Gemstones from All Over the World

Gemstones are tales as old as time! With over 300 gems documented worldwide, each carries its unique and timeless story. They come from great depths of the earth's crust - constituting rocks, minerals and organic materials that take thousands of years to form. The mining localities of precious and semi-precious gemstones are spread across different parts of the globe.

Today's blog will discuss all the continents and the natural miracles they produce. But before we learn where precious gemstones come from, let's dive into these stones' early use and significance.

Significance of Gemstones in Different Cultures and Regions 

Natural gemstones, whether precious or semi-precious, have fascinated humankind for ages. They have given rise to myths, curses and medicine. Moreover, people from different cultures, like Romans, ancient Egypt, the Chinese, ancient Greeks, ancient Japanese and Indians, appreciated and used it for various purposes.

• Roman Culture: Romans used gems as protective amulets or talismans. They adorned it to attract prosperity, good health, wealth, and battle success.

• Ancient Egypt: Ancient Egyptians loved using stones in rituals such as burying the dead. It was believed that precious gemstones like Quartz helped an individual transition well into the afterlife. Female royalties such as Cleopatra wore precious gems like Lapis Lazuli.

• Chinese Culture: Chinese culture used gems for medicinal and healing purposes.

• Ancient Greeks: Greeks applied precious stone powder over the soldier's body before battle, believing it made them undefeatable. 

• Ancient Japan: People used gemstones to connect with psychic energies in Japanese culture.

• Indian Culture: Gemstones have been and still are a significant part of Indian culture. The Vedas also mention gems and their healing properties . No other culture has used precious and semi-precious stones as much as they have.  

The existence and significance of natural gemstones in various cultures indicate one thing for sure, that is, that they are available in every corner of the world. For instance, Rubies have been mentioned in the bible too. If you wish to know more about Ruby stones, Read: Top 5 Amazing Benefits of Ruby Stones

Scroll down to learn what each continent has to offer!

Gemstones from Asia

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Asia is a significant contributor to world-class gems. Countries including Myanmar, Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and India are central gemstone mining locations. Some of Asia's finest gemstones are Kashmir Blue Sapphires, Sri Lankan Sapphires, Burmese Rubies, Afghanistan's Lapis Lazuli, Panjshir Emerald, and Nepalese Garnets. 

Asia is also recognized as one of the most prominent Jade, Diamonds, Spinel and Ruby suppliers. Besides these, it also offers Amethysts, Aquamarine, Sapphire, Emerald, Opal, Alexandrite, Zircon, Peridot, Beryl, Tourmaline, Malachite, Demantoid, Topaz, Amber, Almandine, Chrysoberyl and much more.

Gemstones from Africa

Africa is a gemstone-rich continent and claims some of the best gems in the world. Mozambique, Tanzania, Namibia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Madagascar produce some of the rarest and most treasured stones like Paraiba Tourmaline, Tanzanite, Tsavorite Garnets, and Rhodolite Garnets.

Tanzanite is one of the rarest gems native to Africa. Besides these, other stones make up the list: Tourmaline, Citrine, Iolite, Kyanite, Chrysoberyl, Apatite, Sapphire, Ruby, Topaz, Aquamarine, Zambian Emerald, Malaia Garnet and the list goes on. The continent is also exploring and coming up with new gemstone deposits for mining.

Gemstones from North America

When we think of gemstones, the US is not the first location that comes to our minds. However, it significantly contributes to the gemstone industry. Countries including Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Tennessee, North Carolina, Maine, and Arkansas are some of the noteworthy gem-producing sites.

The continent produces some fine gems, including Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies, Opals, Jades, Tourmaline, Topaz, Turquoise, Benitoite, Hiddenite, Malachite, Agate, Azurite, and Peridot. Some gemstones, like Ammolite, Oregon sunstone and Red Beryl, are exclusive to North America.

Gemstones from South America

South America is said to produce some world-class and unique gemstone specimens. Brazil is a prolific producer of gems, followed by Colombia, famous for supplying the finest Emeralds. Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Guyana, Venezuela, and Uruguay are some other southern American countries mined for quality stones.

The gemstones found in southern America are Aquamarine (Backlink: Aquamarine Product Page), Amethyst, Emerald, Citrine, Topaz, Lapis Lazuli, Alexandrite, Sodalite, Almandine, Kyanite, Hessonite, Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Beryl, Fluorite, Ametrine, Brazilianite, Aventurine, Iolite, Euclase, Andalusite, Chrysoberyl - better known as Cat's Eye, etc.

Gemstones from Europe

Europe produces some precious gemstones along with some stones exclusive to the continent. Russia is well-known for being the largest supplier of exquisite Diamonds, whereas Poland is a high-quality source of Amber worldwide. Other gem-producing European countries are Finland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Norway.

The gemstones found in this continent include alexandrite, Lapis Lazuli, Diamonds, Amber, Topaz, Garnets, Tourmaline, Moldavite, Aventurine, Thulite, Spectrolite, Fluorite, Malachite, Nephrite, Labradorite and Emeralds. Europe is also the only source of Blue John Fluorite worldwide.

Gemstones from Australia

Australia is also home to exceptional natural gemstone specimens. It is renowned for producing astrologically beneficial Opal, Diamonds and unique Sapphire and Chrysoprase gems. It is a significant market player in champagne and pink-colored Diamonds, the only major source worldwide.

Apart from Opals and Diamonds, other gems such as Agate, Zircon, Jade and Chrysoprase are also found in small amounts. Mookite is also a stone that is native to western Australia.

Gemstones are fascinating miracles of nature. They were of great significance in the past and are still prized to this day! At GemsRoot, we source these precious and semi-precious stones from gem localities spread across the globe.

If you wish to adorn and indulge in their captivating beauty, we have a premium collection of gemstones from around the world that we can ship to any corner worldwide. Our gems are genuine, ethically sourced, lab-certified, and untreated. So, get in touch with our experts today to help pick what's best for you.