Jewelry comes in various shapes and forms, and beautiful heart jewelry is no exception. Gemstones are often incorporated into the various designs. Do you know all the various types of gemstones that are often included? In this article we will focus on the various gemstones that are often utilized in the making of beautiful jewelry.

Amber is an ancient organic gemstone. Many people think it is a "stone", but it is not. It is composed of tree resin that has hardened over the years. In fact, in order for the stone to be classified as amber, it has to be at least 1,000,000 years old. Some amber can be up to 120,000,000 years old.

The most prized gemstone in the quartz family has been amethyst for many years. Prized for its purple hue, it can range in tone from light to dark. What gemstone is known for its fine green to bluish green color? The answer is emeralds. An ancient gemstone, some historians believe that it was mined by the Ancient Egyptians way back to 3500 B.C.

Jade can come in a variety of colors, but the most popular color is green. This gemstone has been closely linked to Asian history, culture and tradition. It has a nickname, which is the "stone of heaven". Jasper is a gemstone of the chalcedony family, and comes in a variety of colors. It will often feature interesting and unique patterns. A popular type of jasper is "picture jasper". It is known for it's beige's and browns and swirls.

Rubies, amongst the most highly valued precious gemstones, are known for their intense red color. In the Sanskrit language the word for ruby is "ratnaraj". It means "king of precious stones".

One of the most popular gemstones in the United States is the sapphire. One reason could be that it is much more affordable than an emerald or ruby. Sapphires can come in various types, but "blue sapphire" tops the list. It is known for its medium to deep blue color.

Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth. Here's a question for you. Which region of the world is the world's largest producer of turquoise? The answer is the southwest United States. This gemstone is prized for its attractive medium blue to greenish blue color.

Did you know that some gemstones are classified as organic? This refers to the fact that they are produced by living organisms. Examples of these types of gemstones are coral, pearls, and amber. Other gemstones are classified as inorganic, which means that they are composed of minerals.

We hope that you enjoyed this brief tour into the world of gemstones that are most often utilized in the creation of jewelry. Heart jewelry uses these gemstones very heavily. Beautiful and colorful, these gemstones can add significant value to a piece of jewelry.

Learn more about gemstones used in jewelry. Stop by Betsy Johnson's site where you can find out all about heart jewelry accessories and what they can do for you.

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