Precious & Semi-Precious Stones for Grillz
When choosing stones for your design there are many things to consider, including budget, if they are safe for oral wear and how they will suit your style aesthetic and complexion. These are all things that can be discussed with us online or in our shop. If we don’t stock a particular stone, we can source semi-precious and precious stones for your custom grillz or jewellery.
Clear stones are a popular option for most as they will go with most aesthetics and styles and have a timeless look. But these gems also come in a wide variety of colours, sizes and shapes. Below we have a detailed guide to help you choose a stone that works for you and your budget, we’ll start from least expensive to most expensive
Cubic Zirconia Crystals
Also known as CZ crystals, Cubic zirconia crystals are a popular choice for jewellery and grillz due to their affordability and resemblance to diamonds. These synthetic gems offer a budget-friendly alternative and are safe for use to wear orally. They are available in a wide range of colours, cuts and sizes. While they may not have the same hardness as diamonds, cubic zirconia crystals are still quite durable, maintaining their sparkle and integrity for many years with proper care.
It's generally not advisable to set cubic zirconia in expensive metals like gold or platinum. The primary value of these metals is their inherent worth and longevity, which contrasts with the relatively lower durability of cubic zirconia compared to diamonds. Over time, cubic zirconia can become scratched or cloudy, detracting from the overall appearance and value of the piece. Investing in high-value metals is better complemented by equally enduring gemstones, ensuring that the entire piece maintains its prestige and beauty over the long term.
Cubic Zirconia stones:
Moissanites
Moissanites are a great choice for jewellery and grillz because they sparkle brilliantly and are much more affordable than diamonds, they also come in various colours, cuts and sizes. They're safe to wear orally and very durable, almost as hard as diamonds, so they keep their shine for a long time.
They also have a higher refractive index than diamonds, which means they often appear more sparkly and exhibit more fire (flashes of colour) under light.
Moissanite stones:
Lab Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are increasingly popular in jewellery and grillz for their affordability and ethical appeal. They are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds, offering the same dazzling brilliance and durability. They’re available in other colours, cuts and sizes. These diamonds are safe to wear, hypoallergenic, and just as hard as their natural counterparts, ensuring they maintain their sparkle and resist scratches over time.
Lab Diamonds:
Natural Diamonds
If you’re looking for your jewellery or grillz to hold value natural diamonds are the way to go, prized for their beauty, durability, and rarity, making them a timeless choice. Natural diamonds tend to retain higher resale value compared to lab-grown diamonds, making them a better long-term investment, especially when set in high quality metals like gold or platinum.
Each natural diamond is unique, with its own set of characteristics and inclusions that make it one-of-a-kind. They come in a variety of styles and colours, each with unique characteristics that make them distinct. Some examples of alternative types of diamonds include:
Natural Diamond:
Salt and Pepper Diamonds: These diamonds have a mix of black and white inclusions, giving them a speckled or "salt and pepper" appearance. The inclusions, which might be carbon spots, feathers, or other minerals, create a unique, rustic look.
Salt and Pepper Diamonds:
Champagne Diamonds: These diamonds are known for their warm, brownish-yellow hue, resembling the colour of champagne. The colour is due to the presence of nitrogen during the diamond's formation. Champagne diamonds range in tone from light straw to deep cognac and are valued for their unique and rich coloration.
Both types showcase the diversity and beauty of diamonds beyond the traditional clear and colourless stones, appealing to those seeking something distinctive and personal in their jewellery.
Champagne Diamonds:
Diamonds are graded based on the 4Cs: Carat, Cut, Colour, and Clarity.
- Carat: Refers to the weight of the diamond. One carat equals 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds are rarer and thus more valuable.
- Cut: The cut of a diamond affects its brilliance and how well it reflects light. Ideal or Excellent cuts are the highest quality, maximising sparkle.
- Colour: Diamond colour is graded on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Colourless diamonds are the most sought-after and valuable.
- Clarity: Clarity measures the presence of internal or external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes, respectively. The clarity grades are:
- FL (Flawless): No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
- IF (Internally Flawless): No inclusions, only minor blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
- VVS1/VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included): Inclusions are very difficult to detect under 10x magnification.
- VS1/VS2 (Very Slightly Included): Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification but not to the naked eye.
- SI1/SI2 (Slightly Included): Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification and may be visible to the naked eye.
- I1/I2/I3 (Included): Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance.
What to consider when selecting stones for your design:
Selecting stones for your chosen design can be very personal, here are a few things you could consider to make your grillz or jewellery unique to you.
Style & Aesthetic: When choosing stones for your jewellery or grillz, consider the overall style and aesthetic you want to achieve. We will speak with you in depth about the styles, colours and shapes that you like and dislike and provide you with options tailored to your personal aesthetic.
Cultural Significance: Stones often carry deep cultural meanings and historical significance. Understanding these can add a layer of depth to your jewellery or grillz.
Spiritual Meaning: Many cultures use crystals and stones for their spiritual and healing properties. Incorporating these beliefs into your design can add personal significance.
Shapes & Cuts
Diamonds and other gemstones come in a variety of cuts, colours, and shapes, each contributing to their unique beauty and appeal. Here's a brief overview:
Cuts of Stones
The cut of a gemstone refers to how it has been shaped and faceted. Common cuts include:
- Brilliant Cut: Maximises sparkle with numerous facets; most commonly used for round diamonds.
- Princess Cut: Square or rectangular with sharp corners; highly brilliant.
- Emerald Cut: Rectangular with step cuts and truncated corners; known for its elegance.
- Cushion Cut: Rounded corners with large facets; resembles a pillow shape.
- Asscher Cut: Square with deep step cuts and a high crown; similar to the emerald cut but square.
- Oval Cut: Elliptical shape; offers brilliance similar to the round cut.
- Marquise Cut: Elongated with pointed ends; maximises carat weight.
- Pear Cut: Teardrop shape; combines the round and marquise cuts.
- Heart Cut: Heart shape; symbolises love and romance.
Different cut and shapes of stones:
Shapes of Stones
Shapes refer to the outline or external form of the gemstone. Beyond the well-known shapes, some lesser-known but beautiful shapes include:
- Trillion: Triangular shape; often used for accent stones.
- Baguette: Long and rectangular; typically used as side stones.
- Tapered Baguette: Rectangular but tapers to one end; used for accents.
- Radiant: Rectangular or square with brilliant-cut facets; combines the elegance of an emerald cut with the brilliance of a round.
- Rose Cut: Flat base with a dome-shaped top covered in triangular facets; vintage style with a subtle sparkle.
- Briolette: Pear-shaped and faceted all around; often used in earrings and pendants.
- Cabochon: Polished, not faceted; has a smooth, rounded surface; commonly used for opaque stones like opals and moonstones.
These variations in cuts and shapes provide a wide array of options, allowing for personalised and unique jewellery pieces that cater to different tastes and styles.What stones are safe for grillz?
Choosing stones that are safe to wear in the mouth for grillz is crucial for both health and comfort. Unsafe materials can cause allergic reactions, toxicity, or irritation, posing serious health risks. For grillz, it's essential to use hypoallergenic, non-toxic stones that do not leach harmful substances when in contact with saliva.
The best place to verify the safety of stones is with reputable gemological institutes like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) who offer valuable resources and certifications that confirm the safety and quality of gemstones used in dental jewellery. A quick way for you to check if the gem stone you’d like to use is toxic or not, is to visit the GIA website and find the gem in the table: https://www.gemsociety.org/article/gemstone-toxicity-table/
We hope this information helps you!
LOUD MOUTH LDN