Gems, Minerals & Rocks – Antique Jewelry University

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Gems, Minerals & Rocks

Wondering what the difference is between a gem and a mineral or a gem and a rock? Why do some stones end up in the jewelry we love and cherish and others do not? Most gems, minerals, and rocks evolve through various processes over time and some involve plants, animals, or mollusks. Let’s face it, a plethora of possible jewels are provided on this rock we call Earth so that we may adorn ourselves to our heart’s content. Choose from the Gems, Minerals, & Rocks pictorial glossary below to probe the whys and wherefores of mother nature’s geological creations.

Vignettes

Asscher-Cut Diamond.

Diamond

Diamonds are valued for their incredible brilliance and hardness. Diamonds are chemically pure carbon, identical to the graphite used for pencils. Diamonds’ hardness is the result of extremely strong chemical...

Terms & Definitions

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Banded Agate and Seed Pearl Victorian Brooch.

Agate

Agate is a variety of chalcedony found in many different colors and degrees of translucency. There are several varieties of agate named after their location of origin or physical characteristics....

Alabaster carving on onyx background

Alabaster

Alabaster is a name used for gypsum and calcite but has also been used to indicate selenite. These minerals are easily worked due to their low hardness and have been used to craft...

Alexandrite and Diamond Ring

Alexandrite

Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl with a distinct change of color when viewed in incandescent and fluorescent light. The colors that Alexandrite occurs in depend on its geographical source...

Almandine Garnet Ring.

Almandine

These deep purplish-red garnets were often featured in Victorian Jewelry. When they are cut en cabochon they are referred to as “carbuncles.” For more information read our article on garnets.

Wild Strawberry Brooch with Amazonite Leaves.

Amazonite

Amazonite, a variety of the microcline series of the feldspar group, gets its name from the Amazon River. A gridlike structure visible in amazonite gives the stone a faint sheen and makes it easily...

Art Deco Amber Teardrop Earrings. Signed Day, Clark & Co.

Amber

In the forest primeval, a creature calls… Its echo is heard for millions of years. Frozen in time; the drama unfolds– A death struggle painted in amber tears.1 Amber is the fossilized resin...

Edwardian Amethyst and Diamond Brooch.

Amethyst

Amethyst is the most coveted member of the quartz family. It can be found in shades ranging from a very deep royal purple with hints of red, to a pale pastel lilac...

Faceted Ametrine.

Ametrine

Ametrine is a variety of quartz consisting of both amethyst and citrine with zones of both purple and yellow. Most naturally occurring ametrine comes from Bolivia, with some from India and Brazil. Differentially heat-treating amethyst...

Andalusite var. Chiastolite.

Andalusite

The name, Andalusite, is an homage to the city of Andalusia, Spain. Gem-quality examples of this mineral species are somewhat rare. Running the gamut from transparent to opaque, these highly...

Antique Demantoid Garnet Earrings.

Andradite

Antique Demantoid Garnet Earrings.

Apatite and Diamond Ring, Micael Beaudry.

Apatite

Commonly found as a lively teal-turquoise blue color transparent crystal, it can also be yellow, green, pink, or purple. Having a hardness on the Moh’s Scale of 5 makes the...

Diamond and Aquamarine Day and Night Earrings.

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is the blue variety of the mineral beryl. Most natural aquamarine is a pale bluish-green, which was the preferred color before 1900. Today it is routinely heat treated to...

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