Introduction to Colored Gemstones
Coloured gemstones are minerals that draw their appeal from color, optical effects, and sheer rarity. Although diamonds may be highly recognized, colored gemstones range extensively and diversely, with species such as sapphires, rubies, emeralds, to mention a few out of many, many more. The knowledge of the various species of gemstones is an important way in which they are identified, appraised, and appreciated for what they are.
This blog will examine the major species of colored gemstones, giving insights into their principal characteristics, where they can be found, and why they are valued. Let’s get started!
- The Major Species of Colored Gemstones
- Corundum Species (Sapphire & Ruby)
- Beryl Species
- Quartz Species
- Garnet Species
- Feldspar Species
- Chrysoberyl Species
- Spinel Species
- Topaz Species
- Value of Colored Gemstones –What are the Factors ?
- Conclusion
The Major Species of Colored Gemstones
There are many species of gemstones. However, there is a number that stand out because they are widely known, easily accessible and have particularly strong historical associations. Here are the major species of colored gemstones – each of these encompasses a number of varieties.
Corundum Species (Sapphire & Ruby)
Corundum is the most important species of colored gemstones.
It contains both rubies and sapphires.
The only difference between these two is the color.
Color is determined by the trace elements.
1. Ruby
Color: Red
Trace Element: Chromium
Hardness: 9 on Mohs scale
Origin: Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, and Madagascar.
2. Sapphire
Colour: Blue, Pink, Yellow, Green, Purple, and more
Trace Elements: Iron, Titanium (for Blue); Chromium (for Pink)
Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale
Source: Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar, Thailand, Australia, Kashmir etc.
Beryl Species (Emerald, Aquamarine, Morganite)
The species of beryl encompass a whole range of gemstones and emerald is probably the most familiar member.
Pure beryl is colourless, but trace elements impart some colours that are just simply superb.
Emerald
Aquamarine
Morganite
1. Emerald
Colour: Green
Trace Elements: Chromium, Vanadium
Hardness: 7.5-8 on Mohs Scale
Origin: Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, Afghanistan.
2. Aquamarine
Color: Light Blue to Blue-Green
Trace Element: Iron
Hardness: 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale
Origin: Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan, and Mozambique.
3. Morganite
Pink to peach
Manganese
7.5-8 on Mohs scale
Madagascar, Brazil, and United States
Species of Quartz (Amethyst, Citrine, Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz)
Quartz is the most universal mineral found on Earth, and it occurs in a wide range of colors, with its own gemstone variety for each color.
Amethyst
Citrine
Smoky Quartz
Rose Quartz
1. Amethyst
Colour: Purple
Trace element: Iron
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Origin: Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and Russia.
2. Citrine
Color- Yellow to brownish-orange
Trace Element – Iron
Hardness – 7 on Mohs scale
Origin – Brazil, Spain, and Madagascar.
3. Rose Quartz
Color: Soft pink
Trace Element: Titanium, iron, or manganese
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Origin: Brazil, Madagascar, India
4. Smoky Quartz
Color : Brown to black
Trace Element: Aluminium
Hardness : 7
Country of Origin: Brazil, Madagascar, Switzerland and the United States.
Garnet Species
Garnet is a class of very diverse silicate minerals with a wide spectrum of colors from deep red to bright green and orange colors.
Pyrope
Almandine
Spessartite
Tsavorite
1. Pyrope Garnet
Color: Deep red
Hardness: 7-7.5 on Mohs scale
Origin: Mozambique, Tanzania, India.
2. Almandine Garnet
Color: Reddish-brown
Hardness: 7-7.5 on Mohs scale
Origin: India, Sri Lanka, Brazil.
3. Spessartite Garnet
Orange to reddish-orange
7-7.5 on the Mohs scale
Origin:Namibia, Mozambique, Nigeria
4. Tsavorite Garnet
Green
7-7.5 on the Mohs scale
Origin:Kenya, Tanzania.
Feldspar Species
Feldspar is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth’s crust and gives rise to several beautiful gemstones.
1.Labradorite
2.Moonston
3.Sunstone
1. Labradorite
Color: Iridescent play of colors (blue, green, yellow)
Hardness: 6-6.5 on Mohs scale
Origin: Canada, Madagascar, Finland.
2. Moonstone
Color: White, gray, peach with a sheen
Hardness: 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale
Origin: Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar.
3. Sunstone
Color: Reddish-orange with a glittery effect
Hardness: 6-7.2 on Mohs scale
Origin: Norway, India, and the United States.
Chrysoberyl Species
Chrysoberyl is a rare and valuable gemstone species, known for its color-changing properties and cat’s eye effect.
Alexandrite
Cat’s Eye
1. Alexandrite
Color: Color-changing from green to red
Hardness: 8,5 on Mohs scale
Origin: Russia, Brazil, Sri Lanka.
2. Cat’s Eye (Chrysoberyl)
Color: Yellow, green, brown
Hardness: 8.5 on Mohs scale
Origin: Sri Lanka, India, Brazil.
Species of Spinel
Spinel is a gem species that is very easily confused for other gems such as rubies and sapphires. Its uniqueness, however, will always stand apart
Red
Blue
Pink
Black Spinel
1. Red Spinel
Color: Red
Hardness: 8 on the Mohs scale
Country of Origin: Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam.
2. Blue Spinel
Color: Blue
Hardness: 8 on Mohs scale
Origin: Sri Lanka, Myanmar.
3. Pink Spinel
Color: Pink
Hardness: 8 on Mohs scale
Origin: Tanzania, Myanmar, Sri Lanka.
4. Black Spinel
Color: Black
Hardness: 8 on Mohs scale
Origin: Myanmar, Thailand.
Topaz Species
Topaz is really a versatile stone that has a variety of colors, and out of them, the most demanded is the imperial topaz.
Imperial Topaz
Blue Topaz
Imperial Topaz
Color: Golden-yellow to pinkish-orange
Hardness: 8 on Mohs scale
Origin: Brazil, Russia, and Pakistan.
Blue Topaz
Color: Light to deep blue
Hardness: 8 on Mohs scale
Origin: Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka.
Value of Colored Gemstones – What are The Factors Influence?
There are several factors that determine the value and attraction of colored gemstones, meaning many collections include them. Knowing these will enable one to make a very well-informed decision when purchasing.
Color
The color of colored gemstones originates from the interaction of atoms; this is what determines its intensity, vividness, and saturation. The color intensity also depends on the spectral with the higher spectral having more intensity.
The color is the most significant aspect of the price of a colored gemstone. The vividness and saturation of the colour highly determine the value. The following bright-colored gemstones, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, are sold at premium prices.
Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence of inclusions or the internal imperfections of the gemstone. Where some inclusions are tolerant, with stones like emeralds, the transparent gemstones have more value.
Cut
It depends upon the cut of the gemstone to show brilliance or its reaction to light. A well-cut gemstone presents maximum beauty by underlining color, clarity, and sparkle.
Carat Weight
The bigger the size of a gemstone is, the rarer and expensive it may be. But the total value is determined by size, color, clarity, and cut.
Conclusion
The world of colored gemstones is vast, diverse, and endlessly fascinating. There are the bright reds of rubies, peaceful blues of sapphires, and the mystical hues of alexandrite. Each species of colored gemstones brings unique beauty and significance. Understanding the species of colored gemstones not only helps develop a greater appreciation of these natural wonders but also gives you far much smarter choices as you add them to your collection.
Regardless of the need-be-it for a collector, a jewelry enthusiast, or an investment in gemstones-knowing the different species of colored gemstones is important. Each stone has a story about its formation, history, and cultural significance and is, therefore, a part of human heritage and something that stands the test of time.
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