The following table contains a list of the some more commonly used
variety names for the important gem species. In the absence of a
specific variety name, a stone is simply called by its species name
preceded by a color prefix ( e.g., red spinel, red tourmaline).
| Species |
Varieties |
| Corundum |
Ruby, Sapphire, Star sapphire, Blue
Spphire, Pink Sapphire, Fancy Spaphire, Color Change Sapphire,
Padparadscha |
| Chrysoberyl |
Cat's-eye, Alexandrite |
| Beryl |
Emerald, Aquamarine, Morganite,
Goshenite, Heliodor |
| Spinel |
Red Spinel, Vine Spinel, Blue Spinel |
| Topaz |
White Topaz, London Blue, Gold Toapaz,
Champagne, Blue Topaz |
| Tourmaline |
Bi Color Tourmaline, Chrome Tourmaline |
| Garnet Group |
|
| – Almandite |
Almandite or almandine |
| – Rhodolite |
|
| – Pyrope |
|
| – Grossularite |
Hessonite |
| – Spessartite |
Almandite or almandine |
| – Andradite |
Demantoid |
| Crystalline |
Rock crystal, Amethyst, Citrine
(or topaz-quartz), Cairngorm (or smoky quartz), Rose Quartz,
Aventurine, Tiger's-eye, Rutiliated Quartz |
| Cryptocrystalline |
Cryptocrystalline Chrysoprase, Carnelian,
Sard, Bloodstone, Agate, Onyx, Jasper, Agatized or Petrified
wood. |
| Peridot |
Chrysolite, Olivine |
| Spodumene |
Kunzite |
| Microcline |
Amazonite |
| Orthoclase |
Adularia or Moonstone. |
| Oligoclase |
Sunstone or Aventurine, Feldspar |
| Opal |
Black Opal, White Opal, Fire Opal |
The numerous trade names frequently encountered
for colors not included under the established variety names (e.g.,
"Gooseberry Garnet", "Imperial Jade" or "Burma
Ruby") are not shown on the table.
|
