The actual color of a gemstone is due to the absorptive and reflective properties of any trace elements and impurities within the crystal. This colour does not include any optical effects caused by reflection or refraction. Basic elements such as chromium, iron, manganese, and vanadium absorb or reflect different wavelengths of the color spectrum playing an integral part in affecting the color of the mineral.

Gemstones are the most intensely colored natural material available on earth. Gems have become so synonymous with color that they have even lent their names to their colors. Everyone knows ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, aquamarine, turquoise, and jade green, but the world of gemstones today has an even more extensive selection of colors which span the entire rainbow. In red, there are the choices not only of ruby, but also tourmaline, spinel, or garnet. In green, there is not only emerald and jade, but also tourmaline, tsavorite garnet, and peridot. The wide range of gemstones available today means that no matter what the favorite color is, a gemstone is available to match it in the price range.

Also read on Gemstones

Classification of Gemstones	Gemstones for Planets	Powers of Gemstones
Color Absorption & Reflection in Gemstones	Methods of Wearing Gemstones	Selection of Gemstones
Colors of Gemstones	Navratna Gemstone	Semi Precious Gemstones
Significance Of Gemstones	Synthetic Gemstones	Types of Gemstones

Types of Gemstones

Agate	Chrysoprase	Kunzite	Pearl	Tiger Eye
Alexandrite	Citrine	Lapis Lazuli	Peridot	Topaz
Amber	Coral	Malachite	Quartz	Tourmaline
Amethyst	Diamond	Moissanite	Rose Quartz	Turquoise
Aquamarine	Emerald	Moonstone	Ruby	Zircon
Aventurine	Garnet	Obsidian	Sapphire
Bloodstone	Jade	Onyx	Spinel
Carnelian	Jasper	Opal	Tanzanite

Gemstones for Planets

Blue Sapphire, Gemstone for Saturn	Emerald, the Gemstone for Mercury	Pearl, the Gemstone for Moon
Cat`s eye, Gemstone of Ketu	Gomed, Gem stone of Rahu	Yellow Sapphire, the Gemstone of Jupiter
Coral, the Gemstone for Mars	Ruby, the Gemstone for Sun	Diamond, Gem Stones for Venus