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The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center is produced in nitrogen-bearing diamond through the combination of a single nitrogen atom and a vacancy. It can ...

Part fossil, part gem — Ammolite is the trade name for fossilized ammonite, an extinct marine invertebrate, that has an iridescent sheen. A lot h...

Purple opals exist but are not known to display play-of-color like these specimens do.

Moonstone can come in a variety of colors, including colorless, green, orange, gray and brown. The most valuable moonstones are colorless with an...

The definition of a phenomenon as “an object or aspect known through the senses,” according to Webster’s dictionary, might explain why some gemst...

This glowing ruby reportedly from Badakhshan, Afghanistan is nestled in white marble host rock. Marble-hosted ruby is typically more sought-after...

Labradorite feldspars can come in many different colors, but labradorites that display labradorescence — broad, iridescent flashes of color — are the most well-known and sought-after.

Did you know that all amber is over a million years old? In addition to having a beautiful glow and a wonderful scent when rubbed or burned, this...

Opal evaluation should be done under controlled lighting on a dark background.

This orthoclase feldspar moonstone has a billowy blue sheen because of adularescence, a phenomenon caused by the way the gem's structure scatters light.

Apatite's name comes from the name of the Greek goddess, Apate, the personification of deceit.

Alexandrite is a birthstone for June, along with pearl and moonstone.