Gemstones have enchanted us for centuries, not only for their aesthetic beauty but also for their significance in various cultures and their value in jewellery making. Whether you’re a jewellery enthusiast, a gemologist, or simply curious about the gemstone world, appreciating the rarity, quality, and processes involved in crafting these gems. This glossary brings together essential terms for gemstones, providing clear, concise definitions to enhance your knowledge of both precious and semi-precious stones.
Adamite
A rare yellow-green gemstone known for its fluorescence under UV light. Adamite is soft and typically used as a collector’s gem rather than in jewellery.
Agate
A variety of chalcedony that comes in many colours and patterns, often displaying beautiful banding. Agates are widely used in jewellery, beads, and carvings.
Alexandrite
A rare variety of chrysoberyl, valued for its unique colour-changing ability. Appears green in daylight and shifts to red under incandescent light. Highly prized in fine jewellery.
Amazonite
A green-blue variety of feldspar known for its soothing colour and aesthetic appeal. Often used in beads and carvings, amazonite is a popular gemstone for ornamental jewellery.
Amber
A fossilised tree resin, typically golden yellow or brown. Amber often contains preserved insects or plant materials and is cherished for its warm hue and historical significance in jewellery.
Ametrine
A rare form of quartz combining amethyst and citrine in the same stone. Known for its stunning purple and yellow colour zones, ametrine is prized for its natural bi-colour appearance.
Amethyst
A vibrant purple quartz, ranging from light lavender to deep violet. Amethyst is commonly used in various types of jewellery and is believed to have calming and spiritual properties.
Andalusite
A gemstone known for its pleochroism, displaying different colours from different angles. Often exhibits green, red, and brown hues, making it a visually interesting choice for jewellery.
Andesine
A red to orange feldspar that belongs to the same family as labradorite and sunstone. Andesine is often used in jewellery for its bright, vibrant colour.
Apatite
A colourful gemstone that comes in various shades, including green, blue, and yellow. It is softer than many gemstones, making it more suitable for pendants and earrings than rings.
Aquamarine
A pale blue to greenish-blue gemstone from the beryl family. Aquamarine’s serene colour and excellent clarity make it a popular choice for jewellery, symbolising calm and peace.
Axinite
A brown to violet gemstone with excellent clarity and brilliance. Axinite is relatively rare and is prized by collectors for its unique crystal structure and cutting potential.
Aventurine
A variety of quartz characterised by its shimmering effect, caused by light reflecting off small inclusions of mica or other minerals. Aventurine is commonly found in green but comes in other colours.
Azurite
A deep blue copper mineral known for its rich colour. Azurite is often found in combination with malachite and is used primarily in ornamental stones due to its softness.
Benitoite
A rare blue gemstone found mainly in California. Benitoite is known for its bright blue colour and brilliance, making it a prized gem among collectors.
Beryl
A mineral family that includes gemstones like emerald, aquamarine, and morganite. Beryl stones are prized for their variety of colours and are used extensively in high-end jewellery.
Bixbite
Also known as red beryl, bixbite is a rare red gemstone. Due to its extreme rarity, bixbite is highly sought after by collectors and seldom used in mainstream jewellery.
Bloodstone
A dark green variety of chalcedony with red spots resembling blood. It is historically associated with healing and protection, making it a popular stone in amulets and talismans.
Carnelian
An orange-red variety of chalcedony, prized for its warm, vibrant colour. Carnelian has been used in jewellery for centuries and is thought to bring courage and creativity to the wearer.
Celestite
A pale blue mineral that forms in delicate crystals, often used in metaphysical practices. Celestite is too soft for jewellery and is primarily used for ornamental purposes.
Chalcedony
A cryptocrystalline form of quartz, chalcedony is available in many colours and varieties, including agate, onyx, and jasper. Known for its waxy lustre and smooth texture, it’s widely used in jewellery.
Charoite
A purple gemstone with swirling patterns, charoite is found only in Siberia. Its unique appearance and rarity make it a favourite among gemstone collectors and metaphysical enthusiasts.
Chrysoberyl
A yellow to green gemstone, known for its hardness and brilliance. Alexandrite is a rare variety of chrysoberyl, and the cat’s eye effect is also commonly associated with this gemstone.
Chrysocolla
A copper-rich mineral that ranges in colour from blue to green. Chrysocolla is soft and is often used in carvings, cabochons, and jewellery, especially when mixed with other minerals like malachite.
Chrysoprase
A bright apple-green variety of chalcedony, highly prized for its intense colour. Chrysoprase is often used in high-end jewellery and is associated with emotional balance and healing.
Citrine
A yellow to golden variety of quartz, valued for its bright, sunny colour. Citrine is affordable and often used in place of rarer yellow gemstones like topaz, symbolising energy and warmth.
Clinohumite
A bright yellow to orange gemstone found in volcanic regions. Clinohumite’s vibrant colour and rarity make it a collector’s gemstone rather than a mainstream jewellery stone.
Coral
An organic gemstone formed from marine skeletons, coral comes in various colours, with red and pink being the most prized. It’s traditionally used in jewellery, especially in Mediterranean cultures.
Covellite
A metallic blue mineral often used as an ornamental stone. Covellite’s reflective surface makes it visually striking, but its softness limits its use to display pieces.
Danburite
A clear to light yellow or pink gemstone known for its excellent clarity and brilliance. Often used as an affordable alternative to diamonds, danburite is prized for its durability and lustre.
Datolite
A glassy mineral found in pastel colours, datolite is sometimes cut into cabochons for jewellery. It is soft, making it more suited for collectors than for daily wear.
Diamond
The hardest known natural material, diamonds are prized for their brilliance and fire. Traditionally associated with love and marriage, diamonds are often set in engagement rings and luxury jewellery.
Diopside
A green gemstone known for its vivid, emerald-like colour. While not as durable as other green stones, diopside is popular for collectors and occasional-wear jewellery.
Dumortierite
A deep blue or violet mineral often used as an ornamental stone or in beads. It is relatively hard and durable, making it suitable for various types of jewellery.
Emerald
A green variety of beryl, prized for its vivid, deep colour. Emeralds often contain natural inclusions or “jardin,” which add to their character, making them a popular choice in luxury jewellery.
Enstatite
A brownish-green gemstone that is often translucent to transparent. Enstatite is relatively rare and is used mostly in collector’s jewellery or cabochons.
Epidote
A green gemstone that is usually transparent to translucent. Epidote is commonly used in metaphysical jewellery, believed to enhance spiritual growth and healing.
Euclase
A rare gemstone found in shades of blue and green. Euclase is prized for its brilliant clarity and is mainly a collector’s gem due to its fragility.
Eudialyte
A rare red mineral found in large crystals. Eudialyte is often used in metaphysical jewellery and is believed to enhance creativity and energy.
Feldspar
A group of minerals that includes moonstone, labradorite, and sunstone. Feldspar gemstones are known for their unique optical effects like adularescence and aventurescence, making them popular in jewellery.
Fluorite
A highly colourful gemstone that can be blue, green, purple, or colourless. Fluorite is relatively soft, making it better suited for ornamental pieces than for everyday jewellery.
Galena
A metallic mineral primarily used as a lead ore, but also sometimes polished for ornamental purposes. Galena’s high density and lead content make it unsuitable for jewellery.
Garnet
A group of silicate minerals available in almost every colour, although red garnets are the most common. Garnets are durable and versatile, making them a popular gemstone for all types of jewellery.
Gaspeite
A bright green nickel carbonate mineral often used in Native American jewellery. Its distinctive apple-green colour makes it an attractive gemstone for inlay work and beads.
Hackmanite
A variety of sodalite known for its tenebrescence, or the ability to change colour in sunlight. Hackmanite is a rare and prized gem in the collector’s market.
Heliodor
A yellow to greenish-yellow variety of beryl, often used in high-end jewellery. Heliodor is valued for its golden hues and is sometimes referred to as “golden beryl.”
Hematite
An iron oxide mineral with a metallic lustre, often appearing in silver or black. Hematite has been used historically for carvings and is thought to have grounding and protective properties.
Hiddenite
A green variety of spodumene, hiddenite is prized for its bright colour and transparency. It is mainly used in collector’s jewellery due to its relative softness.
Howlite
A white or light grey stone with black veins, often used as an affordable substitute for turquoise when dyed. Howlite is also prized for its calming and spiritual properties.
Iolite
A violet-blue gemstone known for its pleochroism, showing different colours when viewed from different angles. Iolite is often used as a substitute for sapphire in affordable jewellery.
Jade
A durable gemstone available in jadeite and nephrite varieties, prized for its rich green colour. Jade has been used in Asian art and jewellery for thousands of years and symbolises purity and harmony.
Jasper
An opaque variety of chalcedony, jasper is available in many colours and patterns, making it popular for cabochons and ornamental carvings. It’s often associated with grounding energy.
Jeremejevite
A rare gemstone that ranges from colourless to blue. Jeremejevite’s high clarity and brilliance make it highly sought after by collectors and jewellers alike.
Kornerupine
A rare gemstone found in green, yellow, and brown hues. Kornerupine is prized for its pleochroic properties and is sometimes used in unique, high-end jewellery pieces.
Kunzite
A pink to violet variety of spodumene, kunzite is known for its vibrant colour and pleochroism. It’s often used in large, eye-catching pieces of jewellery.
Kyanite
A blue to greenish-blue gemstone known for its unique physical properties, such as having different hardnesses on different axes. Kyanite is often used in metaphysical jewellery and carvings.
Labradorite
A feldspar mineral known for its iridescent optical effect, labradorescence, displaying flashes of blue, green, and gold. It is commonly used in bohemian-style jewellery and as a mystical stone.
Lapis Lazuli
A deep blue gemstone flecked with gold pyrite, valued since antiquity for its rich colour. Lapis lazuli has been used in jewellery and for making pigment, including ultramarine, throughout history.
Larimar
A rare blue variety of pectolite, found only in the Dominican Republic. Larimar is prized for its soft, oceanic colours and is often used in beach-inspired jewellery.
Legrandite
A rare yellow gemstone often found in Mexico. Due to its fragility, legrandite is primarily a collector’s gem and is rarely used in jewellery.
Magnesite
A white to grey mineral often dyed bright colours for use in beads and jewellery. Magnesite is soft and porous, making it easy to work with in jewellery production.
Malachite
A bright green gemstone with distinctive banding, malachite is used both for jewellery and ornamental carvings. It is prized for its rich colour and history in ancient cultures.
Moonstone
A feldspar mineral prized for its adularescence, a soft, billowy light that seems to move across the stone’s surface. Moonstone is used in various types of jewellery and is associated with feminine energy.
Morganite
A pink to peach variety of beryl, often used in engagement rings for its soft, romantic hue. Morganite is prized for its delicate colour and association with love and compassion.
Musgravite
One of the rarest gemstones in the world, ranging from grey to purple. Musgravite is highly prized by collectors due to its extreme rarity and high price.
Nuummite
A black gemstone with iridescent flashes of gold or blue, nuummite is primarily used in metaphysical jewellery. It is believed to be one of the oldest minerals on Earth.
Obsidian
A natural volcanic glass, often black or brown, that has been used for tools and jewellery throughout history. Obsidian is valued for its sharpness when carved and its mystical properties.
Onyx
A variety of chalcedony that is typically black or black-and-white banded. Onyx is popular in men’s jewellery and is used in both carvings and as a protective stone in metaphysical practices.
Opal
A unique gemstone known for its “play of colour,” showing flashes of vibrant hues depending on the angle of the light. Opals are prized for their beauty and rarity, especially black opals.
Orpiment
A bright yellow to orange mineral that was historically used as a pigment. Orpiment is too soft and toxic for jewellery and is mainly a collector’s mineral.
Paraiba Tourmaline
A vivid blue-green tourmaline, known for its intense neon colour, caused by copper content. Paraiba tourmaline is one of the most valuable and sought-after gems in the world.
Pectolite
A mineral that includes larimar as a rare variety. Pectolite is usually white or grey, with larimar being the prized blue version used in jewellery.
Peridot
A green gemstone from the olivine mineral family, peridot is one of the few gemstones that comes in only one colour. It’s used in a variety of jewellery, especially birthstone pieces.
Pietersite
A gemstone with swirling patterns of blue, gold, and red, similar to tiger’s eye. Pietersite is often used in cabochons for jewellery due to its unique, stormy appearance.
Prehnite
A pale green to yellow gemstone, often translucent, used in jewellery and metaphysical applications. Prehnite is believed to be a stone of unconditional love and healing.
Pyrite
Known as “fool’s gold” for its metallic, gold-like appearance, pyrite is often used in jewellery and as an ornamental stone. It’s also thought to be a protective stone in metaphysical practices.
Pyrope
A red variety of garnet known for its deep, blood-red hue. Pyrope garnet is durable and widely used in jewellery, especially in vintage and antique pieces.
Rhodochrosite
A pink to red manganese carbonate mineral, often banded with white. Rhodochrosite is prized for its soft, romantic colour and is used in jewellery and ornamental carvings.
Rhodolite
A purplish-red variety of garnet, known for its vibrant colour and clarity. Rhodolite is a popular choice for jewellery due to its durability and brilliance.
Rose Quartz
A pale pink variety of quartz, associated with love and compassion. Rose quartz is often used in jewellery and is thought to have calming, healing properties.
Ruby
A red variety of corundum, known for its vibrant red colour and durability. Ruby is one of the four traditional precious gemstones and is often used in high-end jewellery.
Sapphire
A corundum gemstone available in various colours, though blue is the most famous. Sapphires are prized for their hardness and brilliance, making them a popular choice in fine jewellery.
Scapolite
A gemstone found in shades of yellow, pink, and violet. Scapolite is relatively soft, making it suitable for collectors and occasional wear jewellery.
Selenite
A translucent variety of gypsum known for its soft, white appearance and is used in decorative objects and metaphysical healing. Selenite is thought to have calming and cleansing properties.
Seraphinite
A rare, green gemstone with silver feather-like inclusions, primarily found in Russia. It’s often used in metaphysical jewellery, believed to connect with higher realms of consciousness.
Serpentine
A green mineral often used in carvings and beads, serpentine resembles jade and is believed to have protective and healing properties in metaphysical traditions.
Smithsonite
A zinc carbonate mineral that comes in pastel shades of blue, green, and pink. Smithsonite is soft and mainly used for ornamental purposes or as a collector’s stone.
Smoky Quartz
A brown to black variety of quartz, often transparent to translucent. Smoky quartz is popular in jewellery and is believed to provide grounding and protective energy.
Sodalite
A deep blue gemstone with white streaks, often mistaken for lapis lazuli. Sodalite is used in beads and carvings and is believed to promote logic and rational thought.
Spessartite
A variety of garnet that is known for its bright orange to red-orange colour. Spessartite garnets are highly prized for their vivid colours and are commonly used in high-end jewellery.
Sphene (Titanite)
A rare gemstone known for its exceptional brilliance and fire. Sphene’s high refractive index gives it a sparkle that rivals diamonds, but it’s soft and mainly suited for collectors.
Spinel
A gemstone found in a wide range of colours, often mistaken for ruby or sapphire. Spinel is prized for its durability and brilliance, making it a popular alternative in high-end jewellery.
Spodumene
A lithium-rich mineral that includes gemstones like kunzite and hiddenite. Spodumene comes in pink, green, and yellow, and its large, clear crystals are often cut for jewellery.
Staurolite
A brownish gemstone known for its natural cross-shaped crystals. Staurolite is often called “fairy crosses” and is used in metaphysical jewellery.
Sugilite
A rare purple gemstone, often used in metaphysical jewellery. Sugilite is believed to have healing properties and is associated with spiritual growth and protection.
Sunstone
A feldspar gemstone known for its aventurescence, a sparkling effect caused by tiny copper inclusions. Sunstone is popular for its warm, golden glow and is used in various types of jewellery.
Tanzanite
A rare, blue to violet gemstone found only in Tanzania. Tanzanite’s unique pleochroism, showing different colours from different angles, makes it highly sought after in fine jewellery.
Thulite
A pink variety of zoisite, used in cabochons and beads for jewellery. Thulite is prized for its vibrant colour and connection to emotional healing.
Tiger’s Eye
A golden-brown quartz with a silky, chatoyant effect, resembling the eye of a tiger. It’s commonly used in men’s jewellery and is believed to bring courage and protection.
Topaz
Available in a range of colours, including blue, yellow, pink, and clear, topaz is prized for its brilliance and hardness, making it suitable for a variety of jewellery pieces.
Tourmaline
A highly versatile gemstone that comes in nearly every colour. It is prized for its durability, and multicoloured tourmalines are especially sought after in jewellery for their unique appeal.
Turquoise
A blue to green gemstone often veined with other minerals, turquoise has been used in jewellery for thousands of years. It’s particularly associated with Native American and southwestern styles.
Unakite
A green and pink variety of granite used in beads and cabochons. Unakite is believed to promote emotional balance and is popular in metaphysical jewellery.
Variscite
A green to bluish-green mineral, often used as an affordable alternative to turquoise. Variscite is softer than turquoise and is frequently used in beads and cabochons for jewellery.
Zircon
A natural gemstone known for its brilliance and fire, often used as an affordable alternative to diamonds. Zircon comes in a variety of colours, with blue being the most popular.
Zoisite
A gemstone family that includes tanzanite and thulite, zoisite comes in various colours, including green and pink. Zoisite is valued for its diverse beauty and is often used in fine jewellery.
