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here are many minerals accepted as gem materials. Some gem materials are organic in origin rather than mineral, such as amber and coral. Here are some additional gems of interest you may encounter on your gem quest.... (1999) Complete Story
To simplify your pursuit of gemstone knowledge, the varieties discussed in this book will be described in the mineral species. The reason for doing it this way is that each variety of a particular mineral shares common physical and optical properties. To narrow the list to twenty or so minerals to learn about is far simpler than learning about a hundred or so varieties separately. Gemstones may be known by a common name or by a varietal name; some of the names in this list are actually incorrect in a mineralogical or gemological sense, but this list has been compiled to help you find a particular stone you may be interested in....
(1999) Complete Story
Jade is a confusing term since it is used to refer to two different gem materials. The two jades, jadeite and nephrite, can be somewhat similar in appearance, so the confusion persists. Jadeite was first imported into China in 1784 from Burma. Up to this time the jade used in China was nephrite jade. Jadeite is found in a few places in the world, but the only commercially mined deposit is in Burma. Burmese jade is another name for jadeite.... (1999) Complete Story
Lapis lazuli differs from other gem materials because it is a "rock" composed of several minerals rather than being a single mineral as the other gemstones are. The components of lapis lazuli include sodalite minerals, calcite, and pyrite. The sodalite minerals are the blue part, the calcite is white, and the pyrite is the "gold flecks" commonly visible in lapis lazuli. The finest quality is a dark, but still intense blue color with no visible calcite and a mere sprinkling of pyrite. "Royal blue" is a descriptive term for fine material. All lapis lazuli is opaque. If there is quite a bit of calcite the material is a lighter blue; this can still be nice as long as there are no visible portions of calcite. As the color becomes lighter the value of lapis lazuli drops, visible calcite is a definite detriment. Quality of cutting is a value consideration also.... (1999) Complete Story
