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Overview

Gemstone Types

Gemstone types are a systematic classification of major mineral species or groups based on chemical composition and crystal structure in gemology. They are categorized into approximately 15 major groups including Diamond, Corundum, Beryl, and Garnet, with each group containing varieties such as Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. This classification system is widely used as an important standard for gemstone identification, value assessment, and market transactions.

gemstone mineral gemology classification jewelry precious stone
code slug name description chemical_formula major_varieties mohs_hardness
beryl beryl Beryl A gemstone group composed primarily of beryllium aluminum silicate. Be3Al2(SiO3)6 ["Emerald","Aquamarine","Morganite","Heliodor","Goshenite"] 7.5-8
chrysoberyl chrysoberyl Chrysoberyl A rare gemstone group composed primarily of beryllium aluminum oxide. BeAl2O4 ["Alexandrite","Cat's Eye","Chrysoberyl"] 8.5
corundum corundum Corundum A gemstone group composed of aluminum oxide, including Ruby and Sapphire. Al2O3 ["Ruby","Sapphire","Star Ruby","Star Sapphire"] 9
diamond diamond Diamond The hardest gemstone on Earth, composed of pure crystalline carbon. C ["Colorless Diamond","Fancy Color Diamond","Black Diamond"] 10
feldspar feldspar Feldspar A mineral group comprising about 60% of the Earth's crust, including Moonstone and Sunstone. KAlSi3O8 - NaAlSi3O8 - CaAl2Si2O8 ["Moonstone","Sunstone","Labradorite","Amazonite"] 6-6.5
garnet garnet Garnet A group of silicate minerals with diverse colors and compositions. X3Y2(SiO4)3 ["Pyrope","Almandine","Spessartite","Grossular","Demantoid","Tsavorite"] 6.5-7.5
jade jade Jade A gemstone particularly prized in the East, including two types: Jadeite and Nephrite. NaAlSi2O6 (Jadeite) / Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2 (Nephrite) ["Jadeite","Nephrite","Imperial Jade"] 6-7
opal opal Opal An amorphous silica containing water, exhibiting rainbow-colored play-of-color. SiO2·nH2O ["Black Opal","White Opal","Fire Opal","Boulder Opal"] 5.5-6.5
organic-gems organic-gems Organic Gems A general term for gemstones formed from materials of biological origin. Various ["Pearl","Coral","Amber","Tortoiseshell","Ammolite"] 2-4
quartz quartz Quartz A gemstone group with the most diverse varieties, composed primarily of silicon dioxide. SiO2 ["Rock Crystal","Amethyst","Citrine","Rose Quartz","Smoky Quartz","Chalcedony","Agate","Tiger's Eye"] 7
spinel spinel Spinel A gemstone with various colors, composed primarily of magnesium aluminum oxide. MgAl2O4 ["Red Spinel","Blue Spinel","Pink Spinel"] 8
spodumene spodumene Spodumene A lithium-bearing silicate mineral group including Kunzite and Hiddenite. LiAlSi2O6 ["Kunzite","Hiddenite"] 6.5-7
topaz topaz Topaz A fluorine-bearing silicate mineral gemstone with various colors. Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 ["Imperial Topaz","Blue Topaz","White Topaz","Pink Topaz"] 8
tourmaline tourmaline Tourmaline A boron-bearing silicate mineral group with the most diverse color range among gemstones. (Ca,K,Na)(Al,Fe,Li,Mg,Mn)3(Al,Cr,Fe,V)6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH,F)4 ["Rubellite","Indicolite","Verdelite","Paraiba Tourmaline","Watermelon Tourmaline"] 7-7.5
zircon zircon Zircon A gemstone composed primarily of zirconium silicate with high refractive index. ZrSiO4 ["Blue Zircon","White Zircon","Yellow Zircon"] 6.5-7.5
zoisite zoisite Zoisite A gemstone group composed of calcium aluminum silicate, including Tanzanite. Ca2Al3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH) ["Tanzanite","Thulite","Anyolite"] 6-7

Classification system of major mineral species and groups in gemology.