Amethyst- A member of the quartz family, distinguished by its shades of lilac, purple, or mauve.
It is found in Brazil, the Urals, Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagascar, the USA, Germany,
Australia, Namibia, and Zambia. It has the hardness of 7.
Aquamarine- Belonging to the Beryl family, aquamarines are sky blue, dark blue, and sea green
in color. Most aquamarines are heated to enhance the blue color and burn off a yellowish base.
The best gem quality aquamarines are found in Brazil. Other locations include the Urals,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nigeria, and Madagascar. Aquamarines have the hardness of 7.5.
Citrine- Members of the quartz family, citrines are yellow or golden orange in color. Natural
citrines are pale yellow and gem quality citrines are very rare. The best quality stones are found
in Brazil, Spain, Madagascar, and the former USSR. This stone has a hardness of 7.
Diamond- Highly prized for its luster, fire, and durability; diamonds are the hardest minerals on
Earth. They can be yellow, brown, green, blue, red, pink, gray, and black. Diamonds form at high
temperatures and pressures and can be found in India, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Ghana,
Sierra Leone, Zaire, Botswana, Namibia, the former USSR, and the USA. Diamonds have the
hardness of 10.
Emerald- Belongs to the Beryl family and is known for its beautiful green color. The most
desired emerald has a deep green color. Emeralds are often flawed, therefore they are oiled to
disguise and fill cracks and enhance color. These are not necessarily classified as faults but are
used as evidence of the genuineness of the stone. The finest emeralds come from Columbia.
Other locations include Austria, India, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, the USA, Norway,
Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. Emeralds have a hardness of 7.5.
Garnet (Rhodolite)- A newer strain of the red garnet family, rhodolites are a pink or purple red
and can be light in color. Rhodolite dates back to 1898 when it was used to describe a newly
discovered garnet in North Carolina. Rhodolite garnets are also found in Sri Lanka, East Africa,
Kenya, and Tanzania.
Garnet (Green Grossular/Tsavorite)- A transparent green grossularite garnet has a fine
"minty" color, while the green tsavorite garnet is a rich emerald green. The finer tsavorite stones
can be nearly as expensive as a fine emerald, and considerably more durable. They are mainly
mined in Kenya. Other locations for mining are in Canada, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the former USSR,
Tanzania, South Africa, and the USA. It has a hardness of 7.
Green Tourmaline- Green in all shades but emerald green is much rarer and more valuable.
Green tourmalines are the most common out of all tourmalines. Emerald green stones are found
in Brazil, Tanzania, and Namibia. It has the hardness of 7.5.
Paraiba Tourmaline- Named after the location from which it is mined in Brazil, the Paraiba
mines. It is known for it’s incredible hues of an almost "electric" quality. The mine was quickly
depleted and only yielded a limited amount of stones. They are incredibly rare and valuable.
Iolite- Is recognized by its violet-blue color but can vary in blue hues. Gem-quality iolite can be
found in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Madagascar, India, Namibia, and Tanzania. It has a hardness of 7.
Morganite- Member of the Beryl group, the color of morganite varies in pink, rose, peach, and
violet. Some of the finest morganite comes from Madagascar; other locations are Brazil, Elba
(Italy), Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Pakistan. Morganite has a hardness of 7.5.
Onyx- Onyx is a variety of microcrystalline quartz. It is actually similar to agate, with a color
range of white to tan, and brown to black. It has been a favored material of the Romans for the
carving of cameos and onyx seals It has a hardness of 7.
Opal- Divided into three categories: opalescent precious opals, yellow-red fire opals and
common opals.·
Precious Opals- characterized by their opalescence, a rainbow like iridescence that changes
with the angle of observation. Precious opals are separated into two categories of white or milky
opals and black opals. White opals are light and black opals are dark gray, dark blue, dark green,
or gray black. Black opals are rarer. Precious opals are found in Czechoslovakia, Australia, Brazil,
Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, and the USA (Nevada.) ·
Fire Opals- Named for its orange color, fire opals are not opalescent but are usually milky. The
best qualities are clear and transparent. These opals are sensitive to any stress. They are found in
Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, the USA, Western Australia, and Turkey. ·
Common Opals- Are mostly opaque and do not display iridescence and are very common.
Pearl- Are formed in oysters and mussels. A layer of nacre is formed around an irritant, such as
sand, as a natural defense. As the layer thickens, the pearl is formed. The thicker the nacre, the
larger the pearl. Pearl colors vary from white to pink, brown to black. They are sensitive to acids,
dryness, and humidity, therefore are a more delicate stone and must be worn with care. Pearls
were once thought to be the tears of the gods.
GEMSTONES
