Gemstone Origins: A Comprehensive Guide

Gemstone Origins: A Comprehensive Guide

Where do natural gemstones come from? Gemstones are found in almost every country on earth, but their origins are varied and complex. There are actually several factors that affect where gemstones come from, including geology, industry, and climate. Each plays an important role in determining where different gemstones can be found or mined and which countries have the most to offer when it comes to precious and semi-precious gems.

What is Gemstone Origin?

Gemstone Origin is the geological location from which a gemstone is mined. Loose gemstones come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes but it is important to know where they come from in order to understand their origin story. There are many different factors that determine the final appearance of a gemstone, such as its color, shape, and size. These factors can be influenced by the type of rock formed in, where it was found and how they were cut.

Origin of Emeralds

The gemstone origin of high quality emeralds is often contested, but research points to Columbia as the most likely place of origin. Emeralds are formed in an environment that provides a rich source of beryllium and chromium. These conditions are met through volcanic activity, which increases the likelihood of emerald formation. Emeralds form when silica-rich solutions react with aluminum-rich solutions over time, where they will cool down due to convection currents and sink back into the earth's crust.

This process takes anywhere from 20 million to 1 billion years before they are ready for extraction.

Emerald deposits are found primarily on Colombia's side of Lake Guatavita; their proximity to this lake accounts for why Colombia claims that it is home to the world's best emerald mines.

 Origin of Rubies

Ruby stones are mined exclusively from deposits found in the Mogok District of Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and So Many Places. It is believed that the ruby deposit was created more than 250 million years ago when magma from an underground volcanic eruption mixed with limestone and other minerals found on the ground's surface. The magma flowed over this area's surface and cooled into a large mass of igneous rock. After millions of years, tectonic forces caused pressure to build up underneath the earth's crust causing the rocks above the ruby deposit to shift and crack. When rainwater seeps through these cracks it carries iron oxides which react with the carbonate-rich rocks inside forming rubies.

Origin of Sapphires

Natural Sapphire gemstones come in a variety of colors. The most common color is blue. Sapphires are typically mined in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia, and India.

One of the most important factors to consider when looking for sapphire is its origin because this will affect its price and quality. Generally speaking, top-quality sapphires are mined in Sri Lanka and Thailand while lower-quality ones are found in Australia and India. There are also some varieties that grow near Madagascar and Kenya, but they're much less expensive than their counterparts from other countries.

These different origins produce different shades of sapphire too! You can find green or pinkish-orange tones in Sri Lanka stones while Thai stones have stronger yellows or pinks.

Origin of Tourmaline

Tourmaline originates in the earth's mantle or the layer of molten rock between the crust and outer core. The chemical composition of tourmaline is a silicate with a metal ion (iron, magnesium, or lithium) that causes color variations. Tourmaline is found in igneous rocks such as granite, syenite, and pegmatite; metamorphic rocks such as slate and schist; and sedimentary rocks like limestone. Tourmaline occurs in many colors including black, brown, blue-green, green-brown, and red. These colors are determined by the elements contained within them which can vary from trace amounts to more than one element being present.

Origin of Zircon

Zircon is one of the most commonly mined gemstones in the world. It is used to produce both jewelry and industrial products because it is resilient to heat, wear, and scratches. Zircon is the oldest mineral gemstones on earth, dating back more than 4 billion years ago. When we talk about the origins of Zircon, we are referring to where Zircon has formed and not its location today. In fact, Zircon can be found all over the world but originated billions of years ago as a result of volcanic activity.

Origin of Topaz

Topaz is a silicate mineral that can occur in crystal, massive, or granular form. Topaz is found in Brazil, United States, Madagascar, Myanmar. It is typically white, yellow, or blue topaz in color and has a hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Topaz derives its name from tapaz, which means to oppress or be heavy. The word first appears in Arabic manuscripts dating back to 1400 AD. The origins of topaz are not definitively known, but some believe it was discovered as early as 1550 BC by a Greek woman named Queen Clytemnestra who used it for eye protection against burning sun rays while her husband, King Agamemnon fought battles during the Trojan War.

Origin of Opals

Natural opals are not only beautiful but also have an interesting story as to their origin. Opal is a hydrated form of silica or silicon dioxide. The opal's unique appearance is the result of its composition and structure; when an opal forms, the water molecules become trapped in the voids of its crystal lattice. The different colors seen in this mineral are dependent on which parts of the light spectrum it absorbs and which parts it reflects back out. When white light enters an opal, it is split into spectral colors that can include reds, greens, blues, and gold. These colored beams then bounce around within the stone’s lattice and each one interferes with the others causing some hues to be enhanced while others are subdued.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the origin of a gemstone is important because it affects its color, its luster, and the way it behaves under different lighting conditions. This knowledge can help determine whether an item is genuine or not and make more informed decisions about purchasing jewelry. There are many factors that contribute to a gem’s origin, but there are some general rules that apply to most cases. Most gems form in the Earth’s crust when magma rises from deep within the earth and cools in pockets on the surface. Some come from meteorites or other space rocks that fell to earth, while others form when water circulates through underground mineral veins.