1. Pearl
   Molluline
2. Apatite
   Beryl

Pearls are a combination of a mineral known as aragonite and a protein called conchiolin. These stones are created inside the shells of mollusks, although they are quite rare. You'll only find a pearl in one out of 10,000 wild oysters.

1. Tanzanite
   Amethyst
2. Topaz
   Sugilite

The amethyst, February's birthstone, comes in a variety of shades of purple, from light to dark. "Amethyst" comes from the Greek, meaning "not drunk." Greek legend asserts that the amethyst could be used to fend off Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and intoxication.

1. Emerald
   Garnet
2. Opal
   Wonderstone

The emerald is one of only four precious gemstones, joining the company of diamond, ruby and sapphire. Because of its lower density, a one-carat version of an emerald ring will appear larger than a one-carat diamond.

1. Aquamarine
   Moonstone
2. Fire agate
   Heliodor

Aquamarine takes its name from the Latin "aqua marina," which means "sea water." This is an appropriate designation since its color — a light blue — is representative of the colors of the ocean.

1. Ruby
   Diamond
2. Emerald
   Pearl

The ruby is the second hardest gemstone next to the diamond. Its name comes from the Latin word "ruber," which means red. Rubies and garnets, both of the same color family, are sometimes confused. The ruby, however, is redder, while the garnet can appear almost brown.

1. Rubies
   Sapphires
2. Diamonds
   Pearls

The diamond is perhaps the most celebrated gemstone of all time, taking the no. 1 spot in engagement rings the world over. They are the hardest substance found in nature and are made nearly completely of carbon.

1. Andalusite
   Opal
2. Quartz
   Cordierite

Opal is formed by water running down into the cracks of rocks. When the water evaporates, the silicon dioxide left behind turns into opal. That might explain the rainbow of colors frequently found in this gemstone, a sight that's also produced when we see a rainbow appear after it rains.

1. Chrysoprase
   Sunstone
2. Tiger's eye
   Polka-dot agate

Tiger's eye is a quartz gemstone that varies in color between amber and brown. Its striped appearance, once polished, mimics the look of a cat eye, thanks to silica deposits that run the length of the stone.

1. Benitoite
   Peridot
2. Diamond
   Garnet

Cleopatra was a big fan of peridot, which was fitting since Egypt was a primary source for this green-tinted stone. Peridot comes from olivine, which can be altered by weathering.

1. Sapphire
   Moonstone
2. Morganite
   Emerald

Known as the Millennium Sapphire, this stone weighs in at a whopping 61,500 carats. It recently sold to a company based in China for a cool $50 million. The word "sapphire" comes from the Latin "sapphiru," meaning blue.

1. Garnet
   Tourmaline
2. Sapphire
   Topaz

Though the topaz comes in many colors, the amber-colored version is the one most commonly associated with being November's birthstone. A topaz worn around the neck was once believed to make people smarter and prevent sadness.

1. Fluorite
   Agate
2. Sunstone
   Turquoise

Turquoise, which comes in shades ranging from blue to green, has been considered a symbol of good fortune for centuries. Ancient Egyptians used to inlay turquoise on their loved ones' caskets. Native Americans believed that turquoise was the result of their tears mixing with rain to produce the gemstone in the Earth.

1. Anyolite
   Amazonite
2. Shopite
   Bloodstone

Amazonite earned its name for the female Amazon warriors that lived during the Bronze Age. It's typically light green to blue-green in color, which is actually caused by impurities that occur in the formation process.

1. Cordierite
   Rhodochrosite
2. Citrine
   Serpentine

Natural citrine is actually quite rare and believed to help promote health for its owner. Today, most citrine is produced by applying heat to amethyst quartz. When found naturally, it is most common to the country of Brazil.

1. Arginine
   Prasiolite
2. Amber
   Spinel

Many insects' lives have ended once they've become entrapped in the stone known as amber, which is actually just tree resin that's undergone fossilization. The majority of this stone is found in nature in the Baltic region of Northern Europe.

1. Fire agate
   Tiffany stone
2. Sonora sunrise
   Green beryl

Fire agate is considered a "phenomenal gem," meaning that it creates different optical sensations when exposed to light. Its iridescence is reminiscent of a fire's flames, which is perhaps why individuals throughout history believed it to contain the fire element.

1. Zoisite
   Zircon
2. Hematite
   Scapolite

Don't get this naturally-occurring mineral confused with its human-made cousin, cubic zirconia. Zircon is as bright as a diamond, but not nearly as expensive. You can find zircon in most types of soil.

1. Variscite
   Kyanite
2. Maw sit sit
   Malachite

Malachite features bands of light green and dark green shades. Ancient Egyptians used to grind the stone to a powder and use it for both cosmetic purposes and to paint with.

1. Poplite
   Sodalite
2. Cocapertine
   Topaz

Sodalite is a rare blue mineral found in rocks that crystallized from sodium-rich magmas. It is sometimes referred to as a "wisdom stone" and may not only aid in concentration but boost your courage in difficult situations.

1. Ruby
   Diamond
2. Jade
   Tourmaline

Because of its hardness and toughness, jade was once used to help produce things like ax heads and weapons. It's most valued in China and is usually green in color but may be other shades ranging from orange to purple.

1. Sphalerite
   Morganite
2. Tanzanite
   Gaspeite

Tiffany & Co. first coined the term "tanzanite" for the mineral zoisite, which is bluish-purple. True to its name, the gemstone tanzanite hails from an area in northern Tanzania.

1. Smoky quartz
   Red beryl
2. Sonora sunrise
   Fire agate

Red beryl is extremely rare, owing that rarity to a unique combination of geological conditions that must be present for its to be formed. It requires a sufficient amount of beryllium and manganese and the right conditions for red beryl to form.

1. Moonstone
   Sunstone
2. Starstone
   Meteorizine

Moonstone's color is reminiscent of the glow of the moon, shifting in color and sheen when the stone is moved or placed under light. Moonstone is actually the name of gemstone that hails from high-quality feldspar.

1. Anyolite
   Chrysoberyl
2. Rhodonite
   Morganite

Pinkish-tinted morganite was named after financial powerhouse J. P. Morgan, whose name is also part of the bank JPMorgan Chase. After the stone's discovery, a gemologist at Tiffany & Co., and also a friend of Morgan's, suggested the stone's name as a thank you for his friend's contributions to the fields of art and science.

1. Soulstone
   Bloodstone
2. Rose quartz
   Green beryl

You'd probably expect this gemstone to be the color of, well, blood, but it is, in fact, dark green with a splatter of red. It's sometimes called "heliotrope" in literary works dating prior to the 18th century.

1. Serpentine
   Fluorite
2. Prasiolite
   Spodumene

Fluorite comes in every shade of the rainbow and glows when placed under ultraviolet light. Originally called "fluorospar ," it has also been called "the most colorful mineral in the world."

1. Green beryl
   Jade
2. Jasper
   Sunstone

Believe it or not, green beryl is actually a part of the same family that produces emeralds but is lighter in color and thus cannot be called a true emerald. This is good for buyers who prefer a lighter green (and a smaller price tag).

1. Helenite
   Labradorite
2. Gaspeite
   Unakite

Labradorite, discovered in the Labrador area of Canada in the late 1700s, has actually been found in some meteorites. Eskimo legend attributes the stone's iridescence to the Northern Lights that were once trapped in the rocks in Labrador.

1. Diamond
   Smoky quartz
2. Diopside
   Fluorite

Smoky quartz is an inexpensive gem because it's found in abundance all over the Earth. It constitutes more than 10 percent of the Earth's crust. This particular quartz ranges in color from yellow-hued to almost black.

1. Ruby
   Amethyst
2. Goshenite
   Garnet

Ancient warriors carried garnets as a type of talisman, believing that it would ensure them victory. Although most people associate the garnet with being red, the stone can come in a variety of shades from black to colorless.

1. Spinel
   Scarpolite
2. Cordierite
   Helenite

The stone known as helenite was created from the volcanic ash generated after Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. Tourists who visit the site in Washington are among the most frequent purchasers of these stones.

1. Jasper
   Diamond
2. Goldstone
   Bloodstone

Jasper is a member of the quartz family and, believe it or not, can be found on every continent on Earth. It's known to take on many impurities during its formation, leading to a stone that is always opaque and frequently mottled with color.

1. Ametrine
   Ammolite
2. Aventurine
   Rose quartz

Ametrine is the color of sunrise and sunset rolled into one rare gem. It features shades of purple, orange and yellow in one stone, which is the result of iron in the stone during different states of oxidation.

1. Prasiolite
   Rhodiolite
2. Amethyst
   Garnet

Prasiolite is sometimes erroneously referred to as "green amethyst," although that name would be incorrect. Prasiolite is actually a green variety of quartz, obtained by applying heat to amethyst.

1. Azurmalachite
   Rosealene
2. Petalite
   Precious opal

Named for its petal- or leaf-life appearance, petalite is a particularly brittle gemstone compared to the other colorless stones out there (like diamonds). Though the colorless form is most sought after, it does come in other shades, including yellow and gray.

1. Sodastone
   Moonstone
2. Firestone
   Goldstone

Goldstone comes in a variety of colors, but its flair is its sparkly and reflective copper filings. Some people believe that its copper, like many other copper items available for purchase, grants health benefits to its wearer.

1. Ruby
   Onyx
2. Aventurine
   Diamond

Legend asserts that the onyx was formed from the fingernail clippings of Venus, which were cut by Cupid. The clippings were later turned into the onyx stone since no part of a god can ever die.

1. Titanite
   Turquoise
2. Iolite
   Wonderstone

Wonderstone is formed after a volcanic eruption occurs and pieces of molten rock adhere together. Its cream-and-brown coloring occurs from staining as groundwater washes over it.

1. Rhodochrosite
   Rhodonite
2. Chrysoberyl
   Garnet

Rhodochrosite ranges in color from pale pink to red and is tinged with streaks of white. It is frequently found in Argentinian caves, taking the form of stalactites and stalagmites.

1. Turritella agate
   Sphene
2. Wedgeite
   Goshenite

Also known as titanite, sphene earned its name from the Greek for "wedge," representative of the mineral's shape — particularly the ends. Sphene is more commonly known today as titanite and can be green, yellow or brown in color.