Identify Gemstones

Diamond

The diamond is pure carbon and the hardest natural material.

💡 Did you know? When cut it sparkles in all rainbow colours.

Ruby

The ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum.

💡 Did you know? Its colour reaches the prized ‘pigeon-blood red’.

Emerald

The emerald is the green gemstone of the beryl family.

💡 Did you know? Small inclusions are typical and are called the ‘jardin’.

Sapphire

The sapphire is usually deep blue: also a variety of corundum.

💡 Did you know? It also comes in yellow, pink or green.

Amethyst

The violet amethyst is a variety of quartz and often grows in geodes.

💡 Did you know? It was once as valuable as a diamond.

Topaz

Topaz occurs in many colours, often golden-yellow or sky-blue.

💡 Did you know? Large, clear crystals are highly sought after.

Opal

The opal shimmers in shifting rainbow colours (‘play of colour’).

💡 Did you know? Australia supplies most precious opals.

Turquoise

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-green ornamental stone.

💡 Did you know? It was worked already by the ancient Egyptians.

Garnet

The garnet is usually deep red, but also occurs green or orange.

💡 Did you know? Its name derives from the pomegranate.

Amber

Amber is fossilised tree resin, not a mineral.

💡 Did you know? Sometimes insects are trapped inside.

Aquamarine

The aquamarine is the sea-blue relative of the emerald.

💡 Did you know? Its name means ‘sea water’.

Citrine

Citrine is a yellow to golden-brown quartz.

💡 Did you know? Its name comes from the lemon.