orange gemstones are also believed to stimulate creativity and inspire new ideas, making them popular choices for those seeking to enhance their creative energy.
Orange Crystal Benefits
Many of the benefits of orange gems are connected with positive emotions. Orange stones can provide a mental boost, as the colour is associated with happiness, positive vibes, enjoyment, and expression. Orange is also strongly connected to the sacral chakra, which governs emotions, creativity, passion, and pleasure and provides a connection to the senses. As a result, many believe that orange stones are excellent in assisting those areas.
Factors to Consider When Buying Orange Gemstones
When shopping for orange gemstones, it’s important to think about more than just the colour. Start by considering the type of stone—each variety, from sapphires and topaz to garnets and orange calcite, has its own unique qualities and price range. Pay close attention to the intensity and saturation of the orange hue, as some stones, like padparadscha sapphires, offer a delicate blend of pink and orange, while others, such as citrine, display a more vibrant colour. The clarity and cut of the gemstone will also influence its sparkle and overall appearance, while carat weight can affect both the look and value of the piece. Durability is another key factor; for example, orange calcite is softer and may be better suited for pendants or earrings rather than rings. By considering these aspects, you can find the perfect orange gemstone that matches your style, needs, and budget.
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Affordable Orange Gemstones
You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy the radiant beauty of orange gemstones. There are plenty of affordable orange gemstones that offer vibrant colour and style without breaking the bank. Citrine is a popular choice, admired for its bright, cheerful hue and widespread availability. Orange quartz, often referred to as citrine, is another budget-friendly option that brings a sunny glow to any piece of jewelry. Carnelian, with its rich, red-orange tones, is a classic favorite for beads and pendants, while orange jasper stands out for its earthy patterns and natural charm. These stones are perfect for adding a splash of orange to your jewelry collection, whether you’re looking for everyday pieces or something a little more special. With so many affordable options, it’s easy to find orange gemstones that suit your style and budget.
Luxury Orange Gemstones
For those seeking the ultimate in rarity and sophistication, luxury orange gemstones offer unmatched allure and value. Padparadscha sapphires are among the rarest and most coveted, prized for their exquisite blend of pink and orange hues that evoke the beauty of a lotus flower. Imperial topaz dazzles with its intense yellowish-orange colour and exceptional brilliance, making it a standout choice for high-end jewelry. Orange diamonds are another pinnacle of luxury, known for their rarity and the vibrant, fiery orange colour that sets them apart as some of the most expensive orange gemstones in the world. Spessartite garnets, with their deep reddish-orange tones and remarkable clarity, are also highly sought after by collectors. These luxury stones are ideal for those seeking to invest in a truly unique and valuable piece, adding a touch of radiant beauty and exclusivity to any jewelry collection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange Gemstones:
Which Orange Gemstones Are Ideal for Everyday Wear?
If you want an orange gem for everyday wear, it's best to focus on gemstones that rate no lower than 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Typically, a rating at or above that mark means the stone is durable enough to resist scratches, chips, and breakage during accidental contact with an object, such as a strike against a doorframe.
Several orange gemstones are ideal for everyday wear. Here are just some of the popular options:
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Carnelian
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Imperial Topaz
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Madeira Citrine
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Orange Beryl
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Orange Diamond
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Orange Garnets
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Orange Spinel
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Orange Sapphires
What Is the Rarest Orange Stone?
Generally, most consider the padparadscha sapphire the rarest orange gemstone. It features a magnificent blend of brilliant orange colour, pink, and yellow tones, not unlike a sunrise or a sunset, and the stones can lean closer toward one of those colours. With the versions that appear mostly orange, you typically get flashes of yellow and pink across the facets, and some may even have colouring close to red in certain areas. The result is warm and fiery, making them highly intriguing and very valuable.
The orange diamond is also one of the rarer orange-coloured gemstones. Estimates suggest they make up only 0.05 percent of the fancy-coloured diamonds, which makes naturally occurring ones quite valuable as well.
What Is Orange Quartz Called?
Generally, if quartz is an orange colour, it's either hematoid quartz or citrine, depending on its composition. Hematoid quartz is also referred to as tangerine quartz due to its colour, so it's also safe to use that name.
What Is the Most Expensive Orange Jewel?
Typically, the padparadscha sapphire (also known as the orange sapphire) is the most expensive orange gemstone on the market, as particularly high-quality versions in desirable colours can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Orange diamonds may also be the most expensive orange gemstone. Diamonds typically command high prices, and naturally occurring orange ones are rare, so they can also come with price tags in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Orange imperial topaz is also an expensive stone. Often, those retail for a few thousand dollars per carat, though the exact price depends on the precise hue, cut, clarity, and other factors.
When it comes to famous orange jewels, the Pumpkin Diamond stands out. It was last purchased for $1.3 million and was the largest fancy orange diamond of its time, weighing 5.54 carats.
List of Orange Gemstones
Amber
Amber is an organic gemstone that's made of hardened tree resin. Once the resin hardens, it's suitable for polishing and shaping, often achieving a glossy surface that makes the rare and beautiful gemstone almost seem to glow under the light. The colouring can vary from earthy honey to deep burnt sienna, with many essentially being earthy orange shades.
Often, the colour of amber connects the stone to the sun, especially when it's illuminated. While it's mainly an ornamental stone, it's been historically used as a fuel source in some cases, and it was popular in many ancient medicinal and healing practices.
Carnelian
Carnelian is a type of chalcedony, and it’s one of the more affordable orange gemstones. It’s also historically connected to leadership, as it was popular among kings and royalty. At one point, Carnelian even helped royals communicate silently, essentially expressing goodwill to those nearby.
With Carnelian, you typically get a lively red-orange hue. Carnelian can also display brownish-orange tones, which are highly valued for their rich, earthy appearance. Translucent versions and those with less mottling or banding, as well as consistent colour, are more valuable. However, opaque versions with more variations can also be quite striking.
Clinohumite
A rare magnesium silicate mineral, found by (and named after) Sir Abraham Hume, a British mineralogist, clinohumite is a vibrant transparent orange gemstone. Commonly, the rare gemstone features red and yellow tones when faceted, and some inclusions are common, but they rarely disrupt the stone's beauty.
Clinohumite was originally discovered in limestone that emerged during the Mount Vesuvius eruption in Italy. Later, deposits were found in Russia, Tanzania, and certain parts of Central Asia, although not in sufficient quantities to render the stone less rare.
Imperial Topaz
Imperial topaz is a highly prized gemstone that comes in shades of pink, yellow, red, and orange, with vivid orange and hues being the most popular. Imperial topaz is especially valued for its intense orange colour, which is both rare and highly sought after. The stone rates higher on the Mohs scale – typically near 8 – so it’s durable enough for everyday wear. Plus, its high transparency and exceptional lustre work incredibly well for faceted jewelry stones.
Overall, imperial topaz is one of the most desirable and expensive versions of topaz on the market. One reason is that it commonly exhibits pleochroism, a colour-shifting quality. Typically, the base hue is yellow-orange, and the pleochroism introduces red hues, causing the stone to flash and flicker like a flame.
Madeira Citrine
Named for the Brazilian word for wood, Madeira citrine has a deep, earthy reddish-orange colouring due to the presence of iron in the stone. Usually, it's found in Brazil, Madagascar, Uruguay, and Zambia.
Madeira citrine scores a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it's durable enough for everyday wear. Typically, it ranges from translucent to transparent, so it's more commonly faceted. It can also exhibit dichroic qualities, bringing in weak or moderate flashes of yellow. Colour zoning may also occur, giving the stone a two-toned appearance.
Moonstone
When people think of moonstones, they more commonly envision white or blue varieties. However, orange moonstone is quite striking, ranging in colour from gentle peach to deep orange due to the presence of iron.
Orange Agate
Agate comes in a wide array of colours, including many shades of red. This translucent type of chalcedony typically features banding, resulting in the stone displaying intriguing orange and white stripes. In most cases, the orange segments are actually Carnelian.
Orange Andesine Labradorite
Orange andesine labradorite is typically a combination of two types of feldspar minerals: andesine and labradorite. It ranges from transparent to semi-translucent and can exhibit vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, as well as hues like gray, white, or green, depending on the precise composition.
With orange andesine labradorite, you usually get a vitreous lustre. However, the stone only measures 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it's best suited for occasional wear.
Orange Beryl
Orange beryl, a variety of Morganite, is one of the rarer beryl colours, making it more valuable than certain other hues. Iron in the mineral leads to the warm colouring, and the stone's transparency makes it ideal for faceting, but some of the gems are turned into vibrant cabochons instead. Additionally, since it rates between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, it is suitable for jewelry that you want to wear frequently.
Orange Calcite
Orange calcite is a calcium carbonate mineral that develops an orange hue due to the presence of iron in its composition. Generally, it's classified as a soft stone, as it's only a 3 on the Mohs hardness scale. As a result, it's at risk of scratching and chipping, but since it's affordable, some people choose to put it into jewelry.
In many cases, orange calcite exhibits a swirled appearance, with sections of white intermingling throughout the orange. It's typically translucent, not fully transparent, so it's usually turned into cabochons or carved and shaped instead of faceted.
Orange Coral
Orange coral is another organic stone, made from the exoskeletons shed by coral polyps. Natural orange coral is highly regulated, as collecting it has severely damaged coral reefs, so rules are now in place to limit further harm. In many areas, buying or trading authentic coral is banned, and many people have ethical concerns about owning the real deal. As a result, there's a wide selection of reproductions available.
Orange Danburite
Danburite is a calcium-boron-silicate mineral, and the orange version is a rare variety. The colouring occurs due to the presence of manganese, giving the gemstone a gentle to vibrant hue, depending on its exact composition. Overall, orange danburite is durable, ranking a seven on the Mohs hardness scale. Since it's transparent, it's suitable for faceting jewelry.
Orange Diamond
The orange diamond is one of the rarest naturally occurring diamond colours and is particularly durable, even among diamonds. With a high refractive index, orange diamonds offer exceptional shine and sparkle. Due to their colouring, some people refer to them as pumpkin diamonds, possibly about the famous Pumpkin Diamond.
Orange Fire Opal
Orange fire opals have a vibrant orange base hue, often tinged with a slight red hue. They exhibit iridescent flashes, referred to as opalescence. The most common shades for the flashes are yellow, orange, and red, with some blue, violet, or red occasionally in the mix. Usually, fire opals are translucent, though some are transparent, and they seem to radiate a glow from within, making them incredibly striking.
Orange Fluorite
Fluorite is a stone that comes in various colours, with orange versions being rarer than others. Manganese, coupled with the inherent structure of fluorite, results in different orange hues, ranging from pale, sunny yellow to deep, moody, whiskey-like shades.
While fluorite crystals are often transparent, using them in jewelry is rarer. Instead, they're more commonly collector stones, especially if the crystal is larger and well-formed. However, some smaller pieces do end up in jewelry.
Orange Garnets
While most people associate garnets with red, several orange garnet varieties are also commonly featured in jewelry. Since garnets are often translucent to transparent and are highly durable, they’re very suitable for daily wear.
Hessonite – also called the cinnamon stone – is earthier, typically featuring an orange tone with a slightly brown tint. Normally, the golden orange versions are the most desirable, causing the base stone to resemble honey and offering an internal fire that sparkles with an orange glow.
Orange Mali garnet is a type of grossular garnet that can feature orange hues leaning towards pink, yellow, or red. Overall, Mali garnets are among the rarest garnet subtypes, offering strong clarity and transparency in many cases.
Malaya garnet is another rare hybrid garnet, composed of both pyrope and spessartine, discovered in the 1960s. It is prized for its unique orange-pink hues and is highly sought after by collectors for its rarity and distinctive coloration.
Spessartite garnet – also called spessartine garnet – can have bright orange colouring, not unlike a pumpkin, or may lean red, yellow, or brown. However, the most popular variant is lively orange, sometimes referred to as mandarin garnet, which is technically a trademark for a vivid orange spessartine garnet. Mandarin garnet is especially valued for its vibrant colour and rarity among orange gemstones.
Orange Jasper
Jasper is an opaque chalcedony mineral, and it's available in a wide array of earthy hues, including orange. It's also common to find a variety of patterns in natural jasper, including banding and mottling in other colours. Noreena Jasper from Australia can feature orange, white, yellow, and red banding.
Carrasite jasper may have orange swirls; orbicular jasper can feature interconnected orange spheres and other colours. With flame jasper, you get red and orange swirls, creating scenes that look like flames in many cases.
Orange Kyanite
Orange kyanite is the rarest form of kyanite, and it was initially discovered in Tanzania in 2008. Manganese led to the striking hues, typically deeper oranges that lean slightly red. One challenge with orange kyanite's hardness is its unconventional nature, as it falls between 4.5 and 5 on one axis and 6.5 and 7 on the other axis, making it potentially harder to work with and less suitable for daily wear.
Orange Sapphire (Padparadscha)
When people think of sapphire, it's normal to envision a vibrant blue. However, there are orange sapphires, and they're prized for their beauty and durability.
The padparadscha sapphire is incredibly intriguing, featuring a mix of pink, pale orange, and yellow. The various colours are potentially seen in blended sections in the stone or as flashes after faceting.
Padparadscha sapphires are rare, as they're only found in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. Their name is derived from the Sanskrit word for "lotus flower," and they are commonly in high demand on the broader market.
Orange Sphalerite
Orange sphalerite is a translucent gemstone that offers up an exceptional lustre. However, since it's soft – usually 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale – it doesn't always work well for jewelry. However, since its refractive index is high, it's occasionally faceted for pieces. As a precaution, it's best to limit wear to special occasions.
Orange Sphene
Sphene is a calcium-titanium silicate mineral that can come in earthy orange shades. Generally, it's translucent and offers a fire that meets or exceeds what you often find in diamonds. Sphene can also exhibit pleochroism, resulting in different colours depending on the lighting and viewing angle. However, it's softer, with a hardness rating of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, making it unsuitable for everyday wear.
Orange Spinel
Spinel is an oxide mineral that comes in many colours, but the presence of iron, magnesium, and zinc can lead to an orange hue. It offers excellent transparency and clarity, often rivalling sapphire and ruby in its brilliance. Additionally, since it's an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, it's highly durable, making it an excellent choice for jewelry worn daily.
Orange Topaz
Orange topaz is similar to imperial topaz but doesn't typically exhibit pleochroism. Still, you get a vibrant orange shade, usually close to pumpkin, high transparency, and excellent fire, all in a durable stone that works well for daily wear. However, even these versions of topaz are rare, making them potentially a significant investment.
Orange Tourmaline
Tourmaline comes in a rainbow’s worth of hues, with orange being one of the rarer options. Orange tourmaline is available in large sizes and diverse shapes, making it a versatile choice for statement jewelry. Often, they are near a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, so they resist chipping and scratching quite well. The hue can vary from one stone to the next, with some resembling a pumpkin and others a gentler peach. Some may even feature a cat’s eye effect; when that occurs, they’re often turned into cabochons to highlight it.
Orange Zircon
Orange zircon comes in several shades, ranging from subtle champagne to a brilliant red-orange, and some may even lean into earthy territory. Rose-orange versions from Tanzania are especially striking, as they possess a unique warmth that is not typically found in this colour range.
Depending on the base hue and composition, orange zircon typically fluoresces a yellow or orange colour. Some may glow under specific types of UV light, too.
Palmwood Gemstone
The palmwood gemstone is essentially petrified wood from palm trees. While many of the pieces feature shades of brown and white, orange versions are also available. The colours occur as chalcedony overtakes organic material, and the minerals provide solid durability. As a result, pieces are usually suitable for wear.
Peach Aventurine
When aventurine – a type of quartz that's typically green – contains specific inclusions, it can lead to a soft peach colour instead. Peach aventurine can exhibit aventurescence, a glittering quality caused by microscopic metallic flakes. Since the stone is translucent, it appears to shimmer in the light, making it an attractive choice for jewelry. With a Mohs hardness rating between 6.5 and 7, it's also durable enough to withstand wear.
Sardonyx
Sardonyx is technically two stones in one, featuring stripes or bands of onyx and sard. Sard is a translucent chalcedony that comes in earthy hues, with orange as a potential shade. While most people associate onyx with the colour black, white onyx is what you'll find in sardonyx.
Sunstone
Orange sunstone – also known as Oregon sunstone due to its primary source being the state of Oregon – is recognized for the Schiller effect, where small inclusions within the translucent stone cause it to appear to glow from within. This works particularly well with the base orange hue, which is typically a distinct red-orange due to the presence of copper.
Tangerine Quartz
Tangerine quartz is a quartz variety with a rusty orange colour resembling its namesake fruit. Technically, it's a hematoid quartz, as it features hematite in its composition. Like all quartz, tangerine quartz is incredibly durable, making it suitable for everyday wear.
