Stone Origin Trace

04 — How Gemstones Are Formed 06 — From Earth to Gem 08 — Introduction to Gemstones

30 — Glossary

TABLE OF

CON

NTENTS 10 — Sapphire 12 — Emerald 14 — Ruby 16 — Diamond 18 — Opal 20 — Amethyst 22 — Aquamarine 24 — Topaz 26 — Garnet 28 — Peridot

HOW GEMSTONES ARE FORMED

How Gemstones Are Formed

Gemstones start on a long journey to the extreme interior of the Earth over millions, and sometimes billions, of years.

Severe heat, pressure, an excess of mineral-rich fluids, and volcanic activity slowly transform standard minerals into rare crystals. Each gemstone also comes into being from a different geological situation. Some grow deep in the Earth’s mantle; others erupt within volcanic cavities or metamorphic rocks.

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The way each gemstone is made, the colour, hardness, transparency, and crystal structure are determined in part by these natural processes. The rarity of gemstones depends on how they look, but it also depends on the environment in which they formed. Geology demonstrates why gemstones are valuable long before they turn into luxury goods.

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

HEAT High temperatures deep within the Earth provide the energy needed for minerals to recrystallise and begin crystal growth.

PRESSURE Extreme pressure compresses minerals, changing their internal structure and forming dense, stable crystals.

TIME

Over millions or even billions of years, heat and pressure allow crystals to grow into natural gemstones.

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FROM EARTH TO GEM

From Earth to Gem

MINING

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CUTTING

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

POLISHING

SETTING

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INTRODUCTION TO GEMSTONES

Introduction to Gemstones

Gemstones have fascinated people for thousands of years because of their beauty, rarity, and remarkable geological origins. Beyond their visual appeal, gemstones provide valuable insight into geology, mineralogy, and the global journey from raw mineral to finished jewellery.

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This publication explores ten gemstones through scientific research and editorial design, encouraging readers to understand not only their physical characteristics but also their origins, environmental impact, and the ethical questions surrounding their extraction.

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

What you will discover Throughout this publication, you will explore the key stages of a gemstone’s journey—from geological formation beneath the Earth’s surface to its transformation into a finished gemstone.

• Geological formation • Country of origin • Mineral composition • Mining methods • Environmental impact • Interesting facts

Environmental considerations The extraction of gemstones can have significant environmental and social consequences. Mining operations may alter landscapes, consume natural resources, and affect surrounding ecosystems and communities.

• Habitat loss • Water consumption • Carbon emissions • Waste rock management • Mine rehabilitation • Responsible sourcing

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Sapphire

Sapphire

Chemical Composition

Mineral

Al₂O₃

Corundum

Hardness 9 Mohs

Formation Forms under high pressure and temperature in metamorphic and igneous rocks

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STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Main Sources

Environmental Impact

• Sri Lanka

• Large-scale mining can cause

• Madagascar

deforestation

• Myanmar

• Water pollution from sediment

• Australia

runoff

Interesting Fact The second hardest natural gemstone after diamond

• Habitat destruction near mining sites • High energy use during cutting and polishing

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Emerald

Emerald

Chemical Composition Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈

Hardness 7.5–8 Mohs

Formation Forms when beryllium-rich fluids interact with chromium-bearing rocks

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Mineral Beryl

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Main Sources

Environmental Impact

• Colombia

• Open-pit mining changes

• Zambia

landscapes

• Brazil

• Soil erosion and forest loss

• Afghanistan

• Water contamination from mining

Interesting Fact Most emeralds naturally contain inclusions called “jardin”

waste • Small-scale mining can affect local ecosystems

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Ruby

Ruby

Chemical Composition

Mineral

Al₂O₃

Corundum

Hardness 9 Mohs

Formation Forms in metamorphic marble deposits

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STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Main Sources

Environmental Impact

• Myanmar

• Forest clearing for mining

• Mozambique

• River sediment pollution

• Thailand

• Poor working conditions in some

• Madagascar

regions

Interesting Fact

• Habitat fragmentation

Its red colour comes from chromium

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Diamond

Diamond

Chemical Composition C

Hardness 10 Mohs

Formation Forms deep within Earth’s mantle over billions of years

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Mineral Native Carbon

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Main Sources

Environmental Impact

• Botswana

• Large open-pit mines permanently

• Canada

alter landscapes

• Russia

• High carbon emissions during

• South Africa

extraction

Interesting Fact Most diamonds are over one billion years old

• Significant water consumption • Mine rehabilitation is often required after closure

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Opal

Opal

Chemical Composition SiO₂·nH₂O

Hardness 5.5–6.5 Mohs

Formation Forms when silica-rich water fills cracks in rocks

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Mineral Hydrated Silica

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Main Sources

Environmental Impact

• Australia

• Lower environmental impact than

• Ethiopia

many gemstones

• Mexico

• Local habitat disturbance • Water use during mining

Interesting Fact

• Dust generation in arid mining regions

Australia produces over 90% of the world’s precious opals

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Amethyst

Amethyst

Chemical Composition SiO₂

Hardness 7 Mohs

Formation Develops inside volcanic cavities

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Mineral Quartz

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Main Sources

Environmental Impact

• Brazil

• Quarrying changes local

• Uruguay

landscapes

• Zambia

• Vegetation removal • Moderate energy used in

Interesting Fact Its purple colour is caused by iron impurities and natural radiation

processing • Transport contributes to emissions

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Aquamarine

Aquamarine

Chemical Composition Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈

Hardness 7.5–8 Mohs

Formation Forms in granite pegmatites

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Mineral Beryl

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Main Sources

Environmental Impact

• Brazil

• Habitat loss near mines

• Pakistan

• Soil erosion

• Nigeria

• Dust pollution

• Madagascar

• Water management challenges

Interesting Fact Its blue colour comes from iron

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Topaz

Topaz

Chemical Composition Al₂SiO₄(F,OH)₂

Topaz

Hardness 8 Mohs

Formation Forms in granitic volcanic cavities

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Mineral

rocks

and

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Main Sources

Environmental Impact

• Brazil

• Surface mining disturbs

• Pakistan

ecosystems

• Russia

• Waste rock disposal

• Madagascar

• Water consumption

Interesting Fact

• Carbon emissions from transport

Natural blue topaz is extremely rare

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Garnet

Garnet

Chemical Composition Variable silicates

Hardness 6.5–7.5 Mohs

Formation Forms in metamorphic rocks

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Mineral Garnet Group

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Main Sources

Environmental Impact

• India

• Soil disturbance

• Sri Lanka

• Vegetation removal

• Madagascar

• Dust pollution

• Mozambique

• Local biodiversity impacts

Interesting Fact Garnets occur in almost every colour except blue

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Peridot

Peridot

Chemical Composition (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄

Hardness 6.5–7 Mohs

Formation Crystallises in Earth’s upper mantle and volcanic rocks

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Mineral Olivine

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Main Sources

Environmental Impact

• China

• Small quarry operations alter

• Pakistan

landscapes

• Myanmar

• Habitat disturbance

• United States

• Energy used in extraction and

Interesting Fact

transport • Mine restoration varies by region

Peridot is one of the few gemstones formed deep inside Earth’s mantle

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GLOSSARY

Glossary

WORD

DEFINITION

Crystal System

The natural geometric structure in which minerals grow.

Mohs Hardness

A scale measuring a mineral’s resistance to scratching.

Hydrothermal

Formation through hot mineralrich fluids.

Metamorphic Rock

Rock changed pressure.

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by

heat

and

STONE ORIGIN TRACE

Igneous Rock

Rock formed from cooled magma.

Open-pit Mining

Surface mining method used to extract minerals.

Traceability

The ability to track a gemstone from its source to the final product.

Ethical Sourcing

Obtaining materials while respecting people, communities, and the environment.

Sustainability

Using natural resources responsibly to reduce environmental impact.

Rehabilitation

Restoring activities.

land

after

mining

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