Gemstone Guide
SDE’s Gemstone Guide provides some key information about the most common gemstones used in jewellery today.
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/f1152505-f129-40f5-99a6-75825c3d3cde.jpg)
A gemstone (also called a gem, fine gem, jewel, precious stone, or semi-precious stone) is a piece of mineral crystal which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However, certain rocks (such as lapis lazuli and opal) and occasionally organic materials that are not minerals (such as amber, jet, and pearl) are also used for jewelry and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well. Most gemstones are hard, but some soft minerals are used in jewelry because of their luster or other physical properties that have aesthetic value. Rarity is another characteristic that lends value to a gemstone.
Apart from jewelry, from earliest antiquity engraved gems and hardstone carvings, such as cups, were major luxury art forms. A gem maker is called a lapidary or gemcutter; a diamond cutter is called a diamantaire.
![](https://sdestagecdn.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/eb9bcdf1-0ab5-47b5-9e27-168ab52a1b6b.png)
Amber
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/9905a88b-9cd3-4d1c-85c7-d3b9bafaafbb.jpg)
Amber is nature’s time capsule. This fossilized tree resin contains remnants of life on earth millions of years ago.
The Greeks called amber elektron, or “made by the sun.” Homer praised its bright glow. The Egyptians buried it in tombs for the afterlife. Today’s scientists value amber too: it provides a three-dimensional window into prehistoric ecosystems through the myriad animal and plant inclusions it contains.
While amber isn’t a birthstone, it is associated with the astrological sign of Taurus.
HEAT TREATMENT
– the exposure of a gem to high temperatures for the purpose of altering its color and/or clarity.
The most commonly encountered heat-treated gems include.
Amber – When amber is submerged in hot oil—linseed oil for example—it's inherent body color can darken, and the material can take on a clearer appearance. The hot oil can also cause the material to develop a series of spangled, glittery inclusions.
![](https://sdestagecdn.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/4af85baa-d39f-4299-b158-08f0ac0726c1.jpg)
The rounded inclusions in amber are caused by immersing it in heated oil, which results in a “spangled” effect.
Amethyst
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/3d24d78d-1bd4-4f87-965c-0159e4bf9d05.jpg)
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Ametrine
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/19582349-113e-41a7-8275-f44326e5cfed.jpg)
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Aquamarine
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/d218f797-08a2-488d-8d63-6da78c97db9e.jpg)
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Black diamond
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/6e4e1d70-e5d6-42c7-895e-be905960b56d.jpg)
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Blue sapphire
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/148f7649-39f2-4d8b-96e0-b8e92ef845bc.jpg)
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Citrine
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/477fd789-caf9-4f5f-bf5c-99f517e4d204.jpg)
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Cubic zircon
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/7fa46810-40a9-4638-a547-3ec0b94df819.jpg)
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Diamond
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/d3c3dd95-5b5e-4736-80a7-76fc7aaeff8c.jpg)
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Emerald
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/209fa4f6-16fe-4360-853d-35850ed19f94.jpg)
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Fancy color diamond
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/a317d6e1-8173-492c-970c-0033b3ecbe0f.jpg)
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Fancy sapphire
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/c7ca5a5e-680e-4314-b6bc-7cd52c242733.jpg)
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Garnet
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/950411aa-71c1-41e9-8aac-1aefb3c79abb.jpg)
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Lapis lazuli
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/6321cae0-3f8b-4242-9aa2-0610195d14c3.jpg)
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Morganite
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/965123f6-76df-4c60-be79-ee63f0b13dac.jpg)
Onyx
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/d1e5dd73-7b7e-4e6a-a22d-1016d088b0c7.jpg)
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Opal
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/837ece90-98d6-4830-9b57-bcfe0877690a.jpg)
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Pearl
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/1036b2cb-36ce-47cf-a857-b99ee3074360.jpg)
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Peridot
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/bc0e79be-dd4c-4f3c-bb11-1cfb354ad998.jpg)
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Rose quartz
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/c409fd19-501e-48f6-9c69-79dea0e653ec.jpg)
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Ruby
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/3547764c-78e0-4847-b8cc-72de8b26c87d.jpg)
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Spinel
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/6daaf24a-4363-4281-bd97-ae96d14f7363.jpg)
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Sunstone
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/da845bd4-80e2-4f53-acd9-4f0f9a62436e.jpg)
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Tanzanite
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/456bf381-3c0e-47f5-b640-69954b1cbacd.jpg)
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Thoulite
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/cf2a2c12-751f-4c16-9c7c-91ebda96bccc.jpg)
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Tourmaline
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/1c01d8c7-dae3-4157-9699-a682dd696bf7.jpg)
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Turquoise
![](https://themastoredev.blob.core.windows.net/public/content/media/e026ca62-19bf-4cae-9e96-4944b13741ea.jpg)
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