Gemstones

Gemstones are creations of lapidary art!

Quality mineral rough are cut, ground, and polished into geometric shapes with precision, patience, and pressure. Often used in jewelry and other decorative fashions, gemstones are varied, valuable, and functional. Topics and resources on this page should help rockhounds of all ages and experiences find something new to learn or review in their gemstone knowledge quests, but there are still many more places to learn about gems—books, salespersons, jewelry and rock shops. Happy hunting~

Subjects relative to gemstones:

Art
- Lapidary Art
- Jewelry Design
- Fashion Design
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Architecture
- Sculpture
- Stone Masonry
History / Literature
- Archaeology
- Ancient Civilizations
- Social Studies
- World Religion
Science
- Chemistry
  - Organic Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
  - Geology
  - Gemology
  - Mineralogy
Technology
- 3D Modeling
Engineering
- Manufacturing
Mathematics
- Geometry

Lapidary Art

Minerals

Fossils

Key search terms:

gemstone
gemology / gemmology
diamond grading
color, carat, clarity
jewelry
stone setting
lapidary art
faceting
cabbing
cabochon

Tools for gemstone ID & measurement:

loupe
microscope
spectroscope
Chelsea filter
caliper
carat gauge measure
gram / milligram scale

Careers involving gemstones:

gemologist
appraiser
salesperson
lapidary artist
gemstone facetor
diamond facetor
bench jeweler
jewelry designer
fashion designer
graphic designer
photographer
3D model maker
technical staff
museum curator
historian
teacher
writer

Back to Learn More

Resource

Education

Carnegie Museum of Natural History:
- Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
- “A public benefit, non-profit institute, GIA is the leading source of knowledge, standards, and education in gems and jewelry.”
International Gem Society (IGS)
- “[T]he world’s top resource for gem professionals, enthusiasts, and industry content.”
Headwaters Lapidary
- “Learn How to Cut Gems”
- Offers lapidary services and lessons in faceting and cabbing gemstones into finished pieces.

Gemstone

Organizations

American Gem Society (AGS)
- “The American Gem Society is the country’s preeminent jewelry trade organization dedicated to consumer protection.”
American Gem Trade Association (AGTA)
- “The AGTA is recognized within the jewelry trade as the authoritative source on natural colored gemstones: “The voice of the natural colored gemstone, pearl and cultured pearl industries.””