Learn about the types of precious stones and their rare types

Precious stones are rare and valuable minerals that have been prized for their beauty and durability for thousands of years. These stones have been used in jewelry, sculpture, and other decorative items, as well as for religious and ceremonial purposes. There are many different types of precious stones, each with its own unique properties and characteristics.

One of the most well-known precious stones is the diamond. Diamonds are made of pure carbon and are the hardest natural substance on Earth. They are valued for their brilliance and fire, which is the way light reflects and refracts within the stone. Diamonds can be found in a wide range of colors, including colorless, yellow, pink, and even black. They are mainly extracted in countries such as Russia, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.

Another popular precious stone is the ruby. Rubies are made of corundum, a mineral that is also found in sapphires. Rubies are prized for their deep red color, which is caused by the presence of chromium. Rubies are found in many different locations, including Afghanistan, Thailand, and Myanmar (Burma).

Sapphires are another type of precious stone that is made of corundum. Sapphires come in a wide range of colors, including blue, yellow, green, and pink. Blue sapphires are the most well-known and are often used in engagement rings. Sapphire mines can be found in countries such as Sri Lanka, Australia and Madagascar.

Emeralds are a type of precious stone that are made of beryl. Emeralds are prized for their rich green color, which is caused by the presence of chromium and vanadium. Some of the most famous emerald mines can be found in Colombia, Zambia and Brazil

Another precious stone is the opal, a mineraloid gel that is made up of silica spheres. They are unique because they diffract light to create a "play of color" effect, they can have different types of flash and color depending on the way the light is reflected by the stone. Opal mines can be found in countries such as Australia, Mexico, and Ethiopia.

Lastly, there are less known precious stone such as Alexandrite, which is a color-change chrysoberyl mineral, is known for its ability to change color depending on the light source, appearing green in natural light and red in incandescent light. Tanzanite, is a rare blue variety of the mineral zoisite, only found in Tanzania, Africa. And grandidierite, is an extremely rare mineral, that is mostly found in Madagascar, is a rare blue-green variety of the mineral beryl.

In conclusion, there are many different types of precious stones, each with its own unique properties and characteristics. These stones are valued for their beauty and durability and have been used in jewelry, sculpture, and other decorative items for thousands of years. They are found in many different locations around the world, and mining for these precious stones is an important industry in many countries.