Explore five Sydney jewellery stores and find gemstone jewellery Sydney shoppers will love, from colourful gems to timeless designs for every style today.
Gemstone jewellery offers an opportunity to choose something with more individuality than a conventional design. From sapphires and rubies to opals, emeralds, coral and other natural materials, different stones bring their own colour, character and history to a piece
Sydney is home to a variety of jewellery specialists offering antique, vintage and contemporary gemstone pieces. Some focus strongly on period jewellery, while others bring together gemstones from different eras and styles.
For anyone searching for a distinctive ring, a special gift or an addition to a personal collection, here are five Sydney jewellery specialists worth exploring.
1. Kalmar Antiques
Located in Sydney’s historic Queen Victoria Building, Kalmar Antiques has specialised in antique jewellery, fine jewellery, watches and collectables since 1986. Its collection spans periods including Georgian, Victorian, Art Deco and later 20th-century designs.
Gemstone jewellery forms an important part of the collection. Alongside traditional diamond, sapphire, emerald and ruby pieces, Kalmar offers jewellery featuring less conventional natural materials, including antique coral.
Coral has been incorporated into jewellery for generations, with its natural shades ranging from soft pink through to rich red. Period coral jewellery can be particularly distinctive when paired with yellow gold, pearls or diamonds.
For shoppers interested in this less conventional choice, Kalmar Antiques Red Coral Rings for sale includes genuine natural antique coral pieces rather than limiting the collection to modern imitations or dyed alternatives.
Kalmar’s current collection includes coral rings dating to the Victorian period, providing a good example of how the material was incorporated into historical jewellery design.
The store also has jewellers, gemmologists and registered valuers available, alongside services including jewellery valuation, restoration and remodelling. This expertise can be particularly useful when considering antique gemstone jewellery, where the age, condition and previous restoration of a piece may be important factors.
2. Karen Deakin Antiques
Karen Deakin Antiques is a Sydney-based specialist with decades of experience in period jewellery. Karen Deakin has worked as an antique jewellery dealer since 1978, initially in London before continuing her career in Sydney.
The collection focuses on jewellery dating broadly from 1780 to 1960, providing plenty of variety for those interested in Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco design.
Gemstones appear across rings, earrings, necklaces, brooches and other pieces, giving shoppers an opportunity to see how different stones were incorporated into jewellery across changing periods.
The collection can be viewed by appointment in Sydney’s city centre, making it particularly suited to buyers who prefer a more considered approach to exploring individual antique pieces.
3. Frost Jewellery & Antiques
Frost Jewellery & Antiques has been a family-run Sydney business for more than 75 years. Located on Castlereagh Street in the CBD, it combines jewellery and watches with antiques and sterling silver.
Its jewellery offering includes rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants, with diamonds, opals, pearls and coloured gemstones represented across the collection.
The broader mix makes Frost an interesting destination for shoppers whose interests extend beyond gemstone rings alone. Visitors can explore jewellery alongside watches, silver and other collectable pieces within the same specialist store.
Frost also provides jewellery valuation services through registered valuers, which may be useful for collectors looking to understand pieces they already own.
4. Vintage Times Jewellery
Vintage Times Jewellery is a family business that began more than 20 years ago at the former Sydney Antique Centre in Surry Hills. After operating from several Sydney locations, the business now focuses on online retail.
Its collection encompasses antique, vintage and estate jewellery alongside selected newer pieces, offering shoppers the opportunity to compare designs from different periods.
Gemstone rings, earrings and other pieces feature within the wider selection. This can be useful for someone who appreciates historical design but does not necessarily want to restrict their search to jewellery from one particular era.
The variety also illustrates how dramatically gemstone jewellery can change depending on its period, setting and choice of metal.
5. Tresors
Tresors offers another broad jewellery experience in central Sydney. Located in the Strand Arcade, its range brings together antique, vintage and newer jewellery alongside collectables.
Gemstones are a significant part of the offering, with jewellery featuring stones such as sapphires, peridot, moonstone, amber and other colourful materials. Its antique collection also covers a wide range of styles and periods.
Tresors is particularly relevant for shoppers who enjoy comparing older jewellery with more contemporary designs. The range extends beyond rings to earrings, necklaces, brooches, cameos and other pieces, providing plenty of scope for browsing.
Its combination of antique and modern jewellery also makes it possible to compare how coloured gemstones have been used across very different design styles.
Finding the Right Gemstone Jewellery in Sydney
Choosing gemstone jewellery is often as much about personal preference as rarity or value. Colour, setting, period and the character of the stone can all influence how a piece looks and feels when worn.
With antique and vintage jewellery, condition should also be considered carefully. Ask about previous repairs or alterations, gemstone treatments and whether the setting is suitable for the way you intend to wear the piece.
This can be particularly important with jewellery made from more delicate organic materials such as coral. Professional advice can help when determining authenticity and understanding how an older piece should be cared for.
Sydney’s jewellery specialists offer plenty of variety, whether you are drawn to a Victorian coral ring, an Art Deco sapphire piece, a colourful vintage design or something completely different. Exploring several collections can help you discover which gemstones, periods and styles appeal most to you.
FAQs: 5 Sydney Jewellery Stores to Explore for Distinctive Gemstone Pieces
What gemstones are commonly found in antique jewellery?
Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, garnets, amethysts, opals and pearls can all be found in antique jewellery. Organic materials such as natural coral were also used in period jewellery. The gemstones encountered will vary according to the era, jewellery style and individual piece.
What makes antique coral jewellery distinctive?
Natural coral is valued for its organic character and shades that can range from pale pink to deeper red. In antique jewellery, coral can be found carved, polished or incorporated into gold settings, sometimes alongside materials such as pearls and diamonds.
How can you tell whether coral jewellery is natural?
Distinguishing natural coral from dyed or imitation materials can require specialist knowledge. Rather than relying solely on appearance, buyers should ask an experienced jeweller or qualified gemmologist to assess a piece when authenticity is important.
What should I consider when buying an antique gemstone ring?
Look at the overall condition of the ring, including the gemstone, setting and band. Ask whether stones have been treated, whether repairs or alterations have been carried out and whether the ring is suitable for regular wear. Resizing should also be discussed before purchasing an older ring.
