Sweet Stones & Savvy Nicknames: The Stories Behind 10 Tasty Gem Monikers

Introduction

In gem lore, nicknames aren’t just clever branding-they’re shorthand for a vibe, a mood, a moment in jewelry history. Some stick because they’re catchy (“Chocolate Diamond,” anyone?), while others date to candlelit ballrooms or mining booms of the early 1900s. Here are ten flavorful aliases that helped overlooked stones sparkle a little brighter-and why their backstories are just as captivating as the gems themselves.

1 · Evening Emerald - Peridot

Victorian jewelers noticed peridot glows under gaslight-unlike emerald-and dubbed it “Evening Emerald.” Budget-friendly, luminous, and still perfect for August babies or summer weddings.

2 · Green Fire - Demantoid Garnet

Russia’s 1860s discovery revealed garnet with diamond-like dispersion. Fabergé fanned the flames, and “Green Fire” remains rare and radiant today.

3 · Mandarin Garnet - Spessartite Garnet

Vivid orange spessartites from ’90s Namibia earned the “Mandarin” tag thanks to their citrus hue-100 % natural, no heat required. Looks phenomenal in rose gold.

4 · Grape Garnet - Pyrope-Almandine Garnet

Found only in Odisha, India, this purple garnet shifts from violet outdoors to magenta indoors. Limited supply makes “Grape Garnet” highly collectible.

5 · Chocolate Diamond - Brown Diamond

Le Vian’s 2000 rebrand turned overlooked brown diamonds into runway favorites. Only stones meeting strict tone criteria earn the decadent trademark.

6 · Watermelon Tourmaline

Slice a pink-and-green bi-color tourmaline crosswise and you’ll see a summer fruit. Clean color separation and a full “rind” command the highest prices.

7 · Salt-and-Pepper Diamond

White crystal (salt) and black graphite (pepper) inclusions make each stone one-of-a-kind. Perfect for couples craving organic, non-traditional sparkle-just mind durability.

8 · Lotus-Blossom Sapphire - Padparadscha Sapphire

“Padparadscha” already means lotus blossom in Sinhalese, but Western dealers simplified the nickname. Pink-orange, rare, and fiercely debated over exact hue parameters.

9 · Poor Man’s Emerald - Peridot (Again)

Another peridot alias from the 1800s, pitched as an affordable emerald alternative. High-quality peridot today can fetch five-figure prices-proof budget and beauty coexist.

10 · Champagne Diamond

Argyle’s pale brown diamonds got a bubbly rebrand in the ’80s. Set in rose gold for instant warmth and vintage charm.

Closing Thoughts

Nicknames do more than sell sparkle-they add history and romance to every carat. Want to meet these stones in real life? Book a private appointment at Quantum Qarat in Scottsdale, and let us match you with a gem that speaks your language-flavor and all.