Organic gemstone
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This is a list of gemstones, organized by
species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
and type.


Minerals

There are over 300 types of
mineral In geology and mineralogy, a mineral or mineral species is, broadly speaking, a solid chemical compound with a fairly well-defined chemical composition and a specific crystal structure that occurs naturally in pure form.John P. Rafferty, ed. (2 ...
s that have been used as gemstones. These include:


A–B

*
Actinolite Actinolite is an amphibole silicate mineral with the chemical formula . Etymology The name ''actinolite'' is derived from the Greek word ''aktis'' (), meaning "beam" or "ray", because of the mineral's fibrous nature. Mineralogy Actinolite is ...
**
Nephrite Nephrite is a variety of the calcium, magnesium, and iron-rich amphibole minerals tremolite or actinolite ( aggregates of which also make up one form of asbestos). The chemical formula for nephrite is Ca2( Mg, Fe)5 Si8 O22(O H)2. It is on ...
() * Adamite *
Aegirine Aegirine is a member of the clino pyroxene group of inosilicate minerals. Aegirine is the sodium endmember of the aegirine-augite series. Aegirine has the chemical formula Na Fe Si2 O6 in which the iron is present as Fe3+. In the aegirine-augit ...
*
Afghanite Afghanite, (Na,K)22Ca10 i24Al24O96SO4)6Cl6, is a hydrous sodium, calcium, potassium, sulfate, chloride, carbonate alumino-silicate mineral. Afghanite is a feldspathoid of the cancrinite group and typically occurs with sodalite group minerals. I ...
* Agrellite *
Algodonite Algodonite is a copper arsenide mineral with formula: Cu6As. It is a gray white metallic mineral crystallizing in the hexagonal system. It has a Mohs hardness of 4 and a specific gravity of 8.38 - 8.72. It was first described in 1857 from the Alg ...
* Alunite *
Amblygonite Amblygonite () is a fluorophosphate mineral, , composed of lithium, sodium, aluminium, phosphate, fluoride and hydroxide. The mineral occurs in pegmatite deposits and is easily mistaken for albite and other feldspars. Its density, cleavage and ...
*
Analcime Analcime (; ) or analcite is a white, gray, or colorless tectosilicate mineral. Analcime consists of hydrated sodium aluminium silicate in cubic crystalline form. Its chemical formula is Na Al Si2 O6· H2O. Minor amounts of potassium and calci ...
*
Anatase Anatase is a metastable mineral form of titanium dioxide (TiO2) with a tetragonal crystal structure. Although colorless or white when pure, anatase in nature is usually a black solid due to impurities. Three other polymorphs (or mineral form ...
*
Andalusite Andalusite is an aluminium nesosilicate mineral with the chemical formula Al2SiO5. This mineral was called andalousite by Delamétehrie, who thought it came from Andalusia, Spain. It soon became clear that it was a locality error, and that the spe ...
**
Chiastolite Chiastolite ( ) is a variety of the mineral andalusite with the chemical composition Al2SiO5. It is noted for distinctive cross-shaped black inclusions of graphite. The presence of the cross caused this mineral be used as a gem. Chiastolite spe ...
*
Andesine Andesine is a silicate mineral, a member of the plagioclase feldspar solid solution series. Its chemical formula is ( Ca, Na)( Al, Si)4 O8, where Ca/(Ca + Na) (% anorthite) is between 30–50%. The formula may be written as Na0.7-0.5Ca0.3-0.5Al ...
*
Anglesite Anglesite is a lead sulfate mineral with the chemical formula PbSO4. It occurs as an oxidation product of primary lead sulfide ore, galena. Anglesite occurs as prismatic orthorhombic crystals and earthy masses, and is isomorphous with barite and ...
*
Anhydrite Anhydrite, or anhydrous calcium sulfate, is a mineral with the chemical formula CaSO4. It is in the orthorhombic crystal system, with three directions of perfect cleavage parallel to the three planes of symmetry. It is not isomorphous with the ...
*
Annabergite Annabergite is an arsenate mineral consisting of a hydrous nickel arsenate, Ni3(AsO4)2·8H2O, crystallizing in the monoclinic system and isomorphous with vivianite and erythrite. Crystals are minute and capillary and rarely met with, the mineral ...
* Anorthite *
Antigorite Antigorite is a lamellated, monoclinic mineral in the phylosilicate serpentine subgroup with the ideal chemical formula of (Mg,Fe2+)3Si2O5(OH)4. It is the high-pressure polymorph of serpentine and is commonly found in metamorphosed serpentinite ...
**
Bowenite Bowenite is a hard, compact variety of the serpentinite species antigorite, (Mg3(OH)O4Si2O5). Classed as semi-precious gemstone it has been used for tools, weapons and jewellery by the Māori in New Zealand, and for jewellery by Fabergé. Deposits ...
* Apatite *
Apophyllite The name apophyllite refers to a specific group of phyllosilicates, a class of minerals. Originally, the group name referred to a specific mineral, but was redefined in 1978 to stand for a class of minerals of similar chemical makeup that compris ...
*
Aragonite Aragonite is a carbonate mineral, one of the three most common naturally occurring crystal forms of calcium carbonate, (the other forms being the minerals calcite and vaterite). It is formed by biological and physical processes, including pre ...
*
Arfvedsonite Arfvedsonite () is a sodium amphibole mineral with composition: aNa2] Fe2+)4Fe3+(OH)2, Si8O22]. It crystallizes in the monoclinic prismatic crystal system and typically occurs as greenish black to bluish grey fibrous to radiating or stellate pr ...
* Asbestos *
Astrophyllite Astrophyllite is a very rare, brown to golden-yellow hydrous potassium iron titanium silicate mineral. Belonging to the astrophyllite group, astrophyllite may be classed either as an inosilicate, phyllosilicate, or an intermediate between th ...
*
Atacamite Atacamite is a copper halide mineral: a copper(II) chloride hydroxide with formula Cu2Cl(OH)3. It was first described for deposits in the Atacama Desert of Chile in 1801 by D. de Fallizen. The Atacama Desert is also the namesake of the mineral. ...
* Augelite *
Austinite Austinite is a member of the adelite- descloizite group, adelite subgroup, the zinc (Zn) end member of the copper-Zn series with conichalcite. It is the zinc analogue of cobaltaustinite and nickelaustinite. At one time “brickerite” was tho ...
* Axinite group: ** Ferroaxinite ** Magnesioaxinite ** Manganaxinite ** Tinzenite * Azurmalachite *
Azurite Azurite is a soft, deep-blue copper mineral produced by weathering of copper ore deposits. During the early 19th century, it was also known as chessylite, after the type locality at Chessy-les-Mines near Lyon, France. The mineral, a basic carb ...
* Baryte * Bastnaesite *
Bayldonite Bayldonite (BAIL-done-ite) is a rare secondary mineral with the chemical formula PbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2. It was first discovered in Penberthy Croft Mine, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is named after its discoverer, John Bayldon (1837(8) – 187 ...
*
Benitoite Benitoite () is a rare blue barium titanium cyclosilicate, found in hydrothermally altered serpentinite. It forms in low temperature, high pressure environments typical of subduction zones at convergent plate boundaries. Benitoite fluoresces ...
* Beryl subgroup: ** Aquamarine *** Maxixe ** Emerald **
Goshenite Goshenite is a colorless gem variety of beryl. It is called the mother of all gemstones because it can be transformed into other like emerald, Morganite (gem), morganite, or Red beryl, bixbite. Goshenite is also referred to as the purest form of b ...
** Golden beryl ** Heliodor **
Morganite Morganite is an orange or pink gemstone and is also a variety of beryl. Morganite can be mined in countries like Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, Namibia, the United States, and Madagascar. Morganite has grown in popularity since 2010. ''Brides ...
**
Red beryl Red beryl, formerly known as bixbite and marketed as red emerald or scarlet emerald, is an extremely rare variety of beryl as well as one of the rarest minerals on Earth. The gem gets its red color from manganese ions embedded inside of beryllium ...
(Bixbite) * Beryllonite *
Beudantite Beudandite is a secondary mineral occurring in the oxidized zones of polymetallic deposits. It is a lead, iron, arsenate, sulfate with endmember formula: PbFe3(OH)6SO4AsO4. Beudantite is in a subgroup of the alunite group. It is the arsenate an ...
* Bismutotantalite * Biotite *
Boleite Boleite is a complex halide mineral with formula: KPb26Ag9Cu24(OH)48Cl62. It was first described in 1891 as an oxychloride mineral. It is an isometric mineral which forms in deep-blue cubes. There are numerous minerals related to boleite, such a ...
*
Boracite Boracite is a magnesium borate mineral with formula: Mg3 B7 O13 Cl. It occurs as blue green, colorless, gray, yellow to white crystals in the orthorhombic - pyramidal crystal system. Boracite also shows pseudo-isometric cubical and octahedral fo ...
*
Bornite Bornite, also known as peacock ore, is a sulfide mineral with chemical composition Cu5 Fe S4 that crystallizes in the orthorhombic system (pseudo-cubic). Appearance Bornite has a brown to copper-red color on fresh surfaces that tarnishes to v ...
*
Brazilianite Brazilianite, whose name derives from its country of origin, Brazil, is a typically yellow-green phosphate mineral, most commonly found in phosphate-rich pegmatites. It occurs in the form of perfect crystals grouped in druses, in pegmatites, and ...
*
Breithauptite Breithauptite is a nickel antimonide mineral with the simple formula NiSb. Breithauptite is a metallic opaque copper-red mineral crystallizing in the hexagonal - dihexagonal dipyramidal crystal system. It is typically massive to reniform in habit, ...
*
Brookite Brookite is the orthorhombic variant of titanium dioxide (TiO2), which occurs in four known natural polymorphic forms (minerals with the same composition but different structure). The other three of these forms are akaogiite (monoclinic), anatas ...
*
Brucite Brucite is the mineral form of magnesium hydroxide, with the chemical formula Mg( OH)2. It is a common alteration product of periclase in marble; a low-temperature hydrothermal vein mineral in metamorphosed limestones and chlorite schists; and ...
*
Bustamite Bustamite is a calcium manganese inosilicate (chain silicate) and a member of the wollastonite group. Magnesium, zinc and iron are common impurities substituting for manganese. Bustamite is the high-temperature polymorph of CaMnSi2O6 and johanns ...
* Bytownite


C–F

* Calcite ** Manganoan calcite () *
Caledonite Caledonite, whose name derives from Caledonia, the historical name of its place of discovery (Scotland), is a richly colored blue-green sulfate-carbonate mineral of lead and copper with an orthorhombic crystal structure. It is an uncommon mineral ...
* Canasite *
Cancrinite Cancrinite is a complex carbonate and silicate of sodium, calcium and aluminium with the formula Na6 Ca2 O3)2.html" ;"title="carbon">C Coxygen">O3)2"> O3)2">aluminum">Al6silicon.html"_;"title="luminum.html"_;"title="oxygen.html"_;"ti_...
**Vishnevite.html" ;"title="Coxygen">O3)2">aluminum">Al6silicon.html" ;"title="luminum.html" ;"title="oxygen.html" ;"ti ...
**Vishnevite">Coxygen">O3)2">aluminum">Al6silicon.html" ;"title="luminum.html" ;"title="oxygen.html" ;"ti ...
**Vishnevite *Carletonite *Carnallite *Cassiterite *Catapleiite *Cavansite *Celestine (mineral), Celestite *Ceruleite *Cerussite *Chabazite *Chalcopyrite *Chambersite *Charlesite *
Charoite Charoite is a rare silicate mineral, first described in 1978. It was believed to be named after the Chara River, but due to the river being 70 km away from its discovery place, now it is believed to be named after the Russian word ''chary'', ...
* Childrenite *
Chiolite Chiolite is a tetragonal-ditetragonal dipyramidal mineral, composed of sodium, fluorine, and aluminium. The name originates from the combination of the Greek words for snow (χιώυ) and stone (λίθος). It is an allusion to its similarity and ...
*
Chondrodite Chondrodite is a nesosilicate mineral with formula . Although it is a fairly rare mineral, it is the most frequently encountered member of the humite group of minerals. It is formed in hydrothermal deposits from locally metamorphosed dolomite. I ...
*
Chrysoberyl The mineral or gemstone chrysoberyl is an aluminate of beryllium with the formula Be Al2 O4. The name chrysoberyl is derived from the Greek words χρυσός ''chrysos'' and βήρυλλος ''beryllos'', meaning "a gold-white spar". Despite ...
** Alexandrite () ** Cymophane * Chromite *
Chrysocolla Chrysocolla ( ) is a hydrated copper phyllosilicate mineral and mineraloid with formula (x<1) or . The structure of the mineral has been questioned, as a 2006 spectrographic study suggest material identified as ...
*
Chrysotile Chrysotile or white asbestos is the most commonly encountered form of asbestos, accounting for approximately 95% of the asbestos in the United StatesOccupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor (2007)29 C.F.R.&nb ...
*
Cinnabar Cinnabar (), or cinnabarite (), from the grc, κιννάβαρι (), is the bright scarlet to brick-red form of mercury(II) sulfide (HgS). It is the most common source ore for refining elemental mercury and is the historic source for the bri ...
*
Clinochlore The chlorites are the group of phyllosilicate minerals common in low-grade metamorphic rocks and in Mineral alteration, altered igneous rocks. Greenschist, formed by metamorphism of basalt or other low-silica volcanic rock, typically contains si ...
*
Clinohumite Clinohumite is an uncommon member of the humite group, a magnesium silicate according to the chemical formula ( Mg, Fe)9( Si O4)4( F,O H)2. The formula can be thought of as four olivine (Mg2SiO4), plus one brucite (Mg(OH)2). Indeed, the mineral ...
*
Clinozoisite Clinozoisite is a complex calcium aluminium sorosilicate mineral with formula: Ca2Al3(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH). It forms a continuous solid solution series with epidote by substitution of iron(III) in the aluminium (m3 site) and is also called ''alumi ...
*
Clintonite Clintonite is a calcium magnesium aluminium phyllosilicate mineral. It is a member of the margarite group of micas and the subgroup often referred to as the "brittle" micas. Clintonite has the chemical formula. Like other micas and Chlorite group, ...
*
Cobaltite Cobaltite is a sulfide mineral composed of cobalt, arsenic, and sulfur, Co As S. Its impurities may contain up to 10% iron and variable amounts of nickel.Klein, Cornelus and Cornrlius Hurlbut, 1996, ''Manual of Mineralogy'', 20th ed., Wiley, p. ...
*
Colemanite Colemanite (Ca2B6O11·5H2O) or (CaB3O4(OH)3·H2O) is a borate mineral found in evaporite deposits of alkaline lacustrine environments. Colemanite is a secondary mineral that forms by alteration of borax and ulexite. It was first described in 18 ...
*
Cordierite Cordierite (mineralogy) or iolite (gemology) is a magnesium iron aluminium cyclosilicate. Iron is almost always present and a solid solution exists between Mg-rich cordierite and Fe-rich sekaninaite with a series formula: to . A high-temperat ...
**
Iolite Cordierite (mineralogy) or iolite (gemology) is a magnesium iron aluminium cyclosilicate. Iron is almost always present and a solid solution exists between Mg-rich cordierite and Fe-rich sekaninaite with a series formula: to . A high-temperat ...
() *
Cornwallite Cornwallite is an uncommon copper arsenate mineral with formula Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4. It forms a series with the phosphate pseudomalachite and is a dimorph of the triclinic cornubite. It is a green monoclinic mineral which forms as radial to fibrous ...
* Corundum **
Ruby A ruby is a pinkish red to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum ( aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called ...
() **
Sapphire Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide () with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. The name sapphire is derived via the Latin "sa ...
() ***
Padparadscha Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide () with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. The name sapphire is derived via the Latin "sa ...
** Golden sheen sapphire *
Covellite Covellite (also known as covelline) is a rare copper sulfide mineral with the formula CuS. This indigo blue mineral is commonly a secondary mineral in limited abundance and although it is not an important ore of copper itself, it is well known t ...
*
Creedite Creedite is a calcium aluminium sulfate fluoro hydroxide mineral with formula: Ca3Al2SO4(F,OH)10·2(H2O). Creedite forms colorless to white to purple monoclinic prismatic crystals. It often occurs as acicular radiating sprays of fine prisms. It is ...
*
Crocoite Crocoite is a mineral consisting of lead chromate, Pb Cr O4, and crystallizing in the monoclinic crystal system. It is identical in composition with the artificial product chrome yellow used as a paint pigment. Description Crocoite is commo ...
*
Cryolite Cryolite ( Na3 Al F6, sodium hexafluoroaluminate) is an uncommon mineral identified with the once-large deposit at Ivittuut on the west coast of Greenland, mined commercially until 1987. History Cryolite was first described in 1798 by Danish vete ...
*
Cuprite Cuprite is an oxide mineral composed of copper(I) oxide Cu2O, and is a minor ore of copper. Its dark crystals with red internal reflections are in the isometric system hexoctahedral class, appearing as cubic, octahedral, or dodecahedral forms, ...
*
Danburite Danburite is a calcium boron silicate mineral with a chemical formula of CaB2(SiO4)2. It has a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5 and a specific gravity of 3.0. The mineral has an orthorhombic crystal form. It is usually colourless, like quartz, but ca ...
*
Datolite Datolite is a calcium boron hydroxide nesosilicate, Ca B Si O4(O H). It was first observed by Jens Esmark in 1806, and named by him from δατεῖσθαι, "to divide," and λίθος, "stone," in allusion to the granular structure of the massi ...
*
Descloizite Descloizite is a rare mineral species consisting of basic lead and zinc vanadate, , crystallizing in the orthorhombic crystal system and isomorphous with olivenite. Appreciable gallium and germanium may also be incorporated into the crystal struc ...
*
Diamond Diamond is a solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. Another solid form of carbon known as graphite is the chemically stable form of carbon at room temperature and pressure, ...
**
Bort Bort, boart, or boort is an umbrella term used in the diamond industry to refer to shards of non-gem-grade/quality diamonds. In the manufacturing and heavy industries, "bort" is used to describe dark, imperfectly formed or crystallized diamonds ...
***
Ballas Ballas or shot bort is a term used in the diamond industry to refer to shards of non-gem-grade and -quality diamonds. It comprises small diamond crystals that are concentrically arranged in rough spherical stones with a fibrous texture. Ballas is ...
* Diaspore * Dickinsonite *
Diopside Diopside is a monoclinic pyroxene mineral with composition . It forms complete solid solution series with hedenbergite () and augite, and partial solid solutions with orthopyroxene and pigeonite. It forms variably colored, but typically dull ...
*
Dioptase Dioptase is an intense emerald-green to bluish-green copper cyclosilicate mineral. It is transparent to translucent. Its luster is vitreous to sub- adamantine. Its formula is Cu6Si6O18·6H2O (also reported as CuSiO2(OH)2). It has a hardness of 5 ...
*
Dolomite Dolomite may refer to: *Dolomite (mineral), a carbonate mineral *Dolomite (rock), also known as dolostone, a sedimentary carbonate rock *Dolomite, Alabama, United States, an unincorporated community *Dolomite, California, United States, an unincor ...
*
Dumortierite Dumortierite is a fibrous variably colored aluminium boro-silicate mineral, Al7BO3(SiO4)3O3. Dumortierite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system typically forming fibrous aggregates of slender prismatic crystals. The crystals are vitreous and var ...
*
Ekanite Ekanite is an uncommon silicate mineral with chemical formula or . It is a member of the steacyite group. It is among the few gemstones that are naturally radioactive. Most ekanite is mined in Sri Lanka, although deposits also occur in Russia a ...
*
Elbaite Elbaite, a sodium, lithium, aluminium boro-silicate, with the chemical composition Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4, is a mineral species belonging to the six-member ring cyclosilicate tourmaline group. Elbaite forms three series, with dravit ...
* Emerald **
Trapiche emerald Trapiche emerald is a rare variety of the gemstone emerald, characterized by a six-pointed radial pattern of ray-like spokes of dark impurities. It is one of several types of trapiche or trapiche-like minerals, which also include trapiche ruby, sa ...
() * Enstatite **
Bronzite Bronzite is a member of the pyroxene group of minerals, belonging with enstatite and hypersthene to the orthorhombic series of the group. Rather than a distinct species, it is really a ferriferous variety of enstatite, which owing to partial a ...
**
Hypersthene Hypersthene is a common rock-forming inosilicate mineral belonging to the group of orthorhombic pyroxenes. Its chemical formula is . It is found in igneous and some metamorphic rocks as well as in stony and iron meteorites. Many references have f ...
* Eosphorite *
Epidote Epidote is a calcium aluminium iron sorosilicate mineral. Description Well developed crystals of epidote, Ca2Al2(Fe3+;Al)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH), crystallizing in the monoclinic system, are of frequent occurrence: they are commonly prismatic in hab ...
** Piemontite *
Erythrite Erythrite or red cobalt is a secondary hydrated cobalt arsenate mineral with the formula . Erythrite and annabergite, chemical formula , or nickel arsenate form a complete series with the general formula . Erythrite crystallizes in the monocli ...
* Esperite *
Ettringite Ettringite is a hydrous calcium aluminium sulfate mineral with formula: . It is a colorless to yellow mineral crystallizing in the trigonal system. The prismatic crystals are typically colorless, turning white on partial dehydration. It is part of ...
* Euclase *
Eudialyte Eudialyte, whose name derives from the Greek phrase , , meaning "well decomposable", is a somewhat rare, nine member ring cyclosilicate mineral, which forms in alkaline igneous rocks, such as nepheline syenites. Its name alludes to its ready ...
* Euxenite *
Fayalite Fayalite (, commonly abbreviated to Fa) is the iron-rich end-member of the olivine solid-solution series. In common with all minerals in the olivine group, fayalite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system (space group ''Pbnm'') with cell parame ...
* Feldspar subgroup: **
Andesine Andesine is a silicate mineral, a member of the plagioclase feldspar solid solution series. Its chemical formula is ( Ca, Na)( Al, Si)4 O8, where Ca/(Ca + Na) (% anorthite) is between 30–50%. The formula may be written as Na0.7-0.5Ca0.3-0.5Al ...
**
Albite Albite is a plagioclase feldspar mineral. It is the sodium endmember of the plagioclase solid solution series. It represents a plagioclase with less than 10% anorthite content. The pure albite endmember has the formula . It is a tectosilicate ...
** Anorthite **
Anorthoclase The mineral anorthoclase ((Na,K)AlSi3O8) is a crystalline solid solution in the alkali feldspar series, in which the sodium-aluminium silicate member exists in larger proportion. It typically consists of between 10 and 36 percent of KAlSi3O8 and ...
**
Amazonite Amazonite, also known as Amazonstone, is a green tectosilicate mineral, a variety of the potassium feldspar called microcline. Its chemical formula is KAlSi3O8, which is polymorphic to orthoclase. Its name is taken from that of the Amazon Rive ...
** Bytownite ** Celsian **
Microcline Microcline (KAlSi3O8) is an important igneous rock-forming tectosilicate mineral. It is a potassium-rich alkali feldspar. Microcline typically contains minor amounts of sodium. It is common in granite and pegmatites. Microcline forms during slo ...
** Moonstone ***
Adularia Orthoclase, or orthoclase feldspar (endmember formula K Al Si3 O8), is an important tectosilicate mineral which forms igneous rock. The name is from the Ancient Greek for "straight fracture," because its two cleavage planes are at right angles ...
() ***
Rainbow A rainbow is a meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It takes the form of a multicoloured circular arc. Rainbows c ...
() **
Orthoclase Orthoclase, or orthoclase feldspar ( endmember formula K Al Si3 O8), is an important tectosilicate mineral which forms igneous rock. The name is from the Ancient Greek for "straight fracture," because its two cleavage planes are at right angles ...
***
Unakite Unakite is an metamorphic rock that is altered granite composed of pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and generally colorless quartz. Discovery It was first found in the United States in the Unaka mountain range of North Carolina from whic ...
**
Plagioclase Plagioclase is a series of tectosilicate (framework silicate) minerals within the feldspar group. Rather than referring to a particular mineral with a specific chemical composition, plagioclase is a continuous solid solution series, more pro ...
***
Albite Albite is a plagioclase feldspar mineral. It is the sodium endmember of the plagioclase solid solution series. It represents a plagioclase with less than 10% anorthite content. The pure albite endmember has the formula . It is a tectosilicate ...
***
Labradorite Labradorite (( Ca, Na)( Al, Si)4 O8) is a calcium-enriched feldspar mineral first identified in Labrador, Canada, which can display an iridescent effect (schiller). Labradorite is an intermediate to calcic member of the plagioclase series. It ...
***
Oligoclase Oligoclase is a rock-forming mineral belonging to the plagioclase feldspars. In chemical composition and in its crystallographic and physical characters it is intermediate between albite ( Na Al Si3 O8) and anorthite ( CaAl2Si2O8). The albite ...
**
Sanidine Sanidine is the high temperature form of potassium feldspar with a general formula K(AlSi3O8). Sanidine is found most typically in felsic volcanic rocks such as obsidian, rhyolite and trachyte. Sanidine crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal sys ...
**
Sunstone Sunstone is a microcline or oligoclase feldspar, which when viewed from certain directions exhibits a spangled appearance. It has been found in Southern Norway, Sweden, various United States localities and on some beaches along the midcoast of ...
*** Oregon sunstone *** Rainbow lattice sunstone * Fergusonite * Ferroaxinite * Fluorapatite * Fluorapophyllite *
Fluorite Fluorite (also called fluorspar) is the mineral form of calcium fluoride, CaF2. It belongs to the halide minerals. It crystallizes in isometric cubic habit, although octahedral and more complex isometric forms are not uncommon. The Mohs sca ...
*
Forsterite Forsterite (Mg2SiO4; commonly abbreviated as Fo; also known as white olivine) is the magnesium-rich end-member of the olivine solid solution series. It is isomorphous with the iron-rich end-member, fayalite. Forsterite crystallizes in the orthorh ...
* Friedelite


G–L

* Gadolinite *
Gahnite Gahnite, ZnAl2O4, is a rare mineral belonging to the spinel group. It forms octahedral crystals which may be green, blue, yellow, brown or grey. It often forms as an alteration product of sphalerite in altered massive sulphide deposits such as a ...
* Gahnospinel * Garnet group: **Garnet#Pyralspite garnets – aluminium in Y site, Pyralspite ***Almandine ***Pyrope ***Spessartine **Garnet#Ugrandite group – calcium in X site, Ugrandite ***Andradite ****Demantoid ****Melanite ****Topazolite ***Grossular ****Hessonite ****Hydrogrossular ****Tsavorite ***Uvarovite **Almandine-pyrope ***Rhodolite **Andradite-grossular ***Grandite (Mali garnet) **Pyrope-almandine-spessartine ***Malaia garnet **Pyrope-spessartine ***Umbalite *Gaspeite *Gaylussite *Gibbsite *Glaucophane *Goethite *Goosecreekite *Grandidierite *Gypsum *Gyrolite *Halite *Hambergite *Hanksite *Hardystonite *Hauyne *Helenite *Hematite *Hemimorphite *Herderite *Hexagonite *Hibonite *Hiddenite *Hodgkinsonite *Holtite *Howlite *Huebnerite *Humite *Hureaulite *Hurlbutite *Hyperitdiabas *Ilmenite *Inderite *Jade **Jadeite ***Jadeite, Chloromelanite **
Nephrite Nephrite is a variety of the calcium, magnesium, and iron-rich amphibole minerals tremolite or actinolite ( aggregates of which also make up one form of asbestos). The chemical formula for nephrite is Ca2( Mg, Fe)5 Si8 O22(O H)2. It is on ...
*Jasper *Jeremejevite *Kainite *Kämmererite *Kaolinite *Kornerupine *Kutnohorite *Kurnakovite *Kyanite *Langbeinite *Lawsonite *Lazulite *Lazurite *Legrandite *Lepidolite *Leucite *Leucophanite *Linarite *Lizardite *Londonite *Ludlamite *Ludwigite


M–Q

*Magnesite *Malachite *Marialite-meionite **Wernerite () *Marcasite *Meliphanite *Mellite *Mesolite *
Microcline Microcline (KAlSi3O8) is an important igneous rock-forming tectosilicate mineral. It is a potassium-rich alkali feldspar. Microcline typically contains minor amounts of sodium. It is common in granite and pegmatites. Microcline forms during slo ...
*Microlite *Milarite *Millerite *Mimetite *Monazite *Mordenite *Mottramite *Muscovite **Fuchsite () *Musgravite *Nambulite *Narsarsukite *Natrolite *Nepheline *Neptunite *Nickeline (Niccolite) *Nosean *Nuummite *Olivine *Opal **Fire opal **Moss opal *Painite *Palygorskite *Papagoite *Pargasite *Parisite *Pectolite **Larimar *Pentlandite *Peridot *Periclase *Perthite *Petalite (castorite) *Pezzottaite *Phenakite *Phlogopite *Phosgenite *Phosphophyllite *Phosphosiderite * Piemontite *Pietersite *Plumbogummite *Pollucite *Polyhalite *Poudretteite *Powellite *Prehnite *Prismatine *Prosopite *Proustite *Psilomelane *Pumpellyite **Chlorastrolite () *Purpurite *Pyrite *Pyrargyrite *Pyromorphite *Pyrophyllite *Pyroxmangite *Pyrrhotite *Quartz **Amethyst () **Ametrine () **Aventurine () **Chalcedony () ***Agate ****Chalcedony#Agate, Iris agate ****Onyx ****Sardonyx ***Heliotrope (mineral), Bloodstone (Heliotrope) ***Carnelian ***Chalcedony, Chrome chalcedony ***Chrysoprase ***Dendrite (crystal), Dendritic agate ****Moss agate ***Fire agate (iridescent ) ***Jasper ***Petrified wood ***Sard **Citrine quartz, Citrine () **Druzy () **Flint () **Herkimer quartz () **Milky quartz () **Prasiolite () **Radiolarite () **Quartz#Rose quartz, Rose quartz () **Rock crystal () **Shocked quartz () **Smoky quartz () *Quartzite


R–Z

*Realgar *Rhodizite *Rhodochrosite *Rhodonite *Richterite *Riebeckite **Crocidolite () *Rosasite *Rutile *Samarskite *
Sanidine Sanidine is the high temperature form of potassium feldspar with a general formula K(AlSi3O8). Sanidine is found most typically in felsic volcanic rocks such as obsidian, rhyolite and trachyte. Sanidine crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal sys ...
*Sapphirine *Sarcolite *Scapolite **Marialite **Meionite *Scheelite *Schizolite *Scorodite *Selenite (mineral), Selenite *Sellaite *Senarmontite *Sepiolite (Meerschaum) *Sérandite *Seraphinite *Serendibite *Serpentine subgroup **
Antigorite Antigorite is a lamellated, monoclinic mineral in the phylosilicate serpentine subgroup with the ideal chemical formula of (Mg,Fe2+)3Si2O5(OH)4. It is the high-pressure polymorph of serpentine and is commonly found in metamorphosed serpentinite ...
**
Bowenite Bowenite is a hard, compact variety of the serpentinite species antigorite, (Mg3(OH)O4Si2O5). Classed as semi-precious gemstone it has been used for tools, weapons and jewellery by the Māori in New Zealand, and for jewellery by Fabergé. Deposits ...
**
Chrysotile Chrysotile or white asbestos is the most commonly encountered form of asbestos, accounting for approximately 95% of the asbestos in the United StatesOccupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor (2007)29 C.F.R.&nb ...
**Lizardite **Stichtite *Shattuckite *Shigaite *Shortite *Shungite *Siderite *Sillimanite *Simpsonite *Sinhalite *Smaltite *Smithsonite *Sodalite **Hackmanite () *Sogdianite *Sperrylite *Spessartite *Sphalerite *Spinel **Ceylonite () *Spodumene **Hiddenite () **Kunzite () **Spodumene#Triphane, Triphane () *Spurrite *Staurolite *Stibiotantalite *Stichtite *Stolzite *Strontianite *Strontium titanate *Sulfur *Sugilite **
Bustamite Bustamite is a calcium manganese inosilicate (chain silicate) and a member of the wollastonite group. Magnesium, zinc and iron are common impurities substituting for manganese. Bustamite is the high-temperature polymorph of CaMnSi2O6 and johanns ...
() **Richterite () *Sylvite *Taaffeite *Talc *Tantalite *Tektites **Moldavite *Tephroite *Thomsonite *Thaumasite *Tinaksite *Titanite (sphene) *Topaz *Tourmaline, Tourmaline subgroup: **Tourmaline#Species and varieties, Achroite () **Tourmaline#Africa, Chrome () **Dravite **
Elbaite Elbaite, a sodium, lithium, aluminium boro-silicate, with the chemical composition Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4, is a mineral species belonging to the six-member ring cyclosilicate tourmaline group. Elbaite forms three series, with dravit ...
**Fluor-liddicoatite **Indicolite **Olenite **Tourmaline#Brazil, Paraiba () **Rossmanite **Rubellite () *Tremolite **Hexagonite () *Triphylite *Triplite *Tugtupite *Turquoise *Ulexite *Ussingite *Vanadinite *Variscite *Väyrynenite *Vesuvianite (idocrase) **Californite () *Villiaumite *Vivianite *Vlasovite *Wardite *Wavellite *Weloganite *Whewellite *Wilkeite *Willemite *Witherite *Wollastonite *Wulfenite *Wurtzite *Xonotlite *Yugawaralite *Zektzerite *Zeolites **
Analcime Analcime (; ) or analcite is a white, gray, or colorless tectosilicate mineral. Analcime consists of hydrated sodium aluminium silicate in cubic crystalline form. Its chemical formula is Na Al Si2 O6· H2O. Minor amounts of potassium and calci ...
**
Apophyllite The name apophyllite refers to a specific group of phyllosilicates, a class of minerals. Originally, the group name referred to a specific mineral, but was redefined in 1978 to stand for a class of minerals of similar chemical makeup that compris ...
**Chabazite **Goosecreekite **Natrolite **Scolecite **Stellerite **Stilbite **Thomsonite *Zincite *Zinnwaldite *Zircon **Jacinth () *Zoisite **Tanzanite () **Thulite () *Zultanite *Zunyite


Artificial and lab created

There are a number of artificial and lab grown minerals used to produce gemstones. These include: *Lab alexandrite *Lab corundum *Cubic zirconia *Lab diamond *Lab emerald *Fordite *Gadolinium gallium garnet *Lab moissanite *Synthetic opal *Metal-coated crystals hyped as ''rainbow quartz'' *Lab spinel *Synthetic turquoise *Terbium gallium garnet *Trinitite *Yttrium aluminium garnet#Gemstone YAG, Yttrium aluminium garnet *Yttrium iron garnet#Gemstone YIG, Yttrium iron garnet


Organic

There are a number of organic materials used as gems, including: *Amber *Ammolite **Ammonoidea *Bone *Copal *Coral (precious), Coral *Ivory *Jet (lignite), Jet *Nacre (Mother of pearl) *Operculum (gastropod), Operculum *Pearl *Seashell


Rocks

Some Rock (geology), rocks are used as gems, including: *Anthracite *Anyolite *Bauxite *Concretions *Heliotrope (mineral), Bloodstone (Heliotrope) *Eilat stone *Epidosite *Glimmerite *Goldstone (glass), Goldstone (glittering glass) *Hawk's eye *Helenite (artificial glass made from volcanic ash) *Iddingsite *Kimberlite *Lamproite *Lapis lazuli *Libyan desert glass *Llanite *Maw sit sit *Moldavite *Obsidian *Apache tears *Pallasite *Peridotite (also known as olivinite) *Siilinjärvi carbonatite *Soapstone (also known as steatite) *Tactite *Tiger's eye *
Unakite Unakite is an metamorphic rock that is altered granite composed of pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and generally colorless quartz. Discovery It was first found in the United States in the Unaka mountain range of North Carolina from whic ...


Chatoyant gems

Some minerals made into gemstones may display a chatoyancy or cat's eye effect, these include:Walter Schumann (gemologist), Walter Schumann, ''Gemstones of the World'', 5th edition, 2013 *
Actinolite Actinolite is an amphibole silicate mineral with the chemical formula . Etymology The name ''actinolite'' is derived from the Greek word ''aktis'' (), meaning "beam" or "ray", because of the mineral's fibrous nature. Mineralogy Actinolite is ...
*
Andalusite Andalusite is an aluminium nesosilicate mineral with the chemical formula Al2SiO5. This mineral was called andalousite by Delamétehrie, who thought it came from Andalusia, Spain. It soon became clear that it was a locality error, and that the spe ...
* Apatite * Beryl **Aquamarine (gemstone), Aquamarine ** Emerald ** Heliodor **Morganite * Beryllium * Beryllonite * Calcite * Cerussite *
Chrysoberyl The mineral or gemstone chrysoberyl is an aluminate of beryllium with the formula Be Al2 O4. The name chrysoberyl is derived from the Greek words χρυσός ''chrysos'' and βήρυλλος ''beryllos'', meaning "a gold-white spar". Despite ...
*
Danburite Danburite is a calcium boron silicate mineral with a chemical formula of CaB2(SiO4)2. It has a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5 and a specific gravity of 3.0. The mineral has an orthorhombic crystal form. It is usually colourless, like quartz, but ca ...
* Diaspore *
Diopside Diopside is a monoclinic pyroxene mineral with composition . It forms complete solid solution series with hedenbergite () and augite, and partial solid solutions with orthopyroxene and pigeonite. It forms variably colored, but typically dull ...
* Enstatite * Garnet * Grandidierite * Hawk's eye *
Hypersthene Hypersthene is a common rock-forming inosilicate mineral belonging to the group of orthorhombic pyroxenes. Its chemical formula is . It is found in igneous and some metamorphic rocks as well as in stony and iron meteorites. Many references have f ...
*
Iolite Cordierite (mineralogy) or iolite (gemology) is a magnesium iron aluminium cyclosilicate. Iron is almost always present and a solid solution exists between Mg-rich cordierite and Fe-rich sekaninaite with a series formula: to . A high-temperat ...
* Kornerupine * Kunzite * Kyanite * Moonstone * Opal * Peridot * Peristerite (
Albite Albite is a plagioclase feldspar mineral. It is the sodium endmember of the plagioclase solid solution series. It represents a plagioclase with less than 10% anorthite content. The pure albite endmember has the formula . It is a tectosilicate ...
variety) * Pezzottaite * Phenakite * Prasiolite * Prehnite * Quartz * Rhodonite * Rutile * Scapolite * Selenite (mineral), Selenite * Serpentine subgroup, Serpentine **
Antigorite Antigorite is a lamellated, monoclinic mineral in the phylosilicate serpentine subgroup with the ideal chemical formula of (Mg,Fe2+)3Si2O5(OH)4. It is the high-pressure polymorph of serpentine and is commonly found in metamorphosed serpentinite ...
**
Bowenite Bowenite is a hard, compact variety of the serpentinite species antigorite, (Mg3(OH)O4Si2O5). Classed as semi-precious gemstone it has been used for tools, weapons and jewellery by the Māori in New Zealand, and for jewellery by Fabergé. Deposits ...
* Sillimanite * Smoky Quartz * Spinel *
Sunstone Sunstone is a microcline or oligoclase feldspar, which when viewed from certain directions exhibits a spangled appearance. It has been found in Southern Norway, Sweden, various United States localities and on some beaches along the midcoast of ...
* Tanzanite * Tiger's Eye * Topaz * Tourmaline * Ulexite * Zircon


Asterism

* Corundum **
Ruby A ruby is a pinkish red to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum ( aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called ...
**
Sapphire Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide () with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. The name sapphire is derived via the Latin "sa ...


See also

* List of individual gemstones


References

*Gemstones of the World revised 5th edition, 2013 by Walter Schuman (gemologist), Walter Schumann *Smithsonian Handbook: ''Gemstones'' by Cally Hall, 2nd ed. 2002 {{Gemstones Gemstone-related lists, Species Gemstones,