Gemstone Library

Treatments: None typical

Care: Durable stone suitable for jewellery and carvings. Clean with mild soap and water.

Sources: Africa, primarily Zimbabwe

Notes: Despite the name, African Turquoise is a jasper rather than true turquoise.

Treatments: Dyeing is common in some varieties.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, Uruguay, India, USA

Notes: Often banded; available in many colour varieties.

Treatments: None typically used.

Care: Avoid abrasion; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, Russia, Madagascar, USA

Notes: Often shows white streaking or mottled patterns.

Treatments: Heat treatment or pressing may occur.

Care: Very soft; avoid heat and chemicals.

Sources: Baltic region, Dominican Republic, Myanmar

Notes: May contain fossilised inclusions.

Treatments: Heat treatment may be used to improve colour

Care: Durable; avoid prolonged exposure to high heat or strong sunlight. Clean with warm soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, Madagascar

Notes: Colour zoning and inclusions are common in natural material

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, Spain, Sri Lanka

Notes: Often shows strong pleochroism.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid water and chemicals.

Sources: Peru

Notes: Soft material commonly used for carvings.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Soft stone; avoid abrasion.

Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico

Notes: Bright colours make it popular in jewellery.

Treatments: Heat treatment common.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, Pakistan, Madagascar

Notes: Often heat treated to enhance blue colour.

Treatments: N/A

Care: N/A

Sources: N/A

Notes: N/A

Treatments: None typical

Care: Relatively soft and brittle. Avoid knocks and abrasive cleaning.

Sources: Russia, Norway, USA

Notes: Recognised for its starburst patterns of bronze-gold crystals within a dark host rock.

Treatments: Vacuum deposition coating of metals such as titanium, gold or platinum

Care: Quartz itself is durable, but the surface coating can be scratched by abrasion.

Sources: Natural quartz commonly sourced from Brazil or Madagascar, then treated

Notes: Aura Quartz is produced by bonding precious metals to natural quartz in a high-vacuum chamber, creating a colourful iridescent surface.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: India, Brazil, Russia

Notes: Sparkling effect known as aventurescence.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid water and chemicals.

Sources: Morocco, Namibia, USA

Notes: Often occurs with malachite.

Treatments: Heat treatment

Care: Durable gemstone suitable for jewellery.

Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan, Afghanistan

Notes: Includes well-known varieties such as aquamarine, emerald and morganite.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: India, Brazil, Australia

Notes: Also known as heliotrope.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Namibia, South Africa

Notes: Distinctive delicate banding.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Moderately durable. Clean with mild soap and water.

Sources: Brazil, India, Austria, Madagascar

Notes: Recognised for its bronze-like metallic sheen when polished.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Very soft; avoid scratches.

Sources: Mexico, Iceland, Brazil

Notes: Common mineral used in carvings.

Treatments: Heat treatment common.

Care: Clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: India, Brazil, Uruguay

Notes: Colour caused by iron oxide.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable.

Sources: India, Sri Lanka

Notes: Displays a cat’s-eye optical effect.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Soft and fragile.

Sources: Madagascar, Mexico

Notes: Often sold as crystal clusters.

Treatments: Dyeing may occur in some varieties.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: India, Brazil, Madagascar, USA

Notes: Parent mineral group for agate, onyx and jasper.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid abrasion and harsh chemicals.

Sources: Russia (Siberia)

Notes: Known for swirling fibrous patterns.

Treatments: Dyeing (occasionally)

Care: Durable stone suitable for jewellery and carvings.

Sources: Madagascar

Notes: Named for its flower-like plume patterns resembling cherry blossoms.

Treatments: Stabilisation may occur.

Care: Soft material; avoid abrasion and chemicals.

Sources: DRC, Peru, Chile, Israel, USA

Notes: Often occurs with malachite or quartz.

Treatments: Imitation material may be dyed.

Care: Avoid prolonged direct sunlight.

Sources: Australia, Brazil, Poland

Notes: Colour caused by nickel.

Treatments: Heat treatment very common.

Care: Clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, Bolivia

Notes: Many commercial pieces are heat-treated amethyst.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, USA

Notes: Often referred to as Rock Crystal.

Treatments: Dyeing, bleaching

Care: Soft organic material. Avoid chemicals, heat and ultrasonic cleaning.

Sources: Mediterranean Sea, Japan, Taiwan

Notes: Used in jewellery for centuries. Much modern coral jewellery uses dyed or reconstructed material.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable.

Sources: Mexico

Notes: Named for its spotted appearance.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Moderately durable. Avoid hard knocks and abrasive cleaning.

Sources: Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar

Notes: Chrome Diopside is a bright green gem variety used in jewellery.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable.

Sources: Australia

Notes: Trade name used in the gemstone market.

Treatments: Dyeing to produce vivid or uniform colours

Care: Generally durable, but avoid harsh chemicals or prolonged soaking which may affect dyes.

Sources: Brazil, India, Uruguay

Notes: Dyed agate is widely used in jewellery and decorative items where bright or unusual colours are desired.

Treatments: Dyeing to enhance or alter colour, commonly to imitate turquoise

Care: Avoid prolonged exposure to water, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners as dyes may fade or leach

Sources: Canada, USA

Notes: Frequently dyed blue and sold as a turquoise substitute due to its natural veining pattern.

Treatments: Oil filling to improve clarity

Care: Avoid ultrasonic cleaning and harsh chemicals.

Sources: Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, Afghanistan

Notes: One of the most valuable beryl varieties and a traditional precious gemstone.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Soft mineral; avoid scratches.

Sources: China, Mexico, UK

Notes: Often shows colour zoning.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable stone suitable for carvings and beads. Clean with mild soap and water and avoid harsh chemicals.

Sources: Durable stone suitable for carvings and beads. Clean with mild soap and water and avoid harsh chemicals.

Notes: A dark igneous rock often polished for decorative use. Some varieties from Madagascar are sold in the crystal trade as “Indigo Gabbro” or “Mystic Merlinite”.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: India, Madagascar, Mozambique

Notes: Many species exist including almandine and pyrope.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Moderately durable. Avoid hard knocks and abrasive cleaning.

Sources: Japan, California (USA), Greece

Notes: A blue amphibole mineral commonly found in high-pressure metamorphic rocks known as blueschist.

Treatments: Not applicable (manufactured material)

Care: Moderately durable but can scratch. Avoid hard knocks and abrasive cleaning.

Sources: Manufactured worldwide, historically developed in Venice, Italy

Notes: Popular decorative glass often sold as a gemstone substitute. The sparkling effect is caused by tiny copper crystals suspended within the glass.

Treatments: Heat treatment sometimes used.

Care: Durable.

Sources: South Africa, Australia

Notes: Blue variety related to tiger eye. (Blue Tiger Eye)

Treatments: Synthetic magnetic varieties exist.

Care: Avoid strong chemicals.

Sources: Brazil, Australia, USA

Notes: Magnetic hematine is often sold as hematite.

Treatments: Often dyed.

Care: Soft; avoid abrasion.

Sources: Canada, USA

Notes: Frequently dyed blue to imitate turquoise.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Durable gemstone suitable for jewellery.

Sources: India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil

Notes: Sometimes called “water sapphire” due to its deep blue colour.

Treatments: Dyeing, impregnation

Care: Durable. Avoid chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners.

Sources: Myanmar, China, Canada, New Zealand, Russia

Notes: “Jade” refers to two different minerals: jadeite and nephrite.

Treatments: Polishing

Care: Soft material. Avoid knocks, heat and chemicals.

Sources: United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, USA

Notes: Historically used in jewellery, particularly Victorian mourning jewellery.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Durable stone suitable for jewellery and carvings.

Sources: Pakistan (K2 mountain region)

Notes: Also known as K2 Granite or K2 Jasper due to its distinctive blue azurite spots.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Durable and suitable for jewellery and carvings. Clean with mild soap and water and avoid harsh chemicals.

Sources: New Zealand, Madagascar

Notes: Kiwi Jasper is a decorative stone recognised for its soft green colour and distinctive black speckled pattern. It is commonly used for beads, carvings and ornamental items.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid impact due to cleavage.

Sources: Brazil, Nepal, India

Notes: Hardness varies depending on crystal direction.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid abrasion.

Sources: Canada, Madagascar, Finland

Notes: Optical effect known as labradorescence.

Treatments: Dyeing or waxing may occur.

Care: Avoid chemicals and water.

Sources: Afghanistan, Chile, Russia

Notes: Often contains pyrite flecks.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid prolonged sun exposure.

Sources: Dominican Republic

Notes: Rare variety of pectolite found only in the Caribbean.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Durable stone suitable for jewellery and carvings. Clean with mild soap and water.

Sources: Norway

Notes: Often marketed as “Black Labradorite” due to its reflective feldspar flashes.

Treatments: Dyeing (occasionally)

Care: Porous material. Avoid chemicals and prolonged water exposure.

Sources: Worldwide volcanic regions

Notes: Lightweight porous stone commonly used for beads and bracelets.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Relatively soft and brittle due to its mica structure. Avoid knocks, ultrasonic cleaning and abrasive materials.

Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, USA, Russia

Notes: Lepidolite is commonly polished into beads, cabochons and carvings. It is an important lithium-bearing mineral and often occurs alongside other lithium minerals such as spodumene and tourmaline.

Treatments: Usually untreated.

Care: Soft; avoid water, chemicals, and abrasion.

Sources: DRC, Zambia, Russia

Notes: Distinctive banded patterns are characteristic.

Treatments: Dyeing

Care: Avoid chemicals that may affect dyes.

Sources: China

Notes: Commercially dyed stone sold under the jade trade name.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable.

Sources: Australia

Notes: Often shows striking colour contrasts.

Treatments: Usually untreated.

Care: Avoid knocks and abrasion.

Sources: Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar

Notes: Known for optical effect called adularescence.

Treatments: Heat treatment to improve colour

Care: Durable gemstone suitable for jewellery.

Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Mozambique

Notes: A popular pink gemstone in the beryl family alongside emerald and aquamarine.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: India, Brazil, USA

Notes: Green inclusions resemble moss-like patterns.

Treatments: Waxing, dyeing

Care: Relatively soft. Avoid abrasion.

Sources: China, Afghanistan

Notes: Common jade substitute widely used in carvings and beads.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid scratches and impacts.

Sources: Mexico, USA, Iceland

Notes: Includes snowflake, rainbow and gold sheen varieties.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable.

Sources: Madagascar

Notes: Often shows circular orb-like patterns.

Treatments: Black colour often achieved by dyeing.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, India, Uruguay

Notes: Many black onyx items are dyed chalcedony.

Treatments: Stabilisation and dyeing may occur.

Care: Avoid sudden temperature changes.

Sources: Australia, Ethiopia, Mexico

Notes: Precious opal displays play-of-colour.

Treatments: Not applicable (manufactured material)

Care: Moderately durable but can scratch or chip if knocked. Avoid abrasive cleaning.

Sources: Manufactured worldwide

Notes: Commonly sold in the crystal trade as “Opalite”. Despite the name, it is not natural opal but a decorative glass material.

Treatments: Usually untreated.

Care: Clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Pakistan, Myanmar, USA

Notes: Distinct olive-green colour is characteristic.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable.

Sources: USA, Indonesia

Notes: Patterns resemble landscapes or scenery.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Namibia, China

Notes: Shows swirling chatoyant patterns.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Durable stone; clean with mild soap and water

Sources: Primarily sourced from Indonesia; also found in other parts of Asia

Notes: Popular budget-friendly alternative to amethyst/purple fluorite; consistent supply from Indonesia.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid abrasion.

Sources: Australia, South Africa, China

Notes: Often associated with epidote inclusions.

Treatments: Usually untreated.

Care: Avoid moisture to prevent oxidation.

Sources: Spain, Peru, USA

Notes: Often called “Fool’s Gold”.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Very durable.

Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, USA

Notes: One of the most abundant minerals on Earth.

Treatments: Crushed natural turquoise bonded with resin or polymer stabilisers

Care: Avoid chemicals, perfumes and prolonged water exposure as these may damage the binding agents.

Sources: Manufactured worldwide using natural turquoise fragments

Notes: Often used in jewellery where natural turquoise is too fragile or costly. The material is composed of real turquoise but has been reconstructed using binding agents.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Durable stone suitable for jewellery and carvings. Clean with mild soap and water and avoid harsh chemicals.

Sources: Brazil, India, Madagascar, South Africa, USA.

Notes: Red Jasper is one of the most common jasper varieties and has been used for decorative and ornamental purposes since ancient times.

Treatments: Stabilisation (occasionally)

Care: Relatively soft. Avoid knocks, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning.

Sources: Argentina, Peru, South Africa, USA

Notes: Recognised for its distinctive pink colour and banded patterns.

Treatments: Usually untreated.

Care: Avoid harsh chemicals.

Sources: Russia, Australia, Peru

Notes: Often shows black manganese veining.

Treatments: Usually untreated.

Care: Avoid prolonged sunlight.

Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa

Notes: Often cloudy rather than transparent.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Durable for jewellery and carvings. Clean with mild soap and water.

Sources: India

Notes: Decorative stone containing ruby crystals within a green epidote-rich matrix.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Relatively soft due to the mica content. Avoid hard knocks, ultrasonic cleaning and abrasive materials.

Sources: India

Notes: A decorative stone composed of ruby crystals naturally occurring within green fuchsite mica. Often carved or polished for ornamental use.

Treatments: Heat treatment common.

Care: Very durable gemstone.

Sources: Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar

Notes: All colours of corundum except red are sapphire.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Very soft; avoid water.

Sources: Mexico, Morocco, USA

Notes: Often used for carvings and decorative pieces.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid abrasion.

Sources: Madagascar, USA

Notes: Often called septarian nodule or dragon stone.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid chemicals.

Sources: Russia

Notes: Often used in carvings and beads.

Treatments: Irradiation may be used.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, Switzerland, Madagascar

Notes: Colour caused by natural irradiation.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable.

Sources: Brazil, India, Madagascar

Notes: Also called milky quartz.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid chemicals.

Sources: Canada, Namibia, Brazil

Notes: Often confused with lapis lazuli.

Treatments: Usually untreated.

Care: Durable gemstone.

Sources: Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam

Notes: Often historically mistaken for ruby.

Treatments: Some imitation material exists.

Care: Durable.

Sources: Mexico, Russia, Madagascar

Notes: Colour comes from microscopic inclusions.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Avoid abrasion and strong impacts.

Sources: USA (Oregon), India, Norway

Notes: Often displays aventurescence from copper inclusions.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Durable stone suitable for jewellery and carvings.

Sources: Brazil

Notes: Also known as Melody Stone. Marketed as containing seven minerals including amethyst, smoky quartz and cacoxenite.

Treatments: Heat treatment common.

Care: Avoid knocks and sudden temperature changes.

Sources: Tanzania

Notes: Displays strong pleochroism.

Treatments: Not applicable (manufactured material)

Care: Durable. Clean with mild soap and water.

Sources: Manufactured worldwide (developed in Japan)

Notes: A synthetic material marketed in the crystal trade for jewellery and beads.

Treatments: Heat treatment sometimes used.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: South Africa, Australia, India

Notes: Known for chatoyancy (cat’s-eye effect).

Treatments: Heat treatment and irradiation common.

Care: Avoid strong impacts due to cleavage.

Sources: Brazil, Pakistan, Russia

Notes: Blue topaz often treated to achieve colour.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, Madagascar

Notes: Also called Tourmalated Quartz.

Treatments: Heat treatment may occur.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Brazil, Afghanistan, Madagascar

Notes: One of the most colour-diverse gemstone groups.

Treatments: Stabilisation and dyeing common.

Care: Avoid oils, chemicals, and water.

Sources: Iran, USA, China

Notes: Natural untreated turquoise is rarer in the market.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: USA, South Africa

Notes: Often used in carvings and beads.

Treatments: Usually untreated.

Care: Soft; avoid abrasion.

Sources: USA, Australia, Spain

Notes: Often mistaken for turquoise.

Treatments: None typical

Care: Durable stone suitable for carvings and jewellery.

Sources: USA (Michigan, Lake Superior region)

Notes: Known for glowing bright orange under ultraviolet light.

Treatments: None typical.

Care: Durable; clean with mild soapy water.

Sources: Australia, Brazil

Notes: Recognised by striped patterns resembling zebra markings.

Treatments: Heat treatment common.

Care: Handle carefully due to brittleness.

Sources: Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar

Notes: Not related to synthetic cubic zirconia.