15 Types of Gemstones to Add a Little Sparkle to Your Life

This durable gemstone ranks hardest on the Mohs scale and remains a jewelry staple. Made from pure carbon, it forms under intense pressure and heat.

Diamonds can appear in many colors, but colorless diamonds remain the most popular.

A variety of the mineral corundum, blue sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness. Its vivid color makes it highly prized. Heat-treated stones enhance clarity and color, and they remain widely accepted in the gem trade.

Also a form of corundum, the ruby is known for its red color, which comes from chromium. This precious gem is commonly found in Myanmar, Mozambique, and Thailand.

A green variety of the mineral beryl, emeralds get their color from traces of chromium and vanadium. Though slightly more brittle, their rich color makes them a symbol of renewal.

This violet variety of mineral quartz was once considered as valuable as ruby and emerald. It's the birthstone of February and popular for its rich purple hue.

Opals show mixed colors through a phenomenon called "play-of-color." Found mainly in Australia, fire opal from Mexico adds fiery orange tones to the mix.

A blue green variety of beryl, aquamarine is named for the sea. It's commonly found in South America and often heat-treated to remove greenish tones.

Garnets range in color from purplish red to reddish brown to green. The Mali garnet, a green color hybrid, is a relative newcomer in the gem world.

This mineral can appear in pale yellow, colorless, and even pink shades. Imperial topaz is the most highly valued. Topaz is a durable gemstone often cut into faceted stone forms.

Formed in marine and freshwater mollusks naturally, pearls are purely organic. Lustrous baroque forms and subtly colored pearls offer variety. Direct sunlight and acids can damage them, so care is key.

This blue stone has a long history in art and jewelry. Unlike other gems, it's a rock made of multiple minerals. Its rich color makes it popular in carvings and beads.

This green stone is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. Often found in volcanic regions, it's one of the few gems that occurs in only one color.

A variety of quartz with a soft pink color, rose quartz is often carved into decorative items. It's abundant and affordable, fitting many personal style choices.

This effect appears in several stones but is most dramatic in chrysoberyl. The gem displays a bright line of light that moves with the viewer, resembling a cat's eye under incandescent light.

An extremely rare gemstone from Tanzania, tanzanite shows blue to violet hues. Tanzanite is a valuable variety because it forms in only one location.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.