Friday, 9 October 2026

GEMMOLOGY — GEMSTONES

characteristics, classification, specimens, library

As gemstones we accept cut specimens of crystals of natural mineral species having a visible transparency and certain durability. From over 4800 known minerals (according to data of the International Mineralogical Association), approximately 150 satisfy the above conditions and form crystals of sufficient size to be cut.

Characteristics

Colour in gemstones

Clarity in gemstones

Cut in gemstones

Treatment in gemstones

The section ‘Classification’ presents descriptions of 171 different kinds of natural gemstones (106 mineral species). The Nickel-Strunz systematic order (10th edition) is used. Since gemmology does not always follow the systematics of minerals in naming, many popular varieties or just ’names’ are listed.

Quick navigation selector

List of minerals

Alphabetic list of gemstones

Synthetic stones and simulants

Classification

Featured

Cerussite

— Common in the oxidised zone of lead deposits, where it may constitute an important ore (Anthony et al., 2001—2005). Faceted specimens are very rare. The largest faceted stone is a 408 carat from Tsumeb, Namibia (Arem, 1987: 64).

The section ‘Repository’ contains data and photos of 760 specimens of gemstones. The smallest is just 1.96 mm (0.02 ct) ruby from Mozambique, and the largest — 70.11 mm (326.60 ct) rock crystal from Africa. Besides there are 8 specimens of synthetic stones.

Gallery view selector

Colour selector

Repository

Some exceptional specimens of gemstones from our ‘Repository’

More specimens of gemstones

— More from ‘Repository’

Currently there are 283 bibliographical references and abstracts to publications with gemmological or mineralogical thematics in the ‘Library’. The section comprises also a glossary with 391 terms.

Library

Glossary

prismatine — species of mineral; faceted specimens exist

psilomelane — obsolete name; see psilomelane in ‘Classification’

pyrite — species of mineral; faceted specimens exist

pyroclastics — clastic rocks composed solely or primarily of volcanic materials

Publications

Anthony, J. W., Bideaux, R. A., Bladh, K. W., Nichols, M. C. (Eds), 2001—2005 — Orthoclase — Features the data of orthoclase; from ‘Handbook of Mineralogy’.

Anthony, J. W., Bideaux, R. A., Bladh, K. W., Nichols, M. C. (Eds), 2001—2005 — Sanidine — Features the data of sanidine; from ‘Handbook of Mineralogy’.

Gemmology — gemstones
Front page | Introduction | Classification | Repository | Library

© 2026 National Museum of Natural History, Sofia (NMNHS)
Use of this website assumes acceptance of our terms of use.

The specimens illustrated in this site do not exist in the collections of the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia.