False or Misleading Names of Gemstones

Beware of:

  • Two-name names, such as Jasper Jade
  • Names with locations, such as African Jade
  • Names with strange modifiers, such as Occidental Diamonds
  • Names that are not spelled exactly right, such as Emeralda

They are usually stones that are not the stone in the name, but a stone similar in appearance. Do not be misled.

False NameIs Actually this Real Stone
African EmeraldGreen Fluorite from Namibia
African JadeGreen Grossular Garnet
Amazon JadeAmazonite
Blue MoonstoneBlue-stained Chalcedony
Blue OpalLazulite
Canadian LapisSodalite
Cape EmeraldPrehnite
Chinese TurquoiseCalcite, Quartz, Blue-dyed Soapstone, or it may actually be Turquoise from China
Garnet JadeGreen Grossular Garnet
Herkimer DiamondQuartz
Indian JadeAventurine
Jasper JadeSerpentine, Green Jasper
Lake Superior Fire AgateGlass Opal simulent
New JadeBowenite
OpaliteMan-made opal
Serpentine JadeBowenite
Swiss JadeGreen-stained Jasper
Swiss LapisBlue-dyed Chalcedony or Jasper
Transvaal EmeraldFluorspar