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 Properties of Gemstones and Gem Materials
Achroite (tourmaline)
Actinolite
Alexandrite (chrysoberyl)
Almandine (garnet)
Amber
Amethyst (quartz)
Ametrine (quartz)
Andradite (garnet)
Andalusite
Apache Tear (obsidian)
Apatite
Aquamarine (beryl)
Axinite
Barite
Benitoite
Beryl
Bixbite (beryl)
Bytownite (feldspar)
Calcite
Cassiterite
Cerussite
Chrysoberyl
Citrine (quartz)
Clinozoisite (epidote)
Cordierite (iolite)
Corundum
Cubic Zirconia (CZ)
Danburite
Demantoid (garnet)
Diamond
Diopside
Dravite (tourmaline)
Ekanite
Elbaite (tourmaline)
Emerald (beryl)
Epidote
Euclase
Feldspar
Fluorite
Gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG)
Garnet
Goshenite (beryl)
Gypsum (selenite)
Hauynite
Heliodor (beryl)
Hiddenite (spodumene)
Indicolite (tourmaline)
Idocrase
Iolite
Kornerupine
Kunzite (spodumene)
Kyanite
Labradorite (feldspar)
Moldavite
Morganite (beryl)
Obsidian
Opal
Orthoclase (feldspar)
Padparadschah (corundum)
Peridot
Petalite
Piemontite (epidote)
Phenacite (phenakite)
Prasiolite (quartz)
Quartz
Rhodochrosite
Rhodolite (garnet)
Rubellite (tourmaline)
Ruby (corundum)
Sapphire (corundum)
Scapolite
Scheelite
Selenite
Sinhalite
Sphalerite
Sphene
Spinel
Spodumene
Schorl (tourmaline)
Spessartite (garnet)
Sunstone (feldspar)
Tanzanite
Topaz
Topazolite (garnet)
Tourmaline
Tektite (moldavite)
Tsavorite (garnet)
Verdelite (tourmaline)
Vesuvianite (idocrase)
Wulfenite
YAG (Yttrium aluminum garnet)
Zincite
Zircon
Zoisite (tanzanite)

    Information from:
  • Detection of Gemstone Enhancement by GIA
  • Faceting for Amateurs by Vargas
  • Gemstones of the World by Schumann
  • Handbook of Gem Identification by Robert Liddicoat, Jr.
  • Personal conversations with other faceters
  • Personal experience

Descriptions of Gem Materials - $23.95
Third Edition Revised
Descriptions of Gem Materials by Glenn and Martha Vargas
Soft cover, 8.5" x 11", 159 pages, copyright 2006
Sample page

Descriptions of Gem Materials is the most complete reference on natural and man-made gem materials available for gem cutters, gemologists and all others with an interest in gemstones. It provides a basis for gem identification and prepares the cutter for what may be expected when cabbing, carving or faceting a particular material. It covers the physical and optical properties for 346 distinct natural minerals and 56 man-made gems, more than 550 gem materials in all. Included are complete sets of tables for hardness, specific gravity and refractive index and information on common inclusions for each mineral. A complete list of varietal, alternate and incorrect names is presented and the pronunciation and derivation of gem names is provided.

Descriptions of Gem Materials is organized by eight major sections: Section 1 - Natural Gem Materials, Section 2 - Man-made Gem Materials, Section 3 - Table of Hardness, Section 4 - Table of Specific Gravity, Section 5 - Table of Refractive Index, Section 6 - Glossary of Important Geological Terms, Section 7 - Index of Alternate, Varietal and Incorrect Names, and Section 8 - Bibliography of Selected References.


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