Gemstones

Types of Gemstones Lists

Different stones are categorised into different species, varieties and groups based on their composition, market value, purpose and cutting style. Here you can find a simplified categorisation of different types of gemstones which are available on our website. At GemPundit, we have featured a quality selection of the rarest to the most common gemstones to suit varying customer needs.

1. List of Gemstones by Species

This list of gemstones is organised on the basis of their composition.

• Minerals

  – These are the beautiful inorganic crystals which are cut and polished to form different kinds of gems. They are identified by their chemical compositions, unique colour, luster, hardness and the distinct marks and streaks (inclusions) present inside them. E.g. – Sapphire, Emerald etc.

• Organic Gemstones

  – These gems are composed of the fossilized living organism or organic substance produced by a living body. Pearl, Red Coral, Amber and White Coral are the most widely known organic gemstones.

• Rocks

  – Certain rare and beautiful rocks are also considered gemstones though they are not minerals. These rocks are carefully cut and polished to form faceted gems and cabochons for healing, for making jewelry or for collection purposes. E.g. – Obsidian, Bloodstone etc.

2. List of Gemstones by Value

• Precious

  – Gemstones which highly valued for their immense rarity and high-end beauty are known as Precious stones. Amongst different gems, there are only four precious stones – Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald & Diamond. Learn more about these precious gemstones, their quality, meanings and price here.

• Semi-precious

  – All other types of gemstones are considered semi-precious. Calling these gemstones ‘semi-precious’ doesn’t mean that they are cheap gemstones. It is because these gemstones are relatively more abundant in nature. Read our notes on Semi-Precious stones to learn more about them.

3. List of Gemstones by Purpose

Since antiquity, gemstones have served mankind in different ways. For some, a gemstone is an expression of love while for others it’s a saviour to cope up with the troublesome situations of life. Many people find gemstones as an attractive form of investment. Here, we have differentiated various types of stones and gems based on their use or purpose.

• Astrological gemstones

  – Gemstones hold a great significance in the Indian astrology and are regagemstone which can be worn to harness the energies of the particular celestial body like Ruby represents planet Sun.
• Healing gemstones – Many gemstones and crystals are said to have the ability to heal the wearer’s body, mind and soul. It is believed that these stones and crystals offer powerful healing benefits when placed on the right chakra. E.g. – Spinel, Moldavite etc.

• Jewellery gemstones

  – These are the fancy coloured gems which are primarily used for the beautification of ornaments. Though all types of gems can be used for ornamentation purpose, Jewellery Gemstones are those common gems which are exclusively used for jewellery making. E.g. – Morganite, Kunzite, Tsavorite etc.

• Collection gemstone

  – Many times, consumers (gem enthusiasts or collectors) raise their request for rare and unusual gems. Our gemologists pay special attention to such demands and never mind in tapping the world’s difficult terrains to select an impressive inventory of rare and unique gemstones for collection purposes like the No oil Emerald, Kashmir Blue Sapphires, Pigeon Blood Burmese Rubies etc.

4. List of Gemstone based on Cut

• Faceted gemstones

  – It refers to all types of gems which have facets or cuts on their surface in order to enhance their overall brilliance and luster. The gemstones with good transparent and superior clarity are often cut to form faceted gems.

• Cabochon gemstones

  – A cabochon (often addressed as a ‘Cab’) is a gem with a well shaped and polished convex (round or oval) top with a flat or slightly domed base. Opaque or semi-translucent gemstones are often shaped as cabochons.

• Calibrated gemstones

  – These are the types of gemstones which are cut to a standard size to suit the requirement of the commercial jewellery industry.

Gemstones by Color

A gem color largely depends on its chemical composition and crystalline structure. Different gemstones contain element traces in varying amount which lend them a unique colour. The colour of different types of gemstones is so enormous that no exact term defines every individual tone. At GemPundit, you can find genuine gemstones in over 1000 different colour varieties, combinations and tones.

Here we have prepared a gemstone chart around their color families for an easy access.

• Red Gemstones

  – Ruby, Red Coral, Red Garnet, Rubellite, Red Tourmaline, Carnelian and Red Zircon etc.

• Blue Gemstones

  – Blue Sapphire, Amethyst, Blue Topaz, Aquamarine, Blue Touramaline, Blue Opal, Howlite, Turquoise, Kyanite, Paraiba Tourmaline and Blue Zircon etc.

• Green Gemstones

  – Emerald, Alexandrite, Peridot, Beryl, Aventurine, Jade, Jadeite, Bloodstone, Chrome Diopside, Malachite, Chrome Tourmaline, Green Sapphire, Green Tourmaline, Green Onyx and Moldavite etc.

• Yellow Gemstones

  – Yellow Sapphire, Citrine, Yellow, Amber, Yellow Fluorite, Yellow/Golden Beryl, Heliodor and Yellow Zircon etc.

• Brown Gemstones

  – Hessonite, Chrysoberyl Cats eye, Smoky Quartz etc.

• Black gemstones

  – Black Tourmaline, Obsidian, Schorl Tourmaline, Black Spinel etc.

• White Gemstone

  – Opal, Pearls, Moonstone, White Coral and Rainbow Moonstone etc.

• Colourless Gemstones

  – White Sapphire, White Zircon and White Topaz etc.

• Bicolour or Multicoloured

  Gemstones – Pitambari Neelam, Bicolour Sapphire and Watermelon Tourmaline etc.