Gemstones
What sets gemstones apart is their color, brilliance, and clarity. Factors such as rarity, extraction methods, hardness, and scratch resistance significantly influence their market value.
Rare Gemstones
Sapphire
Sapphire ranks as one of the most valuable gemstones, belonging to the corundum mineral group, primarily composed of aluminum oxide. This gemstone is available in various colors, including red, reddish-brown, and purplish-pink.
Diamond
Following sapphire, diamond holds significant importance. It is composed of carbon and forms under high-pressure and temperature conditions. Diamonds are prized for their clarity and transparency, with notable physical properties such as extreme hardness and durability.
Emerald
Emerald is ranked third in terms of significance and belongs to the beryl mineral family, which consists of beryllium and aluminum silicates. Unlike many gemstones, emeralds are typically found in hard rock and marble mines, exhibiting a rich, dark green color.
Blue Sapphire
Blue sapphire is a specific variety of corundum characterized by its blue hue and forms under intense heat and pressure. Known for its beauty and value, it is often referred to as “sapphire” and is available in all colors except red, with the blue variant being the most sought-after.
Agate
Agate is an opaque, unrefined mineral usually found in red but can also appear in yellow, green, blue, or gray. This type of quartz is commonly recognized as jasper.
Yemeni Agate
Yemeni agate, also known as carnelian, is a semi-transparent mineral composed of cryptocrystalline silica with iron oxide impurities. These impurities give it a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, and brown. The most famous variants are the red Yemeni agate, commonly referred to as “rummani,” and the brown type known as “kabidi.”
Amethyst
Amethyst is a transparent mineral, often referred to as eastern ruby due to its range of colors from light to deep purple. Its distinct violet hue arises from traces of manganese in its chemical structure. The authentic amethyst is a type of quartz composed of silicon dioxide.
Turquoise
Turquoise has been known since ancient times for its blue-green or grey-green color, occasionally transitioning to light green. This mineral is rarely found in crystalline form and is composed of an aluminum phosphate with water and copper content.
Topaz
Topaz is commonly referred to as yellow sapphire and is a transparent mineral primarily seen in a golden-yellow hue. However, variations can also be blue, brown, or yellow, forming its crystals within the cavities of hard rocks like granite and schist.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli, historically known as “lazurite,” is a semi-precious, opaque stone characterized by its rich, deep blue color. Its chemical composition is a combination of aluminum and sodium silicates mixed with iron and sulfur.
Opal
Opal is a semi-transparent gemstone featuring a spectrum of colors, including blue, white, rare black, Portuguese red, green, and yellow, exhibiting a striking iridescent sheen.