The Most Common Gemstones in the World: An Overview

When people think of precious gemstones, they often imagine rare and exotic materials like diamonds, rubies, or emeralds. However, the most common gemstone in nature is quartz. This versatile mineral is abundantly found across the globe and comes in a variety of colors and forms, making it popular for both jewelry and decorative items.

Quartz: The Most Common Gemstone

Quartz is an extremely common mineral because it is simply a combination of silicon and oxygen, the two most common elements in the Earth's crust. Outside of rare gemstones like jerém?jite and poudretteite, quartz stands out for its widespread availability and diverse forms. It can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and comes in various colors, including amethyst, citrine, and rose quartz.

Quartz is widely used in jewelry and decorative items due to its abundance and color variety. Its popularity is also attributed to its affordability and ease of use in crafting. However, it is worth noting that agate is the most common gemstone you will find on the market, although it is rarely seen in high-end jewelry collections.

Rare and Famous Gemstones

While quartz may be the most common gemstone, there are several other famous and valuable gemstones in the world. These include:

Each of these gemstones is renowned for its beauty and rarity, with some fetching astronomical prices on the market. For instance, jerém?jite is priced at over $6000 per carat.

Jasper and Shell: Common Gemstones in Nature

Other common gemstones include jasper and shell. Jasper is a form of cryptocrystalline quartz with a high proportion of pigment, making it softer and less polished than agate.

Shell, on the other hand, is the oldest and most common gemstone in nature. Used for handicrafts and folk jewelry, shell has experienced a "golden age" in the early twentieth century, where it was extensively used to make buttons and veneer for boxes and furniture. Despite its ease of carving and working, shell is rarely seen in fine jewelry collections. However, there are some exceptional carvings that could make impressive additions to any jewelry collection.

Conclusion

While rare and valuable gemstones like diamond and rubies may capture the imagination, the most common gemstone in nature is quartz. This widespread mineral comes in a variety of colors and forms, making it popular for both jewelry and decorative items. Other common gemstones include jasper and shell, each with its unique characteristics and uses in the world of gemology and jewelry making.

Keywords: most common gemstones, quartz, jasper, shell, agate