Types of Gemstones

Gemstones are very precious and are widely known for their rarity, beauty, spiritual, and even symbolic significance. There are so many types of gemstones that are available today and each of these stones have their own unique applications, attributes, and features as well.

If you want to understand the different types of gemstones then you’ve come to the right place!

Gemstones – Are They Important?

Gemstones have always been important mainly because they are so rare and beautiful in nature. Apart from that, gemstones are also known for having cultural, spiritual, and symbolic meanings to it. Given below are a few reasons why gemstones are important: 

Rarity and Value 

A lot of gemstones are very difficult and rare to find. Due to this, they become highly valuable and make people want them even more.

Symbolic Significance

Gemstones have always been known to have symbolic significance all throughout history. For example, diamonds are frequently symbolized with commitment and love, whereas on the other hand, emeralds are symbolized with notions of prosperity and growth.  

History Relevance

Gemstones have always had historical significance, that show social status, power, and affluence. Popular gemstones like the Koh-i-Noor Diamond and the Hope Diamond are historic in nature and are associated with prominent figures like the royal family. 

Various Types of Gemstones 

• Paraiba Tourmaline

Paraiba Tourmaline stands among the most valuable and cherished gemstones accessible. These stones are extremely rare and can only be found in the Paraiba oceans. You can find this stone in a mix of green and sea blue shades.

• Zircon

Zircon is one of the oldest gemstones found in the world that is found in the crust. Affordable yet rare, it offers a range of colors such as orange, brown, yellow, red, green, and aquatic blue. 

Zircon is the oldest jewel on the planet and is found mostly in the crust. This gemstone is mainly worn by people who are born in the month of December. 

• Turquoise

This transparent and crystal clear gemstone is known to be Robin’s egg. It is available in calm, fresh, and cool colors of blueish green or blue. It is one of the oldest gemstones that Kings and Queens used to wear on their dresses and crowns. 

The color patterns and designs on this gemstone are known as a matrix because it resembles a spider web.  

Turquoise gemstones are popular for attracting wealth, good luck, and prosperity. It is also known to heal and protect yourself from evil eyes. This gemstone is worn by people born in the month of December.

• Tanzanite

A unique and rare gemstone that is not found anywhere apart from one place in this entire world, that is Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Kenya. It is the only gemstone in purple and velvety blue shades. 

 There are many hues and shapes where you can find this gemstone making is favored for jewelry design. 

People born in December are the ones who generally use this stone. It is known to fight against negativity, provide energy, and even help you find yourself. 

• Topaz

Topaz comes in many different colors like pink, red, blue, green, honey, brownish, and yellow. What’s interesting is that some people believe Topaz has special powers that can protect and help with healing.

People who are born in November seem to have a particular liking for this gemstone, almost like it’s connected to their birth month. 

Also, when jewelers use Topaz to create jewelry, especially when paired with shiny silver or gold, the end result is quite striking and beautiful. 

So, beyond its aesthetic appeal, Topaz carries with it some perceived mystical qualities that have made it quite special for many people.

• Opal

Opal is truly an exceptional gemstone, often referred to as the “queen of gems.” Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it displays a spectrum of colors, creating a beautiful rainbow effect.

Imagine this: when you look at an Opal, you might see shades of green and blue in some cases, while others might show yellow and red hues. It’s fascinating because Opal can even come in black, and interestingly, this black version is considered the most delicate type of Opal.

For those born in October, Opal is their special birthstone. It’s like a gem that matches their birth month. This gem is believed to represent qualities such as confidence, loyalty, faithfulness, purity, innocence, and hope. 

Opal is often chosen as a perfect gift for weddings because of its symbolism and exquisite appearance.

• Sapphire

Sapphire is one the most popular and stunning blue-violet gemstones found worldwide. But, the most expensive sapphire is found in Sri Lanka, Kashmir, and Myanmar. 

This stone is found in different shapes and colors but only a few of them are expensive gems. When used in jewelry design, this gemstone provides an extremely stylish look.

Sapphire symbolizes loyalty, trust, purity, and honesty. This is known to be the birthstone for those born in the month of September. It is also the best engagement gift to give to the significant other. 

• Spinel

Spinel is also known as Ruby’s daughter because of its spinel red shape. This gemstone ranks among the scarcest finds worldwide.

They are found in various textures and colors adding a royal feel to your overall look. Apart from the brilliant shade of red, this stone also comes in shades of purple, pastel pink, and orange.

It is believed to be the birthstone of August. It is also known to protect you from sadness, and harm, and solve differences in relations. 

• Ruby

The King of all gems, Ruby is the ultimate gemstone. For a long time, Ruby has been linked with the royal families. This gemstone comes in various shades of colors starting from red-orange to red-purple. 

It is also found in many shapes and comes from the valleys of Tanzania and Myanmar. This gemstone is used for creating a variety of jewelry.  

Ruby is known to be the birthstone of those born in the month of July. It also represents emotions, courage, divinity, love, and passion. This is the best gift as it gives fortune and good luck.  

•  Diamond

Diamond is the hardest gemstone available in this world. It is widely known for its sparkle studded in platinum, silver, or gold. You can even find diamonds in different colors and sizes. 

It is known for being formed with lightning on the rocks. Due to this, they turned hard in the earth’s depths more than a billion years ago. 

Aligned with April births, the Diamond symbolizes desire and eternal love, making it an ideal choice for romantic gifts. 

•  Emerald

Emerald is another rare gemstone found in this world. This gemstone is available in shades of blue and dark green.  

It is also believed that ancient mummies used to have emeralds with them on their necks which shows eternal youth. 

This is the birthstone for the ones born in the month of May and is also known as a Venus and Spring stone. It displays notions of love, rejuvenation, and fertility! 

Final Thoughts

While this covers a selection of gemstones, numerous others remain unmentioned in this article. Some of them include Onyx Gemstone, Morganite Gemstone, Shiny Lemon Yellow Stone, Citrine, Rubellite, Lapis Lazuli, Peridot, Moonstone, Pearl, Alexandrite, Jade, Aquamarine, Amethyst, Garnet, and many more. 

There are infinite types of gemstones that you can find across the globe. Most of them are known to somehow be related to the concepts of symbolism and spirituality.