All About Gemstones: Semiprecious Organic Gems

The term "organic gems" applies to any gem-like (gemmy) substance that was created by living organisms, be they plant, or animal. Some of these organic gems have become mineralized, taking on the qualities of the surrounding dirt that they were buried in long ago (amber or fossilized bone), and some are made up of purely organic, macrobiotic compounds, such as mother-of-pearl, or coral. Either way, they are beautiful additions to the gemstone family.

Some of these materials are also referred to as being "zoogenic" or "zoogenous," meaning that they are the byproducts of animals or animal parts. These zoogenic gems may include bone, hair, ivory tusks and teeth, and although they are mostly "organic," they may contain inorganic constituents.

Materials Organic Gemstones Amber Conch Pearls Copal Fossilized Dinosaur Bone Ivory Mother of Pearl Red Coral Pearls Wood Polish Amber History The History of Amber Amber Mining & Fishing Precious & Semiprecious Gemstones Precious Gemstones & Minerals Semiprecious Gemstones Miscellaneous Gem Markets & Jewelry Production Gemstone & Jewelry History Gemology & Geology Terminology