Alexandrite Alexandrite was named after the then future Czar of Russia, Alexander II, having been reportedly found on his birthday, the 17th of April 1834. This gemstone is a variety of Chrysoberyl and has a colour-changing ability from green to red. Which led this gemstone to frequently be called "Emerald by day, Ruby by [...]
Topaz The name Topaz is most likely derived from the island in the Red Sea, formerly called "Topazos", now called Zabargad also known as St. John's island. Historically, this island was a source of Peridot and not Topaz. In the past, the name Topaz was the term used to describe all yellow, golden-brown and [...]
Tanzanite Tanzanite was named by Henry Platt of Tiffany & Co in 1968. The scientific name of this gemstone is "Blue Zoisite", but Henry decided on the name Tanzanite because it would be easier to market rather than using the scientific name. Henry thought that "Zoisite" sounded too much like "Suicide" and he feared [...]
Spinel The name Spinel is generally thought to be derived from the Latin word "Spina", which means "Thorn". This is in reference to the sharp and pointed crystals, which are characteristic of this gemstone. The other possible origin of the name is from the Greek word "Spithon" meaning "Spark", which refers to the stone's [...]
Peridot The name Peridot is most likely derived from the Arabic word 'faridat' which means gem. Historically, this stone was called Chrysolite, which is Greek for 'Gold Stone'. Chrysolite was also used to name various other yellow-green stones, such as Topaz, Tourmaline and yellow Berly. In mineralogy, Peridot is part of the mineral group [...]
Opal The name Opal is derived from the Indian word "Sanskrit" which means stone. Opal gemstone is divided into 3 subgroups: Precious Opal: Precious Opal displays a "Play-of-Colour" (iridescence). This play-of-colour is produced as a result of the silica spheres being arranged in a regular formation that diffract light. Within this subgroup there are different [...]
Moonstone The name Moonstone is derived from its shimmery appearance, called adularescence. Adularescence is a visual effect where a soft white or blueish white light appears to move beneath the surface of the gemstone. This effect is caused by light passing through ultra-thin microscopic layers of different feldspar minerals. The light is scattered and [...]
Malachite The name Malachite is most likely derived from the Greek word "Malache" meaning "Mallow" from mallow leaves which are a deep green colour. The name may also have derived from the Greek word "Malakos" which means "Soft", since this gemstone is relatively soft. This gemstone ranges in colour from light-green to black-green, in [...]
Lapis Lazuli The name Lapis Lazuli is derived from the Latin word for "Stone" and the Arabic word for "Blue". It is not considered a mineral itself but rather is a rock. As it is composed of several minerals in addition to Lazurite which accounts for typically 25 to 40 percent of the gemstone. [...]
Jet Jet derives its name from the ancient town of Gagae, in the Antalya province of Turkey. The gemstone was found near the estuary of the river Gages. The ancient Greeks and Romans called the stone "Lithos Gagates" which means "Stone of Gages". This then became the old French word "Jaiet" which in turn [...]