Gemopedia

Moonstone is a variety of feldspar that displays an amazing optical phenomenon called adularescence. Internally repeating feldspar layers scatter the light that enters the stone, creating a mystical glow reminiscent of moonbeams. This glow comes to life, rolling across the gem’s surface, when it is moved. Adularescent labradorite with a multi-colored glow is sometimes called Rainbow Moonstone.

Morganite is the pretty, peachy-pink variety of beryl, cousin to more familiar beryl varieties, emerald and aquamarine. Morganite's beautiful, feminine colors are a result of the presence of manganese and iron. After its 1910 discovery in Madagascar, the famous gemologist George F. Kunz proposed to name the gem in honor of financier and gem enthusiast J. P. Morgan. Morganite has many redeeming qualities, including good Mohs hardness, luster, and clarity. The two major sources are Brazil and Madagascar. Stones also come from Afghanistan, China, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States. Quality morganite stones in large sizes remain relatively rare.

Mother-of-pearl is the nacreous iridescent inside layer of certain mollusks. This beautiful substance is often used for jewelry, carving and ornamentation. As mother-of-pearl producing mollusks cannot regulate their body temperature, they are susceptible to changes in external conditions. Mother-of-pearl can naturally appear in a wide variety of colors, however, it is frequently dyed to a multitude of attractive shades.

The Italian glass industry dates to the 8th century. In 1291, Venetian glassmakers were ordered to move to the island of Murano to prevent fire from destroying the wooden buildings of Venice. Glass artisans handed down their knowledge and skills through the generations. The Murano artists are forever innovating, and they are known for their use of color and intricate glass decorations.

Muscovite specimens are prized by collectors. Muscovite Mica is commonly used as a component in cosmetics, like eyeshadow, to produce shimmer.

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process deposits a thin film onto part of the surface of a colorless quartz gemstone. This creates an eye-catching rainbow effect as light passes through the gem, resulting in an unbelievable array of colors.

With its dazzling kaleidoscope of colors, Mystic Topaz® first appeared in September 1998 at the Hong Kong Jewelry Fair, but it took a few years for designers and high-end jewelry manufacturers to realize its unquestionable charm. Mystic Topaz® begins with a natural topaz gemstone that was created millions of years ago, that is then made even more beautiful and desirable with the assistance of modern technology. The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process deposits a thin film onto part of the surface of a white topaz gem, creating an eye-catching rainbow effect as light passes through the gem, which results in an unbelievable array of colors.

Nanocrystal is glass-ceramic material developed in the 1970’s. Nanocrystal can simulate most gem materials and comes in a variety of colors and transparencies.

Natrolite is a zeolite mineral named for the Greek word natron, meaning "soda," due to the presence of sodium in the stone. Its range of colors include yellow, gray, and brown, to colorless. Occasionally, it is found in pale yellow to red hues. Crystals often grow in long, needle-like formations, and are especially prized by specimen collectors.

Jade has been treasured for some 7,000 years for its unique luster, lovely color and impeccable toughness. This precious gem has always had special significance in many Asian cultures and can be compared to the West's admiration of diamonds and gold. For centuries, nephrite jade and jadeite were considered one and the same. It was not until 1863 that they were identified as different minerals with a similar appearance and properties. Nephrite is a tough rock comprised of intergrown crystals of minerals from the tremolite-actinolite solid solution series, part of the amphibole group.

Nifontovite is a very rare member of the borate family of minerals. Named for Russian geologist Roman V. Nifontov who discovered it in 1961, nifontovite is found in few locations worldwide, including Russia, Mexico and Japan. Mexico is producing the cleanest and largest specimens at this time. Typically, nifontovite is transparent and typically colorless or gray with a vitreous luster. A nifontivite gem, donated in 2009, resides in the Smithsonian's National Gem Collection.

Obsidian has been used since the Stone Age for tools, weapons and as an ornamental material. It is used in modern times for scalpel blades. Obsidian is formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava due to volcanic explosions. It consists of the same minerals as granite but cools so quickly that they do not have time to crystallize. Obsidian has a glassy luster and is usually black or very dark green, but it can also be found in an almost colorless form.

Named for the German biologist Lorenz Oken. Specimens often found as “cotton ball” formations because the crystals are straight and fibrous and they radiate out in orb like structures.

Oligoclase is a member of the plagioclase feldspar group. Two oligoclase varieties, sunstone and moonstone, are prized for their phenomenal optical properties.

Olmiite was officially named as a new species in 2006. It is the Manganese dominant analog of poldervaartite. It is named after the Italian mineralogist Filippo Olmi. The only known location where olmiite is found is the N’Chwaning II mine, Kalahari field, Republic of South Africa.

Onyx is the dark brown to black variety of agate, a cryptocrystalline quartz. Since ancient times onyx has afforded gem cutters and carvers an excellent source for carving cameos, intaglios, and other jewelry creations. Inexpensive, abundant, and available in large sizes, onyx is also a favored stone when fashioning cabochon gems and beads.

While we often think of opal in terms of phenomenal play of color, this gemstone family is full of other unique and appealing members that have their own allure. Gems can be transparent, translucent or opaque and form in almost any color in many locations around the world. Get to know all the varieties of this unique family by looking at our fire opal, dendritic opal, hyalite, Caramel Spice Opal (TM), Morado Opal (TM), along with even more blue, pink and green varieties. With such an endless array, opal truly is the 'Queen of Gemstones'.

Opalite is a man-made opalescent glass. When opalite is placed against a dark backdrop, it takes on a luminous blue or pink glow. Blue opalite has even been confused for moonstone at times.

Orpiment is an arsenic sulfide that grows in small masses with lemon-yellow to brownish-yellow coloring. Its name comes from a Latin term meaning "gold pigment," as this mineral was once used to make yellow paint. This gem is photosensitive and should not be exposed to light for prolonged periods.

Orthoclase is part of the feldspar mineral family, one of the most abundant mineral families in the world. It is a common constituent in granite used for industrial purposes. For example, "Black Pearl" granite countertops are composed mostly of feldspar. While orthoclase, a potassium-rich feldspar, is better known to collectors, there is one variety that many are familiar with: moonstone, prized for its shimmering adularescence.

While sapphires have mesmerized gem and jewelry connoisseurs since the dawn of time, one fancy sapphire variety has a distinct allure and prestige all its own: padparadscha sapphire. Padparadscha sapphire derives its name from the Sanskrit padma ranga, meaning “lotus color,” for its resemblance to the famed lotus flowers of Sri Lanka, where the gem was originally found. Padparadscha sapphires traditionally must combine elements of pink and orange in one gem to rightly claim their padparadscha title, though the coloration requirements are highly disputed.

Literally translating as “landscape stone,” paesina pietra is an ancient marvel of nature. Created 40-50 million years ago, picturesque scenes that often mimic those seen in everyday life were formed within limestone rock. Seen in a variety of colors and an infinite number of designs, these sedimentary stones were created as the earth shifted, forming fractures in the limestone. Composed primarily of compressed limestone and clay that formed in seabeds, it was the infiltration of iron and manganese hydroxide that created their variety of scenic patterns and array of colors. Paesina pietra has been collected as an objet d 'art since the 17th century throughout Europe. Highly regarded as a decorative accent, the stones were displayed prominently in European royal courts, including those of France, Germany, and England.

Painite is a rare borate mineral named after British mineralogist and gem dealer Arthur C. D. Pain in 1951. Pain originally thought the material to be ruby, but it was found to be a new mineral in 1957. It is extremely rare, and it is currently only known to come from a few locations in Myanmar.

Pargasite mostly occurs in a brown color, but has been found in greenish-brown to dark green and black. This gemstone was first found in Finland in 1814 and is named for its site of discovery. A member of the amphibole group, pargasite is closely related to hornblende. Some fine specimens of this rare gemstone have been faceted.