Gemstones Beginning with "A"

Abalone is the mother-of-pearl (nacre) of the abalone mollusk found along the coasts of Florida and California. It is very similar to the mother-of-pear of the Paua mollusk from New Zealand. It has a blue-green iridescent play of color. Sea opal is another term commonly used to describe abalone/paua, because of its resemblance to the color effects in the opal. See Pearl for more information.

Achroite is a colorless and rare variety of tourmaline. See Tourmaline for more information.

Agate is a member of the chalcedony species whose name is supposedly derived from the river Achates in Sicily. Agate comes in a wide variety of colors and effects, with many different trade names depending on color and structure. Often banded, it can vary from transparent to opaque and is often dyed to achieve a vivid color. Deposits can be found in Brazil, Uruguay, Australia, China, India, the Caucasus, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Wyoming and Montana. Mohs' hardness: 6-1/2 to 7.

Alexandrite is a chrysoberyl named after Czar Alexander II. It is green in natural daylight, but under artificial incandescent light it appears light red. Extremely rare, high quality alexandrite is among the most expensive of all gemstones. Deposits can be found in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Burma, Madagascar and Tanzania. See Chrysoberyl for more information.

Almandite is a red to dark reddish brown garnet, with a violet tint. Its name is derived from the town in Asia Minor. Deposits can be found in Brazil, India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, the United States, the Czech Republic and Austria. See Garnet for more information.

Amazonite, derived from the Amazon, is a mostly opaque light blue-green feldspar. The stone can vary from translucent to opaque, with occasional specks or streaks of white or green. Deposits can be found in Colorado, Brazil, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia and Russia. A brighter, deeper teal form is referred to as Russian amazonite. These deposits can be found in Russia, as well as Namibia. Amazonite is said to facilitate loving, compassionate communication; to clear congestion from the chest and throat areas, easing sore throats and coughs; to help balance the energy of the thyroid gland in the throat; and to help recovery from emotional dispute and traumas. Mohs' hardness: 6 to 6-1/2.

Amber is the fossilized, hardened resin of extinct evergreen trees, formed between 25 and 50 million years ago. The most common color is a translucent to opaque golden yellow, but can also be found in red, brown and green. Many pieces contain seeds or pollen grains that were absorbed into the resin when it was sticky. Some amber has been found to contain whole insects. The largest deposit is in Kaliningrad, Russia, but other deposits can be found in Sicily, Rumania, Burma, China, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Alaska and New Jersey. Amber is said to be warming and cheering to the spirits, bringing a sense of renewal and recharged energy levels. Mohs' hardness: 2 to 2-1/2.

Amethyst is a form of quartz ranging from a transparent deep, vivid purple to pale lilac. Heat treatment can also produce light yellow, red-brown, green or colorless varieties. Deposits can be found in Brazil, Madagascar, Zambia, Uruguay, Burma, India, Canada, Mexico, Namibia, Russia, Sri Lanka and Arizona. Amethyst is a Greek word that means "not drunk," and is said to help ward off negative influences and protect from environmental stress, as well as ease headaches and migraines. Mohs' hardness: 7.

Ametrine is a mixture of purple amethyst and yellow citrine. Deposits can be found in Brazil and Bolivia. Ametrine is said to improve metabolism and digestion of ideas as well as food; to help regulate body weight; and to enhance the immune system. Mohs' hardness: 7.

Andradite is a type of garnet named after a Portuguese mineralogist. Its color ranges from black to brown to yellow-brown and its varieties include demantoid (the most valuable garnet, in green to emerald green), melanite (opaque black) and topazolite (yellow to lemon yellow). See Garnet for more information. Demantoid deposits can be found in China, Korea, Russia, the United States and Zaire. Melanite deposits can be found in Germany, France, Italy and Colorado. Topazolite deposits can be found in Switzerland, the Italian Alps and California. See Garnet for more information.

Angelite, officially called blue anhydrite, is a translucent pale blue calcium sulfate. Deposits can be found in Mexico and Peru. Angelite is said to bring a gentle uplifting healing energy to a space and to enable higher levels of communication. Mohs' hardness: 3-1/2.

Apatite is a form of calcium phosphate, with different levels of fluorine, chlorine or hydroxide, which can cause the color to range from a transparent deep blue-green (most common) to green, yellow, pink or violet. Deposits can be found in Myanmar, Brazil, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Norway, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the United States. Apatite, which is also found in human tooth enamel, is said to help mend broken bones or ease problems with teeth; to ease recovery after physical injury or trauma; to help concentration and the solving of problems; and to expand awareness of other levels of consciousness. Mohs' hardness: 5.

Aquamarine is a pale to dark blue-green variety of the mineral beryl. It ranges from transparent to opaque. The largest deposits can be found throughout Brazil and in Pakistan, with other deposits found in Australia, Burma, China, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the United States. A Latin word meaning "water of the sea," Aquamarine is said to enhance immunity; to encourage creative and verbal expression and harmonious communication; and to soothe powerful feelings such as grief or loneliness. Mohs' hardness: 7-1/2 to 8.

Aventurine is a form of quartz that is most often a translucent to opaque green but can also be found in red-brown and gold-brown shades. Deposits can be found in Brazil, india, Austria, Russia and Tanzania. Aventurine is said to encourage optimism and a renewed zest for life, as well as gratitude for what has been received; to encourage tissue repair and healing; and to support the heart and circulation. Mohs' hardness: 7.

Aventurine Feldspar See Sunstone

Next Page>>

Return to Main Index Page