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Diamond: Diamond is the hardest mineral known to man and has a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale. This makes it an ideal gemstone for jewellery as it can withstand daily wear and tear. It has a high refractive index, which means it bends light in a way that makes it sparkle and gives it fire. Diamonds can be colourless or coloured, and their colour can range from shades of yellow and brown to pink, blue, and green.
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Ruby: Ruby is a hard and durable gemstone that ranks 9 on the Mohs scale. It is prized for its red colour, which ranges from light pink to a deep red. Ruby also has a high refractive index, which gives it its brilliant shine.
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Sapphire: Sapphire is another hard and durable gemstone with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. It is most commonly found in blue but can also be found in other colours, including yellow, pink, and green. Sapphire has a high refractive index, which makes it a popular choice for jewellery.
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Emerald: Emerald is a hard and durable gemstone with a hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale. It is prized for its rich green colour, which is caused by the presence of chromium and vanadium. Emerald has a high refractive index, which makes it sparkle and gives it its distinctive shine.
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Amethyst: Amethyst is a durable gemstone with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. It is a popular choice for jewellery because it is relatively low-cost and is available in large sizes. Amethyst is known for its distinctive purple colour, which ranges from a light lilac to a deep, rich violet.
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Aquamarine: Aquamarine is a durable gemstone with a hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale. It is prized for its blue-green colour, which ranges from a light pale blue to a deep blue-green. Aquamarine has a high refractive index, which makes it sparkle and gives it its distinctive shine.
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Opal: Opal is a soft and delicate gemstone with a hardness of 5.5-6 on the Mohs scale. It is prized for its iridescent play of colour, which can display a range of colours, including red, green, blue, and yellow. Opals are often treated with a protective coating to prevent cracking and damage.
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Tourmaline: Tourmaline is a durable gemstone with a hardness of 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale. It is found in a variety of colours, including pink, red, green, blue, and yellow. Tourmaline has a high refractive index, which makes it sparkle and gives it its distinctive shine.
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Peridot: Peridot is a durable gemstone with a hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale. It is prized for its distinctive green colour, which ranges from a light yellow-green to a deep olive green. Peridot is relatively low cost and is often used in jewellery.
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Garnet: Garnet is a durable gemstone with a hardness of 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale. It is found in a variety of colours, including red, green, yellow, and pink. Garnet is relatively low-cost and is often used in jewellery. The most common type of garnet is the red almandine garnet.
Note: The listed properties are general and can vary widely.
