Two gemstones.
Side by side.

GEMSTONE ONE

Actinolite

Actinolite: calcium amphibole mineral; some varieties are fibrous; Green to deep green-black. Learn geological properties, identification and safe care.

Colour & appearance

Green to deep green-black

Mineral family

calcium amphibole mineral; some varieties are fibrous

Mohs hardness

5–6

Representative source regions

Austria, Switzerland, Pakistan and other metamorphic localities worldwide

Austria Switzerland Pakistan

Jewellery & care

Well-bound non-fibrous specimens are for display; do not cut, grind, sand or sell fibrous material for handling or jewellery.

GreenBlack

Read the Actinolite guide

GEMSTONE TWO

Sapphire

Sapphire is a gem variety of corundum, often associated with blue but also found in other colours. Its hardness makes it an enduring jewellery material, although the secu...

Colour & appearance

Blue and other colours

Mineral family

Corundum (Al₂O₃)

Mohs hardness

9

Representative source regions

Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar, Australia, Thailand and Montana in the United States are recognised sources. The Kashmir region is historically famous for highly valued blue sapphires.

Sri Lanka Madagascar Myanmar Australia Thailand United States

Jewellery & care

Choose the style and setting to suit the specific stone, treatment information and intended use.

Blue

Read the Sapphire guide

Hardness measures scratch resistance, not breakage. Source regions are educational examples, not claims about the provenance of an individual GEMHOOD product. Images may be digital gemstone illustrations.