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Frequently Asked Gemstone Questions

NEVADA OUTBACK GEMS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GEMSTONES

10. What About Rare and Unusual Gemstones?

How Can I Learn More About Rare And Unusual Gemstones?

Everyone knows about the popular, well known gems, but there are literally dozens of lesser known gems, most of which will never be seen offered for sale in any standard jewelry store. Actually, the number of different colored gemstones featured in a standard store is normally quite limited.

Here is a listing a short description of a group of gems that are lesser known, but are still commercially available if one searches hard enough. High quality examples of these stones are beautiful and make for some very special jewelry. They are especially appreciated by gem and jewelry collectors. Many gem and jewelry collectors will choose to specialize in rare gems. There are dozens of other stones not included in this list, but to keep things short, I have focused on a limited grouping. Here are some fun, but rare gemstones:

 

 

Sunstone
Sunstone is a beautiful gem that comes in a variety of colors, red's yellows and greens.  It also comes in a form that shows a sparkling, coppery sheen. The best known and most popular sources are from the state of Oregon in the US. To find out more, Check out the Author's website at:
Sunstone

Kunzite
Kunzite is a pink to lavender pastel colored gemstone that is rarely seen in commercial jewelry stores.  It was first discovered in the US, but the major sources now are Brazil and Afghanistan. To find out more, Check out the Author's website at:
Kunzite

Scapolite
An African gem that comes in yellow and purple shades. It is rarely seen in commercial jewelry stores in either of the two common colors. To find out more, Check out the Author's website at:
Scapolite

Natural Spinel
Synthetic spinel is common in synthetic birthstone jewelry. However, natural spinel is a hard and beautiful gem that is suitable for all gemstone uses. It also comes in a wide variety of colors, including ruby red. To find out more, Check out the Author's website at:
Natural Spinel

Apatite
This is a beautiful gem that is somewhat soft. Earrings and pendants – jewelry that doesn’t see a lot of wear is best. It comes in some really attractive neon blue-green colors, and it sometimes seen on shopping TV channels. To find out more, Check out the Author's website at:
Apatite

Benitoite
Benitoite is a beautiful sapphire blue colored gem which is found in only one location in the world, which is San Benito County in California.   The gem is very bright and full of dispersion. To find out more, Check out the Author's website at:
Benitoite

Chrysoberyl
Is a very hard and durable gem, suitable for rings worn every day. It is most common in a yellow to yellow green color, but also comes as the green –red color change gem Alexandrite, as well as the famous catseye. To find out more, Check out the Author's website at:
Chrysoberyl

Iolite
This stone is a beautiful sapphire blue in one direction, but a yellow gray in another. When properly cut, the blue color dominates and the gem is quite beautiful. It is sometimes called water sapphire. To find out more, Check out the Author's website at:
Iolite

Sphene
Sphene is a beautiful yellow green to green gemstone which has a very high dispersion.  This means that the light which goes into the gem is broken down into a rainbow of colors, similar to diamond. To find out more, Check out the Author's website at:
Sphene

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NEVADA OUTBACK GEMS

Nevada Outback Gems

Find out more by checking out all of our links below:
Our Free Colored Gemstone Information Encyclopedia Amethyst and Citrine info Aquamarine information
What Really Is A Gemstone? Apatite information Chrysoberyl information
How are Gemstones Mined? Diamond information Emerald information
What About a Gemstone Makes it so Valuable? Garnet information Morganite information
What About Investing in Gemstones? Opal information Peridot information
Nevada Outback Library and Bookstore - Learn more! Ruby information Sapphire information
The Rockhound's Corner for Gem Hunting Spinel information Oregon Sunstone info
Take a virtual tour of our Nevada Turquoise mines Tanzanite information Topaz information
Rare Crystals and Gemstone Rough, including Turquoise Tourmaline information Tsavorite information
Natural Gold Nugget Photos: Big Nuggets, Crystal Gold Turquoise information Zircon information
Chris' Gold Prospecting Encyclopedia Nevada Outback Gems Homepage Nevada Outback Gems Site Map