- Pearl is the most popular gemstone in Belfast, according to Google search data
- Diamond takes the top spot on a national level, followed by pearl and emerald
Customised jewellery experts Glamira analysed the number of average monthly Google searches for different gemstones to determine which are the most popular in each UK city.In Belfast, these are the most popular gemstones:
- Pearl: The only gemstone created by a living creature, approximately only one in 10,000 wild oysters will produce a pearl – making them extremely rare and valuable. Pearls are one of the oldest known gems, and they require no cutting or polishing as they have a natural lustre. Not to mention, for a long time they have been a symbol of wealth and beauty, and they remain a sign of sophistication today.
- Diamond: Taking billions of years to form, diamond’s rarity is increasing – because of this, they are one of the most precious gemstones. They are the hardest natural substance on earth, and the surface cannot by scratched by anything other than another diamond – so it’s perfectly fitting that the name derives from the Greek word ‘adamas’, which means indestructible.
- Emerald: Belonging to the precious stone category, which consists of just four gemstones, each emerald stone is unique due to their individual inclusions. In fact, the more imperfections an emerald has, the more saturated it is, which makes it much more valuable. Also known as ‘The Jewel of Kings’, emerald is a symbol of love, honesty, and wit.
On a national level, diamond takes the crown for the most popular gemstone across the UK with a staggering total of 126,400 average monthly searches. Taking the second spot is pearl with an average monthly search volume of 110,100, followed by emerald in third place with 59,500 average monthly searches.A spokesperson from Glamira has commented on the findings: “The addition of gemstones onto jewellery pieces is always a touch of luxury and elegance – but what’s fascinating is the various symbols that each gemstone portrays, and this can reflect through the person wearing them.“The study suggests that the classic diamond lives up to the name of being timeless, given that it proved the most popular gemstone overall in the UK. However, sapphire and opal were once the popular choice for engagement rings before the 1940s as opposed to diamond which we typically see today – so it will be interesting to see if this changes in the years to come, particularly with there being a high demand for alternative gemstones.”These insights were provided by Glamira, experts in customised jewellery.