Top 10 Affordable Jewelry Gemstones for When You’re on a Budget

As a jewelry designer or DIY enthusiast, you know that inspiration can strike at any moment, but sourcing beautiful, quality gemstones on a budget? In this guide we'll introduce you to ten affordable gemstones that offer huge creative potential. Let's take a closer look at these gemstones that will not only make budget design possible, but also inspire.

Onyx

Onyx is a classic gemstone known for its smooth, glossy black appearance, perfect for minimalist designs or to contrast with brighter gemstones. In addition, its smooth surface is ideal for carving and is often used to create rings, bracelets, and even statement pendants.

Hardness: 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale. It’s moderately durable but can be scratched more easily than harder gemstones.

Color: Primarily black, though banded onyx can display white and gray stripes.

Pros: Affordable, elegant, and easy to work with. Its smooth surface is perfect for engraving and carving, making it great for custom designs.

Cons: Relatively soft, so it may not hold up as well in high-wear pieces. Can also chip or crack if not handled carefully.

Garnet

Garnet is a rich, deep-red gemstone with a long history in jewelry design. Its vibrant color makes it a favorite for both modern and traditional pieces.

Hardness: 6.5 - 7.5 on the Mohs scale, offering decent durability for everyday wear.

Color: Commonly red, though it can also come in green, yellow, and orange varieties.

Pros: Affordable, versatile, and available in a wide range of colors. Ideal for both statement and subtle designs.

Cons: Can be brittle and prone to chipping in some varieties.

Garnet’s deep hues and variety of colors make it perfect for adding richness to any jewelry piece.

Tiger’s Eye

Tiger’s Eye is known for its unique golden-brown color and chatoyant effect. Its warm golden bands seem to move under light, giving each stone an alive, almost mystical quality. For jewelry makers, this makes Tiger’s Eye an ideal centerpiece for earthy, boho, or rustic designs.

Hardness: 6.5–7 – durable enough for daily wear

Color: Golden brown with silky, shifting luster

Best Used For: Beaded bracelets, pendants, men’s jewelry, grounding-themed designs

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is known as the “Stone of Love,” With its soft pink hue and translucent glow, it’s a favorite among creators crafting feminine, romantic, or healing-inspired pieces. From polished cabochons to round beads and raw crystal chunks, Rose Quartz is easy to find in many forms and sizes, all at very friendly prices.

Hardness: 7 – durable and easy to work with

Color: Pale pink to warm blush

Best Used For: Beaded necklaces, heart-shaped pendants, romantic or calming-themed pieces

Cons: Can scratch more easily than harder gemstones and may lose its shine over time with heavy use.

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli has been treasured for thousands of years — once prized by Egyptian pharaohs and Renaissance painters alike. Its unmistakable deep blue color, often sprinkled with golden pyrite inclusions, evokes mystery, wisdom, and power.

Hardness : 5.5–6 – best for pendants, earrings, or protected settings

Color: Deep royal blue with flecks of gold

Price Range: Affordable to mid-range depending on quality

Best Used For: Statement pendants, boho-style earrings, symbolic or vintage-inspired pieces

Moonstone

Moonstone is the gemstone equivalent of moonlight, soft, mysterious, and subtly mesmerizing. Its signature shimmer, called adularescence, gives off a floating glow that moves across the surface of the stone, especially in blue or rainbow varieties. This makes it a favorite among designers crafting ethereal, mystical, or nature-inspired pieces.

Hardness: 6–6.5 – best for earrings, pendants, or delicate ring settings

Color: Milky white, peach, gray, or blue with a soft sheen

Best Used For: Boho necklaces, lunar or spiritual themes, bridal jewelry

Creative Tip: Combine with sterling silver or moon charms for a celestial aesthetic

Malachite

Malachite is a gemstone with a vibrant green hue and an alluring concentric circle pattern. Its striking appearance instantly draws the eye, making it ideal for statement jewelry or focal pendants. Loved since ancient times, Malachite continues to be a favorite among modern artisans for its brilliant visual texture and natural beauty.

Hardness : 3.5–4 – best for pendants, earrings, or protected settings

Color: Vibrant green with dark and light banding

Cons: The lower the hardness, the easier it is to wear

Best Used For: Statement pieces, art deco or geometric designs, nature-inspired jewelry

Topaz

Topaz is a designer’s dream for balancing brilliance and budget. Known for its incredible clarity and wide color range, Blue Topaz stands out as the most accessible and visually striking option. Whether you choose the light Sky Blue, vibrant Swiss Blue, or deep London Blue, each shade offers a clean, polished look that mimics the feel of high-end gemstones, without the price tag.

Hardness: 8 – very durable, ideal for rings and everyday wear

Color: Most affordable is Blue (Sky, Swiss, or London Blue); also found in yellow, pink, or clear

Best Used For: Solitaire rings, dainty pendants, elegant earrings

Creative Tip: Use faceted blue topaz with sterling silver to create high-impact, ice-toned elegance

Agate

Agate is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly gemstones in the jewelry world. Formed in layers within volcanic rocks, each piece of agate showcases unique patterns — from swirling neutrals to bold stripes, or even crystal-lined geodes. For designers, that means endless options for texture, color, and creative experimentation.

Hardness: 6.5–7 – strong enough for everyday jewelry

Color: Found in nearly every color , often banded, translucent, or marbled

Best Used For: Boho necklaces, wire-wrapped pendants, beaded bracelets, statement earrings

Creative Tip: Use dyed agate slices for bold color pops or natural geode forms for raw-style

Opal

Opal is a gemstone like no other — shimmering with mysterious color flashes that shift with light and movement. For creators looking to add ethereal detail to their work, opal offers a uniquely dreamlike aesthetic.

Hardness: 5.5–6.5 – best for earrings, pendants, or protected settings

Color: Milky white, gray, blue, or clear base with colorful play-of-color

Best Used For: Dainty earrings, spiritual pendants, light-catching designs

Creative Tip: Use small opal cabochons with minimal bezel settings to showcase their natural glow without overpowering your design