Semi-precious Stone

Gemstones other than diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires are considered semi-precious stones. Amethyst, Citrine, Turquoise, Blue Topaz, Peridot, Jade, Garnet, Tourmaline, Moonstone, Malachite, Jasper, Rose Quartz, Tanzanite, Opal, Pearl, Black Onyx, Aquamarine, and Topaz are the semi-precious stones preferred by many.

Amethyst is purple in color because of its aluminum and iron impurities. Citrine is a lemon colored semi-precious stone. Turquoise, a typically opaque and of a greenish-blue or sky-blue colour, consists of a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium. Blue topaz was discovered by Egyptians, two thousand years ago.

The only color in which a Peridot is found, is vibrant green. Though the gemstone Jade known for its strength, covers a gamut of stones under it, the pure forms are nephrite and jadeite. Garnets are available in six common varieties. They are spessartie, almandine, pyrope, grossularite, uvarovite and andradite. Tourmaline has colors ranging from black to being entirely colorless and gets its name from the Singhalese word "turamali” which means “stone of mixed colors."

Moonstone is a mixture of sheet mica and plagioclase albite has color variants of grey, white, purple, pink, blue, green, orange, brown and yellow. Distinguishing green is the color of Malachite which is a copper carbonate. The word Jasper has its root in Greek and means “spotted stone.” Rose quartz has a unique soft pink color and has derivatives from small traces of titanium impurities. Since its discovery in Tanzania, the Tanzanite is continued to be in demand. Tanzanite comes in three colors – green, purple and blue.

The nature and occurrence of color flashes determine the value of an opal. Opal is the most elusive gem worn universally though they demand special care to be kept healthy and wearable. Pearls, produced mainly by oysters and mussels, have colors that vary greatly, depending on the water where it was produced and the type of mollusk by which it was produced. Onyxes are naturally found in groups of white and black. But its jet black variant is a most sought after semi-precious gemstone. Aquamarine belongs to the same family of beryl and emerald. It has astonishing range of blue colors. Topaz comes in orange, red, yellow, brown, clear, pink, and blue colors. But the Blue Topaz with a medium hue is the most shared version of the gemstone.