MERELANI Tanzanite has only one source: the hills of Merelani in northern Tanzania. 1967 Masai tribesman Ali Juuyawatu is credited with finding the first tanzanite...

4,000 BC Turquoise buried in Ancient Egyptian tombs is among the world’s oldest jewelry. MEFKAT Ancient Egyptians called turquoise “mefkat,” which also means “joy” and...

IRON A trace of iron in citrine’s structure is responsible for its yellow-to-orange color. HEAT Natural citrine is rare. Most citrine on the market is...

1768 The royal court in Portugal celebrates the discovery of Imperial topaz in 1768. 271 KILOS A transparent topaz crystal discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil...

1554 Francisco Spinoza’s expedition discovers “Brazilian emerald”: the first recorded green tourmaline crystal. PYROELECTRIC Tourmaline becomes electrically charged when heated. Also when squeezed: it’s piezoelectric...

0.2 MICRONS Grids of silica spheres 0.2 microns in size create red play-of-color flashes. 20% WATER Opal contains up to 20% water trapped in its...

KASHMIR Intensely saturated and velvety, rare sapphires from Kashmir set the standard for blue. ROYAL BLUE The world’s most famous engagement ring: Kate Middleton’s and...

NAT THWE Spinel crystals are so perfect, in Burma they are said to be nat thwe or “polished by the spirits.” BLACK PRINCE The famous...

4.5 BILLION Some peridot is ancient: it's found in pallasite meteorites, remnants of our solar system's birth. STARDUST In 2005, peridot was found in comet...