Where Do Gems Come From?
|
GEMSTONE - BIRTHSTONES |
WHERE FROM |
HARDNESS |
|
Garnet |
Bohemia, Czechoslovakia |
6 ½ - 7 ½ |
|
Amethyst |
Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia |
7 |
|
Aquamarine |
Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique |
7 – 8 |
|
Diamond |
Antwerp, Belgium |
10 |
|
Emerald |
Columbia, Zambia, Brazil |
7-8 |
|
Alexandrite |
Brazil, Sri-Lanka |
8 ½ |
|
Ruby |
Burma, Thailand, Cambodia |
9 |
|
Peridot |
Egypt, Pakistan, Arizona |
6 ½ - 7 |
|
Sapphire |
Kashmir, Burma, Sri-Lanka |
9 |
|
Pink Tourmaline |
Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan |
7 - 7 ½ |
|
Topaz |
Brazil, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka |
8 |
|
Blue Zircon |
Cambodia, Thailand, Sri-Lanka |
6 – 7 ½ |
|
GEMSTONE – OTHERS |
WHERE FROM |
HARDNESS |
|
Agate: Drusy, Bloodstone, Onyx |
Brazil, Madagascar, India |
6 – 7 |
|
Hauynite |
Germany |
6 |
|
Iolite |
India, Sri-Lanka, Tanzania, Brazil |
7 - 7 ½ |
|
Jade |
Burma,Taiwan, Brit. Columbia, Australia |
6 – 6 ½ |
|
Kunzite |
California |
6 ½ - 7 |
|
Kyanite |
Nepal |
5 – 7 |
|
Lapis Lazuli |
N. E. Afghanistan, Chile |
|
|
Liddicoatite (Tourmaline) |
Madagascar |
|
|
Malachite |
Zaire, Russia, Zambia |
|
|
Moonstone |
Sri-Lanka, Burma, India |
6 – 6 ½ |
|
Opal |
Australia, Mexico, Brazil |
5 ½ - 6 ½ |
|
Rhodochrosite |
Argentina |
3 – 4 |
|
Scapolite |
Burma, Brazil, Sri-Lanka |
5 ½ - 6 |
|
Sphalerite |
Santander, Spain |
3 ½ - 4 |
|
Sphene (Titanite) |
Brazil |
5 – 5 ½ |
|
Spinel |
Burma, Sri-Lanka |
8 |
|
Tanzanite |
Tanzania |
6 – 7 |
There are many systems used to measure hardness, which is defined several different ways. Gemstones and other minerals are ranked according to their Mohs hardness. Mohs hardness refers to a material's ability to resist abrasion or scratching. Note that a hard gem or mineral is not automatically tough or durable.