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Adamite is one of the most well known minerals in the specimen market although the mineral itself is not terribly common. Cut gemstones are rare because of its low hardness (3.5), brittle tenacity, and distinct cleavage. It is highly prized for its aesthetic crystal shapes and formations, bright color (often a yellow to greenish-yellow), and stunning fluorescence (bright lime green).

Mesolite is a zeolite mineral that occurs in delicate, needle-like crystal structures that radiate from its base. Prized by collectors for its striking crystal formation, mesolite is typically white or colorless, but occasionally light yellow in color. Large specimens are very rare, and faceted gems are almost non-existent.

Haüyne is an extremely rare mineral and even rarer gemstone. Its bright blue color is common for this stone, but it can be found in white, gray, yellow, green, and pink colors too. Lazurite the sulfur rich variety of haüyne is what gives lapis lazuli its blue color. The best-known specimens have been found in Eifel Mountains of Germany.

Stilbite is named from a Greek term meaning "to glitter" due to the pearly luster of the mineral. A member of the zeolite group, stilbite is often white, peach, pinkish, yellow or brown in color. Stilbite is further classified based on its sodium and calcium content. Stilbite is rarely faceted, but its attractive crystals make it highly collectable as mineral specimens

Iolite is the gem-quality blue or blue-violet variety of cordierite. While iolite enjoyed popularity in jewelry in 18th-century Europe, this naturally beautiful gemstone is relatively new to today's jewelry market, and is regaining popularity with the public. Because of its varying levels of hardness and strong pleochroism, iolite is one of the most difficult stones for lapidaries to fashion. It must be cut in certain directions to take advantage of the best color, which can be tough when the shape of the rough doesn't lend itself to cutting in that same direction.

Wavellite was discovered in 1805 at High Down, Filleigh, Devon, England. It was named after a local doctor William Wavell M.D. who brought it to the attention of the mineralogical community. It is translucent and can be found in blue, green, yellow, and white colors. Specimens can be stalactitic or the crystals can radiate from the center creating a spherical structure. Many notable specimens are found from the Ouachita Mountains in Mount Ida, Arkansas.

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.

This trade name refers to a natural mixture of azurite and malachite that is often banded and can be used as both a gemstone or in decorative items. The bold greens and blues beautifully intertwine to form unique mineral specimens or gems, each piece always one-of-a-kind.

Pyrite has a shiny golden-yellow color and a metallic luster. Its name comes from the Greek word pyr, meaning "a gemstone that strikes fire," due to the sparks produced when pyrite strikes iron. While pyrite has a history of being mistaken for gold, it is differentiated by pyrite's lighter, tougher, broken-faced grains. You may hear pyrite called by its nickname "fool's gold." Marcasite is a polymorph of pyrite. It has the same chemistry, but a different crystal structure. In the jewelry trade, the names pyrite and marcasite are often used interchangeably.

A conch is a marine gastropod or, more simply, a large sea snail. Conchs are valued for their meat, shell, and non-nacreous pearls. Conch pearls are formed by concentric layers of fibrous calcium. This layering often produces a much-desired flame structure, which is characteristic of conch pearls. Because they are a calcareous concretion, the pearls have a porcelain finish and luster, very similar to the interior of the conch shell. Conch pearls are usually found as a by-product as fishermen clean their catch for conch meat. The gems are usually baroque or oval and generally a salmon-colored orange pink.

Triplite is named for its three cleavage planes that are oriented at right angles to each other. The structure of this stone, combined with its brittle nature, makes faceting very difficult. Successfully faceted triplite gems are coveted by collectors.

Diaspore is beautiful and exotic in a soft, subtle manner. It is also one of the lesser known of the color-change gemstones. Some of the finest examples of gem quality diaspore are found in Turkey's Anatolian Mountains, but it can be found in numerous places around the globe. A rising star in fine jewelry, it's easy to fall in love with its sparklingly brilliant, tranquil earthy colors.