Gemstones have been an intriguing product to the consumer, due to their enriching colors, unique formations and symbolic meanings. The global gemstone market was valued at over $30 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) of 5.9%, reaching $47.48 billion in 2031.
Source: Data Bridge Market Research
These gems are more than just decorative elements in jewelry—they represent history, emotion, and tradition. Hence, to help you make a better choice with gemstones, today we’ll be discussing and learning about multifarious gemstones with a fun fact about each one of them!
Table of Content
- Amethyst
- Opal
- Lemon Quartz
- Garnet
- Tourmaline
- Citrine
- Sapphire
- Tanzanite
- Pink Quartz
- Labradorite
- Emerald
- Larimar
- Blue Topaz
- Ruby
- Cat Eye
1. Amethyst
Amethyst gemstone; a favorite in the world of fine jewelry. This gemstone ranges from light lavender to deep, royal purple, making it versatile for various styles, settings and occasions.
Ancient Greeks believed amethyst could prevent intoxication, which is where its name—derived from the Greek word "amethystos," meaning "not drunk"—originates. Therefore, an amethyst gemstone, whether set in a ring, earring or pendant necklace, makes a striking statement.
Fun Fact: Amethyst used to be as valuable as ruby and emerald until large deposits were discovered in Brazil.
2. Opal
Opals are like miniature galaxies, filled with flashes of color that shift as you move. This iridescence is due to microscopic silica spheres within the stone, refracting light in multiple directions. Yes, you got lost in all the difficult technical terms; to make it easy, watch the video attached below :)
Opals are believed to bring good fortune, however they’ve also been associated with mystery and magic. In some cultures, they’re even believed to contain the essence of fire.
Fun Fact: Queen Victoria was so fond of opals that she gave them as wedding gifts to her daughters, helping revive the gem’s popularity in the 19th century.
3. Lemon Quartz
Sunny and bright yellow in color, lemon quartz gemstone showcases a sense of cheerfulness and joy to any piece of jewelry. Often confused with citrine gemstone, its color is ideally more vibrant and intense.
You may be wondering how this ‘jovial’ gemstone formed? It’s formed through the heat treatment of 2 other famous gemstones; amethyst and smoky quartz. Even though this gemstone doesn’t bring a lot of history to the table, it's believed to improve clarity and creativity.
Fun Fact: Lemon quartz is also one of the most affordable colored gemstones.
4. Garnet
Did you know that the highly recognised red garnet gemstone comes from a group of minerals that come in almost every color! The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word “granatum,” meaning pomegranate, as the stone resembles the fruit’s seeds.
History and culture often associates red garnet with love, passion and strength due to its deep red hue.
Fun Fact: In ancient times, garnets were used as talismans for protection on journeys
5. Tourmaline
Tourmaline is truly the chameleon of the gemstone world. It comes in an incredible variety of colors—sometimes even multiple colors in one stone, such as the popular watermelon tourmaline, which is green on the outside and pink in the center. This is exactly why, tourmaline is a favorite amongst jewelry designers looking to create striking and unique pieces.
Fun Fact: Tourmaline can be electrically charged when heated or rubbed, a property known as pyroelectricity.
6. Citrine
The gemstone of happiness and success! With its warm golden to amber shades, citrine is one of the few gemstones that naturally occur in these sunny colors, although some citrine on the market is actually heat-treated amethyst. Jewelry designers often use citrine gemstone due to its affordability, vibrant colors and durability.
Fun Fact: Citrine is also known as the “merchant’s stone” due to its association with financial prosperity and good fortune.
7. Blue Sapphire
Sapphires are synonymous with deep blue, although they can come in many colors. The classic blue sapphire has been cherished for centuries as a symbol of wisdom, loyalty, and nobility.
The rich blue shade is due to trace amounts of iron and titanium within the mineral. Some of the world’s most famous sapphires have adorned royal jewelry, including engagement rings. The hardness of sapphire, second only to diamond, makes it a durable option for everyday wear.
Fun Fact: The most famous blue sapphire is the 12-carat stone in Princess Diana’s engagement ring, now worn by Kate Middleton.
8. Tanzanite
Tanzanite, known for its striking blue-violet color, is a relatively new gemstone, only discovered in the 1960s in Tanzania. Its considered one of the most alluring gemstones due to its deep color that seems to change depending on the lighting.
This trichroic nature, where the stone displays different colors when viewed from different angles, adds to its appeal. Tanzanite is also much rarer than diamonds, making it a desirable choice for collectors and enthusiasts.
Fun Fact: Tanzanite is only found in a small area near Mount Kilimanjaro, making it around 1,000 times rarer than diamonds.
9. Pink Quartz / Rose Quartz
Rose quartz; a soft pink color gemstone signifying love and compassion. Due to its soothing color, positive and calming energy, this gemstone is another favorite amongst jewelry enthusiasts.
Gemstones are usually valued for their clarity, however rose quartz priced more for its translucence and delicate hues.
Detailed properties, benefits and use of Pink / Rose quartz gemstone
Fun Fact: Rose quartz has been used as a love token as far back as 600 B.C.
10. Labradorite
Labradorite is not your typical gemstone; its captivating iridescence, known as labradorescence, displays flashes of blue, green, gold, and even violet.
The stone itself might look gray from one angle but burst into multifarious colors when viewed differently. Labradorite has gained popularity not just for its beauty but also for the mystical lore surrounding it.
Fun Fact: Labradorite was first discovered in Labrador, Canada, which is how it got its name
11. Emerald
The world of jewelry has ‘four precious gemstones’; diamonds, ruby, sapphire and Emerald. Who isn’t aware of or heard of this stunning looking vivid green gemstone. Emerald gemstone is popularly known for its renewal, growth and prosperity properties.
While most emeralds contain some inclusions, this “jardin” (French for garden) is considered part of the stone’s character rather than a flaw. Colombia is known for producing the world’s highest-quality emeralds. These stones have adorned some of the most iconic pieces of jewelry in history.
Source: Custom Market Insights
Fun Fact: Cleopatra was known for her love of emeralds, often adorning herself with them.
12. Larimar
Larimar is a rare blue gemstone found only in the Dominican Republic. Its unique sea-blue color ranges from pale blue to deep blue-green, often resembling the ocean’s waves.
This gemstone has a calming and soothing appeal, reflecting the tranquil energy of the Caribbean. Larimar is often used in freeform jewelry designs to highlight its natural beauty. Despite its beauty, larimar is quite soft, requiring special care when worn.
Fun Fact: Some believe larimar is linked to the legendary lost city of Atlantis.
13. Blue Topaz
If you’re a fan of adding blue color gemstones to your jewelry, blue topaz is a gemstone that has to be on your list! It is admired for its clear, sky-blue color, which evokes feelings of calmness and peace.
Acquiring a natural blue topaz is quite rare, hence most blue topaz on the market is heat-treated to achieve its vibrant hue. Just like most other gemstones, blue topaz comes in various shades, from pale Swiss blue to deeper London blue, making it versatile for all kinds of jewelry.
Fun Fact: Blue topaz is the state gemstone of Texas.
14. Ruby
Rubies, known for their fierce red color, have always signified passion, power, and love. A part of the corundum family (like sapphires), rubies get their red color from the element chromium.
The intensity of this color plays a vital role in calculating a ruby’s value—the more intense and pure the red, the more valuable the stone. Throughout history, rubies have been worn by royalty and warriors.
An intense red ruby dublet
Fun Fact: The “Sunrise Ruby” is one of the most expensive rubies ever sold, fetching over $30 million.
15. Cat Eye
Cat’s eye, also known as chrysoberyl, is famous for its unique optical effect called chatoyancy. The stone displays a narrow band of light across its surface, resembling a cat’s eye.
Source: The Gemmological Association of Great Britain
This effect is most noticeable in cabochon-cut stones. Cat’s eye is believed to bring good fortune and protection, making it a favored choice for talismans. It’s typically found in shades of honey and greenish-yellow.
Fun Fact: In ancient cultures, cat’s eye was worn as an amulet to ward off the evil eye.
