Glossary

A

Acrylic: A synthetic polymer used to imitate gemstones.
Actinolite: A green to yellowish-green amphibole mineral, often used as a minor gemstone, especially in fibrous or compact forms.
Adamite: A rare zinc arsenate mineral with green to yellow hues, typically found in oxidized zinc deposits.
Agate: A variety of chalcedony, characterized by its fine grain and layered appearance.
Albite: A white to pale-colored feldspar mineral, common in granite and pegmatites, sometimes used in jewelry.
Alexandrite: A color-changing variety of chrysoberyl, prized for its unique properties.
Algodonite: A rare copper arsenide mineral, usually metallic with a grayish color, not commonly used in jewelry.
Alluvial: Deposits of gemstones found in riverbeds, created by erosion.
Almandine: A deep red variety of garnet, often used in jewelry.
Almandine-Pyrope (Garnet): A blend of the red almandine and pyrope garnets, often showing a deep red color.
Amber Inclusions: Organic inclusions found in amber, often containing ancient insects or plant material, creating unique historical value.
Amber: A fossilized tree resin often used in jewelry.
Amethyst: A purple variety of quartz, highly valued as a gemstone.
Ametrine: A naturally occurring hybrid of amethyst and citrine.
Anatase: A rare form of titanium dioxide, typically brown to black, known for its high luster, though not a common gemstone.
Angled Cut: A cut designed with multiple facets at various angles to enhance brilliance.
Anhydrite (Angelite): A light blue, translucent mineral, often associated with gypsum and used as a calming stone in spiritual practices.
Anhydrite: A mineral that can be used as a gemstone, often found in evaporite deposits.
Anorthite: A feldspar mineral, usually white or gray, not commonly used in jewelry but important geologically.
Antique Cut: A style of cutting diamonds and gemstones that was popular in the 19th century.
Apatite: A phosphate mineral that can occur in various colors and is used in jewelry.
Apophyllite: A translucent to transparent mineral with a glassy luster, sometimes cut for collectors but not durable enough for jewelry.
Aquamarine: A blue to blue-green variety of beryl, reminiscent of the ocean.
Aragonite: A mineral that can be cut and polished for use as a gemstone.
Artificial Gemstone: A man-made gemstone created to mimic natural stones.
Artisanal Glass: Handcrafted or specialty glass, sometimes used as a gemstone alternative in jewelry.
Augelite: A rare phosphate mineral that can appear as transparent crystals in pale shades, typically green or white.
Axinite: A brown or violet-brown borosilicate mineral, prized for its pleochroism and used as a minor gemstone.

B

Bayldonite: A rare, vivid green copper-lead arsenate mineral, not used extensively as a gemstone due to its softness.
Bearding: Fine, hairline cracks that extend from the girdle (edge) of the diamond.
Benitoite: A rare, blue barium titanium silicate, highly sought after for its striking color and brilliance, found primarily in California.
Beryl Blue: A term used to describe the blue variety of beryl.
Beryl: A mineral that includes several gemstones like emerald and aquamarine.
Beryllonite: A rare phosphate mineral, usually colorless, used occasionally in faceted gemstones for collectors.
Bicolor: A term describing gemstones that exhibit two distinct colors.
Bismutotantalite: A rare bismuth-tantalum oxide mineral, typically found in pegmatites, not often used as a gemstone.
Black Diamond: A diamond that is opaque and often used in unique jewelry designs.
Blemish: An external flaw on a gemstone’s surface, such as scratches or chips.
Blister Pearl: A type of pearl that forms attached to the inside of the shell.
Bohemian Garnet: A type of garnet often found in vintage jewelry, known for its deep red hue.
Boulder Opal: Opal found in ironstone or other host rock, valued for its unique patterns.
Brass: A metal alloy used in some jewelry settings.
Brazilian Emerald: Emeralds sourced from Brazil, characterized by their unique color.
Brilliance: The amount of light that a diamond reflects, contributing to its sparkle.
Briolette: A pear-shaped gemstone cut with facets all over its surface.
Brookite: A rare titanium dioxide mineral, brown to black in color, sometimes cut for collectors.
Brushed Finish: A matte finish applied to metal settings to reduce shine and enhance texture.
Buffering: The process of polishing a gemstone to enhance its surface quality.
Bytownite: A rare feldspar mineral in the plagioclase series, usually pale yellow or gray, sometimes used in gemstone jewelry.

C

Cabochon: A gemstone that is shaped and polished but not faceted, usually with a smooth, rounded surface.
Calcareous Concretions: Rounded, often irregular mineral deposits primarily composed of calcium carbonate, not typically used in jewelry.
Calcite: Carbonate mineral inclusions that can appear in various gemstones, affecting clarity and visual complexity.
Calf Cut: A rare, curved diamond resembling the shape of a calf’s hoof, offering a smooth, elegant silhouette often used in custom, artistic jewelry designs.
Carat: A unit of weight for gemstones, equal to 200 milligrams.
Carnelian: A reddish-brown variety of chalcedony used as a gemstone.
Cassiterite: A tin oxide mineral, brown to black, sometimes used as a gemstone when transparent varieties are available.
Catapleiite: A rare sodium zirconium silicate mineral, typically light in color, sometimes used in collection-grade jewelry.
Cavities: Hollow areas or holes that occur when part of a crystal breaks away during the cutting process.
Cavities: Hollow spaces or pits within the gemstone, which can form during crystallization. They are commonly found in diamonds and other gemstones.
Chabazite: A rare zeolite mineral, usually white or colorless, occasionally cut into gemstones for collectors.
Chalcedony: A microcrystalline variety of quartz, often used in cabochons and beads.
Chambersite: A very rare halide mineral, reddish-brown in color, and sometimes used as a collector’s gem.
Chiolite: A rare, colorless to white fluoride mineral, sometimes found in pegmatites, occasionally faceted as a curiosity gem.
Chromite: A black or brownish-black mineral, the main ore of chromium, not commonly used in jewelry.
Chrysoberyl: A mineral that includes alexandrite and is prized for its color-changing properties.
Citrine: A yellow variety of quartz, often used in jewelry.
Clarity Grade: A system used to evaluate the clarity of gemstones.
Clarity: A measure of a gemstone’s internal and external flaws.
Cleavage: A flat break in the diamond that occurs along its natural planes.
Cloud: Group of closely clustered pinpoints that can create a hazy area in the diamond.
Clouds: Groups of tiny, indistinct inclusions that create a cloudy appearance, affecting the stone’s clarity. They can be found in various gemstones, including diamonds and sapphires.
Coffin Cut: A dramatic, edgy diamond with a shape resembling a coffin, typically used in gothic or unconventional jewelry for a bold, distinctive look.
Color Change: A phenomenon where a gemstone changes color under different lighting conditions.
Color Grade: A system used to evaluate the color quality of gemstones, particularly diamonds.
Color Zoning: Variations in color within a gemstone due to differences in mineral composition or environmental conditions during formation. Common in gems like tourmaline and beryl.
Color: The hue of a gemstone, one of the key factors in determining its value.
Colorless Diamond: A diamond that is transparent and devoid of color.
Columbite: A mineral that can yield gemstones, often found in pegmatites.
Creedite: A rare sulfate-fluoride mineral, often purple or orange, sometimes cut into gemstones for collectors.
Cryolite: A rare fluoride mineral, once important in aluminum processing, sometimes used as a gem in a translucent white form.
Crystal Inclusions: Small, mineral crystals trapped within the diamond during its formation, affecting clarity and beauty.
Crystal: Mineral crystals trapped inside the diamond during its formation.
Crystals: Small mineral crystals trapped within a gemstone during its formation. They can enhance the stone’s uniqueness and are often found in quartz and beryl.
Cubic Zirconia: A synthetic gemstone that simulates diamonds.
Cushion Cut: A square or rectangular cut with rounded corners and larger facets.
Cushion Square: A square-shaped diamond with rounded, pillow-like edges and brilliant-cut facets, combining vintage charm with a modern, soft appearance and excellent light reflection.
Cut: Refers to how a gemstone is shaped and faceted.

D

Datolite: A rare borosilicate mineral, typically pale green or white, occasionally cut as a collector’s gemstone.
Dendrites: Tree-like or fern-like inclusions formed by the growth of iron or manganese oxides, often found in agate and other chalcedony varieties.
Dendritic Agate: A type of agate that contains branch-like inclusions.
Diamond Cutting: The process of shaping and faceting a diamond to enhance its sparkle.
Diamond Dust: Fine particles of diamond used in some industrial applications.
Diamond Fluorescence: The phenomenon where a diamond emits visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Diamond: A precious gemstone composed of carbon, known for its hardness and brilliance.
Diaspore: A rare aluminum oxide hydroxide mineral, often exhibiting color-changing properties, used in fine jewelry.
Dichroism: The ability of a gemstone to show different colors when viewed from different angles.
Dolomite: A calcium magnesium carbonate mineral, typically white or pink, sometimes polished as a gemstone.
Dome Cut: A method of cutting a gemstone where the surface is polished to create a rounded top.
Doublet: A composite gemstone made from two different materials.
Dravite (Brown Tourmaline): A dark brown to yellow-brown variety of tourmaline, often used as a gemstone in its translucent form.
Drusy: A layer of tiny crystals that form on the surface of a mineral.
Dumortierite: A blue to violet aluminum borosilicate mineral, sometimes used as a gemstone, especially when fibrous.
Dumortierite: A rare blue gemstone often used in jewelry.
Durability: The ability of a gemstone to resist scratches, chipping, or breaking.
Durhamite: A term used to describe a specific geological formation associated with certain gemstones.
Dusting: The process of applying a thin layer of powder to a gemstone for enhancement.

E

Ekanite: A rare silicate mineral that may contain traces of uranium, often green, and sometimes faceted for collectors.
Emerald Square: A step-cut diamond with a square shape and beveled corners, offering a sophisticated, symmetrical look that highlights the stone’s clarity over brilliance.
Eosphorite: A rare manganese aluminum phosphate, typically pink to brown, used occasionally in collector’s jewelry.
Epaulette Cut: A trapezoidal step-cut diamond, often used as an accent stone in high-end jewelry, known for its clean lines and sophisticated, angular design.
Ettringite: A rare sulfate mineral, usually yellow, not often used in jewelry due to its softness.
Euxenite: A rare niobium-tantalum mineral, usually black or brown, sometimes used as a collector’s gemstone.

F

Facet: A flat surface on a gemstone, contributing to its sparkle and brilliance.
Faceted Garnet: Garnet that has been cut with multiple facets to enhance its sparkle.
Fan Cut: A unique diamond resembling a fan with a curved top and a pointed base, often used for accent stones in custom or art deco-inspired designs.
Fancy Color Diamonds: Diamonds that come in colors other than the standard clear, such as pink, blue, or yellow.
Fancy Color Sapphire: A sapphire that exhibits colors beyond the typical blue, including pink, yellow, and orange.
Fancy Cut: A non-standard shape for gemstones, allowing for unique designs.
Feather: Small cracks or fractures within the diamond that can resemble a feather. Depending on the size and location, they can affect durability.
Feathers: Thin, hair-like fractures that resemble feathers. They can affect the clarity and durability of the stone, often found in diamonds and colored gemstones.
Fire Opal: A type of opal that exhibits vibrant colors and often shows a play-of-color.
Fire: The dispersion of light into various colors, especially in diamonds.
Flake Diamond: A type of diamond characterized by its thin, flat shape.
Flaw: Any imperfection in a gemstone, affecting its clarity or overall appearance.
Floral Setting: A jewelry setting design inspired by flowers, often used for gemstone rings.
Fluorescence: The phenomenon where some gemstones emit light when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Fluorite: A mineral often used in jewelry and known for its vibrant colors.
Forged Gemstones: Created under high pressure and temperature conditions, mimicking natural stones.
Formation: The geological process by which gemstones develop within the earth.
Fossil Stone: Stones that have preserved remnants of prehistoric organisms, often used in jewelry.
Fossil: Preserved remains of ancient organisms, sometimes used as gemstones.
Fossilized Coral: Coral that has been replaced by minerals, creating a unique gemstone.
Fossilized Wood: Wood that has turned into a gemstone through the process of permineralization.
Fracture Filling: A treatment process to improve the appearance of gemstones by filling cracks with resin.
Fracture Filling: A treatment process to improve the appearance of gemstones.
Friction Setting: A jewelry setting where the gemstone is held in place by the pressure of the metal surrounding it.
Friedelite: A rare manganese silicate mineral, often pink to red, sometimes used as a collector’s stone.
Fritillary Stone: A term sometimes used to describe a specific type of polished stone used in jewelry.
Frosted Quartz: A type of quartz that has a frosted appearance, often used in jewelry design.
Frustration Setting: A jewelry setting where the gemstone is held in place by the pressure of the metal.
Fuchsia: A bright pink color often seen in gemstones like tourmaline.
Fulgurite: A rare mineral formed when lightning strikes sand, creating a glassy texture.
Full Cut: A diamond cut that features 57 facets to maximize brilliance.
Fuzzy Quartz: A type of quartz with inclusions that give it a fuzzy appearance.

G

Gadolinite: A rare silicate mineral containing rare earth elements, typically black, and not often used in jewelry.
Garnet Tsavorite: A type of garnet that is green, often used in fine jewelry.
Garnet: A group of silicate minerals used as gemstones, found in various colors.
Gem Quality: The standards and characteristics that determine the suitability of a gemstone for jewelry.
Gemstone Treatments: Various methods used to enhance the appearance of gemstones.
Gemstone: A precious or semi-precious stone that is cut and polished for use in jewelry.
GIA: Gemological Institute of America, a prominent organization for gem certification and education.
Glet: A cluster of small crystals or pinpoint inclusions, often creating a cloudy appearance.
Goethite: A brown iron oxide inclusion that can create texture and color contrast within gemstones.
Gold: A precious metal often used in jewelry settings.
Goshenite: A colorless variety of beryl, often used as a substitute for diamonds.
Grading: The assessment of a gemstone’s quality based on color, cut, clarity, and carat weight.
Graining: Irregularities in the diamond’s crystal structure appearing as faint lines or streaks.
Green Diamond: A rare type of diamond that exhibits green coloration.
Green Tourmaline: A variety of tourmaline known for its green hues.

H

Halite: A mineral also known as rock salt, sometimes cut and polished for decorative purposes.
Hambergite: A rare borate mineral, usually colorless to pale gray, occasionally faceted for collectors.
Hardness: A measure of a gemstone’s resistance to scratching, commonly evaluated using the Mohs scale.
Heated Gemstones: Gemstones that have been treated with heat to enhance color and clarity.
Hematite: An iron oxide mineral that can be used as a gemstone.
Hematite: Iron oxide inclusions that can create a metallic luster within gemstones, often enhancing visual appeal.
Herderite: A rare calcium beryllium phosphate, often pale in color, and used occasionally as a collector’s gemstone.
Herkimer Diamond: A type of double-terminated quartz crystal, often used in jewelry.
Hessonite: A variety of garnet known for its orange to brown color.
Hexagon Cut: A six-sided geometric diamond that can feature step or brilliant cuts, providing a bold, angular appearance in vintage and contemporary jewelry.Honey Quartz: A variety of quartz that has a yellowish hue, resembling honey.
Hexagonal: Refers to the crystal system of diamonds and some gemstones, impacting their structure.
High Clarity: A gemstone with very few internal or external flaws.
High Relief: A technique used in jewelry design to create a raised effect.
Hollow Stone: A gemstone that has been carved out to create a hollow interior.
Host Rock: The rock in which a gemstone is found.
Huebnerite (Hübnerite): A rare manganese tungstate mineral, reddish-brown to black, sometimes faceted as a collector’s stone.
Humite: A rare silicate mineral, often yellow, brown, or orange, sometimes cut as a collector’s gemstone.
Hureaulite: A rare manganese phosphate mineral, usually pink to red, used occasionally in collector’s jewelry.
Hurlbutite: A rare phosphate mineral, typically white or colorless, sometimes cut for collectors.

I

Imperial Topaz: A rare variety of topaz known for its golden-orange color.
Inclusion: A natural flaw or impurity within a gemstone.
Inclusions: Internal flaws or impurities found within a gemstone, affecting its clarity.
Inderite: A rare hydrous borate mineral, often white, and occasionally cut as a collector’s stone.
Indicolite: A blue to blue-green variety of tourmaline.
Internal Grain Lines: Similar to graining but more pronounced. These lines can affect transparency and appearance.
Internal Graining: Parallel lines or bands that can affect the appearance and light performance of gemstones, often seen in topaz and tourmaline.
Investment Gemstones: Precious stones bought with the intention of gaining value over time.
Iolite: A blue-violet gemstone often used as a sapphire substitute.
Iolite: A blue-violet gemstone, often used as a sapphire substitute.
Iridescence: A phenomenon where a gemstone exhibits multiple colors when viewed from different angles.
Iridescence: A phenomenon where gemstones show different colors when viewed from different angles.
Iron Staining: Discolorations caused by iron that can affect the clarity and color of gemstones like quartz and amethyst.
Isotropic: A term used to describe minerals that have the same physical properties in all directions.
Ivory: A material from animal tusks, sometimes used in jewelry design.

J

Jade: A green gemstone, often carved into intricate shapes for jewelry and art.
Jadeite: A variety of jade that is rarer and more valuable.
Jasper: A form of chalcedony, often used in cabochons and beads.
Jeremejevite: A rare aluminum borate, often blue or colorless, highly prized for its rarity in the gem market.
Jet: A type of lignite that can be polished to create a glossy black gemstone.
Jewel Quality: The classification of gemstones based on their suitability for use in jewelry.
Jewel: A precious or semi-precious stone used in jewelry.
Jeweler’s Loop: A magnifying lens used by jewelers to inspect gemstones.
Jewelers: Professionals who design, create, and sell jewelry, often working with gemstones.
Jewelers’ Rouge: A polishing compound used to enhance the shine of metals.
Jingle: A term used to describe the sound of jewelry when it moves.
Jumarite: A rare mineral sometimes used in jewelry.
Junoite: A type of gemstone with unique properties.

K

Kämmererite: A rare chromium-bearing mineral, typically purple or pink, sometimes used as a collector’s gemstone.
Karats: A measure of the purity of gold, often used in conjunction with gemstones in jewelry.
Knot: A visible internal facet where the diamond’s crystal structure is disrupted, creating a unique pattern.
Kunite: A pink to lilac variety of spodumene used in jewelry.
Kyanite: A blue gemstone known for its unique color and properties.

L

Lab-created Diamond: A diamond created in a lab using advanced technology to mimic natural diamond formation.
Labradorite: A feldspar mineral known for its iridescent optical effect called labradorescence.
Labradorite: Contains inclusions that create a phenomenon known as labradorescence, enhancing its color play.
Langbeinite: A rare potassium magnesium sulfate, not typically used in jewelry but important industrially.
Lapidary: The art of cutting and polishing gemstones.
Lapis Lazuli: A deep blue metamorphic rock used as a gemstone.
Larimar: A rare blue variety of pectolite found only in the Dominican Republic.
Laser Drill Holes: These are man-made inclusions created when lasers are used to remove black spots or inclusions within the diamond.
Lattice: A term used to describe the arrangement of facets on a gemstone.
Lawsonite: A rare hydrous calcium aluminum silicate, often pale blue, sometimes cut as a collector’s gemstone.
Lazulite: A blue magnesium aluminum phosphate, often used as a collector’s gemstone.
Lead Glass: A material used to enhance the clarity of gemstones.
Legrandite: A rare zinc arsenate mineral, often yellow, highly prized as a collector’s gem.
Lemon Quartz: A yellow variety of quartz, often used in jewelry.
Lepidolite: A type of mica that can appear as inclusions within other stones, known for its lilac color.
Leucite: A rare silicate mineral, usually white or gray, not commonly used as a gemstone.
Light Blue Sapphire: A sapphire that exhibits a light blue color.
Light Yellow Diamond: A diamond that has a light yellow hue.
Linarite: A rare copper sulfate mineral, typically vivid blue, sometimes cut for collectors.
Ludlamite: A rare phosphate mineral, usually green, occasionally cut as a collector’s gemstone.
Luminescence: The emission of light from a gemstone when energized by certain wavelengths.
Luster: The way a gemstone reflects light, contributing to its overall appearance.

M

Magnesite: A white or colorless magnesium carbonate mineral, often used as a gemstone or as a turquoise imitation when dyed.
Magnetite: A black, metallic mineral that is magnetic, usually not used as a gemstone but highly valued in the iron industry.
Malachite: A green mineral known for its unique banded patterns, often used in jewelry.
Marquise Cut: An elongated diamond shape with pointed ends, resembling a boat.
Matrix: The surrounding rock or mineral that contains gemstones.
Maw Sit Sit: A striking green gemstone from Myanmar, often confused with jade, containing a mix of minerals including jadeite and kosmochlor.
Melee: Small diamonds or gemstones used as accents in jewelry.
Mellite: A rare aluminum silicate mineral, typically honey-colored, occasionally cut as a gemstone for collectors.
Mica: Flaky, shiny inclusions that can give a reflective quality to gemstones. Commonly found in quartz and tourmaline.
Mimetite: A rare lead arsenate mineral, typically yellow or green, sometimes used in collector’s jewelry.
Mineral: A naturally occurring inorganic substance, the building blocks of gemstones.
Mohs Scale: A scale that measures the hardness of minerals, ranging from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).
Moissanite: A diamond simulant known for its brilliance and fire, often used as a diamond alternative.
Moldavite: A green glass formed by a meteorite impact, often used in jewelry.
Monazite: A rare-earth phosphate mineral, usually brown or yellow, sometimes faceted for collectors due to its radioactive nature.
Moonstone: A gemstone known for its unique adularescence, giving it a glowing bluish appearance.
Morganite: A pink to peach variety of beryl, highly prized for its soft hues and often used in fine jewelry.
Moss Agate: A type of agate that contains green or brown inclusions resembling moss.
Mother of Pearl: The iridescent inner layer of some mollusk shells, used in jewelry.
Mozambican Ruby: Rubies sourced from Mozambique, known for their deep red color.
Multicolor Tourmaline: A variety of tourmaline that exhibits multiple colors in one stone.
Mythical Stones: A term used to describe gemstones with historical or cultural significance.

N

Narsarsukite: A rare titanium silicate mineral, typically yellow to brown, sometimes cut for collectors.
Natrolite: A white or colorless zeolite mineral, sometimes faceted for collectors, though too soft for regular jewelry use.
Natural Gemstone: A gemstone that has been formed by natural processes without human intervention.
Natural Pearl: A pearl formed without human intervention, highly valued for its rarity.
Natural: A term referring to the presence of inclusions formed naturally during a diamond’s formation, which can include various types of impurities.
Needle: Long, thin crystal inclusions that resemble tiny needles. They are often white but can sometimes be seen in other colors.
Nephrite: A variety of jade known for its toughness and rich green color.
Neptunite: A rare silicate mineral, typically black or dark red, sometimes faceted as a collector’s gemstone.
Niccolite: A copper-red nickel arsenide mineral, usually metallic, not commonly used in jewelry.
Nickel: A metal that can be used in some jewelry alloys.
Nodule: A rounded lump of mineral material, sometimes containing gemstones
Nugget: A natural, uncut piece of a gemstone or metal, often used in jewelry.

O

Obsidian: A natural volcanic glass, typically black but found in various colors, used widely in jewelry and ornamentation.
Oligoclase: A variety of plagioclase feldspar, sometimes used as a gemstone when it shows aventurescence (a glittery effect).
Opal: A gemstone known for its play of color and unique patterns.
Opalite: A man-made glass often used to mimic opal.
Opalized Wood: Fossilized wood that has been replaced by opal.
Orange Sapphire: A variety of sapphire that exhibits orange color.
Oregon Sunstone: A type of feldspar known for its unique copper inclusions.
Organic Gemstone: Gemstones formed from living organisms, such as pearls and coral.
Oval Cut: A popular diamond shape that combines the elegance of a round cut with an elongated appearance.

P

Pearl: An organic gemstone formed within the shells of certain mollusks, valued for its luster.
Pearly: A term used to describe the iridescent quality of certain gemstones.
Pectolite: A rare silicate mineral, most notably known for the blue variety called Larimar, found in the Dominican Republic.
Pentlandite: A nickel iron sulfide mineral, metallic in appearance, not typically used as a gemstone.
Peridot: A green gemstone, often used in jewelry and known for its vibrant color.
Petalite: A lithium aluminum silicate mineral often used in jewelry.
Petrified Wood: Wood that has turned to stone through the process of permineralization.
Phenakite (Phenacite): A rare beryllium silicate mineral, colorless to yellow, sometimes used as a gemstone and known for its brilliance.
Phenomenon: Unique optical effects seen in certain gemstones, such as asterism or chatoyancy.
Phlogopite: A brown to greenish-brown mica mineral, sometimes used as a collector’s stone.
Pink Diamond: A rare diamond that exhibits pink coloration.
Pinpoints: Tiny, dot-like inclusions that can occur within diamonds, often made up of minerals or other diamond material.
Platinum: A precious metal often used in high-end jewelry settings.
Plume Agate: A variety of agate characterized by plume-like inclusions.
Pockets: Small voids within a gemstone that can contain gas or liquid, often affecting clarity.
Polished Finish: A shiny finish applied to gemstones or metals to enhance their appearance.
Polishing: The final step in gemstone preparation, enhancing its surface and luster.
Pollucite: A rare cesium aluminum silicate, usually colorless or white, sometimes cut as a gemstone for collectors.
Precious Gemstone: A category of gemstones considered highly valuable, including diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.
Precious Stone: A gemstone that is rare and valuable, typically including diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies.
Prehnite: A green to yellow mineral, often used in jewelry and popular for its soft glow and translucence.
Primary Colors: The three base colors used to create other colors (red, blue, yellow).
Proustite: A rare silver arsenic sulfide mineral, typically deep red, known as “ruby silver,” used in collector’s jewelry.
Psilomelane: A manganese oxide mineral, typically black with a metallic luster, sometimes used in jewelry in its botryoidal form.
Pyrargyrite: A silver sulfide mineral, deep red
Pyrite: A mineral also known as “fool’s gold,” often used in jewelry.
Pyrolusite: A manganese dioxide mineral, typically black, not commonly used as a gemstone but important for its industrial uses.
Pyrrhotite: A metallic mineral, usually bronze to brass yellow, not commonly used in jewelry due to its brittleness.

Q

Quality Assessment: An evaluation process determining a gemstone’s value based on established criteria.
Quality Grade: A system used to evaluate gemstones based on their quality characteristics.
Quality: Refers to the overall characteristics of a gemstone, including clarity, color, and cut.
Quartz Crystal: A crystalline form of quartz that can be used in jewelry.
Quartz: A common mineral that comes in various colors and forms, widely used in jewelry.
Quartzite: A hard metamorphic rock that can be polished and used as a decorative stone.

R

Radiant Cut: A diamond cut that combines the elegance of an emerald cut with the brilliance of a round cut.
Radiant Square: A square diamond with cropped corners and a brilliant-cut facet pattern, combining the sharp lines of a square with the dazzling sparkle of a round-cut diamond.
Rhodizite: A rare beryllium aluminum borate, typically yellow to red, occasionally used as a collector’s gemstone.
Rhodochrosite: A manganese carbonate mineral, typically pink, highly valued for its beauty in jewelry.
Rhodolite: A variety of garnet that is pink to purplish-red in color.
Rhodonite: A pink to red manganese silicate mineral, often used as a gemstone and appreciated for its unique patterns.
Riebeckite (Crocidolite): A dark blue amphibole mineral, known for its fibrous nature, sometimes used in jewelry.
Rose Cut: A style of cutting gemstones that features a flat base and a dome-shaped top.
Rose Quartz: A pink variety of quartz, often used in jewelry.
Rough Gemstone: A gemstone in its natural, uncut state before processing.
Rubellite: A red to pink variety of tourmaline, often used in jewelry.
Ruby Zoisite: A combination of ruby and zoisite, often used in jewelry for its unique colors.
Ruby: A red variety of corundum, highly valued for its color and rarity.
Rutilated Quartz: Quartz that contains needle-like rutile inclusions, creating striking patterns and enhancing the stone’s beauty.

S

Sagenitic: A type of inclusion in quartz where rutile or other needle-like minerals create patterns, often enhancing the stone’s visual complexity.
Samarskite: A rare uranium-bearing mineral, usually black, not commonly used as a gemstone.
Sandstone: A sedimentary rock that can be cut and polished for decorative purposes.
Sanidine: A variety of feldspar sometimes used in gemstone applications.
Sapphire Blue: A specific shade of blue associated with sapphires.
Sapphire Inclusions: Various inclusions, including silk and needles, that can enhance the color and overall beauty of sapphires.
Sapphire: A blue variety of corundum, also available in various colors, valued for its beauty and durability.
Sapphire: A blue variety of corundum, prized for its color and durability.
Sarcolite: A rare mineral occasionally used as a gemstone.
Sardonyx: A variety of chalcedony with alternating layers of sard and onyx.
Satin Finish: A finish applied to metal settings, giving a soft sheen.
Scarab: An ancient symbol often made from gemstones, used in jewelry.
Scheelite: A calcium tungstate mineral, often yellow or blue-white, occasionally cut for collectors.
Schiller: A phenomenon seen in certain gemstones that results in a shimmering effect.
Scintillation: The sparkle or flashes of light seen in a gemstone when moved.
Scorodite: A rare iron arsenate mineral, typically blue to green, occasionally used as a collector’s gemstone.
Sculptural Cut: A unique gemstone cut that emphasizes artistic design.
Seminavette Cut: A modified marquise-like shape with a more rounded or elongated center, creating a smooth, elegant outline often used in antique or custom jewelry.
Semi-precious Stone: A gemstone that is less valuable than precious stones, but still used in jewelry.
Serpentine: A green mineral often used as a gemstone.
Setting: The way a gemstone is mounted in jewelry, impacting its visibility and protection.
Shape: The outline or form of a gemstone, influencing its appearance.
Shell Pearl: Imitation pearls made from natural shells.
Silk: Fine, hair-like rutile inclusions that create a silky sheen. Often found in sapphires, they can enhance the appearance of the gemstone.
Sillimanite: A rare aluminum silicate mineral, typically brown or green, sometimes used in fine jewelry.
Sinhalite: A rare magnesium aluminum borate, typically brown to green, valued as a gemstone for its rarity.
Skutterudite: A cobalt arsenide mineral, usually gray or black, not commonly used in jewelry.
Smithsonite: A zinc carbonate mineral, often found in pastel colors, occasionally used as a gemstone.
Smoky Quartz: A brown to black variety of quartz, often used in jewelry.
Sodalite: A blue mineral often used in jewelry and decorative items.
Solid Gemstone: A gemstone that is not composite and is entirely made of one material.
Sphalerite: A zinc sulfide mineral, usually brown to black, known for its high refractive index and sometimes used in jewelry.
Spinel: A gemstone that can occur in various colors, often mistaken for ruby or sapphire.
Spodumene (Kunzite, Hiddenite): A lithium aluminum silicate, known for its pink (kunzite) or green (hiddenite) varieties, prized in jewelry.
Star Sapphire: A type of sapphire that exhibits a star-shaped pattern.
Staurolite: A brown or reddish-brown mineral, often found as twinned crystals, used occasionally as a collector’s stone.
Stephanite: A silver antimony sulfide mineral, typically dark gray, not commonly used in jewelry.
Stibnite: A sulfide mineral of antimony, usually metallic gray, not commonly used in jewelry due to its brittleness.
Stichtite: A rare mineral often used in jewelry.
Stone Cutting: The process of shaping gemstones to enhance their beauty.
Storage: Proper methods of keeping gemstones to avoid damage.
Striations: Lines or grooves found on the surface of certain gemstones.
Strontianite: A carbonate mineral, typically white to green, occasionally used as a gemstone.
Sulfur: A bright yellow mineral, often used in its crystalline form for collectors, rarely as a gemstone.
Surface Graining: Lines or patterns on the surface of a diamond caused by internal stress or growth patterns, affecting its appearance.
Synthetic Gemstone: A man-made gemstone created in a laboratory to mimic natural stones.

T

Taaffeite: A rare beryllium aluminum oxide, typically purple to pink, highly prized for its beauty in jewelry.
Tanzanite: A blue-violet gemstone, a variety of zoisite, found only in Tanzania.
Tapered Baguette: A narrow, rectangular step-cut diamond with one end narrower than the other. Commonly used as side stones to complement center diamonds in engagement rings.
Thomsonite: A zeolite mineral, often pink or white, not commonly used in jewelry but valued for its unique crystal habits.
Tiger’s Eye: A golden to red-brown chatoyant gemstone known for its shimmering effect.
Topaz: A silicate mineral, commonly found in shades of blue, yellow, or pink.
Topazolite (Garnet): A rare yellow-green garnet variety, prized for its vibrant color in jewelry.
Tourmaline: Often found as inclusions in other gemstones, adding colorful, elongated crystals that enhance beauty.
Translucent: Describing gemstones that allow light to pass through but not detailed shapes.
Treatment: Any process applied to a gemstone to enhance its appearance, such as heat treatment or dyeing.
Tremolite: A rare amphibole mineral, usually light green to white, not commonly used in jewelry.
Triangle Cut: A three-sided diamond with sharp or slightly rounded edges, offering a bold, modern look with brilliant or step-cut facets for extra sparkle.
Trillion Cut: A triangular cut used for gemstones, popular in modern jewelry.
Triplet: A type of composite gemstone made of three layers to enhance color and stability.
Tugtupite: A rare mineral, typically pink, sometimes used as a collector’s gemstone.
Tumbled Stone: A stone that has been polished through a tumbling process.
Turgite: A rare mineral, typically red to brown, not commonly used as a gemstone.
Turquoise: A blue to green mineral often used in Native American jewelry.
Twinning Wisp: A result of crystal growth disturbances, twinning wisps are a combination of pinpoints, needles, and clouds in a swirl-like pattern. They occur in diamonds that underwent crystal twinning during formation.
Twinning: A type of crystal growth where two crystals share the same structure.

U

Ulexite: A borate mineral, often white and fibrous, known for its unique optical properties, not commonly used in jewelry.
Ultra Violet Light: A type of light that can reveal certain characteristics of gemstones, including fluorescence.
Ultramarine: A vibrant blue color often used in gemstones and art.
Uncut Diamond: A diamond that has not been shaped or polished for jewelry use.
Uncut Gemstone: A gemstone that has not undergone cutting or polishing, retaining its natural form.
Unheated Sapphire: A sapphire that has not been treated with heat to enhance its color.
Uvarovite: A rare green garnet often used in jewelry.

V

Value: The monetary worth of a gemstone, determined by its characteristics such as color, clarity, cut, and carat.
Vanadinite: A lead vanadate mineral, usually red to orange, occasionally used in jewelry for its vibrant color.
Variscite: A rare phosphate mineral, often green to blue, sometimes used in jewelry.
Verdite: A green metamorphic rock sometimes used in jewelry.
Vesuvianite (Idocrase): A calcium aluminum silicate, typically green, often used in jewelry for its rich color.
Villiaumite: A rare sodium fluoride mineral, usually red or dark pink, not commonly used in jewelry.
Vintage Cut: A style of gemstone cutting that resembles historical techniques.
Vintage Gemstones: Gemstones that have historical significance or age.
Violet Sapphire: A sapphire that exhibits a violet color.
VVS (Very Very Slightly Included): A clarity grading indicating very small inclusions not visible to the naked eye.

W

Watermelon Tourmaline: A bi-colored tourmaline with green on the outside and pink in the center, resembling a watermelon.
Wavellite: A rare aluminum phosphate mineral, usually green, sometimes used in jewelry.
Welo Opal: A type of opal from Ethiopia known for its vibrant colors.
Whetstone: A tool used to sharpen and polish gemstones.
White Diamond: A colorless diamond that is highly valued for its brilliance.
White Sapphire: A colorless variety of sapphire, often used as a diamond substitute.
Willemite: A zinc silicate mineral, typically green, sometimes used in jewelry and valued for its fluorescence.
Wire-Wrapped Jewelry: Jewelry created by wrapping wire around gemstones.
Wulfenite: A lead molybdate mineral, usually yellow or orange, occasionally used as a collector’s gemstone.

X

Xenotime: A rare phosphate mineral that can be a gemstone, often found in granite pegmatites.
X-Ray Diffraction: A technique used to analyze the crystal structure of gemstones.
Xyloid: A term describing wood-like patterns found in certain gemstones.

Y

YAG: Yttrium aluminum garnet, a synthetic material often used as a diamond substitute.
Yellow Diamond: A diamond that exhibits a yellow hue, often highly valued.
Yellow Sapphire: A sapphire that exhibits a yellow color, often used in jewelry.

Z

Zircon Inclusions: Natural zircon may contain various inclusions affecting its brilliance and clarity.
Zircon: A natural gemstone that can resemble diamonds, available in various colors.
Zoisite: A mineral that can be found in various colors, including green (thulite) and blue (tanzanite).
Zoning: The presence of different colors or clarity levels in a single gemstone, affecting its overall appearance and value.
Zoysia: A term sometimes used to describe a specific type of gemstone.
Zultanite: A color-change gemstone that shifts from green to brown.