Even if you don’t know anything about green gemstones, you’ve heard about emeralds. The good news is that there are more gemstones as beautiful as emeralds.
These different gemstones have different uses and price points. They also have different shades of green, some of which you may like better than others. In this post, we’ll teach you all you need to know about green gemstones, our top 21, and what they mean.
What do green gemstones mean?
Green gemstones have many meanings, but they symbolize life, abundance, and prosperity. Because green is associated with nature, these stones symbolize freshness and newness.
21 Green Gemstones You Should Know
Some green gemstones are suitable for everyday use, while others should be worn occasionally. This is usually determined by the rating on the Moh hardness scale. The scale measures the resistance of a mineral to scratches. It runs from 1-10. The higher the rating, the less resistant it is to scratching or breaking.
1. Emerald
Emerald is the most popular green gemstone. It is hard with a 7.5-8 rating on the Moh hardness scale, although it usually has inclusions and fractures that make it weaker than it should be. It is more commonly used on engagement rings than any other jewelry type. When making a purchase, note that the more intense the green of the emerald is, the more valuable it is.
2. Jade
Jade is a durable gemstone suitable for everyday wear. It has a rating of 6 on the Moh hardness scale. There are two varieties called Jadeite and Nephrite. Jadeite is the rarer and more expensive variety, while Nephrite is very available. Both types have a waxy luster to them that makes them attractive.
3. Amazonite
The Amazonite gemstone, also called the amazon stone, gets its name from the Amazon rainforest. With a glassy luster, it comes in different shades of green, from blue-green to light blue and even deep green. The most intense color is the most expensive. Amazonite is an affordable gemstone available in large quantities.
4. Agate
Agate is a semi-precious stone available in different colors, one of which is green. It has a rating of 6.5 – 7 on the Moh hardness scale, which means it is considerably hard. It is usually patterned, and some may have a degree of translucency which means light can pass through but you cannot see through it. It is an affordable gemstone and can be used for all types of jewelry.
5. Malachite
Malachite is a bright green, opaque, semi-precious stone that forms above copper deposits. It is peculiar for its banding and silky luster. It is soft with a rating of 3.4 to 4 Mohs. Due to this, it is suitable for statement pieces that will not be worn often. Egyptians would ground malachite and use it as eyeshadow in the past.
6. Moldavite
Moldavite, also called vitavin, is a natural glass found only in the Czech Republic. It is formed from meteorite activities, so if you’re a fan of extraterrestrial life, you may want to own one of these. To tell the difference between real moldavite and fake, look out for inclusions and bubbles on the real stone.
7. Variscite
Variscite has been around a long time and is usually light green. Sometimes, it is mistaken for turquoise gemstone, but variscite is usually a deeper shade of green. It is soft and may not be the best choice for a ring. It is commonly used for earrings, brooches, and beads.
8. Prasiolite
Prasiolite is also called green amethyst, vermarine, and green quartz. Amethyst can be heat-treated to produce this bright green. It used to be carried by soldiers to the battlefield because they believed it had protective properties. The gemstone is rarely found in nature, and so mostly artificially created in labs. The light green color is attractive, and it is a durable gemstone.
9. Peridot
Peridot is a green gemstone with tones of yellow. It is formed in the earth’s upper mantle, below the earth’s crustand only comes to the surface via volcanic activity. It has a 6.5 to 7 rating on the Moh hardness scale, but can break easily and is not resistant to chemicals. It is usually cut into different gemstone shapes. This is a gemstone for those born in August.
10. Aventurine
Aventurine is a translucent form of quartz. It has a rating of 6.5-7 Mohs –medium hardness. But due to its compact nature, it can withstand impact. It is considered a minor gemstone and is believed to be a lucky stone. Aventurine is a good choice of gemstone for rings and earrings.
11. Topaz
Green Topaz is a rare gemstone and is a sight to behold. Topaz is usually colorless but can be green when traces of chromium are present. It has a rating of 8 Mohs, which makes it an excellent choice for daily wear. It can be used as a part of different types of jewelry.
12. Alexandrite
The stand-out feature of the Alexandrite is its ability to change color from green to red depending on the light available. It is rare, expensive, and highly sought after. Due to this, a good number available are those created in the lab. It has a rating of 8.5 Mohs and can withstand daily wear.
13. Bloodstone
Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is opaque and has bright red spots resembling blood all over its surface. Hence, the name bloodstone. It was a significant stone in the middle ages, but not so much now. Bloodstone is usually classified either as jasper or as a chalcedony. It is a gemstone for those born in March.
14. Tourmaline
Tourmaline is available in a variety of colors. Green colored tourmaline is known as verdalite. It can be translucent or opaque and has a vitreous luster. It has a rating of 7 to 7.5 Mohs and can be worn daily as any type of jewelry.
15. Chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl should not be confused with the beryl gemstone. Although the yellow chrysoberyl is more popular, you can also find the green type. It is commonly used as a part of rings and not in other types of jewelry. It has a hardness of 8.5 Mohs, making it one of the strongest and hardest gemstones.
16. Hiddenite
Hiddenite is transparent and has a vitreous luster. It has a hardness of 6.5-7 Mohs which means it is hard, but because of its perfect cleavage, it can easily break. As such, it is not the best for jewelry and is most commonly on display and not worn. When used in jewelry, it is mostly used as a pendant.
17. Green Beryl
Green Beryl, also known as aquamarine, is a pale green gemstone compared to emerald. The transparent variety is more expensive than the opaque ones since the opacity is due to impurities.
18. Tsavorite
Tsavorite is a pricey, rare green gemstone. It is one of the most sought-after types of garnet. It has a rating of 7 to 7.5 on the Moh hardness scale, which makes it suitable for daily wear.
19. Kornerupine
For Kornerupine, the larger the size, the more expensive the gemstone. This high-quality stone is a collector item. It has a rating of 6 to 7 Mohs, but its cleavage can cause it to break easily. You should wear it occasionally.
20. Sphene
If you’re a gemstone collector, sphene should make it to your list. It is rare and can be expensive. It can show up to three colors depending on the angle. Chrome sphene which is dark green, resembling an emerald, is the most valuable type. It can be used for all types of jewelry as long as it is set correctly.
21. Diopside
Diopside is an affordable gemstone with a hardness of 5-6 Mohs, which is soft and brittle. It can still be used for different jewelry types but must be well cared for. It’s new on the market and is popularly used for costume jewelry.
Which skin tones do green gemstones suit?
Green gemstones look great on both warm and cool skin tones. They are available in different shades of green, so there can be no one-size-fits-all rule. If you try on green gemstone jewelry and it looks good on you, go for it.
Where to Buy Green Gemstones
With gemstones in general, it can be hard to determine the gemstone’s value and easy to fall into the hands of scammers. That’s why it is essential to buy from accredited jewelry stores and request a certificate of authenticity. Online stores are a good place to find rare and uncommon gemstones, but if you’re looking to buy an expensive variety, you may want to visit a licensed jeweler.
Feed the Green-Eyed Gemstone
There are too many green gemstones available for you not to have a favorite. Well, unless you dislike the color green.
Green gemstones are unique and eye-catching. As you choose the right one for you, note the difference between everyday gemstones and the types for special occasions. That way, you’ll ensure your pieces last and get your money’s worth.
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