If you've shopped for gemstone jewelry, you've probably seen descriptions like A, AA, AAA, AAAA, or even "premium AAA quality." And if you're anything like me, your first assumption was probably pretty simple: more A's must mean a better gemstone.
That's certainly what it sounds like.
But here's something I think every woman shopping for gemstone jewelry deserves to know: gemstone quality isn't quite that simple.
When I started working more seriously with gemstones for The Always Busy Mama, I wanted to understand exactly what I was purchasing. If I was going to tell you that I was using AA or AAA natural gemstones in a piece of jewelry, I wanted to understand what that actually meant—and I wanted you to understand it too.
Because one of the things I never want you to feel when shopping for jewelry is like you need to become a gemologist just to know whether you're getting something beautiful and worth your money.
So, What Does AAA Gemstone Quality Actually Mean?
Here's where things get interesting. Unlike diamonds, colored gemstones do not have one universally accepted grading system that says a particular stone is officially A, AA, or AAA.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), one of the most respected authorities in gemology, explains that there currently isn't a broadly accepted universal grading system for colored gemstones. In fact, GIA specifically notes that individual companies may create their own A, AA, and AAA quality descriptions to differentiate between the gemstones they sell.
That means a gemstone described as "AAA" by one supplier isn't necessarily being evaluated against exactly the same criteria as a gemstone labeled "AAA" somewhere else.
And I think that's really important to know as a consumer.
It doesn't mean gemstone grades are meaningless. They can be incredibly helpful for understanding the different quality levels offered by a particular supplier. But AAA shouldn't be treated like a universal certification or guarantee of quality.
So instead of asking only, "How many A's does this gemstone have?" there are a few other things worth paying attention to.
What Actually Makes One Gemstone Better Than Another?
Colored gemstones are beautifully complicated, which is one of the reasons I love working with them. There isn't one characteristic that determines whether a gemstone is beautiful or valuable.
Color is incredibly important. Depending on the type of gemstone, things like hue, tone, saturation, and how evenly the color appears throughout the stone can affect its quality and value. In fact, GIA considers color the most important quality factor for most colored gemstones.
Clarity matters too, but this is where gemstones get especially interesting. Some gemstones naturally tend to have more inclusions than others. An inclusion is essentially something you can see inside the gemstone that formed as the stone developed in nature. Depending on the gemstone, inclusions can affect its appearance and value—but they can also be part of what makes a natural gemstone look completely unique.
Cut also matters. A beautifully cut gemstone allows light to interact with the stone in a way that brings out its color, brilliance, and overall beauty. Two gemstones can technically be the same type, size, and even similar color but look dramatically different because of how they were cut.
Then there are other factors like size, rarity, treatments, origin in certain gemstones, and even the individual characteristics of the stone itself.
In other words, gemstone quality isn't one number—or one letter.
Then Why Do I Talk About AA and AAA Gemstones at The Always Busy Mama?
Because I still think transparency matters.
When I'm sourcing gemstones for The Always Busy Mama, I'm not simply looking for the cheapest stone I can put into a piece of jewelry. I'm looking at the overall appearance of the gemstone, its color, clarity, cut, consistency, and how it will look when it becomes part of a finished piece.
I primarily source gemstones that my suppliers classify within their AA and AAA quality ranges because those classifications help me compare the stones available within that supplier's inventory.
But here's the distinction I want to be really clear about: I'm not claiming that an AAA gemstone has received some universal AAA certification. That doesn't exist for colored gemstones.
Instead, those grades are one tool I use when sourcing. The final decision still comes down to the gemstone itself.
Because sometimes you can look at a stone on paper and think it's perfect, and then see another one that simply catches your eye.
And that's part of the beauty of working with natural gemstones.
Natural Gemstones Aren't Supposed to Look Exactly the Same
I actually think this is one of the most important conversations we can have about gemstone quality.
We're so accustomed to buying things that look identical that sometimes we forget gemstones came from the earth.
Natural gemstones can have slight differences in color, pattern, transparency, and inclusions. That's especially noticeable in stones like Tourmaline, Labradorite, Moonstone, Moss Agate, Rutile Quartz, and many others where variation is part of what makes the gemstone so beautiful.
Those differences don't automatically mean you've received a lower-quality gemstone.
Sometimes they simply mean you've received your gemstone.
No one else will have one exactly like it.
And for a brand built around meaningful jewelry and telling your story, I think there's something incredibly special about that.
So, Is AAA Actually Better Than AA?
Within the same supplier's grading system, AAA will generally indicate that the supplier considers that gemstone a higher quality than its AA offering.
But across the entire jewelry industry? It's not that straightforward.
If you're comparing a AAA gemstone from one company with an AA gemstone from another, the letters alone aren't enough information to determine which stone is "better." Because there isn't a universal standard defining exactly what those grades have to mean.
That's why I don't want you choosing gemstone jewelry based solely on the number of A's in a product description.
Look at the stone. Look at its color. Look at the craftsmanship of the finished jewelry. Look at the materials surrounding it. Look at what the seller tells you about the gemstone. And, most importantly, buy from someone you trust to be transparent about what you're getting.
You Don't Need to Be a Gemologist to Buy Better Jewelry
That's really the reason I talk about gemstone quality in the first place.
I don't expect you to know the difference between hue, tone, saturation, clarity characteristics, treatments, cutting styles, or every other term used in the gemstone industry. That's my job to learn so I can make thoughtful choices about what goes into the jewelry I create.
Your job is much simpler.
Choose something that feels like you.
Maybe it's your child's birthstone. Maybe it's a gemstone connected to a feeling you need more of right now. Maybe it's simply a stone you think is absolutely beautiful.
Quality matters. I believe deeply that it does.
But meaning matters too.
At The Always Busy Mama, I want you to understand enough about the jewelry you're buying to feel confident investing in it—without taking away the part that's supposed to be fun.
Because at the end of the day, the best gemstone isn't necessarily the one with the most A's next to its name.
It's the one you'll reach for again and again because it means something to you.