How and Where Common Gemstones are Mined

While most contemporary stones may be grown in a crystal laboratory, it is still possible to find naturally mined gemstones. In this article, we'll cover some of the world's most common gemstones, including where they were mined and how. So, keep reading to learn more.

Amber: Not a stone, but rather fossilized tree sap, amber is one of the world's oldest jewelry. Most of the world's amber is sourced from the Baltic region, along the coastlines of Russia, Poland, Denmark and Norway. However, this unique product can also be found in the Czech Republic, Canada, Mali, The Dominican Republic, England, France, Italy, Mexico, Romania, Sicily and the United States.

Amethyst: One of the most popular quartz varieties, amethyst is a beautiful purple stone known for its tranquility and rich tones. Some of the world's finest amethyst come from Brazil, Russia and Bolivia. However, the stone can also be found in India, Germany, Canada, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Zambia, the United States and Uruguay.

Emerald: Emerald is the green variety of the beryl stone. Rare and highly prized, some of the world's best emeralds come from Columbia where they are known for their rich and vivid colors. Other global sources include Brazil, India, Afghanistan, Russia, Pakistan and Zambia.

Sapphire: A derivative of corundum, the sapphire is a valuable and prized gem beloved by many. Blue sapphires are some of the most valuable, and stones from Kashmir and Burma are desirable because of their deep and brilliant blue. Other sources include Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Africa, Brazil and the United States.

Diamonds: From the diamond deposits in Sierra Leone to those in the great, white north of Canada, diamonds can be found all over the world. Buyers who are concerned about the ethics of their diamond purchasing should look for diamonds that are "conflict-free," meaning they come from regions adhering to the Kimberly Process Certification scheme.

The Kimberly Process requires countries to voluntarily monitor their diamond supply to insure sale proceeds are not financing rebel militias for arms purchases.

Jade: Long revered by the Chinese, Jade is a tough, but not too hard, opaque to translucent gem often used in carvings and jewelry. Nephrite jade is older and less common than the jadeite found in most contemporary pieces and tends to be a more subdued and sober green than the emerald color of typical jadeite.

Nephrite can be found in the United States and Canada, while jadeite comes from Myanmar and Guatemala.

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