Gem Info by Region

Afghanistan, Ancient Eurasian Gemstone Source

Afghanistan is a source for gems, particularly lapis lazuli from Badakhshan, emerald from the Panjshir Valley and ruby from Jegdalek

Africa Gems - Mining in Malawi

Some gems are mined from Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Africa surrounded by important gemstone sources

African Tsavorite Gemstones - 100 per cent naturally green

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

Amazonite Locations - Can it be found in the Amazon Jun...

Despite its name this delightful blue and green variety of microcline is not mined in either the Amazon Jungle or River. But where do we find this gemstone?

Amber from the Baltic - Golden gemstones formed from tr...

Amber is one of mankind's original gemstones, used and revered since the dawn of civilisation. Its mystical and spiritual powers match its glowing beauty.

American Gemstones

The USA produces gemstones ranging from tourmaline and turquoise to peridot, sapphire, sunstone, opals and rock crystal

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.

Australian Boulder Opal - Unique colors in a unique form

The rainbow play-of-color effect of these opals is vibrantly maximized by its still being attached to the dark rock from which it was mined. See how and where here

Australian Gemstones

Read about Australia as the leading source for opal and also about other gemstones that are mined in Australia, such as diamond, sapphire, amethyst, rhodonite, ti...

Brilliant Brazilian Gems

Brazil is an important gem source, particularly Minas Gerais, Paraiba and Bahia, where citrine, amethyst, topaz, aquamarine, Paraiba tourmaline and emerald are mined

California Benitoite

Benitoite is a very rare blue gemstone that has been designated that official state gem of California

Cambodian Gem Mountains

Cambodia is known for blue sapphire, mined from Pailin on the Thai-Cambodian border, but other gemstones, such as blue zircon are mined there

Chinese Gems and Jewelry

China has a huge jewelry and gemstone market and several gemstone materials are producted there, such as cultured pearls, amber, turquoise, corundum and peridot

Crystal Caves of Australia

The Crystal Caves of Atherton in Queensland Australia are a wonderful tourist attraction with an amazing collection of gems, including the Empress of Uruguay Amet...

Desert Gemstones and Minerals

Gemstone deposits are found all over the world, even in inhospitable places such as deserts. Learn about desert gemstones found in deserts in America, Asia and Af...

Digging for Diamonds in the USA

The Arkansas Crater of Diamond State Park allows visitors to pay a small entrance fee and dig for diamonds. The park allows any diamond gems found to be taken home

Discovery of Tanzanite - Who really found this treasure?

Look into the fascinating story of the discovery of this valuable blue gemstone. Maasai herdsmen, a tailor turned prospector, the VP of Tiffany’s all play a part.

Emeralds around the world - A look beyond Colombia

Colombia is the most famous source of emeralds but Brazil and Zambia are staking a claim as producers of fine examples of this exquisite and valuable green gemstone.

Emeralds from Zambia - Colombia's biggest rival

Zambia's reputation as a producer of high quality emeralds got a boost when Tiffany and Co began to promote this country's fine gemstones, known for their color, ...

Famous Gems and Jewelry of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, has produced some of the most beautiful and valuable gemstones and jewelry in the world, including the Blue Belle of Asia Sap...

Gem Mining in Tanzania - The richest source of gemstones?

A rich vein of barely exploited colored gemstones runs through east Africa from Kenya to Madagascar and at the heart lies Tanzania. We explore its potential.

Gemstones from Afghanistan - A glittering Past and Present

With a heritage of mining that compares with any country on earth we look at the gemstones found in this land of jagged mountain peaks and bleak valleys.

Gemstones from Afghanistan - Untold wealth beneath a ru...

The history of mining in this challenging and mountainous country goes back thousands of years and as peace returns to this war torn area hopefully it will continue

Gemstones from Africa - Diamonds and a whole lot more.

Forged in the volcanic fires that shaped this continent, gemstones are found the length and breadth of Africa. Discover why it is exciting the gem world.

Gemstones from Botswana

Botswana is one of the most stable African countries and an important source of diamond and other precious materials

Gemstones from Madagascar - Africa's great treasure island

An almost endless list of the gemstones that can be found on this tropical paradise, full of weird and wonderful animals and plants, isolated for millions of years.

Gemstones from Mozambique - There's wealth below the su...

This southern African country is blessed with national parks, endless white sandy beaches, amazing dive spots, exotic wildlife and an enviable list of gemstones.

Gemstones from Myanmar

Burma, Myanmar, is famous for some of the world's most valuable and beautiful gemstones, such as rubies, sapphires and imperial jade, others include spinel and pe...

Gemstones from Pakistan

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

Gemstones from Russia

Russia is an important producer of diamonds, alexandrite, demantoid garnet and emerald, as well as many lesser gemstones

Gemstones in the UK

The UK, including Britain, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales has seen some mineral and gemstone finds, such as diamond, sapphire and Blue John fluorite

Hetian Jade Jewelry and Carvings

Jade is one of the most treasured gemstone jewelry materials in Asia, and one of the most important sources of jade is Hotan, or Hetian in Xinjiang Province of China

Indonesian Gemstones

Indonesia has long been a source for gemstones, including diamonds, jasper, quartz, obsidian, pearls, amber and more. Learn more about Indonesian gems and history

International Gemstone Market in Chanthaburi, Thailand:...

Take a tour of the famous international gemstone market in Chanthaburi, Thailand. There are great deals in natural ruby, sapphire and other popular colored gemsto...

Kashmir Sapphires - The blue velvet princes of the Hima...

The undisputed kings of all sapphires were mined in the world’s tallest mountain range which now sits in war-torn disputed territory. Will more ever be found?

Kyanite from Nepal

Kyanite from Nepal can often be found in a color similar to blue sapphire

Malachite from Africa

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

Mexican Fire Opals - Evoking sunsets in deserts and mou...

This fiery orange and yellow gemstone which is unusual for an opal in its color, clarity and cut is mostly found in the arid hinterlands of Mexico.

Mining Sapphire in Australia

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

Mozambique Tourmaline Gemstones - One man's lucky strike.

Moussa Konate's luck changed in 2003 when bought some rough tourmaline in Mozambique that turned out to rival the world famous Paraiba tourmaline in color and glow.

Out of Africa - On the hunt for the best of the best ge...

This vast continent is possibly the best source of the world’s finest gemstones. All the classics are here plus a few surprises in our version of Africa’s Big 5.

Red Hot Rubies in Ice Cold Greenland

We have all heard of 'Ice Cold Gold', but what about red hot rubies? Astounding finds have been made under the icy earth of Greenland

Sapphire and Ruby Gemstone 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, ...

Sapphires from the Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Burma and Laos meet is known for opium more than gems, but there are stones in the area

Sierra Leone's Diamonds

Sierra Leone's mineral deposits include diamond, titanium, gold, bauxite and rutile. Diamond mining in Sierra Leone goes back to before the civil war

Sources for Fine Ruby Gems

Fine ruby gemstones are only found in a few locations of the world; such as, Burma, Thailand, and Madagascar. Each location provides rubies with different charact...

Sources for Fine Sapphire Gemstones

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

Sri Lanka Sapphires - Sumptuous stones for many centuries.

Sri Lanka's or Ceylon's reputation for producing the finest of gemstones will match anyone's. Stunning sapphires have been discovered here for thousands of years.

Sri Lanka's Gem and Jewelry History

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is one of the most important places in the world with regard to gems and jewelry, Ceylon is a rich source for gemstones with a long hi...

Thai Rubies in Trat

Rubies from Mogok in Burma are famous, but the small town of Bo Rai in Trat, Thailand is not so well-known for rubies

Tourmaline in America - The US's home grown colorful ge...

The world of colored gemstones always seem to be centered in the exotic lands of Burma, Brazil or Mozambique but America was once the source of a boom in pink and...

Vietnam Gemstones; Hanoi Rocks

Vietnam has pearl farms and several gemstone deposits such as ruby, sapphire, spinel and tourmaline, from the far north to the south

What Gemstone represents my Country? - A Complete Guide

Columbian emeralds, Indian rubies, Sri Lankan sapphires - some countries are forever linked to a certain gemstone but how about Finland, Canada, Mali . . .?

What gemstones are found in Brazil? The list is endless

It may be easier to ask which gems do NOT come from Brazil. This tropical paradise is blessed with gemstones from the humble quartz to the mighty emerald.