Gems and Gemstone Resources: Links
Online Exhibits
The Allure of Pearls
From the Smithsonian Museum: A selection of extraordinary pearls represents the breadth in color, shape, size, and luster of these natural gems.
The Amber Gallery
This site, in addition to a gallery, features amber facts and grading systems; and how to tell whether a piece of amber is genuine.
The Dynamic Earth: Gems & Minerals Tab [opens a new window]
From the Smithsonian Museum: This site features links to "All About Gems",
"The Hope Diamond", and "The National Gem Collection".
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
This site features a slide show exhibit and information on the history of lapidary.
The Nature of Diamonds
From the American Museum of Natural History: This online exhibit has information on diamond origins, history, mining & distribution, and photographs of famous jewels.
Smithsonian Gem & Mineral Collection
This online exhibit has photographs of gems and minerals housed at the Smithsonian Institution.
Web Links
Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia has in depth information about the crown jewels of the United Kingdom, and can be searched for information about
"crown jewels" from around the world.
Diamond by Wikipedia.org
This article has information on material, mechanical, electromagnetic and thermal properties of diamonds as well as the natural history of diamonds.
International Colored Gemstone Association
This site is "All About Colored Gemstones" and features a gem-by-gem guide, information on birthstones, gem stories and gem tips.
Hope Diamond
This Smithsonian Institute resource page features history and data about this most famous of diamonds.
Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist
Step by step projects, and free articles on cutting and carving gemstones.
Natural Gemstones
U.S.G.S. site features information on key terminology, geologic environment, and chemical formulas for gems.
An Overview of Production of Specific U.S. Gemstones
U.S. Bureau of Mines Special Publication 14-95. This report presents an overview of the production of specific gemstones from deposits within the United States.
Synthetic and Simulant Gemstones
This U.S.G.S. site features information on laboratory grown gemstones.
Treasures of the World--Hope Diamond
PBS information and history on the Hope Diamond including a photograph of the original setting.
The World of Famous Diamonds and other Famous Gems
This page has photographs, descriptions, and history of the most famous gems in the world;
and it also includes information on color, clarity, cut, carat-Weight, and diamond weight estimations.
Compiled and Maintained by
Patti Dittoe, Library Assistant I,
Orton Memorial Library of Geology,
The Ohio State University.
Created July 07, 2005/Updated August 14, 2007.