Gemstone Index: Table of Contents

Discover the Story Behind Each Bead!
From geology to metaphysics, this gemstone guide gives insight into the origins and uses of many gemstones that are used as beads. Most entries include:
• Origin of the stone's name
• "Also known as" (aka) names
• Chemical composition
• Where it is found
• Details about industry practices, enhancements, & synthetics
• Metaphysical properties
• History and fun trivia facts
• Care recommendations

A

-- More Entries Coming Soon --

B

Black Stone

C

Carnelian

E

Emerald

J

Jade

Jasper

L

Lava Stone

M

Moonstone

O

Onyx

Opal & Opalite

P

Pearls

Peridot

Prehnite

Q

Quartz

R

Ruby

Rhyolite

S

Serpentine

T

Tigereye

Tourmaline

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Main Information Sources for the Gemstone Beads Index

Gemological Institute of America. Gem Reference Guide.
United States of America: Gemological Institute of America, 1988.
Cipriani, Curzio and Alessandro Borelli. Ed. Kennie Layman. Trans. Valerie Palmer. Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1986.
"Gem by Gem." International Colored Gemstone Association Web Page. 6 April 2004.
http://www.gemstone.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=168&Itemid=14
"Minerals by Name" Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery. 6 April 2004.
http://www.galleries.com/Minerals
Dahlstrom, Ake and Leif Brost. Trans. Jonas Leijonhufvud. The Amber Book.
Tucson: Geoscience Press Inc.,1995.
"Orchid Forum." The Ganoksin Project Web Page. 2 April 2004.
http://www.ganoksin.com.
Semi Precious Stone Web Page. 6 April 2004.
http://www.semi-precious-stone.com (2022 update: link removed because that site is now icky. Don't try it.)
The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom Web Page. 6 April 2004.
http://www.minerals.net/Minerals/all.aspx
Peter W. Harben Inc, Industrial Minerals Consultants, Web Page. 3 April 2004.
http://www.peterharben.com/pwhimname.html
Weldon, Robert G.G. "For Your Staff: Selling Treated Gemstones." September 1998. Professionaljeweler.com.
http://www.professionaljeweler.com/archives/articles/1998/sep98/0998fys2.html
Ruffin, Deirdre and Steve Teeter. Dolomite and the Problem it Presents: Quantitative Methods in Rocks and Minerals. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2003.