Gem by gem
Explore the colored gemstones of the world — their color, character and trade story, written for collectors, jewelers and the curious.
Family
Color
ChalcedonyAgateBanded chalcedony prized for its concentric patterns and wide range of earthy and vivid colors.Read more →
OrganicAmberFossilized tree resin in warm honey and gold tones, sometimes holding ancient insects or plant fragments.Read more →
February birthstoneQuartzAmethystPurple quartz from soft lilac to deep violet, and the traditional February birthstone.Read more →
QuartzAmetrineA natural quartz that blends purple amethyst and golden citrine within a single crystal.Read more →
March birthstoneBerylAquamarineSea-blue beryl known for its clarity and cool, fresh color. March birthstone.Read more →
BerylBerylsThe beryl family at a glance: emerald, aquamarine, morganite and other colors.Read more →
ChalcedonyBloodstoneDark green chalcedony speckled with red iron-oxide spots, long used in carvings and signet rings.Read more →
ZirconBlue Zircon "Cambolite"A vivid blue zircon, traded under the name Cambolite.Read more →
ChalcedonyChalcedonyMicrocrystalline quartz with a waxy luster, found in blues, whites and many other colors.Read more →
Other speciesChrome DiopsideAn intense, saturated forest-green gem colored by chromium.Read more →
Other speciesChrysoberylA hard, durable gem family that includes cat's-eye and the color-changing alexandrite.Read more →
November birthstoneQuartzCitrineGolden to orange-brown quartz with a warm glow. November birthstone.Read more →
QuartzClear QuartzColorless rock crystal, valued for its transparency and used in jewelry and carving.Read more →
OrganicCoralAn organic gem formed by marine polyps, from soft pink to deep red.Read more →
May birthstoneBerylEmeraldRich green beryl and one of the classic precious gems. May birthstone.Read more →
OpalFire OpalWarm orange-to-red opal, often transparent, sometimes flashing play-of-color.Read more →
January birthstoneGarnetGarnetA family of gems in nearly every color, best known for deep reds. January birthstone.Read more →
TourmalineGreen TourmalineTourmaline in shades from mint to deep forest green, also known as verdelite.Read more →
Other speciesIoliteA blue-violet gem with strong pleochroism, sometimes called water sapphire.Read more →
Other speciesJadeA tough ornamental stone, jadeite or nephrite, treasured for carving and its green hues.Read more →
ChalcedonyJasperOpaque chalcedony with bold patterns and earthy colors.Read more →
Other speciesKunzitePink-to-lilac spodumene with strong color, named for the gemologist George F. Kunz.Read more →
Other speciesLapis LazuliDeep blue rock flecked with golden pyrite, used in jewelry and art since antiquity.Read more →
Other speciesLarimarBlue pectolite from the Dominican Republic with white swirls that recall Caribbean waters.Read more →
GarnetMandarin GarnetA vivid orange spessartine garnet, prized for its fiery color.Read more →
June birthstoneOther speciesMoonstoneFeldspar with a floating, milky glow called adularescence. June birthstone.Read more →
BerylMorganitePink to peach beryl with a soft, romantic color.Read more →
TourmalineMulticolor TourmalineTourmaline showing several colors in one stone, such as pink and green watermelon crystals.Read more →
October birthstoneOpalOpalPrized for play-of-color, with flashes of the whole spectrum. October birthstone.Read more →
TourmalineParaiba TourmalineElectric neon blue-to-green tourmaline colored by copper, among the most coveted of gems.Read more →
June birthstoneOrganicPearlAn organic gem grown inside mollusks, with a soft, glowing luster. June birthstone.Read more →
August birthstoneOther speciesPeridotOlive to lime-green gem with a fresh glow. August birthstone.Read more →
QuartzQuartzOne of the most abundant minerals on Earth, found in many varieties and colors.Read more →
QuartzRose QuartzSoft pink quartz, usually translucent, often cut as beads and cabochons.Read more →
July birthstoneCorundumRubyRed corundum colored by chromium, one of the most valuable colored gems. July birthstone.Read more →
September birthstoneCorundumSapphireCorundum in every color but red, best known for blue. September birthstone.Read more →
August birthstoneOther speciesSpinelA brilliant gem in red, pink, blue and more, long mistaken for ruby. August birthstone.Read more →
December birthstoneOther speciesTanzaniteBlue-violet zoisite found near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. December birthstone.Read more →
November birthstoneOther speciesTopazA gem in many colors, from golden to blue. November birthstone.Read more →
TourmalineTourmalineA gem family with an exceptionally wide color range.Read more →
GarnetTsavoriteA vibrant green grossular garnet from East Africa.Read more →
December birthstoneOther speciesTurquoiseAn opaque blue-green stone prized for centuries. December birthstone.Read more →
December birthstoneZirconZirconA brilliant natural gem in blue, gold, red and more, not to be confused with cubic zirconia. December birthstone.Read more →No gems match that searchTry a different name, color or family.
Looking for your birthstone? See the traditional and modern birthstones for every month.