Zircon The name Zircon is most likely derived from the Persian word "Zargun" meaning "Golden Colour". This name would be referring to the yellow and light brown varieties of this gemstone, that were commonly traded in ancient times. This Persian word zargun evolved into the word "Jargon", which was used in medieval Europe to [...]

Tourmaline The name Tourmaline is derived from the Sinhalese word "Turamali", meaning "stone with mixed colours". The gemstone merchants in Sri Lanka used this term to describe gems of mixed colours. When in 1703, Dutch merchants from the East India Company started importing these multi-coloured gems, they also adopted the name. Since this gemstone [...]

Amber The name Amber is derived from the Arabic Word "Anbar", the word "Anbar" originally referred to Ambergris. Ambergris is a waxy, fragrant substance which comes from sperm whales. Since both Ambergris and Amber were frequently found washed up on beaches, they became associated and or confused. During the 14th century, a distinction was [...]

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 [...]