Gemstone List A to C
Gemstone List | |||||
This list of gemstones contains many, but not all of the gemstones that are used for beads. Information includes the meaning of the gemstone’s name, chemical composition, Mohs hardness number, specific gravity, color, mining locations, historical information, well known varieties. Not all trade named varieties are included. In my jewelry descriptions, I have used the names given by my bead suppliers. Sometimes they are trade names. The list is divided alphabetically: Use these links, or scroll down. | |||||
A – C | D – G | H – K | L – O | P – R | S – Z |
Gemstones A-C | |||||
AGATE Name may be for the Greek word meaning happy or from the Greek name of a stone found in the Achates River. SiO2 hardness 7 specific gravity 2.61 Variety of colors and patterns determined by impurities Found in volcanic lava Ancient lore: Guards from danger, makes the wearer agreeable, persuasive, and prudent. In 1709 Vienna, a print was published of a drawing showing an airship invention. At the top of the ship was a large amount of coral agate. It was supposed to acquire magnetic power from the sun’s rays and raise the ship. Varieties of Agate: | |||||
AMAZONITE Named after the Amazon River. KAlSi3O8 hardness 6 specific gravity 2.6 Color: blue green Mined in India, Colorado, Canada, Russia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Namibia | |||||
AMBER Alternate names include: Succinite – from Baltic coast, Burmite – from Myanmar, Simetite – from Sicily mostly C10H16O hardness 2 – 2 1/2 specific gravity 1.05 – 1.08 Organic, fossilized resin of trees, may contain trapped insects or bubbles. Color is usually light to dark golden yellow or golden orange, occasionally green, red, violet, or black. Found in Baltic coast regions for several thousand years. Also comes from Dominican Republic, Mexico, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Romania, Canada, Czech republic, U.S.A. Ancient Lore Construction of an amber room was begun in 1711 in Prussia, moved, and finished in 1763 in the Catherine Palace in Russia. It was considered the 8th wonder of the world. During world War II it disappeared. Restoration was finished in 2003. Varieties of Amber Care of pure amber requires special treatment because it is so soft. It is sensitive to chemicals, abrasives, alcohol, perfume. It is flammable. Clean it with a soft cloth and room temperature water. | |||||
AMETHYST SiO2 hardness 7 specific gravity 2.65 Color – purple, lilac, mauve Mined in Brazil, Russia (reddish), Canada (violet), Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagascar, U.S.A., Germany, Australia, Namibia, Zambia. Ancient Lore Amethyst was believed to have many powers: | |||||
AMETRINE Name is a combination of amethyst and citrine. Crystals that are part amethyst and part citrine produce a combined color of violet and yellow. | |||||
APATITE Name from the Greek apate meaning deceit. Refers to its similarity to the crystals of other valuable minerals. Ca(F,Cl)Ca4(PO4)3 hardness 5 specific gravity 3.20 Color – usually blue green, also colorless, yellow, violet Mined in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Russia, Canada, E. Africa, Sweden, Spain, Mexico, Variety | |||||
AQUAMARINE Name means sea water BeAl2(SiO3)6 hardness 7 1/2 specific gravity 2.69 Color: sky blue from traces of iron is considered best, also colorless. Usually heat treated to enhance color. Mined in Brazil, Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nigeria, dark blue in Madagascar, Mt. Antero in Colorado (the highest gemstone locality in North America) Ancient Lore: Amulets were made of it and engraved with the god Poseidon to protect sailors. | |||||
ARAGONITE Named for Aragon, Spain CaCO3 hardness 3 1/2 specific gravity 2.94 Color: pure is colorless or white, impurities cause yellow, blue, pink, or green Mined in Czech Republic, Turkey, Spain, France, Mexico, Morocco, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Japan, England, Colorado | |||||
AVENTURINE SiO2 hardness 7 specific gravity 2.65 Color: many colors determined by inclusions of small crystals Mined in Brazil, India, Russia, Japan, Tanzania, Vermont | |||||
AZURITE Name comes from the same Persian word as Lapis, lazhuward, meaning blue Cu3(OH)2(CO3)2 hardness 3 1/2 specific gravity 3.77 Color – azure blue from copper, usually inter grown with green malachite Found in copper mining areas, Australia, Chile, Russia, Africa, China, Mexico, Australia, Morocco, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico Chessylite is the name given to the variety from France In the 15th to the 17th century, it was used as a paint pigment. | |||||
BLOODSTONE Name comes from the red spots in the green color. HELIOTROPE name from the Greek helio meaning sun and trepein meaning turning SiO2 hardness 7 specific gravity 2.61 Color: green with red spots from iron oxides identical to red jasper Mined in India, Brazil, China, Australia, USA Ancient lore includes many different powers. | |||||
BRONZITE (Mg,Fe)2(Si2O6) hardness 5-6 specific gravity 3.25-3.35 Color: dark greenish brown with bronze like luster Mined in Austria, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Russia, Greenland | |||||
CALCITE Name is from Latin word chaix, meaning burned lime CaCO3 hardness 3 specific gravity 2.71 Mined in USA, Germany, England, Italy, almost world wide | |||||
CARNELIAN SiO2 hardness 7 specific gravity 2.61 Color: reddish orange shades from iron oxide, may have banding Mined in Brazil, Scotland, USA Ancient Lore: | |||||
CHALCEDONY Name may be from Khalkedon, an ancient port in Asia Minor (now Turkey) SiO2 hardness 6 1/2 -7 specific gravity 2.61 Color: bluish, white, gray, usually does not have banding Mined in Brazil, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, California Ancient Lore: protects against demons, melancholy, and black magic. | |||||
CHAROITE Named for the Chara River in Siberia or the Russian word sharo, meaning beautiful K(CaNa)2Si4O10(OH,F)H20 hardness 5-6 specific gravity 2.54-2.7 Color: lilac to violet, inclusions make white or black spots Found in 1976 during work for the Trans Siberian Railroad. Recognized in 1978 as an independent mineral. Mined in Siberia. | |||||
CHATOYANT QUARTZ Named for the light line that shows across it. SiO2 hardness 7 specific gravity 2.65-2.7 Semi translucent Varieties: Tiger’s Eye – black, inclusions of iron oxide give yellow and golden brown stripes | |||||
CHRYSOCOLLA Name is from the Greek words chrysos for gold and kolla for glue (Cu,Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4.n(H2O) hardness 2-4 specific gravity 2.20 Color: bright green or bluish Can be inter grown with malachite or turquoise Mined in Chile, Russia, Zaire, China, and other copper mining areas | |||||
CHRYSOPRASE Name is from the Greek words chrysos and prase meaning golden leek SiO2 hardness 7 specific gravity 2.61 Color: apple green from nickel, can fade in sunlight Mined in Australia, Brazil, Russia, Austria, California Ancient Lore: strengthens eye sight and relieves internal pain. | |||||
CITRINE Name is from the old French word citrin meaning yellow Sometimes called Brazilian Topaz SiO2 hardness 7 specific gravity 2.65 Color: pale to dark yellow from iron. Mined in Brazil, Spain, Madagascar, Russia, Scotland, India, France, North Carolina | |||||
CORAL Organic CaCo3 hardness 3 specific gravity 2.68 Color: red, pink, white, blue, black, may have a pattern like a wood grain Comes from coral reefs that are made from skeletal remains of marine animals. Ancient Lore: Could still a tempest, cure madness, give wisdom, stop the flow of blood from a wound, predict illness, protect children. Greek legend was that it came from drops of blood shed when Perseus cut off the head of Medusa. |
« « Gemstone List D to G | Gemstone Families » »
Posted By Handmade Beaded Jewelry Primary Jewelry Designer
Thank you so much for sending out the jewelry so fast!
~ Trish
I don't like it. I LOVE it. Thanks
~ Shelley
Just received the jewelry it is beautiful. I love it. It goes perfect with the dress.
~ Cindy
...thank you for the speedy delivery (only 2 days)...it made this Valentine's Day special!
~ Jack