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    What Makes a Gem a Gem?
Of the many varieties of minerals in the Earth, only about twenty varieties qualify as gemstones. A gemstone must possess superior qualities of transparency, hardness, brilliancy, and colour.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/gems.shtml

Gem Cuts
Beautiful stones are faceted or fashioned into cabochons to bring out their brilliant light. Here you will find a diagram of all popular gem cuts.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/gemcuts.shtml

Gems that Last
Learn how to choose a gem with good hardness to last you a lifetime.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/hardness.shtml

Choose a Diamond!
Because of their unsurpassed qualities of hardness and brilliance, diamonds light up the hand as few other gems can. Experts know that there are four distinct qualities one always looks for in choosing a diamond.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/choosediamond.shtml

Birthstones
Every month of the year offers more than one option for choosing a birthstone and we hope you'll find this list helpful to you in dreaming up gifts for those you love - including you!
http://www.about-gemstones.com/birthstones.shtml

About Agates
Agate is a member of the family of Chalcedony which is a variety of Quartz. It features no crystals, and is translucent to transparent in its forms.
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About Amethysts
Amethyst forms large, hexagonal, prismatic crystals. It is prized in the jewelry trade for its vibrant colour and clarity.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/amethyst.shtml

About Aquamarine
Aquamarines are a member of the Beryl family. Prized for their pure, pale blue-green hue, the stones of this class fetch some of the highest prices in jewelry market today.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/aquamarine.shtml

About Citrines
Citrine is mined in Brazil and Madagascar and is faceted to enhance its brilliancy. It is prized in the jewelry trade for its yellow to amber colours.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/citrine.shtml

About Diamonds
The diamond remains the most popular gem chosen for engagement ring settings. Their superior hardness and brilliancy when faceted make them the stars of the gem trade.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/diamond.shtml

About Emeralds
Emeralds are a member of the Beryl family. Prized for their range of pure blue-green hues, the finest quality Emeralds are found in Colombia.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/emerald.shtml

About Garnets
The garnet family comprises a very large group of related silicates in a tremendous array of colours and may be found set in the crowns and ornaments of royalty.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/garnet.shtml

About Iolite
One of the charms of this mineral when faceted into the gem Iolite is that it appears to change colours from violet to grey, depending on the angle from which it is viewed.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/iolite.shtml

About Jade
The value of Jade depends on its transparency and flawlessness. It is easily carved and is fashioned into Cabochons, beads, earrings, and objects of decorative or religious significance.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/jade.shtml

About Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli is a stone of veined or mottled appearance and its value depends on a fine uniformity of colour. It is commonly carved into beads and large ornamental objects.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/lapis-lazuli.shtml

About Opals
Precious Opal is quite rare and the appearance of coloured sparks within the Opal are caused by interference of light, not body colour.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/opal.shtml

About Peridot
Peridot is the name given to gem-quality specimens of the mineral Olivine. The highly flawless, brilliant range of green hues have made them extremely popular in the manufacture of jewelry.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/peridot.shtml

About Quartz
The Quartz family comprises a tremendous array of minerals, including Amethyst, Citrine, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Milky Quartz, Aventurine, Cat's Eye, and Tigereye.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/quartz.shtml

About Rubies
The Ruby is the rarest gem in the family Corundum. Its deep red colour fetches highest prices in the jewelry arena and it may be either faceted or fashioned into Cabochons.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/ruby.shtml

About Sapphires
Though blue is the colour most commonly associated with Sapphires, they come in a staggering array of brilliant hues.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/sapphire.shtml

About Star Sapphires
Unlike the clear, faceted Sapphire, Star Sapphires are worked into Cabochons to display the reyed Star or Cat's Eye like striation in the center of the gem.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/star-sapphire.shtml

About Sunstones
Sunstone is the gem trade name for Oligoclase, and is a gem which is quickly gaining popularity on account of its beautiful spectrum of sunshine colours.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/sunstone.shtml

About Tanzanite
The vivid blue colouration of Tanzanite is much sought after in the gem field and it is faceted for use in fine jewelry.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/tanzanite.shtml

About Tigereye
Tigereye is a member of the Quartz family. Inclusions of other minerals give it its distinctive golden and brown parallel streaking.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/tigereye.shtml

About Topaz
Topaz is faceted to display its brilliance. Because of its almost infinite variety of colours, Topaz has long been a favourite in the jewelry industry.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/topaz.shtml

About Tourmaline
Tourmaline forms in hexagonal prismatic crystals in metamorphic and igneous rocks and veins. It is faceted and made into beads and has gained wide usage as a semiprecious gemstone.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/tourmaline.shtml

About Turquoise
Jewelry-quality Turquoise comes in a range of blues with white, brown, or black mottling. It is easily carved and makes fine Cabochons.
http://www.about-gemstones.com/turquoise.shtml


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