Kiama, NSW — South Coast
Coloured Stone
Coloured Stone
Engagement
Rings
Rare gemstones. Expert guidance. A ring as individual as your love story — designed and handcrafted by a qualified gemmologist in Kiama.
Rare gemstones. Expert guidance. A ring as individual as your love story — designed and handcrafted by a qualified gemmologist in Kiama.
A coloured gemstone engagement ring is a bold, beautiful, and deeply personal choice — one that has been favoured by royalty and romantics throughout history, and is increasingly chosen by couples who want their ring to reflect something genuinely individual.
At Sara Handmade Jewellery, coloured gemstones are our specialty. Based in Kiama on the NSW South Coast, we work with rare, exceptional stones sourced from trusted suppliers around the world — and design rings around them that are as extraordinary as the gems themselves. We welcome clients from Wollongong, Sydney, the Southern Highlands, Canberra, and beyond to our studio to begin their coloured stone ring journey.
Start the Conversation
We source rare and exceptional stones from around the world — and locally. Select a gemstone below to learn more about its character, durability, and why it makes a beautiful centrepiece for a lifelong ring.
Sapphires are the most sought-after coloured gemstone for engagement rings. Their exceptional hardness (9 on the Mohs scale — second only to diamond) makes them ideal for everyday wear, while their extraordinary range of colours — from deep royal blue to vivid pink, warm yellow, and striking parti-colour — ensures every ring is unique.
Associated with loyalty, sincerity, and wisdom, sapphires have been the gemstone of choice for royal and heirloom engagement rings for centuries. They hold their colour beautifully over decades, making them a true lifetime investment.
Ceylon sapphires — named for their origin in Sri Lanka — are among the most prized sapphires in the world. Distinguished by their exceptional clarity, vivid cornflower blue to periwinkle hue, and intense brilliance, they have been the benchmark for sapphire quality for centuries.
If you are drawn to the classic blue engagement ring with a pedigree that rivals any diamond, a Ceylon sapphire is the pinnacle choice. We source stones directly, assessing each for colour saturation, clarity, and cut quality before presenting them to clients.
Australian teal sapphires are one of the most exciting developments in contemporary engagement jewellery. Sourced from Queensland and New South Wales, they feature a captivating blend of blue and green that shifts with the light — sometimes leaning teal, sometimes deep ocean blue, always striking.
Increasingly sought after for their individuality and strong ethical provenance, teal sapphires appeal to those who want something visually distinctive and genuinely Australian. We have a particular expertise in sourcing exceptional teal sapphires and work closely with cutters to maximise their natural colour shift.
Paraiba tourmaline is in a category of its own. Named for the Brazilian state where it was first discovered in the late 1980s, it is defined by a copper-induced neon blue-green glow that seems to emit light rather than simply reflect it. Nothing else looks like a fine Paraiba tourmaline — it is one of the most visually arresting gemstones in existence.
Sara Handmade Jewellery is one of very few jewellers in New South Wales with access to certified Paraiba tourmalines and the expertise to craft bespoke rings that showcase this extraordinary stone at its best. If you are seeking the truly exceptional, this is the gemstone for you.
Morganite has become one of the most popular coloured stone choices for engagement rings in recent years, and it is easy to see why. Its delicate peachy-pink hue is inherently romantic, and it pairs exquisitely with rose gold — creating a warm, blushing aesthetic that feels both contemporary and deeply personal.
Morganite rates 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for daily wear with appropriate care and a well-chosen setting. We recommend halo or bezel settings to protect the stone, and can advise on the best design for your lifestyle during your consultation.
Tourmaline comes in virtually every colour of the rainbow — from vivid pinks and watermelon bi-colours to deep greens, electric blues, and rich rubelites. This versatility makes tourmaline an excellent choice for those who want a specific colour that other gemstones cannot provide.
Beyond Paraiba, tourmaline includes rubellite (red-pink), indicolite (blue-green), verdelite (green), and dravite (warm brown) — each with its own distinct character. Tourmaline rates 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale and, with a protective setting, can be beautifully suited to an engagement ring worn with care.
For decades, fine spinels were mistaken for rubies and sapphires — the famous Black Prince's Ruby in the British Crown Jewels is actually a spinel. Today, collectors and discerning buyers have woken up to this extraordinary gem in its own right. Spinel comes in vivid reds, electric hot pinks, and soft lavenders, with a brilliance and depth that rivals any gemstone.
At Mohs 8, spinel is an excellent choice for daily wear — harder than tourmaline and morganite, and exceptionally resistant to scratching. Fine spinels from Burma and Tanzania are among the most coveted gemstones in specialist circles, and we are proud to be able to source and work with them. If you want something truly rare that few people will recognise, spinel is a magnificent choice.
Exceptional hardness, royal pedigree, and an extraordinary colour range — from deep blue to vivid pink, yellow, and teal. The world's most popular coloured stone for engagement rings.
Design Your RingVivid cornflower blue, exceptional clarity, and a centuries-long pedigree. Ceylon sapphires are among the most prized gemstones in the world — the royal choice.
Design Your RingA captivating blue-green that shifts with the light. Ethically sourced from Queensland and New South Wales — a distinctly Australian choice for an engagement ring with character.
Design Your RingAn extraordinary neon blue-green that seems to glow from within. Sara Handmade Jewellery is one of very few NSW jewellers able to source certified Paraiba tourmalines.
Enquire About ParaibaDelicate, contemporary, and beautiful in rose gold. Morganite has become a popular choice for those seeking something softer and deeply feminine.
Design Your RingVivid reds, electric pinks, soft lavenders. Mohs 8 — excellent for daily wear. Rarer than most people realise, and often more affordable than comparable rubies or sapphires. A magnificent choice for the discerning few.
Enquire About SpinelBring your ideas — or just your curiosity. Sara will guide you through every gemstone option at no cost, no obligation.
Book Your Complimentary Design SessionSara takes a limited number of new commissions each month.
Every ring here was designed and handcrafted by Sara in Kiama for a real client. Stones, settings, and metals chosen together — one conversation at a time.
Meet Sara in our Kiama studio or via video call — FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Zoom. We discuss your vision, preferred colours, metals, budget, and lifestyle to understand exactly what you are looking for.
Our qualified gemmologist presents a curated selection of stones matched to your brief — assessing colour, clarity, cut, and character so you can make a confident, informed choice. For rare stones like Paraiba, we source specially on your behalf.
We design a setting that complements your chosen gemstone and suits your lifestyle — from classic solitaires and halo settings to completely original designs. Sara creates hand-drawn sketches or 3D renders so you can visualise your ring before crafting begins.
Your ring is handcrafted by our skilled artisans in our Kiama workshop — never outsourced, never anonymous. Most engagement rings are completed within 4–8 weeks, with updates throughout. Exceptional stones may require additional sourcing time.
Collect your finished ring from our Kiama studio with a personal handover and care guide, or receive it via secure, fully insured courier — beautifully presented and ready to wear.
Not all gemstones wear equally — and the right choice depends on how the ring will be worn. Our gemmologist guides you through durability, setting, and care requirements so your ring stays beautiful for a lifetime.
With a Mohs hardness of 9, sapphires are second only to diamond in durability. Any style of setting works well — including open claw settings that maximise light entry and show off the stone's colour.
At 7–7.5 Mohs, Paraiba is durable enough for an engagement ring worn with reasonable care. We recommend bezel or halo settings to protect the edges and maximise longevity.
Rating 7.5–8 Mohs, morganite is suitable for daily wear in a protective setting. Avoid harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning. A halo setting both protects the stone and amplifies its soft pink light.
Tourmaline's 7–7.5 Mohs rating is suitable for engagement rings worn with care and in protective settings. Its incredible colour range means it can be matched to virtually any style or preference.
At Mohs 8, spinel is one of the best-performing coloured stones for an engagement ring. It resists scratching exceptionally well, works beautifully in any setting style, and its brilliance holds up superbly over decades of wear.
Already own a coloured gemstone — perhaps inherited, or from a piece you no longer wear? We can incorporate your stone into a completely new engagement ring design, preserving its sentimental value while creating something fresh and contemporary.
Repurposing a meaningful stone from an existing piece is one of the most personal and sustainable approaches to bespoke jewellery — and something we love doing. Whether it is a sapphire from your grandmother's ring, a loose tourmaline, or a gem from jewellery that no longer suits who you are, we have the expertise to make it extraordinary.
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Your engagement ring is only the beginning. We design and handcraft wedding rings and eternity bands that complement your coloured stone engagement ring perfectly — whether stacked, paired, or worn independently.
From a simple polished band in a matching metal to a diamond pavé or a custom curved shadow band shaped to nest against your engagement ring, we create bridal sets that are as beautiful together as they are apart.
Explore Wedding Rings"I wanted an Australian teal sapphire and had no idea where to start. Sara found the most incredible stone — the colour shifts in different light. My partner cried when I showed her. Every detail was perfect."
"We flew from Canberra to visit the studio — entirely worth it. Sara's knowledge of coloured stones is unlike anything we encountered anywhere else. Our Paraiba tourmaline ring is genuinely one of a kind."
"I inherited my grandmother's sapphire and didn't know what to do with it. Sara designed a completely new ring around it — it is both honouring the past and entirely contemporary. I wear it every single day."
Our studio is at 2/130 Terralong Street, Kiama NSW, open Tuesday to Saturday. We welcome clients in person for consultations and gemstone viewings, and offer video consultations via FaceTime, WhatsApp or Zoom for those travelling from further afield. Secure insured delivery is available Australia-wide.