Gemstone Articles from GemSelect

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Gemstone Articles

• A Look at Tiger's Eye

• Tiger's eye is a form of golden brown quartz with a fascinating cat's eye effect.

• About Apatite Gemstones

• Apatite is an unusual mineral, being one of the few produced and used by the human body. As a gemstone, the neon blue-green color from Madagascar has become popular.

• About Black Tourmaline

• Very few gemstones occur in black. Onyx is the most common, but among the finer gems, black tourmaline can make stunning jewelry.

• About Blue Topaz

• Blue topaz is one of the most popular of all colored gemstones. But a recent controversy suggests the public needs more information about how these topaz are produced.

• About Chrome Diopside

• All the choices in rich green gemstones are expensive: emerald, tsavorite and chrome tourmaline. But chrome diopside is changing the market for fine green gems.

• About Chrysocolla

• Chrysocolla is one of the copper-bearing gems, and is often found mixed with malachite, azurite, turquoise or quartz.

• About Dendritic Agate

• Dendritic agate is a whitish-gray or colorless chalcedony with fern-like markings known as dendrites.

• About Moonstone

• Moonstone is one of the most abundant and affordable of the gemstones with unique optical properties.

• About Paraiba Tourmaline

• Paraiba tourmaline is a rare copper-bearing gemstone with an exceptional neon blue or blue-green color. First found in Brazil in 1989, similar material has since been found in Nigeria and Mozambique.

• About Peridot

• Peridot, the birthstone for August, has many unusual qualities. Unlike most gemstones, peridot is formed deep within the earth.

• About Rhodochrosite

• Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate with an attractive soft pink color and interesting variegated markings.

• About Spessartite Garnet

• Spessartite is no ordinary garnet. With its striking red-orange color and its high refractive index, it is one of the finest gems in today's market.

• About Star Gemstones

• Star sapphire and star ruby are examples of gems that exhibit asterism or the star effect. Learn why some gemstones exhbit this rare phenomenon.

• About Untreated Gemstones

• Some varieties of gemstones are never treated, and they represent exceptional value in today's gem market.

• Affordable Gemstones

• Fine natural gemstones typically cost thousands of dollars. But you can find very good gems for under $500 if you know where to look.

• African Tsavorite

• Tsavorite is a rare vivid green grossularite garnet, colored by chromium or vanadium, with deposits mainly in East Africa.

• Agate Stone

• Agate is a form of chalcedony quartz that forms in concentric layers in a remarkable variety of colors and textures.

• Agatized Fossil Coral

• Fossil coral is a natural stone that is formed when ancient coral is gradually replaced with agate. The proper name for this material is agatized fossil coral.

• All About Rutile

• Rutile is a substance that makes frequent appearances in the gemstone world. But what exactly is rutile?

• Allure of Yellow Sapphire

• Yellow sapphire has become extremely popular with gemstone buyers, not only as a fashion item but also for its alleged powers to enhance your life.

• Amazonite Locations

• Amazonite is a gemstone variety of green microcline. It is named after the Amazon river in Brazil, though surprisingly no deposits have been found in that location.

• Amber from the Baltic

• Amber is the fossilized hardened resin of the pine tree, formed about 50 million years ago.

• Amethyst Deposits

• Amethyst is found all over the world, but South America is the most abundant source.

• Ametrine from Bolivia

• Natural ametrine comes almost entirely from one location, the Anahi mine in Bolivia. New cutting styles are making this unique gem even more popular.

• Ancient Turquoise

• Turquoise has been an important gemstone in many cultures for thousands of years. What makes turquoise so special?

• Aventurine Gems

• Aventurine is used for several kinds of gemstones which bear a resemblance to aventurine glass from Italy.

• Beryl Family

• Emerald is the best known variety of beryl, but the species includes a number of other fine gems, including aquamarine, golden beryl, morganite and bixbite.

• Best Value Gemstones

• Looking for the best values in colored gemstones? We believe that sapphire, spessartite garnet, spinel and tourmaline have the best gemstone characteristic for the price.

• Biggest Star Sapphire?

• The case of the alleged largest star sapphire in the world was not quite as it seemed.

• Black Melanite

• Melanite is the black variety of the rare andradite garnet. It is sometimes known as titanian andradite.

• Bloodstone

• Bloodstone is an opaque dark-green form of chalcedony quartz with distinctive red spots.

• Blue Larimar

• Larimar is a rare variety of blue pectolite, found only in the Dominican Republic. It has become popular as a gemstone.

• Blue Sodalite

• As a gemstone, sodalite is usually deep blue, often with a violent tint, and frequently contains white veins of calcite.

• Blue Spinel Gems

• Spinel is one of the few gemstones occur naturally in a saturated shades of blue.

• Brilliance, Luster and Fire

• These are important technical terms in gemology, but they are often misused. Learn how to use these terms correctly to describe gemstones.

• Buying Aquamarine

• Aquamarine belongs to the same gem family as emerald. But aquamarine has better durability, transparency and clarity.

• Buying Gems in Thailand

• Many tourists fall victim to the Thai Gem Scam. But there are very good deals on gemstones in Thailand for careful buyers.

• Carats and Karats

• Gemstones are weighed in carats, while the purity of gold is measured in karats.

• Careers in Gemology

• The scientific study of gemstones has a myriad of career possibilities.

• Cat's Eye Gems

• The cat's eye effect is known as chatoyancy. It is common in a number of gem varieties and very rare in others.

• Cheap Gemstones

• Some good quality natural gems are inexpensive, but none are cheap. Learn how to find the best value in quality gemstones.

• Citrine Properties

• Citrine is a gemstone famous for its positive energy, promoting success in business and relationships.

• Classifying Gemstones

• Gemstones are classified by species and variety, and assigned to the 10 mineral classes.

• Collecting Gemstones

• Gemstone collectors are unique among gemstone buyers, searching out the rare and unusual stones to complete their collections.

• Color Change Gemstones

• A few rare gemstones exhibit dramatic color changes under different lighting conditions. They include alexandrite and color change sapphire and garnet.

• Colored Gemstone Business

• Colored gemstones represent great opportunities for jewelry designers and retail jewelers. It's all about reducing cost and finding interesting stones.

• Concave Cutting

• Concave cutting is a recent innovation that uses curved rather than flat facets, resulting in a more brilliant gem. But not everyone is impressed with the results.

• Copper-bearing Gemstones

• Ever since the discovery of paraiba tourmaline, the market is excited about copper-bearing gems. What's so special about copper?

• Country of Origin

• It's important to know where a gemstone came from. But it's not always easy to verify.

• Culet in Cut Gems

• The culet is the tiny facet at the very bottom of many faceted gemstones. Some gems are cut with a closed culet.

• Cut Gemstones

• The art of cutting gems is known as lapidary. It requires a high degree of skill to produce a well polished faceted gem.

• December Birthstones

• The birthstones for December include turquoise, blue topaz, tanzanite, zircon and lapis lazuli

• Demantoid Garnet Gems

• Demantoid is the rarest and most valuable of all the garnets, and is one of the rarest of all colored gemstones.

• Diamond and Graphite

• Diamond and graphite have the same chemical composition, but they are as different as could be.

• Diaspore or Zultantite?

• Zultanite, a color change gemstone from Turkey, has recently appeared on the market. What's the story on this gem?

• Discovery of Tanzanite

• Tanzanite was first discovered in Tanzania 1967 by Manuel de Souza, a Goanese tailor.

• Emeralds Around the World

• Emeralds are not only from Columbia. They come from many places in the world, including East Africa and Brazil.

• Emeralds from Zambia

• Emeralds from Zambia now rival Columbian emeralds in the international gemstone market.

• Faceted Gemstones

• The art of faceting enhances the brilliance and luster of gemstones. Buy faceted gemstones online at GemSelect.

• Famous Sapphires

• Before the development of techniques to facet gemstones, the most valuable gems were sapphires, rubies and emeralds, not diamonds.

• February Birthstone

• Amethyst is the modern birthstone for February. At one time amethyst was ranked as one of the precious stones.

• Feldspar Gemstones

• Feldspar is the most abundant mineral in the world, and includes gem varieties such as moonstone and andesine.

• Feng Shui and Gemstones

• Learn how to use natural gemstones in the ancient Chinese method of Feng Shui.

• Finding Pink Gems

• Pink continues to be one of the hottest colors in gemstones. What are your choices in pink gems?

• Fine Green Sapphire

• Green sapphire has become increasingly popular. Learn why this gemstone is attractive to many.

• Fine Iolite is Rare

• Iolite gemstones with good color saturation and clarity are rare in sizes over 1 carat.

• Finest Red Garnet

• Rhodolite, the rose-red to violet-red garnet, is a mixture of almandite and pyrope. It has the best red of any garnet.

• Fluorite: the Collector's Stone

• Fluorite is very popular with collectors, due to its wide range of colors. But fluorite also has some fascinating properties and some useful practical applications.

• Fracture-filled Ruby

• Why are so many fracture-filled rubies being offered in the market? Should you buy one?

• Friedrich Mohs

• Friedrich Mohs invented the Mohs scale of gemstone hardness when he was hired to catalog a large mineral collection.

• Gem Hardness and Durability

• Ratings of gemstones by hardness is often misunderstood. Hardness is important, but it's not the only measure of a gem's durability.

• Gem Market Chanthaburi

• Take a tour of the famous weekend gemstone market in Chanthaburi, Thailand. There are great deals in ruby, sapphire and other colored gems for knowledgeable buyers.

• Gem Mining in Madagascar

• Madagascar has some of the richest gemstone resources in the world, especially in sapphire and ruby gems. Madagascar is also a source for tourmaline, aquamarine, emerald, garnet and citrine.

• Gem Price per Carat

• Learn about the 10 factors that affect the price per carat of gemstones

• Gems and Astrology

• Vedic astrology identifies nine planetary gemstones that can improve our life.

• Gems by Language

• The names of all the major gemstones in a dozen languages.

• Gems from Afghanistan

• Afghanistan is most famous for lapis lazuli, but is also an important source for kunzite, tourmaline and emerald.

• Gems from Pakistan

• Pakistan has enormous mineral wealth and may some day become a major force in the international gems trade.

• Gems In Dreams

• Dreams about gemstones or jewelry may tell you something important about yourself and your future.

• Gems in Dreams (2)

• If you are dreaming about diamonds, rhinestones, emeralds, agates or amethysts, you should read this.

• Gemstone Appraisals

• Appraisals of value should only be made by an objective 3rd party with no financial interest in the gem. But the marketplace determines the real value of a gem.

• Gemstone Cleavage

• Some gemstones, including diamond, topaz, tanzanite and fluorite, have perfect cleavage. Learn about why this is important.

• Gemstone Deposits

• Gemstones are often found in secondary deposits, such as the alluvial deposits which yield sapphire and ruby.

• Gemstone Identification

• Gemstone identification has become more challenging with the advent of new treatments and synthetics. What once was an art has become a science.

• Gemstone Information

• The most comprehensive library of gemstone information on the internet. Info on more than 60 varieties of gemstones.

• Gemstone Investing

• Many people tout hard assets like gemstones as good investments. Is investing in precious stones a good idea?

• Gemstone Jewelry

• Choose a fine quality gemstone from more than 100 varieties of colored stones.

• Gemstone Labs

• In the gem trade, gemological labs have the last word in gemstone identification. A recent lawsuit shows that might always be true.

• Gemstone Meanings

• Many cultures have contributed to the legends and lore surrounding gemstones. These rare products of nature have inspired philosophers and mystics to attribute unusual powers to these special minerals.

• Gemstone Names

• The names of many semi precious stones seem confusing and awkward. But accuracy of naming is extremely important in the gemstone industry.

• Gemstone Prices

• Why is there such an enormous disparity between prices for the different types of gemstones? It's not just supply and demand, there are other forces at work as well.

• Gemstone Seller Trust

• How do fine a gem dealer you can trust? One way is to use the collective intelligence of internet consumers.

• Gemstone Superstitions

• Many superstitions have become associated with different gemstones throughout the ages.

• Gemstone Supply and Demand

• Gemstone prices depend on supply and demand. But not always in the way you might think.

• Gemstone Testers

• Gemstone testers are becoming useful. But they are still no substitute for a trained gemologist.

• Gemstone Trade Names

• Some marketing names for gemstones have succeeded; others, thankfully, have failed.

• Gemstone Type List

• An illustrated list of all the types of precious and semi precious gemstones.

• Gemstones as Art

• Cutting gems is a traditional craft, but a new art has developed in the last 30 years.

• Gemstones for Sale

• Loose gemstones is a specialized business. The best deals are found online

• Gemstones from Africa

• Africa has become one of the largest producers of colored gemstones, including fine sapphire, tourmaline and garnet.

• Green Amethyst

• Green amethyst is the name misapplied to prasiolite, a leek-green quartz produced by heat treatment.

• Green Gaspeite

• Gaspeite is a rare nick carbonate mineral with a pale to bright apple green color.

• Grossular Garnet

• The grossularite garnet group grossular, hessonite, leuco, hydrogrossular and tsavorite.

• H. Stern

• Hans Stern, founder of H. Stern, learned the gems business literally from the ground up.

• Harry Winston

• Harry Winston became one of the most famous jewelers in America through a combination of shrewd business and good taste.

• Healing Gemstones

• Gemstones are believed by many to have special healing properties. Is this an idea that makes sense?

• Healing with Malachite

• Malachite is believed to have special healing powers, both for the mind and body.

• Hematite and Pyrite

• Hematite and Pyrite are among the only gemstones which exhibit a metallic luster.

• Hemimorphite Gems

• Gem-quality hemimorphite is usually blue or green, and bears some similarities to chrysocolla, smithsonite and turquoise.

• History of Birthstones

• Gemstones have been assigned to signs of the zodiac for centuries. But the idea of wearing your birthstone is a recent one.

• History of Briolettes

• The briolette, a pear-shaped gemstone with triangular facets, is one of the oldest styles of cut gems.

• History of Gemstones

• The earliest gemstones include amber, turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli and malachite. These material were easy to find and easy to work.

• History of Peridot

• Peridot is one of the oldest known gems, with a rich mystical tradition.

• History of Spinel

• Once known as Balas Ruby, the most famous spinel came from Badakshan in Afghanistan.

• History of Sunstone

• Sunstone or aventurine feldspar has a unique spangled appearance caused by inclusions of hematite.

• History of the Cushion-Cut

• In the 19th century, the cushion-cut was the dominant gemstone style. Now it's undergoing a revival.

• How Gems are Colored

• Some gemstones get their color from their essential chemistry; others from trace elements or impurities. Learn how the different gem varieties get their color.

• How Gemstones are Formed

• Learn which gemstones are associated with igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.

• Hydrothermal Quartz

• Quartz can be produced in the lab using the hydrothermal method. How do you detect synthetic amethyst and citrine?

• Idar-Oberstein

• Idar-Obserstein has a history of mining and gem-cutting dating back hundreds of years

• Idocrase Vesuvianite

• Idocrase is a rare gemstone, usually found in shades of green. Transparent specimens are very rare.

• Intro to Setting Gems

• An introduction to the topic of having gemstones set in jewelry. Learn about settings, mountings and findings.

• J.P. Morgan

• J.P. Morgan, a famous American financier, assembled some of the greatest gemstone collections in the world.

• Jacob the Jeweler

• As jeweler to the new generation of celebrities, Jacob the Jeweler didn't ask where the money came from.

• January Birthstones

• Garnet is the January birthstone and offers an amazing choice of colors in this brilliant gemstone.

• Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

• Tavernier was one of the great travellers of the 17th century, and brought many famous gems from India to Europe.

• Kashmir Sapphire

• The most famous sapphires in the world are from Kashmir. They are so rare you will probably never see one except in a museum.

• Kunz and Tourmaline

• G.F. Kunz introduced Tiffanys to tourmaline and created the modern market for colored gemstones.

• Kyanite Hardness

• Kyanite is an unusual gemstone because it has a highly variable hardness, depending on the direction of the crystal.

• Labradorite Iridescence

• Labradorite is an iridescent gemstone with a fascinating metallic luster when viewed from certain angles.

• Large Gemstones

• Huge gems are popular with both collectors and fashion designers. Learn what's available and affordable in big gemstones.

• Laurence Graff

• Graff buys the finest diamonds and colored gems at the highest prices. And he still manages to make money.

• Lesser-Known Gemstones

• Some gemstones are hardly known even in the gem trade. They include sphalerite, ulexite, phenakite, cerussite and scheelite.

• Life and Death Gemstones

• Some companies are creating synthetic gems from cremated remains of humans. Is this a good idea?

• Lighting and Gem Color

• Gemstone color appears differently under different kinds of light? But how many kinds of light are there?

• Lilac Lepidolite

• Lepidolite is a lilac-gray or rose-colored lithium-bearing mineral of the mica group. The mineral is noteworthy as one of the major sources of the rare alkali metals rubidium and caesium.

• London Blue Topaz

• The deep blue of London Blue Topaz is a best seller in the gem trade. Learn why this attractive gem is attractively priced.

• Loose Gemstones

• Learn how colored gemstones reach the international market from the mines in far-flung locations. The key is to cut out the middleman.

• Making Mystic Gems

• Mystic Topaz and Mystic Quartz are produced with a technology used in the optical and electronic industries. Learn how they this technology is used to enhance gemstones.

• Malachite from Africa

• Malachite is a fascinating copper-bearing mineral with bands of bright and dark green.

• March Birthstones

• Aquamarine is the modern birthstone for March. Famed for its delicate blue-green color, aquamarine has said to bring good luck to mariners.

• Matching Gemstone Pairs

• Matching pairs are highly sought after by gemstone buyers. But a lot of work is required to produce them.

• Maw-Sit-Sit from Burma

• Maw-sit-sit is one of the more unusual gemstones in the world, from its curious name to its variable chemical composition.

• Minerals, Rocks and Gems

• What is the difference between a mineral, a rock and a gemstone? You'll find some answers here.

• Mining Sapphire in Australia

• Australia is most famous for opal, but sapphire from Queensland is important in the world market.

• Moonstone Lore

• Few gemstones have accumulated as much lore and romance as moonstone.

• Morganite or Pink Beryl

• Morganite is a rare pink beryl, first discovered in Pala California in the early twentieth century.

• Most Valuable Sapphires

• The most valuable sapphires are blue sapphires from Kashmir, Burma and Sri Lanka. The record price for a sapphire was set in April 2007.

• Moussaieff Jewellers

• Among the world's great jewelers, Moussaieff of London has one of the longest family traditions.

• Mozambique Tourmaline

• The success of Mozambique tourmaline is tied to the discovery of copper-bearing stones in the Shalawa region.

• Natural Carnelian

• Carnelian, one of the oldest known gemstones, is a brownish red to red-orange variety of chalcedony or cryptocrystalline quartz.

• Natural Gem, Unnatural Name

• Buy loose gemstones even if you can't spell padparasha, pariba, saphire, alexanderite, dimond, tanzinite or andasine.

• Online Gem Dealers

• Hundreds of online dealers offer gemstones for sale. How do you find a good one?

• Onyx Stone

• Most people think of onyx as solid black. But onyx actually refers to layered stones that exhibit different colors in multiple layers.

• Opal: Fire of the Desert

• Australia has the largest opal deposits in the world, and the finest opals as well.

• Organic Gemstones

• Almost all gemstones are minerals with a crystalline structure. But a few gem varieties have an organic origin.

• Origin of Gem Names

• How do new gemstones get their names? Sometimes there is contention when it comes time to name a new mineral.

• Padparadscha Sapphire

• The color of the famous Padparadscha is elusive and experts disagree on what counts as genuine Padparadscha.

• Palladium for Jewelry

• White metals have become very popular in gemstone jewelry. Palladium is becoming a favorite as the price of platinum has skyrocketed.

• Pictures of Gemstones

• High quality photos of thousands of gems. More than 60 gem varieties, including sapphire, ruby, emerald, tourmaline, spinel, zircon, amethyst, topaz and garnet.

• Pink Kunzite

• Among fine pink gemstones, kunzite is one of the few that can be found in very large sizes.

• Pink Tourmaline Gems

• Pink is one of the most popular colors in gemstones, and no gemstone offers as many choices in pink as tourmaline.

• Planetary Gemology

• Planetary gemologists prescribe gems based on astrological principles. Using the right gems is said to enhance health, wealth, power and popularity.

• Pleochroic Gemstones

• Some gemstones display different colors when viewed from different angles. Andalusite, iolite, kyanite, kunzite, sphene and tanzanite exhibit pleochroism to a strong degree.

• Precious Coral

• Coral is one of the few organic gemstones, and has a long history of decorative use.

• Precious Gemstones

• The well known distinction between precious and semi-precious gems is often misunderstood. We sort out the myth from the reality.

• Prehnite Gems

• Prehnite was the first mineral named after an individual. New deposits of this intriguing gem are making it more widely available.

• Prong vs. Bezel Settings

• The advantages and disadvantage of prong (or claw) settings and bezel settings for gemstone jewelry.

• Pukhraj Yellow Sapphire

• Pukhraj is the Hindi name for yellow sapphire, which has a special place in Vedic astrology

• Purple Sugilite

• Sugilite is a rare mineral of fairly recent discovery. It has a distinctive purple color and is usually opaque to translucent.

• Raman Spectroscopy

• Scientists are using Raman spectroscopy to identify gemstones and minerals with a Star Trek-style tricorder device.

• Rare Alexandrite Gems

• Alexandrite, a color-change chrysoberyl, is one of the rarest of all colored gemstones.

• Rare Chrome Tourmaline

• Chrome tourmaline is a distinct variety of tourmaline, colored by chromium and vanadium.

• Rare Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye

• Chrysoberyl cat's eye is a rare and exotic gemstone, combining excellent hardness with an especially vivid cat's eye effect.

• Rare Chrysoprase

• Chrysoprase is considered the rarest and most valuable stone in the chalcedony quartz group.

• Rare Clinohumite

• Clinohumite is a rare mineral and an especially rare gemstone. It is a member of the humite group of minerals, which includes humite, clinohumite, chondrodite, and norbergite.

• Rare Fire Agate

• One of the rarest forms of agate is the so-called fire agate, found only in the southwestern USA and Mexico.

• Rare Garnets

• The popular image of garnet is that of an inexpensive dark red gem. But there are some rarer varieties -- tsavorite, spessartite and rhodolite -- that have stunning colors and are highly sought after by collectors.

• Rare Pink Sapphire

• Pink sapphire is the rarest and most valuable of the fancy sapphires, and is popular as a substitute for pink diamond.

• Rare Spinel

• Natural spinel is rare and can be difficult to find. The traditional source of the best spinel is Burma, but African spinel is starting to make the gem more available.

• Rare Tourmaline

• Tourmaline is famous for its rainbow of colors, but some tourmaline are very rare. These include chrome tourmaline, paraiba tourmaline and watermelon tourmaline.

• Rocks As Gems

• Most gemstones are minerals, not rocks. But a few special rocks are treasured as gems.

• Rubellite Rubric

• Rubellite is a vivid red variety of tourmaline. But exactly what makes a rubellite is a matter of disagreement.

• Ruby-in-Zoisite

• The vast ruby deposits at Longido in Tanzania are the world's source for anyolite or ruby-zoisite.

• Rutilated Quartz Prices

• Prices for rutile quartz cabochons are rising rapidly. Why are these quartz gems getting expensive?

• Sapphire Prices

• How much is a good sapphire? It depends on color, grade and carat weight. Learn about how sapphires are priced in today's market.

• Scapolite Gems

• Scapolite is not well known, but makes an attractive gemstone. The cat's eye variety is rare and valuable.

• Seeing Gemstone Stars

• Learn how to evaluate star gemstones, and why the star may not be easy to see under diffused light.

• Semi-Precious Stones

• The world of semiprecious stones is incredibly diverse. Some are as rare and valuable as any precious stone. Others are very affordable. In between is a remarkable range of fascinating stones.

• Shape vs. Cut

• The distinction between gemstone shape and cut is often misunderstood. Here's a simple explanation of the difference.

• Shipley and the GIA

• Robert M. Shipley was a jeweler who realized his knowledge of diamonds was incomplete. He went on to found the Gemological Institute of America.

• Sillimanite Gemstones

• Sillimanite is an aluminum silicate, related to both andalusite and kyanite. Cat's eye specimens make lovely rings.

• Simulants vs. Synthetics

• Fake gemstones may be synthetics or simulants. Learn how to identify the difference between these.

• Smoky Topaz and Quartz

• Smoky quartz, sometimes sold under the misleading name of smoky topaz, is a unique but inexpensive gemstone.

• Sources for Fine Ruby Gems

• Fine ruby gemstones are found in only a few locations in the world: principally Burma, Thailand and Madagascar. Learn about the different characteristics of rubies from these locations.

• Sources for Sapphire Gems

• Fine sapphires are found in only a few locations in the world: principally Burma, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Thailand.

• Sphalerite Fire

• Sphalerite has fire or dispersion greater than diamond, but gem-quality specimens are rare.

• Spinel Value

• Natural spinel is one of the most undervalued of the fine gemstones. This situation is likely to change.

• Spodumene Species

• Spodumene is species of gemstones that includes hiddenite and kunzite. Gem-quality spodumene occurs very rarely.

• Story of the Agra Diamond

• The provenance of the Agra Diamond is shrouded in mystery. One of the most famous jewels of India, it somehow found its way to London in the late 1900's.

• Story of the Timur Ruby

• The Timur Ruby, over 350 carats, was believed to be the largest ruby in the world. It is actually a red spinel.

• Strawberry Quartz Gemstones

• Quartz with red inclusions of iron oxide is rare, and is often sold under the name strawberry quartz or red fire quartz.

• Synthetic Ruby and Sapphire

• In 1902 the French chemist Verneuil invented the flame fusion method for creating synthetic corundum. It is still being used today.

• Tanzanite Prices

• How did tanzanite become so popular and so expensive? It's not just because it's a lovely gemstone.

• Tension Settings

• Tension settings use compression to hold a gemstone in place. The designs are stunning, but are these setting secure?

• Thai Beryllium Scandal

• Beryllium-treated sapphires created a scandal when first introduced to the market.

• The Brilliance of Sphene

• Sphene is one of very few gemstones with an adamantine or diamond-like luster. Sphene's dispersion or fire even exceeds diamond.

• The Charm of Rose Quartz

• The soft milky pink of rose quartz is unique in the gems world. It has become associated with love and healing.

• The Fire Opal of Mexico

• Fire opal is unique in the opal family because high grade material is transparent enough to be cut in facets.

• The Future of Gemstones

• Loose gemstones are not a renewable resource. Gem mining is declining in many parts of the world and prices are rising. What does the future hold?

• The Gemstone called Jet

• Jet, a form of bituminous coal, was popular as a gemstone in the 19th century. But it is hardly known today.

• The Mystery of Andesine

• An attractive red feldspar called andesine has attracted a lot of attention in the gems world. What is really known about andesine?

• The Secret of Spinel

• Spinel is a gemstone that is not well known in the commercial jewelery world, but one which has become a great favorite with gem dealers and gem collectors. Learn what makes spinel a very special gem.

• The Wonders of Lapis Lazuli

• Lapis, the original blue gemstone of antiquity, has a long and romantic history. It has been mined continuously in Afghanistan for over 6,000 years.

• The World's Rarest Gemstone

• Red diamond is the world's rarest and most expensive gemstone, selling at more than $1 million a carat.

• Topaz Colors

• Topaz can be found in almost every color, but blue topaz is the most popular.

• Tourmaline Buying Guide

• Learn what to look for in a fine tourmaline gemstone, including paraiba, chrome, rubellite, indicolite and watermelon varieties.

• Tourmaline in America

• The USA is not especially famous for its gemstones. But tourmaline is an exception.

• Tourmaline Value

• Some tourmaline gems are rare and valuable. Learn how tourmaline colors are ranked in today's market.

• Trilliant-Cut Gems

• Trilliant-cut gemstones are cut in a triangular shape, usually with 43 or more facets.

• Types of Gem Settings

• The main types of gemstone settings are the prong or claw, the bezel, the channel setting, the invisible setting, and the pave.

• Uniqueness of Gold

• Gold has been treasured for centuries not only for its color and rarity, but also for its unique chemical properties

• Unmistakable Andalusite

• Andalusite has a such distinctive combination of colors and such pronounced pleochroism that it is rarely mistaken for any other gem.

• Unusual Star Garnet

• Star garnet is one of the rarer gems exhibiting asterism, found only in Idaho and India.

• Valuable Inclusions

• Conventional wisdom about colored gemstone inclusions is that less is more. But some inclusions are valuable.

• Varieties of Jade

• Jade is actually two minerals, not one: nephrite and jadeite. Learn what makes them different.

• Violet Charoite

• Charoite is a unique violet gemstone from Russia with distinctive swirling patterns.

• What is a Natural Sapphire?

• Natural sapphires are mined from the earth; synthetic sapphires are produced in a lab. But are natural sapphires enhanced by humans still natural?

• What is Chrysoberyl?

• Chrysoberyl is a rare gem with some outstanding characteristics, but it is so little known that even many gem dealers don't stock it.

• What is Hessonite Garnet?

• Hessonite belongs the grossularite garnet group, and is typically a vivid orange-brown.

• Wholesale Gemstones

• We sell more than 60 varieties of gemstones direct to customers at true wholesale prices. No minimum quantity required.

• Why Cut as Cabochons?

• Why are some gemstones cut as cabochons and others as faceted gems?

• William Earl Hidden

• Hidden was a leading American mineralogist in the 19th century, and hiddenite was named in his honor.

• World of Quartz

• Quartz is a very common mineral but the quartz family is incredibly diverse and endlessly fascinating.

• World's Biggest Gems

• What are the largest gems discovered in the world?

• Zircon and Zirconology

• Zircon is the oldest mineral on earth, over 4.4 billion years old. It is also a fine gemstone with great brilliance and fire.

• Zircon Stone

• Zircon is an import jewelry stone, recognized for its exceptional brilliance and fire.

• Zoisite Gemstones

• Zoisite was first discovered in Austria in 1805. Three gemstone varieties are known: tanzanite, thulite and anyolite (or ruby-zoisite).

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Gemstone Information

•	GemSelect Newsletters
•	Calibrated Gemstone Chart
•	Ruby
•	Most Valuable Sapphires
•	Andesine Labradorite
•	Red Spinel
•	Sapphire Information
•	Tsavorite Garnet
•	Tourmaline
•	Spessartite Garnet
•	Imperial Topaz
•	Watermelon Tourmaline
•	Spinel
•	Sapphire
•	Huge Gems
•	Tanzanite Information
•	Zircon

Agate • Agate Geode • Alexandrite • Almandine Garnet • Amazonite • Amber • Amethyst • Ametrine • Andalusite • Andesine Labradorite • Apatite • Aquamarine • Aventurine • Azotic Topaz • Beryl • Bloodstone • Carnelian • Cat's Eye Apatite • Cat's Eye Aquamarine • Cat's Eye Diaspore • Cat's Eye Scapolite • Cat's Eye Tourmaline • Chalcedony • Charoite • Chrome Diopside • Chrome Tourmaline • Chrysoberyl • Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye • Chrysocolla • Chrysoprase • Citrine • Clinohumite • Color-Change Garnet • Color-Change Sapphire • Coral • Demantoid Garnet • Dendritic Agate • Diaspore • Emerald • Fire Agate • Fire Opal • Fluorite • Fossil Coral • Gaspeite • Grossularite Garnet • Hematite • Hemimorphite • Hessonite Garnet • Idocrase • Imperial Topaz • Iolite • Jasper • Kunzite • Kyanite • Labradorite • Lapis Lazuli • Larimar • Lepidolite • Malachite • Maw-Sit-Sit • Melanite • Moonstone • Morganite • Mystic Quartz • Mystic Topaz • Nephrite Jade • Nuumite • Onyx • Opal • Opal Doublet • Orthoclase • Paraiba Tourmaline • Peanut Wood • Pearl • Peridot • Prehnite • Pyrope Garnet • Quartz • Quartz Cat's Eye • Rainbow Moonstone • Rhodochrosite • Rhodolite Garnet • Rose Quartz • Rubellite Tourmaline • Ruby • Ruby-Zoisite • Rutile Quartz • Sapphire • Scapolite • Sillimanite Cat's Eye • Smoky Quartz • Sodalite • Spessartite Garnet • Sphalerite • Sphene • Spinel • Spodumene • Star Diopside • Star Garnet • Star Moonstone • Star Rose Quartz • Star Ruby • Star Sapphire • Star Sunstone • Strawberry Quartz • Sugilite • Sunstone • Tanzanite • Tashmarine Diopside • Tiger's Eye • Tiger's Eye Matrix • Topaz • Tourmaline • Tsavorite Garnet • Turquoise • Verdite • Zircon

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