Gems and Jewels
Gemstones of the World
There are hundreds of precious and semi-precious gems in the world.
It would be impossible to feature them all in one place but this lens will cover a wide range of precious and semi-precious gems.
Lensography - Everything you ever wanted to know about gems and more
- Comprehensive guide to buying Citrine gemstones
Citrine is the yellow or orange version of Quartz. Quartz its self is very common but yellow quartz found in natural is rare. Most Citrines on the market today are actually heat treated Amethyst or Smokey Quartz. These heat-treated gems are a much d - Sapphires
When most people hear the word Sapphire they think Blue, but Sapphires come in every color of the Rainbow except red. Red Sapphires are Rubies. Sapphires can come in pure white, looking very much like a Diamond to almost black which is called Midnig - Comprehensive guide to various kinds of Garnet gems
Everything you ever wanted to know about Garnet Gems When most people hear the name Garnet they think red. But Garnets are more then just a cheap red gemstone. Garnets can come in a wide variety of colors and some can be quite valuable. This guide - Zircon a beauiful natural gem not to be confused with CZ's
The Beautiful Zircon gems' reputation has suffered for the past 30 years due to the introduction of a diamond simulant Cubic Zirconia. A natural mined from the earth Zircon Gem is NOT the same material as the artificial gem material Cubic Zirconia (o - Comprehensive guide to buying Amethyst
While Amethyst it's self it quite common certain varieties of Amethyst are quite rare and valuable. The color purple is traditionally the color of royalty and amethyst has been used since the dawn of history to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs - Comprehensive Guide to buying Alexandrite gems
Alexandrite the original color change gem. If you or a loved one was born in June now is the time to buy an Alexandrite. The prices have never been lower. Discovered in 1830 in Russia and named after Czar Alexander II, who was then Crown Prince - Emeralds
Comprehensive guide to buying Emeralds History Emeralds have been known and loved for at least 5000 years. From Egyptian Pharaohs to the Aztecs and Incas of pre Colombia Emeralds have dazzled the t hearts of rulers through out History. The firs - The Fascinating world of Spinel gems
Everything you ever wanted to know about Spinel Gems Spinel is known as the great imposter because has often confused with Rubies and Sapphires. "The Black Prince Ruby" in the English Crown Jewels is a perfect example of a Spinel mistaken for a Ru - Rubies
Comprehensive Guide to buying Rubies History Rubies are one of the most expensive and sought after of all gems. Rubies have been loved for thousands of years. In ancient India, stories circulated that God created the Ruby and then created men to - Sphene: The Green Gold Gem
Sphene or Titanite The use of sphene as this mineral's name has been discredited by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names (CNMMN); Titanite is the "approved" name. However, Sphene persists as the in - Tourmaline
Tourmaline: buying guide to the Rainbow Gemstone Legend has it that on the long way from the Earth's heart up towards the sun, Tourmaline traveled along a rainbow. And on its way it collected all the colors of the rainbow. It is easy to see why a - Ametrine
Ametrine: Two gems for the price of one. Ametrine Traditional Octagon cut Ametrine Ametrine is a wonderful combination of Amethyst and Citrine. Only found in the Anahi Mine in Bolivia, natural Ametrine is becoming increasingly rare. Some - Apatite : The yummiest of all blue gems
Apatite, a stone seldom found in jewelry stores and virtually unknown to the general public, is beloved by collectors for its many different colors and forms. Only with the recent availability of the neon blue-green variety from Madagascar, has its j - Comprehensive Guide to buying Aquamarine gems
Aquamarine buying guide to the most popular light blue gem. Aquamarine is extremely popular worldwide and has been used in Jewelry for thousands of year. Aquamarine is a beautiful light blue, blue-green or aqua blue gem. It is a member of the B - Iolite
In the early days of Sea exploration Traveling to far from shore was very dangerous and often lead to disaster. That was until Vikings discovered a unique property of Iolite. Iolite acts as a polarizing filter. Looking through an iolite lens, Viking - Scapolite: Guide to a rare and little known gemstone
Scapolite is a rare and little known gemstone. It is a beautiful gem that comes in many colors. Scapolite was originally discovered in 1913 in the Mogok Stone Tract in upper Burma (Myanmar). There, white, pink, yellowish or violet stones of high qua - Comprehensive Guide to buying Andalusite gems
Andalusite is poised to be the next beauty queen on the gem market. This beautiful multi color gems is still surprisingly affordable. It is being called the poor man's Alexandrite because of the way it can appear to change colors depending on how it - Obsidian: A gems born of a Valcano
Obsidian is the result of volcanic eruption near a lake or ocean. When hot lava comes in contact with water it cools quickly. This process produces a glassy texture in the resulting rock. Iron and magnesium gives obsidian a dark green to black color. - Topaz: Everything you ever wanted to know about Topaz gems.
Topaz has been around for centuries. It is relatively common and plentiful.It is found all over the world including Australia, Brazil, Russia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Nigeria, Mozambique, Pakistan, Norway and China.Topaz comes in a wide array of colors inc - Sunstone: A beautiful Sparkling gem
Suntone in found in United States (Oregon), India, Canada, South Norway and Russia. Gems can be clear and sparkle like diamonds, golden orange or display vibrant rainbow colors. - Labradorite
Labradorite is truely a fascinatingly beautiful mineral. Its a mineral whose charm is not fully noticed and may be overlooked if not viewed from the proper position. Generally a dull, dark looking mineral with no special virtue until the colorful shi - Kyanite
Kyanite is everything a blue sapphire wished it was....except Kyanite is too soft. - The Chrysoberyl Species of gems
Alexandrite Pear The Chrysoberyl species of gems includes Alexandrite one of the rarest and sought after of all color change gems. Other gems in the Chrysoberyl species are Cat's eye and green, yellow and brown Chrysoberyl. - Tanzanite: Information and Buying guide
Tanzanite is one of the newest gemstones on the market. Discovered in 1967 in the Merelani Hills near Arusha in the north of Tanzania it was celebrated as The Gemstone of the 20th century' - Peridot: August Birthstone
Up until just a few years ago Peridots were a little hard to get. Known sources were somewhat depleted. However recent finds in of find gem grade Peridot in Pakistan and Afghanistan have revived the popularity of this gem. Today fine gems of up to 5
Precious gemstones
What makes a gemstone Precious?
Traditionally the precious stones were Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald and Ruby.
Since ancient times these gems highly prized for there beauty and scarcity.
It is also interesting to note that these are some of the hardest gems in the world.
Recently Tanzanite and Alexandrite have been added to the list of Precious gems due to their popularity, rarity and hardness.
Diamond
Diamonds are the hardest of all natural gems. It is a 10 on the Mohs scale, the highest rank a gem can have.
Diamonds are not the rarest gem in the world (not even close) nor are they the most expensive.
Diamonds are not even scares. The supply of Diamonds is controlled by the Diamond Cartels in South Africa to keep the price inflated artificially high.
When most people hear the word Sapphire they think Blue, but Sapphires come in every color of the Rainbow except red. Red Sapphires are Rubies.
Sapphires and Rubires are the second hardest of all the gems. They are a 9 on the Mohs scale.
Sapphires are found in India, Burma, Ceylon, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Brazil and Africa. The best Sapphires come from Ceylon.
For more Information click here
Rubies are one of the most expensive and sought after of all gems. Rubies have been loved for thousands of years. In ancient India, stories circulated that God created the Ruby and then created men to own it.
Rubies come in all shades of red and reddish pink. The most valued color is pure red with a hint of blue, known as "pigeon's blood" red.
Rubies are an 9 on the Mohs scale.
For more Information click hear
Emeralds have been known and loved for at least 5000 years.
Emeralds occur in a variety of green colors, from a light luminescent blue/green to deep rich emerald green. Chromium and Vanadium are what give Emeralds their extraordinary color. A fine Emerald should glow from within, as the one shown does.
The Best Emeralds come from the Muzo, Coscuez and Chivor mines in Colombia South America
Emeralds have a hardness of 8 on the Mohs Scale.
For more information click here
The gemstone variety of Zoisite
Tanzanite is one of the newest gemstones on the market. Discovered in 1967 in the Merelani Hills near Arusha in the north of Tanzania it was celebrated as The Gemstone of the 20th century'
Tanzanite is rare and has only been found in one small area on this planet. Some say the known mines are starting to play out.
Tanzanite is considered and excellent investment as the mines close down, that price for fine Tanzanite
will only go up.
For more information click here
Tanzanite is a 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale
Alexandrite the original color change gem
Discovered in 1830 in Russia and named after Czar Alexander II, who was then Crown Prince of Russia, Alexandrite appears to change color under different forms of light. It can look red when viewed in candle light, green when viewed in fluorescent light and blue green in sunlight.
Alexandrite are rare and only found in a few places in the world. Raw or Rough Alexandrite crystals when found and usually small, under 1 carat in size. Crystals above 5 carat are almost never found. Large faceted Alexandrite gems are some of the most valuable gems in the world.
Alexandrite have a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale.
For more information click here
Birthstones
Pictures and information on Birthstones
Today the common Birthstones are as follow
January –Garnet
February-Amethyst
March-Aquamarine or Bloodstone
April-Diamond
June- Pearl or moonstone
July- Ruby
August- Peridot
September-Sapphire
October-Opal or Tourmaline
November-Topaz or Citrine
December-Zircon, blue Topaz or Turquoise
The Traditional Birthstones are as Follows
January –Garnet
February-Amethyst
March- Bloodstone
April-Diamond
June- Alexandrite
July- Ruby
August- Sardonyx
September-Sapphire
October- Tourmaline
November-Citrine
December-Zircon, Lapis lazuli or Turquoise
Quartz
Quartz is the most Common of all the gem Varieties
Did you know Amethyst is a type or Quartz? So is Citrine. What about Jasper? Yes, it's Quartz too!
These are some of the Major Varieties of Quartz
Agate
Multi-coloured, banded Chalcedony, semi-translucent to translucent.
Amethyst
Purple, transparent
Aventurine
Translucent green chalcedony with small inclusions of mica that shimmer.
Carnelian
Reddish orange chalcedony, translucent
Chalcedony
Any cryptocrystalline quartz but generally only used for white or lightly colored gems.
Citrine
Yellow to reddish orange to brown, greenish yellow
Jasper
Opaque chalcedony, impure, with interesting inclusions that often form pictures.
Milk quartz
White, translucent to opaque
Morion
Dark-brown, opaque
Onyx Jet Black, Green, or Orange brown translucent to opaque
Prasiolite Leek green to Mint green, transparent
Rose quartz all shades of pink transparent to translucent
Smoky quartz
Brown to grey, transparent to opaque
Tiger's eye
gold to red-brown coloured quartz with a Cat's eye effect called "chatoyancy"
Tiger's eye
The Chrysoberyl Species of gems
Chrysoberyl Gems are Alexandrite, Cat's eye and yellow, green and brown Chrysoberyl.
Alexandrite
Green Chrysoberyl
Cat's Eye
Which Birthstone is most popular
What is your Birthstone?
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