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Index
Natural Gemstones
Natural gemstones
Geologic environment
Gemstones occur in most major geologic environments.
Mineral gemstones
Birthstones
Organic gemstones
Buyer beware
Since 1935, the mining of gemstones in the United States has been almost entirely a recreational activity of mineral collectors and hobbyists.
The 1990 U.S. output of natural gemstones was primarily from Tennessee, California, Arizona, Arkansas, Montana, Nevada, and Maine.
Gemstones: Value of U.S. production vs. imports, 1986 and 1989[1]
Except for the few gem diamonds found each year in Arkansas, U.S. diamond production is very low.
World diamond reserves are estimated to be about 300 million carats, including near-gem materials but not diamonds of abrasive quality.
Chemical formulas of gemstones
Some ways to contact a local rock, mineral, or gem club
Role of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Selected general references
Acknowledgments
Photographs
Transcriber’s Notes
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