Zircon is a widespread mineral and an important gemstone of many colors. This mineral is ubiquitous in the Earth’s crust and is among the oldest known minerals. Zircon occurs in many parts of the world, particularly Australia, South Africa, the United States, Russia, Canada, Brazil, Italy, India and Sri Lanka. It is sometimes looked upon … Read more
A garnet a name applied to a group of closely-related minerals, many of which are used as gemstones. There are more than twenty garnet categories, called species, but only five are commercially important as gems. Those five are pyrope, almandine (also called almandite), spessartine, grossular (grossularite), and andradite. Garnets are most often seen in red, … Read more
Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral. It is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium that is extensively used as a gemstone. Richness of color is the chief determinant of the value of a turquoise sample. Generally speaking, the most desirable color is a strong sky blue to “robin’s egg” blue (referring to the eggs … Read more
Topaz is a silicate mineral that is valued as a gemstone. It is a silicate of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al2SiO4(F, OH)2. Topaz is one of the hardest naturally occurring minerals (Mohs hardness of 8) and is the hardest of any silicate mineral. This hardness combined with its usual transparency and variety of … Read more
The term jade is applied to two tough compact, typically green gemstones that take a high polish. Both minerals have been carved into jewelry, ornaments, small sculptures, and utilitarian objects from earliest recorded times. The more highly prized of the two jadestones is jadeite; the other is nephrite. Jadeite is a silicate of sodium and aluminium … Read more
Sapphire is typically blue colored precious gemstone. Its color is due mainly to the presence of small amounts of iron, titanium, chromium, copper, or magnesium and normally ranges from a very pale blue to deep indigo, with the most valued a medium-deep cornflower blue. Colorless, gray, yellow, pale pink, orange, green, violet, and brown varieties … Read more
A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone. The name “ruby” comes from the Latin word ruber, which means red. It is one of only six types of precious gemstones found on planet earth, sharing prestigious company with diamonds, opals, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls. Most people don’t realize that ruby and sapphire are both … Read more
Emerald is green variety of mineral beryl that is highly valued as a gemstone. Rare and beautiful, emerald’s stunning green color has brought it an honored status amongst cultures worldwide. It is one of only six types of precious gemstones found on planet earth, sharing prestigious company with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, opals, and pearls. The … Read more
Opal is one of the most beautiful and precious gemstones. Basically, opal is made up of water and silica (the main component in glass). It is one of only six types of precious gemstones found on planet earth, sharing prestigious company with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls. Occurring in most varieties of rock, the … Read more