Precious Gems

There are over 130 types of minerals that have been used as gemstones. These include:

• Agate
• Alexandrite
• Andalusite
• Axinite
• Benitoite
• Aquamarine
• Bixbite
• Cassiterite
• Chrysocolla
• Chrysoprase
• Clinohumite
• Iolite
• Danburite
• Diamond
• Diopside
• Dioptase
• Dumortierite
• Emerald
• Feldspar
  • Amazonite
  • Labradorite
  • Moonstone
  • Sunstone
• Garnet
  • Hessonite
• Hambergite
• Hematite
• Jade – jadeite and nephrite
• Jasper
• Kornerupine
• Kunzite
• Lapis lazuli
• Malachite
• Opal
• Peridot
• Prehnite
• Pyrite
• Quartz and its varieties
  • Agate
  • Amethyst
  • Aventurine
  • Citrine
  • Chalcedony
  • Onyx
  • Tiger's-eye
• Rhodochrosite
• Ruby
• Sapphire
• Spinel
• Sugilite
• Tanzanite and other varieties of zoisite
• Topaz
• Turquoise
• Tourmaline
• Variscite
• Vesuvianite
• Zeolite (Thomsonite)
• Zircon

Artificial and synthetic

Artificial or synthetic materials used as gems include:

• High-lead glass
• Synthetic corundum
• Synthetic cubic zirconia
• Synthetic spinel
• Synthetic moissanite
• Synthetic alexandrite
• Synthetic opal
• Synthetic turquoise
• Synthetic diamond
• Synthetic quartz
• Synthetic beryl
• Yttrium aluminum garnet

Organic

There are a number of organic materials used as gems, including:

• Amber
• Ammolite
• Bone
• Coral
• Ivory
• Jet
• Nacre (Mother of pearl)
• Pearl

Rocks

• Obsidian
• Unakite