Glossary of gem and bead terms
Every material term on LumaLark Wiki, defined in one line from a standard clause, a mineralogical description or its classification, with the basis for each.
Terms
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Term | Definition | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Abalone Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Abalone pearl: natural pearl from gastropods of the genus Haliotis | Mineralogical description |
| Achroite | Variety · Colourless tourmaline variety | Mineralogical description |
| Actinolite | Mineral species · Actinolite | Mineralogical description |
| Agarwood | Organic / biogenic · Resin-impregnated heartwood of Aquilaria spp. and Gyrinops spp. (Thymelaeaceae); a plant-derived organic material, not a mineral | Mineralogical description |
| Agate | Rock / aggregate · Banded chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz) | Mineralogical description |
| Akoya Cultured Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Cultured pearl from the Pinctada fucata martensii oyster; classic white pearl | Mineralogical description |
| Alashan Yu | Trade name · Quartzose jade sold under the trade name Alashan Yu (GB/T 34098 Table A.1) | Mineralogical description |
| Albite | Mineral species · Albite (IMA mineral species, feldspar group) | Mineralogical description |
| Albite Jade | Rock / aggregate · Albite-dominant aggregate used as jade material | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Alexandrite | Variety · Colour-change chrysoberyl variety | Mineralogical description |
| Alexandrite Cat’s-eye | Variety · Chatoyant colour-change chrysoberyl | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Almandine | Mineral species · Almandine garnet | Mineralogical description |
| Amazonite | Variety · Green to blue-green microcline feldspar | Mineralogical description |
| Amber | Organic / biogenic · Fossilized tree resin, organic material | Mineralogical description |
| Amber with Animal Inclusion | Organic / biogenic · Amber containing animal inclusion(s) | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Amber with Plant Inclusion | Organic / biogenic · Amber containing plant inclusion(s) | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Amblygonite | Mineral species · Amblygonite | Mineralogical description |
| Amethyst | Variety · Quartz (SiO2), purple variety | Mineralogical description |
| Ametrine | Variety · Natural quartz variety exhibiting both amethyst and citrine colour sectors | Mineralogical description |
| Ammolite | Rock / aggregate · Iridescent ammonite fossil shell material | Mineralogical description |
| Amphibole | Mineral group / supergroup · Amphibole-group minerals | Mineralogical description |
| Andalusite | Mineral species · Andalusite | Mineralogical description |
| Andesine | Variety · Andesine; plagioclase feldspar intermediate variety | Mineralogical description |
| Andradite | Mineral species · Andradite garnet | Mineralogical description |
| Anorthite | Mineral species · Anorthite (IMA mineral species, plagioclase feldspar end-member) | Mineralogical description |
| Apatite | Mineral group / supergroup · Apatite group/field name; gem material is commonly fluorapatite, but species requires identification | Mineralogical description |
| Apophyllite | Mineral group / supergroup · Apophyllite-group gem material | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Aquamarine | Variety · See the CIBJO original entry. (7.2.1.21) | CIBJO 7.2.1.21 |
| Aragonite | Mineral species · Aragonite (IMA mineral species, CaCO3 polymorph) | Mineralogical description |
| Artificial Gadolinium Gallium Garnet (GGG) | Artificial product · Manufactured Gd3Ga5O12 crystal with no natural gem counterpart | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Artificial Strontium Aluminate Borate | Artificial product · Manufactured strontium aluminate borate material | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Artificial Strontium Titanate | Artificial product · Manufactured strontium titanate crystal | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Artificial Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG) | Artificial product · Manufactured Y3Al5O12 crystal with no natural gem counterpart | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Augite | Mineral species · Augite | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Aventurine Quartz | Variety · Aventurine quartz: translucent-to-opaque quartz with reflective mineral inclusions, commonly mica | Mineralogical description |
| Aventurine Quartz / Green Aventurine | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Aventurine quartz (commercially also called Indian jade) | Mineralogical description |
| Axinite | Mineral group / supergroup · Axinite-group gem material | Mineralogical description |
| Azurite | Mineral species · Azurite (Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2) | Mineralogical description |
| Azurite-Malachite | Rock / aggregate · Azurite-malachite: rock of intergrown azurite and malachite | Mineralogical description |
| Balin Stone | Rock / aggregate · Chinese carving stone; mineral composition varies | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Bamboo Coral | Organic / biogenic · Segmented coral with jointed appearance; not a precious coral species | Mineralogical description |
| Banded Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Banded chalcedony | Mineralogical description |
| Barite | Mineral species · Barite (BaSO4) | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Baroque Cultured Pearl | Shape / bead form · Cultured pearl of irregular/non-symmetrical shape | Mineralogical description |
| Beige Marble | Trade name · Carbonate rock (marble), chiefly calcite and possibly dolomite; a polymineral aggregate, not a jade | Mineralogical description |
| Benitoite | Mineral species · Benitoite | Mineralogical description |
| Beryl | Mineral species · Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) | Mineralogical description |
| Beryllium-Diffused Sapphire | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Sapphire coloured by beryllium lattice diffusion | Mineralogical description |
| Bi Yu, Green Nephrite Variety | Trade name · Green nephrite; fibrous aggregate of actinolite–tremolite series amphibole (GB/T colour subcategory) | Mineralogical description |
| Black Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Dark chalcedony/agate, commonly dyed | Mineralogical description |
| Black Coral | Organic / biogenic · For the full description, see ANTIPATHARIA in CITES Appendices 2026; Table A.3 “Coral” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Black Diamond (treated) | Trade name · Diamond coloured black by treatment (graphitisation by heating, or irradiation) | Mineralogical description |
| Black Moonstone | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Dark feldspar marketed for moonstone-like sheen | Mineralogical description |
| Black Nephrite | Trade name (colour / appearance) · For the full description, see Table A.2 “Hetian Yu,Nephrite” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Black Opal | Variety · Dark-background natural opal variety | Mineralogical description |
| Black Tourmaline | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Usually schorl tourmaline | Mineralogical description |
| Blister Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Blister pearl: a natural or cultured pearl adhered to the inner wall of the mollusc shell | Mineralogical description |
| Bloodstone / Heliotrope | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Green chalcedony with red iron-oxide spots | Mineralogical description |
| Blue Amber | Organic / biogenic · Amber showing blue appearance/fluorescence under specified conditions | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Blue Anhydrite | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Blue anhydrite (CaSO4) sold as Angelite | Mineralogical description |
| Blue Apatite | Mineral group / supergroup · Blue apatite-group gem material; commonly fluorapatite, species requires identification | Mineralogical description |
| Blue Coral | Organic / biogenic · Blue coral (Heliopora coerulea): calcareous reef-building octocoral, a common coral | Mineralogical description |
| Blue Lace Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Banded pale-blue chalcedony | Mineralogical description |
| Bone | Organic / biogenic · Vertebrate bone material; species and treatment must be recorded | Mineralogical description |
| Boulder Opal | Variety · Thin natural opal layer on ironstone or sandstone host rock | Mineralogical description |
| Bovine Bone | Organic / biogenic · Animal bone material | Mineralogical description |
| Bovine Horn | Organic / biogenic · Keratinous animal horn material | Mineralogical description |
| Brazilianite | Mineral species · Brazilianite | Mineralogical description |
| Brown Nephrite | Trade name (colour / appearance) · For the full description, see Table A.2 “Hetian Yu,Nephrite” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Brucite | Mineral species · Brucite (Mg(OH)2) | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Burma Ruby | Trade name (geographic / origin) · Ruby historically associated with Myanmar; trade variety recognised by GIA | Mineralogical description |
| Bytownite | Variety · Bytownite; plagioclase feldspar intermediate variety | Mineralogical description |
| Calcareous Coral | Organic / biogenic · Calcareous coral: coral made mainly of calcium carbonate with some organic matter (GB/T 16553 §5.3.4.3) | Mineralogical description |
| Calcite | Mineral species · Calcite (CaCO3) | Mineralogical description |
| Canary Tourmaline | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Bright yellow tourmaline trade variety | Mineralogical description |
| Carbonado | Variety · Black polycrystalline diamond aggregate | Mineralogical description |
| Carnelian | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Orange-red chalcedony | Mineralogical description |
| Cassiterite | Mineral species · Cassiterite (SnO2) | Mineralogical description |
| Cat’s-eye | Variety · For the full description, see §5.3.1 in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Cat’s-eye Chrysoberyl | Variety · Chatoyant chrysoberyl | Mineralogical description |
| Celestite / Celestine | Mineral species · Celestine (SrSO4) | Mineralogical description |
| Ceylon Sapphire | Trade name (geographic / origin) · Sapphire historically associated with Sri Lanka; recognised as a trade variety | Mineralogical description |
| Chalcedony | Rock / aggregate · Microcrystalline quartz | Mineralogical description |
| Changhua Stone | Rock / aggregate · Chinese carving stone; mineral composition varies | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Charoite | Mineral species · Charoite | Mineralogical description |
| Chiastolite | Variety · Cross-pattern andalusite variety | Mineralogical description |
| Chicken-blood Stone | Rock / aggregate · Chinese carving-stone material with cinnabar-bearing red portions and clay-mineral matrix | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Chlorite | Mineral group / supergroup · Chlorite-group minerals | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Chrome Chalcedony | Trade name · Chrome chalcedony (mtorolite): green chalcedony (quartz), colour due to chromium | Mineralogical description |
| Chrome Tourmaline | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Green chromium-bearing tourmaline trade variety | Mineralogical description |
| Chrysoberyl | Mineral species · Chrysoberyl (BeAl2O4) | Mineralogical description |
| Chrysocolla | Rock / aggregate · Chrysocolla, a mineral species with variable Cu–Al hydrous silicate composition; commercial beads may be mixtures | Mineralogical description |
| Chrysocolla Chalcedony | Trade name · Chrysocolla chalcedony (gem silica): green to blue translucent chalcedony (quartz) coloured by copper or minute chrysocolla inclusions | Mineralogical description |
| Chrysoprase | Variety · Green nickel-bearing chalcedony variety | Mineralogical description |
| Circled Cultured Pearl | Shape / bead form · Cultured pearl with one or more concentric rings or grooves | Mineralogical description |
| Citrine | Variety · Transparent pale-yellow to brownish-orange quartz variety | Mineralogical description |
| Clay Minerals Jade | Rock / aggregate · Clay-mineral-rich aggregate used as jade/ornamental stone | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Clear Quartz / Rock Crystal | Variety · Quartz (SiO2), colorless variety | Mineralogical description |
| Coated Quartz | Trade name · Quartz (usually rock crystal) with a thin surface film, such as a vapour-deposited metal or metal-oxide coating, applied to produce colour or iridescence | Mineralogical description |
| Coated Topaz | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Topaz with a thin surface coating to produce colour or special effects | Mineralogical description |
| Cobalt Spinel | Variety · Cobalt spinel: blue to violetish blue variety of spinel, cobalt as main chromophore | Mineralogical description |
| Colombian Emerald | Trade name (geographic / origin) · Emerald historically associated with Colombian deposits | Mineralogical description |
| Colour-Change Garnet | Variety · Colour change from bluish green in daylight to pink to purplish red in incandescent light. | CIBJO 7.2.1.63 |
| Colour-change Sapphire | Variety · Sapphire (corundum) showing colour change under different light sources | Mineralogical description |
| Colourless to White Quartz (brand name: Azeztulite) | Trade name (cultural / brand) · Quartz sold under a proprietary/metaphysical market term; exact legal status and material require supplier evidence | Mineralogical description |
| Common Opal | Variety · Opal without play-of-colour | Mineralogical description |
| Composite / Assembled Stone | Artificial product · Gem product assembled from two or more parts joined together | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Coober Pedy Opal | Mineraloid · White or crystal opal historically associated with Coober Pedy, South Australia | Mineralogical description |
| Copal | Organic / biogenic · Younger subfossil or recent resin; not amber | Mineralogical description |
| Coral | Organic / biogenic · Biogenic skeletal material; composition depends on taxon (calcareous or organic) | Mineralogical description |
| Corundum | Mineral species · Corundum (Al2O3) | Mineralogical description |
| Crazy Lace Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Banded chalcedony; trade variety name | Mineralogical description |
| Crystal Opal | Variety · Transparent to semi-transparent opal with strong play-of-colour | Mineralogical description |
| Cultured Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Pearl formed in a mollusc with human intervention | Mineralogical description |
| Czech-made Bead | Trade name (identity unverified) · Czech-origin bead trade term; actual material may be glass, wood, imitation pearl or another product | Mineralogical description |
| Dabieshan Yu | Trade name · Quartzose jade sold under the trade name Dabieshan Yu (GB/T 34098 Table A.1) | Mineralogical description |
| Danburite | Mineral species · Danburite | Mineralogical description |
| Datolite | Mineral species · Datolite | Mineralogical description |
| Demantoid | Variety · Green andradite gem variety | Mineralogical description |
| Dendritic Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Chalcedony with manganese/iron oxide dendrites | Mineralogical description |
| Diamond | Mineral species · Diamond (carbon) | Mineralogical description |
| Diaspore | Mineral species · Diaspore (IMA mineral species); gem variety known as Zultanite® or Csarite® | Mineralogical description |
| Diopside | Mineral species · Diopside | Mineralogical description |
| Dioptase | Mineral species · Dioptase (Cu6Si6O18·6H2O) | Mineralogical description |
| Dolomite | Mineral species · Dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) | Mineralogical description |
| Dumortierite | Mineral species · Dumortierite (Al7BO3(SiO4)3O3) | Mineralogical description |
| Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade | Rock / aggregate · Polymineral rock mainly of plagioclase and zoisite | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Dyed Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Dyed chalcedony/agate | Mineralogical description |
| Elbaite | Mineral species · Elbaite (IMA tourmaline-group mineral species) | Mineralogical description |
| Elestial Quartz / Skeletal Quartz | Trade name · Quartz (SiO2) showing a skeletal / etched growth habit; the name describes crystal habit, not a distinct mineral species | Mineralogical description |
| Emerald | Variety · Green beryl colored by Cr/V | Mineralogical description |
| Emerald-Resin Composite | Artificial product · Manufactured composite of emerald pieces bonded with resin or polymer | Mineralogical description |
| Enstatite | Mineral species · Enstatite | Mineralogical description |
| Epidote | Mineral species · Epidote | Mineralogical description |
| Euclase | Mineral species · Euclase | Mineralogical description |
| Eye Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Banded chalcedony with concentric eye pattern | Mineralogical description |
| Fancy Color Diamond | Variety · Diamond of the fancy-colour series (colour origin to be stated) | Mineralogical description |
| Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade | Rock / aggregate · Polycrystalline aggregate chiefly of jadeite and potentially omphacite and/or kosmochlor | Mineralogical description |
| Feldspar | Mineral group / supergroup · Feldspar-group minerals | Mineralogical description |
| Fire Agate | Trade name · Fire agate: largely opaque agate (chalcedony, quartz) with iridescent colours against a brown body colour | Mineralogical description |
| Fire Opal | Variety · Yellow, orange to red opal variety | Mineralogical description |
| Flower Agate / Cherry Blossom Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Chalcedony with plume-like inclusions | Mineralogical description |
| Fluorite | Mineral species · Fluorite (CaF2) | Mineralogical description |
| Flux-Healed Ruby | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Ruby with fractures healed by flux-assisted heat treatment | Mineralogical description |
| Freshwater Cultured Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Cultured pearl formed in a freshwater mollusc | Mineralogical description |
| Freshwater Natural Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Natural pearl formed in a freshwater mollusc | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Garnet | Mineral group / supergroup · Garnet group (nesosilicates) | Mineralogical description |
| Garnet-Topped Doublet | Artificial product · Assembled stone with a thin natural garnet crown fused to a glass pavilion | Mineralogical description |
| Giant Clam Shell | Organic / biogenic · Shell material from giant clams | Mineralogical description |
| Glass | Artificial product · Man-made glass | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Golden Amber | Organic / biogenic · Golden-coloured amber trade category | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Golden Coral | Organic / biogenic · Coral with golden colour; may be from bleached black coral or natural gold coral | Mineralogical description |
| Golden Sheen Obsidian | Natural glass · Obsidian showing golden sheen from inclusions/bubbles | Mineralogical description |
| Goshenite | Variety · Colourless beryl variety | Mineralogical description |
| Green Amber | Organic / biogenic · Green-coloured amber trade category | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Green Fluorite | Mineral species · Green fluorite (CaF2) | Mineralogical description |
| Green Nephrite | Trade name (colour / appearance) · For the full description, see Table A.2 “Hetian Yu,Nephrite” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Green Quartz | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Green quartz; colour origin and treatment require identification | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Green Sapphire | Variety · Green corundum gem variety | Mineralogical description |
| Grossular | Mineral species · Grossular garnet | Mineralogical description |
| Gypsum | Mineral species · Gypsum (IMA mineral species, CaSO4·2H2O) | Mineralogical description |
| Hackmanite | Variety · Sodalite variety exhibiting tenebrescence (reversible colour change on UV exposure) | Mineralogical description |
| Hawksbill Turtle Shell | Organic / biogenic · Shell material from hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Hawk’s Eye | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Blue-gray chatoyant quartz pseudomorph material | Mineralogical description |
| Haüyne | Mineral species · Haüyne | Mineralogical description |
| Heliodor / Golden Beryl | Variety · Yellow beryl | Mineralogical description |
| Hematite | Mineral species · Hematite (Fe2O3) | Mineralogical description |
| Hemimorphite | Mineral species · Hemimorphite | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Hessonite | Variety · Orange to reddish-brown grossular garnet variety | Mineralogical description |
| Hetian Yu / Nephrite | Variety · Nephrite material under Chinese nomenclature; chiefly tremolite–actinolite aggregate | Mineralogical description |
| Hetian Yu, Brown Sugar-coloured Nephrite Variety | Variety · Brown to yellow-brown nephrite material named as a Hetian Yu variety under Chinese nomenclature | Mineralogical description |
| Hetian Yu, Green Nephrite Variety | Variety · Green nephrite material named as a Hetian Yu variety under Chinese nomenclature | Mineralogical description |
| Hezhou Yu | Trade name · Quartzose jade sold under the trade name Hezhou Yu (GB/T 34098 Table A.1) | Mineralogical description |
| High-clarity quartz with golden needle-like inclusions | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Quartz sold under a Chinese quality/trade name; commonly claimed golden rutile inclusions, but identity and grade require evidence | Mineralogical description |
| Horn | Organic / biogenic · Keratinous horn material from bovids or wild ungulates | Mineralogical description |
| Horny Coral | Organic / biogenic · Horny coral: coral made almost entirely of organic matter (GB/T 16553 §5.3.4.3) | Mineralogical description |
| Howlite | Mineral species · Howlite | Mineralogical description |
| Huanglong Yu | Trade name · Quartzose jade sold under the trade name Huanglong Yu (GB/T 34098 Table A.1) | Mineralogical description |
| Hydrogrossular | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Hydrogrossular garnet-series material | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Hydrophane Opal | Variety · Porous opal that can absorb liquids and change appearance | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Iceland Spar | Variety · Transparent optical calcite variety | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Imitation Gem | Artificial product · Product that imitates the appearance of a gem material without sharing its composition or structure | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Imitation Opal | Artificial product · Glass, resin or other product imitating opal without meeting synthetic-opal definition | Mineralogical description |
| Imitation Pearl | Artificial product · Man-made product imitating pearl; substrate and coating vary | Mineralogical description |
| Imperial Topaz | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Medium reddish-orange to orange-red topaz trade variety | Mineralogical description |
| Included Quartz | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Umbrella market term for quartz with scenic, phantom, hair-like or other inclusions | Mineralogical description |
| Indicolite | Variety · Blue tourmaline gem variety | Mineralogical description |
| Iolite | Mineral species · light to dark blue and violet, transparent to translucent Comment Iolite is the gemmological term for cordierite (see Iolite) | CIBJO 7.2.1.66 |
| Irradiated Blue Topaz | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Colourless topaz turned blue by irradiation (often followed by heat) | Mineralogical description |
| Ivory | Organic / biogenic · Ivory from animal tusk or tooth; species must be identified | Mineralogical description |
| Jade | Mineral species · Generic gem-material term that may cover jadeite jade, nephrite jade and, in qualified usage, some omphacite-bearing material | Mineralogical description |
| Jadeite | Mineral species · Jadeite (IMA mineral species; NaAlSi2O6 pyroxene) | Mineralogical description |
| Jasper | Rock / aggregate · Opaque, impure microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) coloured by iron oxide and clay mineral impurities | Mineralogical description |
| Jet | Organic / biogenic · Jet: compact organic material derived from lignitic wood | Mineralogical description |
| Jinsha Stone | Trade name (identity unverified) · Chinese market name that may refer to goldstone glass or another product; actual material requires confirmation | Mineralogical description |
| Jinsi Yu | Trade name · Quartzose jade sold under the trade name Jinsi Yu (GB/T 34098 Table A.1) | Mineralogical description |
| Jixue Yu | Trade name · Quartzose jade sold under the trade name Jixue Yu (GB/T 34098 Table A.1) | Mineralogical description |
| Kashmir Sapphire | Trade name (geographic / origin) · Sapphire from the historic Kashmir deposit; recognised as a trade variety by GIA | Mineralogical description |
| Keshi Cultured Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Non-nucleated pearl formed as a by-product of cultured pearl operations | Mineralogical description |
| Kornerupine | Mineral species · Kornerupine | Mineralogical description |
| Kosmochlor | Mineral species · Kosmochlor (IMA pyroxene-group mineral species) | Mineralogical description |
| Kunzite | Variety · Pink-to-purple gem variety of spodumene | Mineralogical description |
| Kyanite | Mineral species · Kyanite (Al2SiO5) | Mineralogical description |
| Laboratory-Grown Diamond | Artificial product · Diamond produced by artificial means; same chemical composition and structure as natural diamond | Mineralogical description |
| Labradorite | Variety · Labradorite, plagioclase feldspar | Mineralogical description |
| Labradorite (Spectrolite) | Variety · Labradorite displaying full-spectrum labradorescence | Mineralogical description |
| Lagoon Tourmaline | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Blue-green tourmaline trade name; historically associated with specific Afghan material | Mineralogical description |
| Lantian Yu / Lantian Jade | Rock / aggregate · For the full description, see Table A.2 “Lantian Yu,Lantian Jade” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Lapis Lazuli | Rock / aggregate · Rock composed chiefly of lazurite, commonly with calcite/pyrite | Mineralogical description |
| Larimar | Trade name (geographic / origin) · Blue pectolite; Larimar is a trade name | Mineralogical description |
| Lava Stone | Rock / aggregate · Vesicular volcanic rock (basaltic scoria); a polymineral aggregate with no single chemical formula | Mineralogical description |
| Lazulite | Mineral species · Lazulite | Mineralogical description |
| Lazurite | Mineral species · Lazurite (IMA mineral species, tectosilicate) | Mineralogical description |
| Lead-Glass-Filled Ruby | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Ruby with lead-glass-filled fissures and cavities; the sources differ on naming (see the authority basis) | Mineralogical description |
| Lepidolite | Mineral group / supergroup · Lepidolite: lithium-rich mica field/series name, commonly near the polylithionite–trilithionite series | Mineralogical description |
| Lightning Ridge Opal | Mineraloid · Black opal historically associated with Lightning Ridge, Australia | Mineralogical description |
| Liuli | Trade name (identity unverified) · Chinese historical, craft and trade term whose actual material is not established by the name alone | Mineralogical description |
| Mabe Assembled Cultured Blister | Artificial product · Assembled cultured blister pearl with a filled dome and mother-of-pearl backing | Mineralogical description |
| Madeira Citrine | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Deep orange-red to reddish-brown citrine trade variety | Mineralogical description |
| Magnesite | Mineral species · Magnesite (IMA mineral species) | Mineralogical description |
| Magnetite | Mineral species · Magnetite (Fe3O4) | Mineralogical description |
| Malachite | Mineral species · Malachite (Cu2CO3(OH)2) | Mineralogical description |
| Malachite Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Ambiguous trade material; may be green chalcedony/agate, dyed material, or a copper-mineral aggregate | Mineralogical description |
| Malaya Garnet | Trade name (geographic / origin) · Mixed pyrope-spessartine-almandine-grossular garnet trade variety | Mineralogical description |
| Mali Garnet | Trade name (geographic / origin) · Andradite-grossular mixed garnet trade variety | Mineralogical description |
| Mammoth Ivory | Organic / biogenic · Fossil/subfossil mammoth tusk material | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Man-made Black Goldstone Glass | Artificial product · Man-made aventurine glass with metallic sparkles; exact inclusion/colorant formulation requires supplier evidence | Mineralogical description |
| Man-made Blue Goldstone Glass | Artificial product · Man-made blue aventurine glass with metallic sparkles; exact inclusion/colorant formulation requires supplier evidence | Mineralogical description |
| Man-made Fibre-optic Cat’s-eye Glass | Artificial product · Man-made fiber-optic glass | Mineralogical description |
| Man-made Glass | Artificial product · Man-made glass distinguished from natural glass | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Marble | Rock / aggregate · Metamorphic rock chiefly of calcite and/or dolomite | Mineralogical description |
| Matrix Opal | Variety · Opal specks or veins disseminated in sedimentary or volcanic host rock | Mineralogical description |
| Maw-sit-sit | Rock / aggregate · Chromium-rich polymineral rock related to jadeite | Mineralogical description |
| Maxixe Beryl | Variety · Deep blue beryl variety; colour fades on exposure to light | Mineralogical description |
| Melanite | Variety · Black andradite variety | Mineralogical description |
| Mi Yu | Trade name · Quartzose jade sold under the trade name Mi Yu (GB/T 34098 Table A.1) | Mineralogical description |
| Mica Jade | Rock / aggregate · Mica-rich aggregate used as ornamental/jade material | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Microcline | Mineral species · Microcline feldspar | Mineralogical description |
| Moonstone | Variety · Adularescent feldspar; classic moonstone is orthoclase–albite intergrowth, while other feldspars may be traded as moonstone | Mineralogical description |
| Morganite | Variety · Pink to peach beryl | Mineralogical description |
| Morion / very dark Smoky Quartz | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Quartz (SiO2), very dark smoky variety | Mineralogical description |
| Moss Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Chalcedony with dendritic mineral inclusions | Mineralogical description |
| Moss Chalcedony | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Chalcedony with moss-like inclusions | Mineralogical description |
| Moss Opal | Variety · Common opal with dendritic green or black moss-like inclusions | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Mother-of-Pearl / Nacre | Organic / biogenic · Nacre (mother-of-pearl) from mollusc shell | Mineralogical description |
| Multi-inclusion Quartz | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Quartz with visually diverse inclusions sold under a non-standard trade name | Mineralogical description |
| Muscovite | Mineral species · Muscovite | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Nanhong Agate | Trade name (identity unverified) · Chinese agate-related trade term; actual material, origin and treatment require identification | Mineralogical description |
| Natural Conch Pearl / Natural Melo Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Non-nacreous pearl from conch or Melo molluscs; type must be specified | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Natural Glass (material) | Natural glass · Natural glass (obsidian, tektite, etc.) | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Natural Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Pearl formed without human intervention in a mollusc | Mineralogical description |
| Nephrite | Rock / aggregate · Nephrite (amphibole aggregate) | Mineralogical description |
| Nuummite | Rock / aggregate · Metamorphic rock containing anthophyllite and gedrite amphiboles | Mineralogical description |
| Obsidian | Natural glass · Natural volcanic glass, not a mineral species | Mineralogical description |
| Oligoclase | Variety · Oligoclase; feldspar variety between albite and andesine in composition | Mineralogical description |
| Onyx (banded chalcedony) | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Onyx: straight, parallel black-and-white banded chalcedony | Mineralogical description |
| Opal | Mineraloid · Natural opal; hydrated amorphous silica | Mineralogical description |
| Opal Doublet | Artificial product · Opal slice cemented to a dark backing material | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Opal Doublet / Opal Triplet / Composite Opal | Artificial product · Assembled product containing opal layer(s) bonded to other material | Mineralogical description |
| Opal Mosaic | Artificial product · Assembled product made of small opal pieces arranged in a mosaic pattern | Mineralogical description |
| Opal Triplet | Artificial product · Thin opal slice between a dark backing and a transparent cover (usually quartz or glass) | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Opalised Fossil | Variety · Opalised fossil: fossil material replaced by opal | Mineralogical description |
| Opalised Shell | Variety · Fossil shell replaced by opal | Mineralogical description |
| Opalised Wood | Variety · Wood replaced by opal | Mineralogical description |
| Opaque Amber | Organic / biogenic · Opaque amber; a Chinese colour/transparency trade category, not a separate mineral or a synonym for Baltic amber | Mineralogical description |
| Ophicalcite | Rock / aggregate · Serpentine-marble mixed rock | Mineralogical description |
| Orange Sapphire | Variety · Orange sapphire: yellowish orange to reddish orange corundum gem variety | Mineralogical description |
| Orthoclase | Mineral species · Orthoclase feldspar | Mineralogical description |
| Padparadscha Sapphire | Variety · Pinkish-orange to orange-pink corundum variety of defined colour range | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Pale Greenish-White Nephrite | Trade name (colour / appearance) · For the full description, see Table A.2 “Hetian Yu,Nephrite” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Paraíba Tourmaline | Trade name (geographic / origin) · Cu- and Mn-bearing blue-to-green tourmaline variety, typically elbaite or liddicoatite | Mineralogical description |
| Patterned Amber | Organic / biogenic · Amber sold under a Chinese pattern/inclusion trade name; appearance may be natural or treatment-induced | Mineralogical description |
| Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Generic term covering natural and cultured molluscan concretions; nacreous or non-nacreous | Mineralogical description |
| Pectolite | Mineral species · Pectolite | Mineralogical description |
| Peridot | Variety · Peridot: gem-quality, normally forsterite-rich olivine ((Mg,Fe)2SiO4) | Mineralogical description |
| Perthite | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Intergrowth texture of potassium feldspars, not a mineral species | Mineralogical description |
| Petrified Palm Wood | Rock / aggregate · Palm wood replaced by silica; distinctive spotted pattern from vascular structure | Mineralogical description |
| Petrified Wood | Rock / aggregate · Fossil wood replaced chiefly by chalcedony/quartz | Mineralogical description |
| Phantom Quartz | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Quartz showing phantom growth outlines caused by interrupted growth and inclusions/coatings | Mineralogical description |
| Phenakite | Mineral species · Phenakite | Mineralogical description |
| Phosphophyllite | Mineral species · Phosphophyllite (IMA phosphate mineral species) | Mineralogical description |
| Picture Jasper | Trade name · Opaque, impure microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) whose iron oxide and clay mineral banding forms landscape-like patterns | Mineralogical description |
| Pietersite | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Brecciated chatoyant quartz aggregate; trade name | Mineralogical description |
| Pink Coral | Organic / biogenic · For the full description, see Annex C §7.6 in CIBJO Coral Blue Book 2024; Table A.3 “Coral” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Pink Sapphire | Variety · Pink corundum gem variety | Mineralogical description |
| Plastic | Artificial product · Manufactured polymer material | Mineralogical description |
| Prase | Variety · Leek-green chalcedony variety | Mineralogical description |
| Prasiolite / Green Quartz | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Green quartz; the CIBJO Annex 8 commercial name is "Prasiolite, or Green Quartz" | Mineralogical description |
| Precious Coral | Organic / biogenic · Red, pink or white coral of Corallium, Pleurocorallium or Hemicorallium genera | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Precious Opal | Variety · Opal displaying play-of-colour | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Prehnite | Mineral species · Prehnite | Mineralogical description |
| Pressed Amber | Artificial product · Artificial product made from amber fragments fused under heat and pressure | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Pressed Turquoise | Artificial product · Artificial product made from turquoise fragments bonded together | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Purple Sapphire | Variety · Purple to violet corundum gem variety | Mineralogical description |
| Pyrite | Mineral species · Pyrite (FeS2) | Mineralogical description |
| Pyrope | Mineral species · Pyrope garnet | Mineralogical description |
| Pyrophyllite | Mineral species · Pyrophyllite (IMA mineral species) | Mineralogical description |
| Pyroxene | Mineral group / supergroup · Pyroxene-group minerals | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Qingtian Stone | Rock / aggregate · Chinese carving stone; mineral composition varies by variety | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Quartz | Mineral species · Quartz (SiO2); IMA mineral species | Mineralogical description |
| Quartz Cat’s-eye | Variety · Quartz cat's-eye: quartz showing chatoyancy | Mineralogical description |
| Quartz claimed to be from the Himalayas | Trade name (cultural / brand) · Quartz with a geographic-origin claim | Mineralogical description |
| Quartz Crystal | Trade name (cultural / brand) · Quartz sold under a metaphysical/trade name, often based on surface growth markings | Mineralogical description |
| Quartz or glass showing a rainbow effect | Trade name (identity unverified) · Ambiguous market term that may refer to fractures, coatings, synthetic glass or another product | Mineralogical description |
| Quartz with dark needle-like inclusions | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Quartz with black needle-like inclusions; inclusion species requires testing | Mineralogical description |
| Quartz with fine fibrous inclusions | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Quartz with fine hair-like inclusions; inclusion mineral and treatment vary | Mineralogical description |
| Quartz with flower-like inclusions | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Quartz with flower/cloud-like internal features; exact inclusions and any fissure filling require testing | Mineralogical description |
| Quartz with golden needle-like inclusions | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Quartz with golden needle-like inclusions; inclusion species requires identification | Mineralogical description |
| Quartz with green needle-like inclusions | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Quartz with green needle-like inclusions; inclusion species requires testing | Mineralogical description |
| Quartzite Jade | Rock / aggregate · Quartzite used as jade/ornamental material | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Quartzose Jade | Rock / aggregate · For the full description, see Table A.2 “Quartzose jade” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Rainbow Moonstone | Trade name (cultural / brand) · White labradorite (plagioclase feldspar) with adularescence/labradorescence | Mineralogical description |
| Rainbow Obsidian | Natural glass · Obsidian with iridescent sheen | Mineralogical description |
| Red Agate | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Chalcedony/agate, red-orange; frequently dyed | Mineralogical description |
| Red Amber | Organic / biogenic · Red to dark-red amber trade colour category; colour may be natural or treatment-related | Mineralogical description |
| Red Beryl | Variety · Red beryl gem variety | Mineralogical description |
| Red Coral | Organic / biogenic · Red precious coral (Corallium japonicum, Corallium rubrum) | Mineralogical description |
| Red Wood-Grain Stone | Trade name (identity unverified) · Non-standard appearance trade name for a red/pink wood-grain patterned bead material | Mineralogical description |
| Rhodochrosite | Mineral species · Rhodochrosite (MnCO3) | Mineralogical description |
| Rhodolite | Variety · Purplish-red pyrope-almandine garnet variety | Mineralogical description |
| Rhodonite | Mineral species · Rhodonite, Mn-bearing chain silicate; composition variable | Mineralogical description |
| Rock Crystal | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Colourless transparent quartz; GB/T parent term for quartz gem materials | Mineralogical description |
| Rose Quartz | Variety · Quartz (SiO2), pink variety | Mineralogical description |
| Rubellite | Variety · Pink-to-red tourmaline gem variety; may include elbaite, liddicoatite or rossmanite | Mineralogical description |
| Ruby | Variety · Red gem variety of corundum | Mineralogical description |
| Ruby-Glass Composite | Artificial product · Manufactured composite of ruby fragments and lead glass | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Rutilated Quartz | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Rock crystal containing visible rutile needles (7.2.1.202) | CIBJO 7.2.1.202 |
| Rutile | Mineral species · Rutile (TiO2) | Mineralogical description |
| Saltwater Cultured Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Cultured pearl formed in a marine mollusc | Mineralogical description |
| Saltwater Natural Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Natural pearl formed in a marine mollusc | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Sapphire | Variety · Gem corundum other than ruby; colour must be specified where relevant | Mineralogical description |
| Sapphire Composite Stone | Artificial product · Assembled stone with sapphire as the main material (e.g. sapphire–synthetic sapphire doublet) | Mineralogical description |
| Sapphire-Glass Composite | Artificial product · Manufactured composite of sapphire (corundum) and lead glass | Mineralogical description |
| Sard | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Brownish-red chalcedony | Mineralogical description |
| Sardonyx | Variety · Banded chalcedony variety with alternating sard and onyx layers | Mineralogical description |
| Saussurite | Rock / aggregate · Altered plagioclase-rich rock with zoisite, epidote and other minerals | Mineralogical description |
| Scapolite | Mineral group / supergroup · Scapolite-group gem material | Mineralogical description |
| Scheelite | Mineral species · Scheelite (IMA mineral species, CaWO4) | Mineralogical description |
| Seed Bead / Small Bead | Shape / bead form · Small bead size/form term; material may be glass, plastic, metal, shell, pearl or stone | Mineralogical description |
| Serpentine | Rock / aggregate · Serpentine group minerals/rock | Mineralogical description |
| Shell | Organic / biogenic · Molluscan shell material; species and layer must be specified | Mineralogical description |
| Shoushan Stone | Rock / aggregate · Fine-grained carving stone composed mainly of dickite, kaolinite, nacrite and/or pyrophyllite depending on variety | Mineralogical description |
| Shuimo Yu | Trade name (identity unverified) · Chinese market name not directly defined in the reviewed GB/T/CIBJO texts; actual material requires testing | Mineralogical description |
| Silicified Asbestos | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Cryptocrystalline-to-crystalline quartz aggregate replacing asbestos (crocidolite) fibres | Mineralogical description |
| Silicified Coral / Fossil Coral | Rock / aggregate · Coral replaced or filled by silica; often sold as agatised or fossil coral | Mineralogical description |
| Silicified Jade | Rock / aggregate · Silicified ornamental material; substrate varies | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Sillimanite | Mineral species · Sillimanite | Mineralogical description |
| Silver Sheen Obsidian | Natural glass · Obsidian showing silver sheen | Mineralogical description |
| Sinhalite | Mineral species · Sinhalite | Mineralogical description |
| Smithsonite | Mineral species · Smithsonite (ZnCO3) | Mineralogical description |
| Smoky Quartz | Variety · Quartz (SiO2), brown-gray variety | Mineralogical description |
| Smoky Quartz (brown variety) | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Quartz (SiO2), brown variety | Mineralogical description |
| Snowflake Obsidian | Natural glass · Obsidian with cristobalite spherulites | Mineralogical description |
| Sodalite | Mineral species · Sodalite | Mineralogical description |
| South Sea Cultured Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Cultured pearl from the Pinctada maxima oyster; primarily white, silver or golden | Mineralogical description |
| Spectrolite | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Trade name for high-color labradorite, especially Finland | Mineralogical description |
| Spessartine | Mineral species · Variety distinction yellowish orange to reddish orange, medium criteria light to dark tones; transparent | CIBJO 7.2.1.223 |
| Sphalerite | Mineral species · Sphalerite (ZnS) | Mineralogical description |
| Spinel | Mineral species · Spinel (MgAl2O4), the gem mineral species within the spinel group | Mineralogical description |
| Spodumene | Mineral species · Spodumene | Mineralogical description |
| Sponge Coral | Organic / biogenic · Porous coral material from non-precious coral species; often dyed or stabilised | Mineralogical description |
| Stabilised Turquoise | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Porous turquoise impregnated with polymer or resin to improve durability and colour | Mineralogical description |
| Star Ruby | Variety · Ruby (corundum) displaying asterism (usually 6-rayed) | Mineralogical description |
| Star Sapphire | Variety · Sapphire (corundum) displaying asterism (usually 6-rayed) | Mineralogical description |
| Strawberry Quartz | Trade name (inclusion / effect) · Quartz with red / pink inclusions; the inclusion species varies between occurrences and must be identified case by case | Mineralogical description |
| Sugilite | Mineral species · Sugilite (KNa2(Fe3+,Mn3+,Al)2Li3Si12O30) | Mineralogical description |
| Sunstone | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Feldspar showing sunstone appearance; may be orthoclase or plagioclase (including oligoclase/labradorite) | Mineralogical description |
| Synthetic Alexandrite | Artificial product · Synthetic colour-change chrysoberyl corresponding to alexandrite | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Amethyst | Artificial product · Synthetic purple quartz corresponding to amethyst | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Beryl | Artificial product · Synthetic beryl | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Chrysoberyl | Artificial product · Synthetic chrysoberyl | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Citrine | Artificial product · Synthetic yellow quartz corresponding to citrine | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Corundum | Artificial product · Synthetic corundum | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Cubic Zirconia | Artificial product · Manufactured cubic zirconia (CZ); no routine natural gem counterpart | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Diamond | Artificial product · Laboratory-grown diamond | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Emerald | Artificial product · Synthetic green beryl corresponding to emerald | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Green Quartz | Artificial product · Synthetic green quartz | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Jadeite | Artificial product · Synthetic jadeite material only where it meets synthetic counterpart criteria | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Moissanite | Artificial product · Synthetic silicon carbide corresponding to moissanite | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Opal | Artificial product · Man-made opal whose chemical composition, physical properties and structure are essentially those of natural opal—only if verified | Mineralogical description |
| Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire | Artificial product · Laboratory-grown corundum in the padparadscha colour range | Mineralogical description |
| Synthetic Quartz | Artificial product · Synthetic quartz | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Ruby | Artificial product · Synthetic red corundum corresponding to ruby | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Rutile | Artificial product · Synthetic rutile | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Sapphire | Artificial product · Synthetic corundum corresponding to sapphire | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Smoky Quartz | Artificial product · Synthetic smoky-coloured quartz | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Spinel | Artificial product · Synthetic spinel | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Synthetic Star Ruby | Artificial product · Laboratory-grown corundum with synthetic asterism | Mineralogical description |
| Synthetic Star Sapphire | Artificial product · Laboratory-grown corundum with synthetic asterism | Mineralogical description |
| Taaffeite | Mineral species · Taaffeite-group gem material; exact species requires identification | Mineralogical description |
| Taaffeite Group | Mineral group / supergroup · Taaffeite-group minerals (IMA species: Magnesiotaaffeite-2N'2S, Magnesiotaaffeite-6N'3S, Ferrotaaffeite-2N'2S, Ferrotaaffeite-6N'3S); exact species requires advanced testing | Mineralogical description |
| Tahitian Cultured Pearl | Organic / biogenic · Cultured pearl from the Pinctada margaritifera oyster; typically dark body colour | Mineralogical description |
| Taishan Yu | Trade name · Quartzose jade sold under the trade name Taishan Yu (GB/T 34098 Table A.1) | Mineralogical description |
| Taiwan Nephrite | Trade name · Nephrite; fibrous aggregate of actinolite–tremolite series amphibole, of Taiwanese origin | Mineralogical description |
| Talc | Mineral species · Talc | Mineralogical description |
| Tanzanite | Variety · Blue to violet gem variety of zoisite; the mineral species is still zoisite | Mineralogical description |
| Tektite / Moldavite | Natural glass · Natural impact glass (tektite); moldavite is a regional variety | Mineralogical description |
| Thulite | Variety · Pink manganese-bearing zoisite variety | Mineralogical description |
| Tianhuang | Variety · Shoushan stone from the Tiankeng fields of Zhongban (GB/T 16553 §5.2.31.3); aggregate mainly of dickite, kaolinite, nacrite, illite or pyrophyllite | Mineralogical description |
| Tiger’s Eye | Rock / aggregate · Fibrous quartz pseudomorph after crocidolite, with chatoyancy | Mineralogical description |
| Titanite / Sphene | Mineral species · Titanite (CaTiSiO5) | Mineralogical description |
| Tongtian Yu | Trade name · Quartzose jade sold under the trade name Tongtian Yu (GB/T 34098 Table A.1) | Mineralogical description |
| Topaz | Mineral species · Topaz, Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 | Mineralogical description |
| Tourmaline | Mineral group / supergroup · Tourmaline supergroup (complex borosilicates) | Mineralogical description |
| Tourmaline Cat’s-eye | Variety · Tourmaline cat's-eye: tourmaline showing chatoyancy | Mineralogical description |
| Tremolite | Mineral species · Tremolite (IMA mineral species) | Mineralogical description |
| Tsavorite | Variety · Green grossular garnet | Mineralogical description |
| Turquoise | Mineral species · Turquoise (hydrated Cu-Al phosphate) | Mineralogical description |
| Turtle Shell | Organic / biogenic · Keratinous shell material from turtle/tortoise species | Mineralogical description |
| Unakite | Rock / aggregate · Rock of epidote, pink feldspar and quartz | Mineralogical description |
| Uvarovite | Mineral species · Uvarovite garnet | Mineralogical description |
| Variscite | Mineral species · Variscite (IMA phosphate mineral species) | Mineralogical description |
| Vegetable Ivory (Tagua Nut) | Organic / biogenic · Hard endosperm of tagua palm nut (Phytelephas spp.); cellulose material | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Verdelite | Variety · Green tourmaline gem variety | Mineralogical description |
| Vesuvianite / Idocrase | Mineral species · Vesuvianite | Mineralogical description |
| Watermelon Tourmaline | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Zoned pink-green tourmaline, commonly elbaite | Mineralogical description |
| White Coral | Organic / biogenic · For the full description, see Annex C §7.6 in CIBJO Coral Blue Book 2024; Table A.3 “Coral” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| White Marble (Hanbaiyu) | Trade name (colour / appearance) · White marble sold under the Chinese traditional name Hanbaiyu | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| White Nephrite | Trade name (colour / appearance) · For the full description, see Table A.2 “Hetian Yu,Nephrite” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| White Opal | Variety · White-background natural opal variety | Mineralogical description |
| White Sapphire | Variety · White sapphire: colourless, transparent corundum gem variety | Mineralogical description |
| White South Sea Cultured Pearl | Organic / biogenic · White South Sea cultured pearl, generally from Pinctada maxima; “Aobai” (Australian white) additionally claims Australian association | Mineralogical description |
| Wood | Organic / biogenic · Unverified wood trade category; not a single botanical taxon | Mineralogical description |
| Xiu Yu / Serpentine | Variety · Serpentine aggregate under GB/T 16552 nomenclature | Mineralogical description |
| Yanyuan Agate | Trade name (identity unverified) · Chinese agate-related trade and origin term; actual material and geographic origin require evidence | Mineralogical description |
| Yellow Nephrite | Trade name (colour / appearance) · For the full description, see Table A.2 “Hetian Yu,Nephrite” in GB/T 16552—2017. | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A |
| Yellow Sapphire | Variety · Yellow corundum gem variety | Mineralogical description |
| Yellow tower-form quartz crystal | Trade name (identity unverified) · Non-standard Chinese market name; mineral identity is not established by the name | Mineralogical description |
| Yellow-green Quartz | Trade name (colour / appearance) · Yellow to yellow-green quartz sold under a trade name; colour origin/treatment requires evidence | Mineralogical description |
| Zambian Emerald | Trade name (geographic / origin) · Emerald historically associated with Zambian deposits | Mineralogical description |
| Zhusha Bead | Trade name (identity unverified) · Chinese market bead name; it does not by itself establish cinnabar, HgS content, a natural mineral, or a composite product | Mineralogical description |
| Zircon | Mineral species · Zircon (ZrSiO4) | Mineralogical description |
| Zoisite | Mineral species · Zoisite, Ca2Al3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH) | Mineralogical description |