Gemstone Identification
At Pigeon Forge Gem Mine, every bucket of gemstone mix is packed with genuine rough gemstones — including emeralds, rubies, and sapphires.
There’s a whole variety of colored gemstones waiting for you to discover. Below is a look at the history and characteristics of some of the most popular gems you might uncover.
Amethyst
Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and February’s birthstone. Its color ranges from pale lilac to deep violet, created by trace iron and natural irradiation. Prized since ancient times, it was once believed to guard against overindulgence and bring a clear, calm mind.
Citrine
Citrine is the golden-to-amber variety of quartz and a birthstone for November. Its warm, sunny color has long been linked with energy, optimism, and abundance, earning it the nickname “the merchant’s stone.”
Clear Quartz
Clear quartz, sometimes called rock crystal, is one of the most common and versatile minerals on Earth. Valued for its glassy transparency, it has been used for everything from fine carvings to modern electronics, and many consider it a stone of clarity and focus.
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is the soft pink member of the quartz family, tinted by tiny traces of titanium or manganese. Known for centuries as a symbol of love and tenderness, it’s a longtime favorite for tumbled stones and jewelry alike.
Emerald
Emerald is the lush green variety of the mineral beryl and May’s birthstone. Its rich color comes from chromium and vanadium, and fine emeralds have been treasured by royalty for thousands of years, from ancient Egypt to the courts of Europe.
Ruby
Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum and July’s birthstone. Colored by chromium, the most prized rubies glow a vivid red. Second only to diamond in hardness, rubies have long symbolized passion and protection.
Sapphire
Sapphire is also a form of corundum and September’s birthstone. Best known for its deep blue, it actually occurs in nearly every color except red. Durable and brilliant, sapphire has adorned crowns and engagement rings for generations.
Garnet
Garnet, January’s birthstone, is a family of minerals most often seen in deep red — though it can also appear in orange, green, and other hues. Carried as protective talismans by ancient travelers, garnets are both beautiful and surprisingly varied.
Topaz
Topaz is a hard, brilliant gemstone found in many colors, including golden imperial topaz and sky-blue varieties. A traditional birthstone for November, it has historically been associated with strength and good fortune.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the sea-blue to blue-green variety of beryl — a cousin of the emerald — and March’s birthstone. Its calm, watery color made it a legendary talisman for sailors seeking safe passage.
Peridot
Peridot is the bright, olive-green birthstone for August. One of the few gemstones that occurs in only a single color, it forms deep within the Earth and is even found in some meteorites — giving it a truly out-of-this-world story.
Ready to find your own? Grab a bucket and start digging!