Where to Buy Gemstones in the UK?

A Guide to Buying Loose Gemstones Online & In-Person

Whether you’re a jeweller, a collector, or a hobbyist, knowing where to buy gemstones is crucial to finding high-quality stones that meet your needs. This guide will explore the best places to buy gemstones in the UK, how to choose a trustworthy supplier, and where the ultimate destination is for purchasing both in-person and online.

Several key cities across the UK are known for their gemstone and jewellery markets, including:

• Top Choice: Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter - If you’re looking for the best selection, competitive pricing, and expert advice. As the heart of the UK’s jewellery industry, the Jewellery Quarter is home to some of the country’s most reputable gemstone suppliers, including JQV Gemstones.

• London – Home to high-end jewellers in Hatton Garden, London offers an extensive selection of precious stones but often at a premium price.

• Edinburgh – Scotland’s capital has a growing jewellery trade with a focus on unique, handcrafted pieces featuring rare gemstones.

• Manchester & Sheffield – These cities have thriving independent jewellers offering a variety of stones for different budgets.

• Brighton & Cornwall – Popular for artisan jewellery and ethically sourced gemstones.

The Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham has been a hub for jewellers and gemstone dealers for centuries. Unlike large retail chains, independent businesses here provide expert knowledge, competitive pricing, and access to an extensive selection of loose gemstones. At JQV Gemstones, we pride ourselves on offering an approachable, friendly service that makes shopping for gemstones a stress-free experience.

If you’re buying gemstones in person, our best advice is to shop with your eyes and trust your instincts. Take the time to closely examine each stone, looking for any imperfections such as feathers, inclusions, or uneven colour distribution. These natural characteristics can affect both the beauty and value of a gemstone, so understanding how to identify them is crucial.

Before shopping, have a clear idea of the colour and quality you’re looking for. Different gemstones exhibit a wide range of hues and clarity levels—for instance, Emeralds can vary from a milky, opaque green to a deep, transparent green with exceptional clarity. Understanding why these differences occur and how they impact value can help you make an informed purchase. Factors such as the presence of inclusions, the saturation of the green, and even the origin of the stone all contribute to its worth.

For those new to gemstone buying, there are fantastic educational resources available online. Watching videos that break down gemstone quality can be incredibly useful. One of our favourite sources for learning about gemstone characteristics and value is Dominique Flux on YouTube. Their content provides insightful guidance on identifying high-quality stones, making it easier for buyers to recognise true value when purchasing in person.

Remember:

• Colour & Cut – A high-quality gemstone should have a rich, even colour and be well-cut to maximise brilliance.

• Clarity & Inclusions – Natural gemstones often have some inclusions, but excessive flaws can impact value.

• Customer Service – JQV is known for its friendly, knowledgeable and approachable team, ensuring you feel confident in your purchase.

Shopping for gemstones online is becoming increasingly popular, but it comes with challenges. Many suppliers fail to provide accurate images and descriptions, leading to misleading purchases. At JQV Gemstones, we eliminate this risk by ensuring that every gemstone is photographed and filmed under controlled lighting to capture its true colour and quality. When buying loose gemstones online remember to consider: 

• Accurate Imagery & Videos – Many people “buy with their eyes,” which is why we prioritise high-resolution images and videos to give customers confidence. Many online retailers fail to provide accurate, high-quality images and videos of their gemstones, often relying on stock photos or heavily edited images that do not reflect the true appearance of the stone. This can lead to disappointment when the gemstone received does not match expectations. At JQV Gemstones, we have made it an absolute priority to ensure that all images and videos are an exact match to their real-life counterparts. Each gemstone is photographed and filmed under carefully controlled lighting conditions, allowing us to capture the stone’s true colour, brilliance, and texture. Our commitment to transparency means customers can shop online with complete confidence, knowing that what they see on our website is exactly what they will receive. By investing in accurate imagery and detailed videos, we eliminate uncertainty and make online gemstone shopping as reliable as an in-person experience.

• Trusted Reputation – With nearly 40 years in the industry, JQV is a well-established supplier you can rely on.

• Detailed Product Descriptions – Each listing includes essential information.

• Competitive Pricing – Unlike large online retailers, JQV offers a carefully curated selection with fair pricing for jewellers and hobbyists alike.

• Online Help - You can easily get in touch with JQV online for advice and guidance when looking at stones. If you have a budget or idea in mind of what you are looking for we can suggest alternative options to suit. 

Many large online retailers sell gemstones in bulk, but they often lack the quality control and expertise that independent suppliers like JQV provide. Bulk-sold gemstones may not be accurately graded, and poor imagery can make it difficult to assess colour and clarity. By choosing an independent specialist, you receive hand-selected, accurately described gemstones from a knowledgeable team.

To make gemstone shopping even more accessible, JQV Gemstones will be hosting pop-up events across the UK in 2025. We will be visiting:

• Scotland

• Cornwall

• Brighton

• Manchester

• Sheffield

• London

These events give customers the chance to see our gemstones in person before making a purchase, ensuring complete confidence in colour, clarity, and quality. Sign up for our emails to stay updated on these exclusive events.

See how we display our collections of precious and semi-precious gemstones online to ensure the perfect clarity for our customers when buying gemstones:

• Loose Sapphires

• Loose Rubies

• Loose Tanzanite

• Loose Emeralds

• Pearl Strings

• Bead Strings
  

• Loose Opals

Whether you’re purchasing loose gemstones in person or online, ensuring you buy from a reputable supplier is key. While major UK cities offer various options, Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter stands out as the ultimate destination for gemstone buyers. With nearly 40 years of experience, JQV Gemstones provides quality, trust, and expertise—both in-store and online.

Explore our collections today or visit one of our upcoming pop-up events to find your perfect gemstone with confidence!