Onyx, sard, and sardonyx are all varieties of chalcedony (microcrystaline quartz). It is often mixed with pearls to create elegant jewelry. Onyx is a rich-looking, affordable black stone. Nephrite Jade comes in various tones of green - mostly with an olive green tone. Nephrite Jade is more common and is often used in Chinese carvings. Jadeite comes in many colors: red, yellow, green, lilac, black, orange, white, pink, blue and brown. Jadeite is rarer and the highest quality is known as imperial Jade. There are two types of Jade: Jadeite and Nephrite. There are various types of garnet with the hardness ranging from 7 – 7.5.
Garnet ranges in color from colorless to black though it is often thought of as only red. Garnets usually dark brownish to purplish red usually cut in small sizes (under 2 carats), as larger stones appear black. Most stones on the market are impregnated with oils, waxes, or other substances to mask the fractures and sometimes enhance color. Almost all emeralds contain numerous small inclusions and fractures that promote fragility. The best known sources include Colombia, Zambia. It has a hardness of 10.Įmeralds are medium to dark green beryl which derives its color from chromium and vanadium. The deep blue Hope diamond and blue Eugenie diamond, both in the Smithsonian collection, are among the most famous examples. However, brightly colored diamonds are much rarer and more expensive. Although citrine may occur naturally, much is produced by heating amethyst under controlled conditions.ĭarker colors are more highly prized, including medium golden orange (“Rio Grande” citrine) and dark sherry-colored (“Madeira” citrine).ĭiamonds are slightly yellowish, and in this general color range, those most approaching absolute lack of color are most prized. It varies from pale yellow to rich golden yellow to dark orange. It has a hardness of 7.5.Īquamarine often becomes paler if left out in the sun.Ĭitrine is yellow to brown quartz. It has a hardness of 7.Īquamarine is light blue, blue-green and dark blue. Amethyst is generally abundant and quite inexpensive. It varies from pale lavender to deep purple with red highlights. Alexandrite is found in Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Russia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.Īmethyst is purple quartz and is one of the most popular gemstones. There are many many synthetic alexandrites on the market. Alexandrite has a hardness rating of 8.5. Alexandrite changes from green to red, mauve or brown in incandescent light.
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