Gemstones
Gemstones
Also known as Gems, Jewels and Precious Stones. Most gemstones are classified as minerals with rare exceptions such as pearls, amber, coral and jet.
Types of Gemstones
Apatite
Azurite
Benitoite
Beryl
Aquamarine
Emerald
Heliodore
Morganite
Chalcedony
Agate
- Dendritic Agate / Scenic Agate
- Eye Agate / Orbicular Agate
- Fire Agate
- Iris Agate
- Landscape Agate
- Sardonyx / Sard
Aventurine
Black Chalcedony / Black Onyx
Bloodstone
Carnelian
Chrysoprase
Heliotrope
Jasper
Chrysocolla
Chrysoberyl
Alexandrite
Cat's Eye
Cordierite
Iolite
Corundum
Ruby
- Star Ruby
Sapphire
- Star Sapphire
Diamond
Diopside
Chrome Diopside
Feldspar
Moonstone
Sunstone
Fluorite
Garnets
Unlike other gem families whose color variations result due to the presence of impurities, garnets colors are due to differences in their actual chemical structure. Therefore they are classified as a 'group' unlike other families that are classified as a 'species'.
Almandite
- Demantoid
- Rhodolite
Andratite
Grossularite
- Hessonite
- Tsavorite
Malaya
Pyrope
- Rhodolite
Spessartine
Uvarovite
Grossularite
Hematite
Jadeite
Jade
Kyanite
Labradorite
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli is a mixture of minerals lazurite, calcite and sometimes pyrite and is classified as a rock. In the jewelry industry it is often referred to simply as 'lapis'.
Malachite
Nephrite
Jade
Olivine
Peridot
Opal
Organic
Amber
Although found in the earth Amber is was produced by living organisms and is not considered a mineral, instead being classified as a mineraloid.
Corel
Ivory
Jet
Although found in the earth Jet is was produced by living organisms and is not considered a mineral, instead being classified as a mineraloid.
Pearl
Shell
Quartz
Amethyst
Ametrine
Citrine
Rock Crystal
Rose Quartz
Smoky Quartz
Rhodochrosite
Sinhalite
Sodalite
Sphene
Titanite
Spinel
Sugilite
Spodumene
Hiddenite
Kunzite
Topaz
- Blue Topaz
- Red Topaz
Tourmaline
- Green Tourmaline
- Paraiba Tourmaline
- Tri-color Tourmaline
Turquoise
Zircon
Zoisite
Tanzanite
History
Throughout history people have always admired the beauty of gemstones and due to their rarity, placed have value on them.
Gem Identification
Methods used to identify gems from similar looking species, separate them from imitations and to recognize enhancements and treatments. Since most gemstones are minerals that have a uniform chemical composition, giving them a consistent set of physical and optical properties, accurate measurement of these properties greatly helps gem identification.
Issues
Largest issues of gem identification are failing to consider all possibilities and misinterpreting test results.
Imitations
High value of gems have led to various forms of imitations over the years.
Treatments
Treatments developed to raise apparent value of stones.