The oldest names for gemstones can be traced back to the Oriental, Greek and Latin languages. Greek names especially have left their mark on modern gemstone names.

The meaning of old names is not always clear, especially of the meaning of the word itself has changed. The make matters worse before the modern era totally different gemstone may have the same name based on color.

The gemstone and jewelry trade would often add their own names to gemstones to boast sales. This is how we got a gemstone named Morganite - Pink Beryl named by George Frederick Kunz in honor of JP Morgan.

Today if a new mineral or gemstone is found it's name must be presented to the Commission on New Mineral Names of the IMA (International Mineralogical Association) if the name is approved then it is sanctioned for use.

In the gemstone, trade the danger of purposefully giving a wrong name is especially high. Permitted definitions foe gemstones are regulated through the International Association of Jewelry, Silverwares, Diamonds, Pearls and Stones; call the CIBJO (Confederation Internationale de la Bijorterie, Joaillerie, Orfevrerie des diamants, perles, et pierres)

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission tries to regulate the industry and protect the consumers. They offer several guides for consumers and dealers.

If you think that, the mislabeling of gems and pearls only happens in some third world countries. Think again, in February 1997 Zales was fined and cited by the FTC 

ZALE TO SETTLE FTC CHARGES OF SELLING IMITATION PEARLS AS "CULTURED"

If pearl jewelry is on your shopping list for Valentine's Day, a case just announced by the Federal Trade Commission provides useful shopping information. The FTC said today the nation's largest jewelry retailer has agreed to settle charges that it deceptively advertised its "Ocean Treasures" line of imitation pearl jewelry as composed of cultured pearls. The FTC cited statements Zale placed in advertising, including "created by nature, enhanced by man," alongside pictures of the Ocean Treasures line, and alleged that this created the impression that the jewelry was composed of cultured pearls. The settlement includes a cease and desist order that would prohibit the challenged claims, require Zale to disclose clearly and prominently the nature of the pearl jewelry it sells, and mandate that company stores display consumer information about the definition of natural, cultured and imitation pearls.

Unfortunately, no matter how the gates are guarded there are always barbarians willing to storm the citadel. In other words, not every body plays by the rules. When I am at a gem show I may see a bead color that I have never seen before, I will ask the vendor what it is. Sometimes due to the language difference I not sure that I catch what they say. If I this happens I will ask a variety of vendors what it is. Like in the case of the Strawberry Quartz that was everywhere in 2000.

If I cannot figure out what it is I walk away, but some dealers just go with what they are told and pass it on to their customers. Some of it is done to make their product seem more valuable, some is done simply because they do not know, or are confused by trade names for common gemstones.

A Disclaimer:  Effort has been made of including information that is found in at least two sources. I can make no claim on the accuracy of this information. I am not a Geologist or Gemologist. I make no guarantees and infer no warranties. For more information, please refer to the bibliography.

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Copyright Information:  Although I have included a bibliography, but no attempt has been made to give credit to individual passages. If you are an author and feel that I have infringed on your copyrighted material please let me know. With that in mind, all material and information, retain their respected Copyrights.

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I encourage the reader to pursue the further study of any topic that they find particularly interesting. A good place to start is your local library.

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Bibliography: 

• The curious lore of precious stones - Author Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932.
• Gem identification made easy - Matlins, Antoinette Leonard.
• Gems: Their Sources, Descriptions and Identification - By Robert Webster, Peter G. Read (Editor).
• Gemstone Enhancement: history, science and state of the art - by Kurt Nassau.
• Gemstones of the world - Walter Schumann ; translated by Evelyne Stern.
• Gems, Minerals & Lapidary Links
• Have you ever sent he inside story of a modern bead factory in India? I asked one of my suppliers to send me back some pictures. Check out the Tour.