Hidden Treasures: 33 Rare and Exotic Gemstone Names
Gemstones have long been admired for their beauty, rarity, and symbolism. From the dazzling diamonds to the striking sapphires, there is no shortage of well-known gemstones in the world. However, beyond the mainstream gemstones, there lies a treasure trove of rare and exotic gemstone names that often go unnoticed. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of hidden gemstones and explore 33 rare and exotic names that are sure to captivate your imagination.
1. Alexandrite
Named after the Russian tsar Alexander II, Alexandrite is a rare and valuable gemstone that changes color depending on the light source. It can appear green in daylight and transform into a purplish-red hue in incandescent light.
2. Benitoite
Found only in San Benito County, California, Benitoite is a stunning blue gemstone with a higher dispersion than diamonds. It is often referred to as the “Blue Diamond of California” and is highly sought after by collectors.
3. Charoite
With its swirling patterns of purple, white, and black, Charoite is a unique and rare gemstone found only in the Sakha Republic in Russia. It is believed to have healing properties and is often used in spiritual practices.
4. Danburite
Named after the city of Danbury in Connecticut, Danburite is a rare and translucent gemstone with a peachy-pink color. It is known for its high clarity and is often used as a substitute for diamonds.
5. Enstatite
A lesser-known gemstone, Enstatite is a brownish-green mineral that is often found in meteorites. It has a high refractive index and can display a range of colors when viewed under different angles of light.
6. Fire Opal
Unlike the traditional opals, Fire Opal is a transparent gemstone with a bright orange, red, or yellow color. It is mainly found in Mexico and is known for its fiery and vibrant appearance.
7. Grandidierite
Named after the French explorer and naturalist, Alfred Grandidier, Grandidierite is a rare green-blue gemstone found in Madagascar. It is prized for its vivid color and is often used as a collector’s stone.
8. Hackmanite
Hackmanite is a rare variety of Sodalite that displays a phenomenon called tenebrescence, which causes it to change color when exposed to sunlight. It is mainly found in Greenland and is highly valued by collectors.
9. Iolite
Also known as “water sapphire,” Iolite is a violet-blue gemstone that can display different colors when viewed from different angles. It is a popular alternative to sapphires and is found in several countries, including India, Brazil, and Tanzania.
10. Jeremejevite
Named after the Russian mineralogist, Pavel Jeremejev, this rare gemstone is found in only a few locations around the world. It has a unique sky blue color and is highly valued by collectors due to its scarcity.
11. Kunzite
Kunzite is a pink to lilac-colored gemstone that is often found in large sizes. It was named after George Frederick Kunz, a famous American gemologist, and is mainly found in Afghanistan, Brazil, and Madagascar.
12. Larimar
Larimar is a rare blue gemstone found only in the Dominican Republic. It is often referred to as the “Atlantis Stone” due to its association with the lost city. It is believed to have healing properties and is highly sought after by jewelry designers.
13. Morganite
Named after the famous financier, J.P. Morgan, Morganite is a pink to peach-colored gemstone that is part of the beryl family. It is mainly found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Afghanistan and is known for its soft, feminine hue.
14. Nephrite
One of the two types of jade, Nephrite is a green gemstone that has been used in Chinese and Maori cultures for centuries. It is known for its toughness and is mainly found in Canada, China, and New Zealand.
15. Onyx
Onyx is a black gemstone that has been used in jewelry and decorative items for centuries. It is believed to have protective properties and is often used in meditation practices. It is mainly found in Brazil, India, and Madagascar.
16. Peridot
Peridot is a yellow-green gemstone that is the birthstone for the month of August. It is mainly found in volcanic rocks and is prized for its vivid color and high clarity. It is mainly found in Arizona, China, and Pakistan.
Hidden Treasures: 33 Rare and Exotic Gemstone Names
17. Quetzalcoatlite
Named after the Aztec god of the wind and sky, Quetzalcoatlite is a rare blue-green gemstone found in Mexico. It is known for its intense color and is often used as a collector’s stone.
18. Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite is a pink to red gemstone that is mainly found in Argentina, but can also be found in other countries such as Peru and South Africa. It is known for its unique banding pattern and is often used in ornamental pieces.
19. Serendibite
Named after the old Arabic name for Sri Lanka, Serendibite is a blue-green gemstone that was only discovered in 1902. It is found in limited quantities and is highly prized by collectors for its rarity.
20. Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a blue to violet gemstone that was discovered in Tanzania in 1967. It is a relatively new gemstone and is known for its strong trichroism, which causes it to display different colors when viewed from different angles.
21. Uvarovite
Part of the garnet family, Uvarovite is a rare and emerald-green gemstone that is found in only a few locations around the world. It is known for its high refractive index and is highly valued by collectors.
22. Variscite
Named after the Variscia region in Germany, Variscite is a green gemstone that is often used as a substitute for turquoise. It is mainly found in the United States and is known for its unique, spider-web like patterns.
23. Wulfenite
Wulfenite is a yellow to orange gemstone that is mainly found in Mexico and the United States. It is known for its high luster and is often used as a collector’s stone due to its rarity.
24. Xenotime
Xenotime is a rare gemstone that is found in only a few locations around the world. It can display different colors such as yellow, brown, and black and is highly valued by collectors for its unique appearance.
25. Yttrium Fluorite
Yttrium Fluorite is a rare and highly prized gemstone that is found in only a few locations around the world. It is known for its intense blue-green color and is often used in high-end jewelry pieces.
26. Zircon
Often mistaken for diamonds, Zircon is a colorless gemstone that is known for its high brilliance and fire. It can also be found in a range of colors such as blue, red, and yellow. It is mainly found in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Australia.
27. Apatite
Apatite is a gemstone that comes in a variety of colors such as blue, green, and yellow. It is mainly found in Brazil, Madagascar, and India and is known for its high transparency and luster.
28. Bixbite
Bixbite is a rare variation of beryl that is found in only a few locations around the world. It is known for its deep red color and is often used as a substitute for rubies.
29. Cobaltocalcite
Cobaltocalcite is a rare and vibrant pink gemstone that is found in limited quantities in Argentina and Peru. It is known for its high luster and is often used in ornamental pieces.
30. Diaspore
Diaspore is a gemstone that can display a range of colors such as yellow, pink, and green. It is mainly found in Turkey and is known for its unique color-changing abilities when viewed under different light sources.
31. Euclase
Euclase is a rare and highly prized gemstone that is found in only a few locations around the world. It displays a range of colors such as blue, green, and yellow and is known for its high refractive index.
32. Fluorite
Fluorite is a gemstone that comes in a variety of colors such as purple, blue, and green. It is mainly found in China, Mexico, and the United States and is prized for its unique fluorescence.
33. Goshenite
Goshenite is a colorless variation of beryl that is known for its high clarity and transparency. It is mainly found in Brazil and is often used as a substitute for diamonds.
Summary:
Gemstones have long been admired for their beauty, rarity, and symbolism. While there are many well-known gemstones, there is a treasure trove of rare and exotic gemstone names that often go unnoticed. In this blog post, we have explored 33 rare and exotic gemstone names, including Alexandrite, Benitoite, Charoite, Danburite, Enstatite, Fire Opal, Grandidierite, Hackmanite, Iolite, Jeremejevite, Kunzite, Larimar, Morganite, Nephrite, Onyx, Peridot, Quetzalcoatlite, Rhodochrosite, Serendibite, Tanzanite, Uvarovite, Variscite, Wulfenite, Xenotime, Yttrium Fluorite, Zircon, Apatite, Bixbite, Cobaltocal