List of False or Misleading Gemstone Names
A list of False or Misleading Gemstone Names and its Actual Gemological Name. Gathered by the source "Gemstones of the World, 3rd Edition, Walter Schumann.
1 Minute Read
By International Gem Society, updated on
| False Gemstone Name | Actual Gemological Name |
| Adelaide ruby | Almandite |
| African emerald | Green fluorite |
| Alaska diamond | Rock crystal (quartz) |
| American jade | Green idocrase |
| American ruby | Pyrope or almandite (garnet) or rose quartz |
| Arizona ruby | Pyrope (garnet) |
| Arizona spinel | Red or Green garnet |
| Arkansas diamond | Rock crystal (quartz) |
| Balas ruby | Red spinel |
| Blue alexandrite | Color-change sapphire |
| Blue moonstone | Artificially blue-tinted chalcedony |
| Bohemian chrysolite | Moldavite (natural glass) |
| Bohemian diamond | Rock crystal (quartz) |
| Bohemian ruby | Pyrope (garnet) or rose quartz |
| Brazilian aquamarine | Bluegreen topaz |
| Brazilian ruby | Red or Pink topaz |
| Brazilian sapphire | Blue tourmaline |
| Californian ruby | Hessonite (grossular garnet) |
| Candy spinel | Almandite (garnet) |
| Cape-chrysolite | Green prehnite |
| Cape-ruby | Pyrope (garnet) |
| Ceylon diamond | Colorless zircon |
| Ceylon opal | Opal-like glimmery moonstone |
| Copper lapis | Azurite |
| German diamond | Rock crystal (quartz) |
| German lapis | Artificially blue-tinted jasper (chalcedony) |
| Gold topaz | Citrine (quartz) |
| Indian jade | Aventurine (quartz) |
| King's topaz | Yellow sapphire |
| Korean jade | Serpentine |
| Lithia amethyst | Kunzite (spodumene) |
| Lithia emerald | Hiddenite (spodumene) |
| Madeira topaz | Citrine (quartz) |
| Marmarosch diamond | Rock crystal (quartz) |
| Matura diamond | Colorless fired zircon |
| Mexican diamond | Rock crystal (quartz) |
| Mexican jade | Artificially tinted green marble |
| Montana ruby | Red garnet |
| Oriental amethyst | Violet sapphire |
| Oriental hyacinth | Pink sapphire |
| Oreintal topaz | Yellow sapphire |
| Palmyra topaz | Brown synthetic sapphire |
| Salmanca topaz | Citrine (quartz) |
| Saxon chrysolite | Greenish-yellow topaz |
| Saxon diamond | Colorless topaz |
| Serra topaz | Citrine (quartz) |
| Siamese aquamarine | Blue zircon |
| Siberian chrysolite | Demantoid (garnet) |
| Siberian ruby | Red tourmaline (rubellite tourmaline) |
| Simili diamond | Glass imitation |
| Slave-diamond | Colorless topaz |
| Smoky topaz | Smoky quartz |
| Spanish topaz | Citrine (quartz) |
| Strass diamond | Glass imitation |
| Transvaal jade | Green hydrogrossular garnet |
| Ural sapphire | Blue tourmaline |
| Viennese turquoise | Artificially blue-tinted argillaceous earth |
Source: Gemstones of the World, 3rd Edition, Walter Schumann.
International Gem Society
Related Articles
Birthstone Chart
What are the birthstones by month? January is garnet, February is amethyst, March is aquamarine, April is diamond, May is...
Read More
How to Estimate Gem Weight in a Jewelry Setting
Although you can't weigh a gemstone in a jewelry setting, you can get a close approximation of the gem weight...
Read More
Weights and Measures Conversion Chart
Printable chart to convert weights and measures including Carats, Grams, Kilograms, Ounces, Pounds and Troy Ounces Pounds and Pennyweights.
Read More
Gemstone Toxicity Table
Gem faceters and jewelry enthusiasts alike should learn about gemstone toxicity. This table has toxicity ratings for 280+ gems, based...
Read More
Latest Articles
800 Years of Mogok: A Celebration in Tenuous Times
As Mogok, Myanmar prepares to celebrate its 800th anniversary, the inhabitants of this prolific gem producing region face an uncertain...
Read More
What is the Average Gemstone Faceting Yield?
What’s the average gemstone faceting yield from a single piece of rough? Learn how to estimate how much material you’ll...
Read More
Pyroxmangite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Pyroxmangite grains are rare, seldom clean enough to facet, and difficult to cut. However, when cut, they are extremely beautiful...
Read More
How to Identify Emerald Simulants and Synthetics
Gemologists can separate natural emeralds from emerald simulants and synthetics. Learn about the most common tools and techniques for this....
Read More
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!