List of Raw Gemstones and Crystals with Pictures

There are thousands of raw gemstones found on Earth during the research by the researchers. Raw gemstones come in different categories such as below mentioned:-

• Gemstones in shape of complete crystal structure
• In Shape of Mineral Specimen such as a raw gemstone is fixed on a metrix
• Loose Shape Rough Gemstones or Broken Crystal Shapes
• Transparent Roughs: This types Includes gems like Quartz, aquamarine, tourmaline, Topaz, and Sapphire.
• Translucent Roughs: Includes Chalcedony, agate, serpentine, Jade
• Opaque Roughs: Includes Turquoise, some agates, Malachite, and Lapis Lazuli.

The Earth is consisted of thousands of hidden treasures, with thousands of rough gemstones, minerals, rocks and crystals which have been discovered by researchers worldwide. These uncut raw stones and unpolished rocks showcase the natural beauty. The diversity of natural minerals have been formed over millions of years. Each raw stone tells a geological story of the Earth while reflecting the unique historical and geological conditions of its origin. These rough gemstones come in various shapes and categories. They each offer a distinct qualities, values, charm and allure.

Raw Gems by Complete Crystal Structures

These gemstones come in complete crystal form and are found in their natural exhibiting the crystal structure geometry of their mineral structure from inside or outside. Such gemstones are rare and attributed to the higher value for their perfect, well-formed crystalline shapes. These types include:

• Quartz Crystals: Quartz Crystals are known for their terminated shapes having for their clarity and versatility, quartz crystals often form in perfect six-sided prisms.
  
• Beryl Varieties: The Other Beryl Varieties are such as Aquamarine, Emeralds, Morganite, bixbite, Goshenite. Emeralds have hexagonal crystal shapes. Each beryl variety is distinctive of its different colors. Beryl formula is Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆ which is consisted on hexagonal crystal structure and shapes. Hexagonal crystal shape has 6 naturally occurred facets. The hardness of beryl is 7.5 to 8 on Mohn Scale. The specific gravity of beryl is 2.63 - 2.80.

  

  Learn about Emerald Stones......

• Corundum: Corundum is based on aluminium oxide. Corundum has normally hexagonal barrel shaped prisms. This taper at both ends. The hardness of corundum is 9 at Mohs Scale which is the hardest after diamond. Varieties of corundum are rubies and sapphires. Rubies have red color where as sapphires has large variety of colors such as blue, yellow, pink, green, purple, white, brown.
  
• Topaz: Topaz crystal has orthorhombic crystal system and based on " Al₂(F,OH)₂SiO_4"chemical formula. It has hardness has 8 on mohs scale. Topaz is basically a silicate mineral which is made of aluminimum and fluorine. Here is various variety of topaz:-
• Imperial Topaz: Encompasses yellow, brown, red, pink, or pink-orange topaz.
• Precious Topaz: Includes yellow or orange varieties of topaz.
• Mystic Topaz: A colorless topaz with an artificial coating that creates a rainbow effect.
• Gouttes d'eau: French for "water drop," referring to colorless cut topaz crystals resembling diamonds.
• Pycnite: A columnar or yellow-white variety of topaz.
• Chrysolithos: Another name for topaz.
• Physalite: Another term associated with topaz.
• Pyrophysalite: A specific form of topaz.
• Peridot: Each Peridot is based on Orthorhombic system and mostly found in Mantle of Earth. Peridot formation occurs in extreme conditions. Peridot is a olivine mineral family. Olivine come with fledspar and quartz. They are normally found in peridotite and basalt. Peridot chemical formula is (MgFe)₂SiO₄.
  
• Tanzanite: Tanzanite crystals also belong to orthorhombic crystal structures. They have well defined naturally occured facets with prismatic shape. Tanzanite contributes to pleochroism. It comes in different colors such as green and blue.
• Spinels: Spinels are cubic crystals and has lot of colors such as pink, grey, purple, lavender, white, black, blue
  
• Garnets: Garnets are also based on cubic crystal structure. They produce generally symmetrical crystals. They have Rhombic dodecahedron group of crystals which have usually 12 sided crystal with diamond shaped faces. Popular garnets are almadine garnets, hydroglossular garnets, tsavorite garnets, hessonite garnets, rhodolite garnets, color change garnets, malaya garnets.
  
• Apatite: Apatite crystal has chemical formula Ca₅(PO₄)_. It is formed in hexagonal crystals. Its rock is a phosphate mineral. Apatite comes in various colors yellow, green, pink and blue.
  
• Epidote: Epidote crystal structure is based on octahedral groups. They belong to " monoclinic system" . Epidote is mostly formed in metamorphic rocks. Epidote are formed in rocks. Two type of rocks can have different epidote crystals.
  
• Kunzite: Kunzite is crystal exhibiting pleochroism. It displays different colors. Kunzite crystal structure has a monoclinic crystal system.It has unequal axes intersecting at oblique angles.
  

Raw Gemstones in Form of Loose Shapes

Loose Rough Gemstones are in form of irregular shapes and found in fragments. Their crystal structure is either not formed or crystals breaks because of natural happenings such as frictions, wind, or water. Sometime outside factors also play role in making them irregular such as tumbled rocks are found on the bank of rivers in mountain areas. Despite their irregular appearance, they possess a unique beauty and transparent stones become good for faceting or lapidary works. List of raw gemstones with pictures in form of loose raw shapes are hereunder:-

• Garnets
  
• Aquamarine
  
• Emeralds
  
• Rubies
  
• Sapphires:
  
• Morganite:
  
• Amethyst:
  
• Peridots
  
• Tourmaline
  

3. Raw Gemstones in form of Mineral Specimens on Matrix

Many raw gemstones also come in embedded within a host rock or matrix. These type raw stones fulfil your aesthetic appeal. These type raw gemstones are normally for collectors. They collect these raw gems for various purposes. The contrast between the stone and its matrix creates a beautiful visual effect. Examples include:

• Aquamarine
  
• Sphene
  
• Topaz
  
• Flourite
  
• Tourmaline
  

Each of these raw gemstones are formed with unique Earth's geological history. With their uncut beauty, they capture the nature's artistry.

Conclusion

Uncut gemstones in their raw form have been attracting the human beings since centuries. The collectors or gemstone jewelry designers or those who want to appreciate the stones or admire stones in affiliation with any myth or folk lore, these raw gemstones provides always unique experience. Each of them tell the story of their own.

Learn more about these..

1. Learn about geology of Kashmir Sapphire or Kashmir Corundum
2. What is Crystallography System
3. How gemstones get their colors?
4. How to Identify real gemstones?
5. How gemstones and crystals are formed?
6. What is Morganite Stone?
7. Identifying Gemstones by Internal Observations
8. What are types of Raw Crystals?
9. Scientific Facts about Natural Gemstones