Shopping for gemstone jewelry can become confusing sometimes because of all the jargon that comes attached. You can get natural gems, genuine loose gems, synthetic gems, simulated and treated gems! Although it may seem daunting, the reality is quite different. I will run you through the terminology of these stones and soon expel any confusion you started off with.

A natural gem is quite straight forward and it does what it says on the label. Yes, that's right, it occurs naturally from the earth itself. It is gathered together, cut and polished and then put for sale. However, you should know that the stone has not been altered or enhanced in any other way.

A genuine gem is a natural gem. Do you see the clever play on words, subtle huh? They are both the same and are both real stones, even if they have been altered in some way. But not all natural stones are necessarily expensive.

The synthetic gemstone looks very similar to a natural stone with regards to its physical, chemical and optical qualities. But the difference is that it is created in a laboratory. Synthetic stones have been around for some time and in the past they were easy to spot, but nowadays a synthetic gem is harder to identify. So make sure you buy your stones from a reputable seller.

The advantage of a synthetic stone is that it can be just as beautiful as the real thing but not create as big a dent in your wallet as a natural stone.

Here are a few of the most popular stones available to purchase online:

Amethyst - This stone is the most highly valued and renowned gem of quartz family. Its pricing is reasonable, which is why it is a popular choice.

Diamond - The hardest known gem on earth and probably one of the most popular because of its status. the clear or white diamond is the most famous yet it
is available in other colors.

Emerald - A well known stone which has allot of history. This beautiful gem is a striking tropical green sea color, which dazzles when you lay eyes on it.

Ruby - Some consider this gem to be foremost amongst all the stones. The brilliant red color of this gem is stunning and set against gold in an exquisite piece of jewelry, this stone can be jaw droppingly beautiful.

Topaz - This stunning stone can be very expensive and rare and comes in a wide variety of colors.