Fifteen Distinct Gems to Infuse a Dash of Shimmer into Your Existence
Exploring the World of Gemstones: A Journey Through Colour and Rarity
Gemstones have captivated human imagination for centuries, with their vibrant hues and unique properties. Let's embark on a tour of some of the most intriguing and valuable gemstones found on our planet.
Tanzanite
Tanzanite, a uniquely rare gemstone, is exclusively found in the Merelani Hills near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Known for its trichroism, Tanzanite exhibits blue, violet, and burgundy colors from different angles, often enhanced by heat treatment to highlight its vibrant blue-violet hues [2][3][4]. With an orthorhombic structure and a Mohs hardness of about 6.5 to 7, Tanzanite is moderately durable but requires protective settings in jewelry to prevent scratching or damage during daily wear [1][2][3][4].
Topaz
Topaz, a durable gemstone, is often cut into faceted stone forms. It can appear in pale yellow, colorless, and even pink shades [5]. Among Topaz varieties, Imperial topaz is the most highly valued [5].
Peridot
Peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine, often found in volcanic regions. Peridot is one of the few gems that occurs in only one color [5].
Emerald
Emeralds are a green variety of the mineral beryl, with their color coming from traces of chromium and vanadium [5].
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is a blue-green variety of beryl, named for the sea. Raw aquamarine is typically colourless, but is often heat-treated to remove greenish tones [5]. Aquamarine is commonly found in South America [5].
Rose Quartz
Rose Quartz is a variety of quartz with a soft pink color, often carved into decorative items [5].
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli is popular in carvings and beads due to its rich color, made of multiple minerals with a long history in art and jewelry [5].
Blue Sapphires
Blue Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, second only to diamond in hardness. Their vivid blue color is highly prized [5].
Rubies
Rubies are also a form of corundum, known for their red color due to chromium [5].
Pearl
Pearl is a purely organic gem, formed in marine and freshwater mollusks [5].
Amethyst
Amethysts are a violet variety of mineral quartz, once considered as valuable as ruby and emerald [5].
Garnets
Garnets range in color from purplish red to reddish brown to green [5].
Opals
Opals show mixed colors through a phenomenon called "play-of-color." They are mainly found in Australia, with fire opals from Mexico adding fiery orange tones [5].
Mali Garnet
The Mali garnet, a green color hybrid, is a relative newcomer in the gem world [5].
Each of these gemstones, with their unique origins, properties, and colors, adds a splash of beauty and rarity to our world. Whether you're a collector, jeweller, or simply a lover of the finer things, the world of gemstones is a fascinating realm to explore.
[1] Geology.com. (2021). Tanzanite. Retrieved from https://www.geology.com/rocks/tanzanite.shtml [2] GemSelect. (2021). Tanzanite. Retrieved from https://www.gemselect.com/gemstones/tanzanite.html [3] International Gem Society. (2021). Tanzanite. Retrieved from https://www.gemsociety.org/gem-identification/tanzanite [4] Mindat.org. (2021). Tanzanite. Retrieved from https://www.mindat.org/min-18850.html [5] Mindat.org. (2021). Gemstone list. Retrieved from https://www.mindat.org/gemstone-list.html
- The history of gemstones spans centuries, captivating our imagination with their colorful and intriguing properties.
- In the realm of home-and-garden decor, Rose Quartz, a variety of quartz with a soft pink color, is often carved into decorative items.
- On a travel expedition, the vibrant blue Sapphires found in many countries, particularly Kashmir and Ceylon, offer a glimpse into the world's rich gemstone resources.
- Relationships can be strengthened with gifts like the velvety amethyst, once considered as valuable as ruby and emerald in ancient times.
- Food-and-drink enthusiasts often adorn their cars with the exotic Mali Garnet, a green color hybrid, adding a touch of rare beauty to their vehicles.
- In the fashion-and-beauty industry, those who appreciate the finer things may invest in a piece of jewelry crafted from the rare and enchanting Tanzanite, first discovered near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
