Gemstone List P to R
| Gemstones P-R |
| PEARL Name from the Latin word perula meaning pearl Organic Color: A pearl has 2 colors: a body color and an overtone color in the sheen. Body colors are white, cream, any other delicate shade, black Pearls grow inside the shells of mollusks (saltwater oysters and freshwater clams). When a tiny foreign object gets inside the shell, the mollusk coats it with layers of aragonite, or mother of pearl material. Eventually the pearl is formed. Natural pearls are found by fishing for the mollusks. Salt water pearls are often called Oriental Pearls. Natural fresh water pearls were harvested in China before 1000 BC. They have been found in the rivers and streams of China, Bavaria, England, Ireland, and the Mississippi River in the USA.
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| PERIDOT Name from the 13th century English word peridota. (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 hardness 6 1/2 specific gravity 3.34 Color: olive green from iron Mined in Pakistan, Egypt, China, Myanmar, Brazil, Norway, Australia, South Africa, Hawaii, Arizona Ancient Lore: May have been grouped with other green stones. |
| PIETERSITE Named for Sid Pieters who discovered it in Namibia, Africa also called Eagle’s Eye variation of Tiger Eye Color: browns Mined in Africa and China |
| PRASE Name from the Greek word prason, meaning leek, referring to its color. SiO2 hardness 7 specific gravity 2.61 Color: green, not as bright as chrysoprase, from actinolite inclusions Mined in Germany, Finland, Austria, Scotland |
| PREHNITE Named for Hendrik von Prehn who discovered tit. Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 hardness 6-6 1/2 specific gravity 2.87 Color: pale to mid green, tan, pale yellow, gray, white Sometimes called Cape Emerald Mined in Canada, Australia, Scotland, Germany, and many other countries |
| PYRITE Name from the Greek pyr meaning fire FeS2 hardness 6-6 1/2 specific gravity 4.90-5.0 Color: pale brass yellow Known as fool’s gold Gives off sparks when struck by iron. Mined in Spain, Mexico, Peru, Italy, France, world wide. Used by North American Indian medicine men |
| QUARTZ Name from the Greek krustallos meaning ice Rock Crystal name started in the late Middle Ages to differentiate it when other glass was made and called crystal. Colorless transparent variety: Mined in Brazil, Swiss and French Alps, Madagascar, Russia, USA Ancient belief: It was ice formed by the gods. Varieties of Quartz: Man made quartz is many colors including aqua, blueberry, cherry or strawberry, moss green, pineapple, pink, ruby, sea foam, topaz. This is not glass. |
| RHODOCHROSITE Name from the Greek rhodokhros meaning of rosy color MnCo3 hardness 3 1/2 -4 specific gravity 3.60 Color: pink from manganese Mined in Montana, Colorado, Argentina, Mexico, Russia, Japan |
| RHODONITE Name from the Greek rhodos meaning rose (Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO3 hardness 6 specific gravity 3.60 Color: pink or rose red, often with black veins from manganese oxides Mined in Australia, Russia, Sweden, New Jersey and many other countries |
| RUBY Name from the Latin ruber meaning red. Al2O3 hardness 9 specific gravity 4.0-4.1 Color: red from traces of chromium, often heat treated to improve color. Mined in Sri Lanka (since 8th century BC), Burma, Thailand, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Vietnam, Cambodia, North Carolina, Montana Ancient lore: |
| RYOLITE Also know as Cuprite Metamorphic rock containing copper and masses of quartz hardness 3.5-4.0 specific gravity 5.8-6.1 Color: green to pink with reddish hues and brown in streaks or patches Mined in Pennsylvania, Utah, Montana, Colorado |
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Posted By Handmade Beaded Jewelry Primary Jewelry Designer
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