Gemstones That Start With G: A–Z Guide

Gemstones and gem materials that start with G include gabbro, galena, garden quartz, garnet, gaspeite, gem silica, girasol quartz, goethite, golden healer quartz, golden obsidian, goldstone, goshenite, grandidierite, grape agate, green aventurine, green calcite, green fluorite, green onyx, grossular garnet and gypsum.

This directory includes major jewelry gemstones, ornamental rocks, included quartz, natural volcanic glass, manufactured glass and delicate collector minerals.

Traditional meanings are cultural and symbolic associations rather than scientifically proven medical effects.

Continue from Gemstones That Start With F. The companion Crystals That Start With G includes a broader specimen-focused overview.

G Gemstones at a Glance

Gabbro

Gabbro is a coarse-grained igneous rock composed of visible dark and light minerals.

Polished material may display:

• Black.
• Gray.
• White.
• Greenish.
• Speckled or mottled patterns.

Gabbro is traditionally associated with stability, resilience and practical strength.

It is a rock rather than one mineral, so different grains can vary in hardness and polish. Dense, solid pieces may be fashioned into beads, cabochons and carvings.

Commercial names such as indigo gabbro may refer to visually distinctive varieties or similar rocks.

Galena

Galena is a lead sulfide mineral known for its metallic silver-gray appearance and cubic cleavage.

It is traditionally associated with grounding, responsibility and practical awareness.

Galena is dense, brittle and unsuitable for conventional jewelry. Its lead content also requires responsible handling.

Avoid:

• Grinding.
• Drilling.
• Creating dust.
• Placing it in water.
• Keeping it near food or children.

Galena is primarily a collector mineral and should be stored in a labeled container.

Garden Quartz

Garden quartz is clear or translucent quartz containing scenic mineral inclusions.

It is also called:

• Lodolite.
• Landscape quartz.
• Scenic quartz.
• Inclusion quartz.

The inclusions may resemble moss, clouds, mountains or underwater gardens.

Garden quartz is traditionally associated with reflection, growth and appreciating complex experiences.

It is commonly cut into cabochons, beads and polished freeform shapes. Internal fractures and surface-reaching inclusions may require protective settings.

Garnet

Garnet is a mineral group containing numerous species and gem varieties.

Its colors include:

• Red.
• Orange.
• Green.
• Pink.
• Purple.
• Yellow.
• Brown.
• Nearly black.

Garnet is traditionally associated with commitment, courage and personal energy.

Many garnets have good durability and are suitable for rings, earrings and bracelets.

The garnet price guide explains how species, color, rarity, size and clarity affect value.

Gaspeite

Gaspeite is a nickel carbonate mineral known for apple-green, yellow-green and olive tones.

It often contains:

• Brown matrix.
• Dark veining.
• Mottled areas.
• Opaque color.

Gaspeite is traditionally associated with renewal, independence and confidence.

It is commonly cut into cabochons, beads and inlay.

Because it is relatively soft and acid-sensitive, gaspeite should be protected from scratches, perfume, household chemicals and prolonged soaking.

Gem Silica

Gem silica is a vivid blue-green to greenish-blue variety of chalcedony colored by copper.

It is also called chrysocolla chalcedony.

Fine material may show:

• Strong saturation.
• Translucency.
• Smooth, even color.
• High polish.

Gem silica is traditionally associated with calm communication, patience and emotional balance.

It is one of the most valuable chalcedony varieties when color and translucency are exceptional.

Although relatively durable, surface-reaching fractures and porous matrix can affect jewelry suitability.

Girasol Quartz

Girasol quartz is milky, translucent quartz with a soft internal glow.

It commonly appears:

• White.
• Pale gray.
• Nearly colorless.
• Cloudy or softly luminous.

Girasol quartz is traditionally linked with reflection, clarity and seeing circumstances from a gentler perspective.

The name may also be applied inconsistently to opal or other softly glowing materials, so the seller should identify the underlying gem species.

It is commonly used for beads, cabochons and polished objects.

Goethite

Goethite is an iron oxide-hydroxide mineral occurring in brown, yellow, black and reddish-brown forms.

It may be found as:

• Fibrous crystals.
• Botryoidal masses.
• Earthy coatings.
• Inclusions within quartz or amethyst.

Goethite is traditionally associated with persistence, grounded action and realistic planning.

Massive material is occasionally polished, but many specimens are brittle, earthy or attached to delicate matrix.

Loose residue may stain fabric or nearby light-colored stones.

Golden Healer Quartz

Golden healer quartz is quartz colored by yellow, gold or orange iron-oxide coatings and inclusions.

It may display:

• Golden surface films.
• Internal clouds.
• Orange-brown patches.
• Clear quartz beneath the staining.

It is traditionally associated with optimism, renewal and recognizing progress.

Natural iron staining is often uneven. Very uniform metallic coatings may indicate artificial enhancement.

Avoid acids and aggressive scrubbing that could alter the surface.

Golden Obsidian

Golden obsidian is black volcanic glass with a gold or bronze sheen visible under directional light.

The reflective effect comes from microscopic structures or inclusions formed during cooling.

Golden obsidian is traditionally associated with protection, self-awareness and clear boundaries.

It is commonly cut into:

• Cabochons.
• Beads.
• Spheres.
• Carvings.
• Pendants.

Obsidian can chip into sharp edges despite taking a smooth polish.

Goldstone

Goldstone is manufactured glass containing reflective metallic particles.

Common varieties include:

• Brown goldstone.
• Blue goldstone.
• Green goldstone.
• Purple goldstone.

It is traditionally associated with ambition, creativity and confidence.

Goldstone is not a natural mineral crystal, but it is widely used as an attractive jewelry material.

The sparkle is created deliberately during manufacturing. Sellers should describe it as glass rather than natural sandstone or crystalline rock.

The guide to glass versus crystal explains common identification differences.

Goshenite

Goshenite is the colorless variety of beryl.

It belongs to the same mineral family as emerald, aquamarine and morganite.

Goshenite is traditionally associated with clarity, honesty and unbiased judgment.

Transparent material may be faceted into:

• Rings.
• Earrings.
• Pendants.
• Accent stones.

It has good hardness but may contain fractures or inclusions. Cut quality is important because colorless stones rely heavily on brilliance and symmetry.

Value factors are covered in the goshenite price guide.

Grandidierite

Grandidierite is a rare blue-green to green silicate gemstone.

It can be:

• Transparent.
• Translucent.
• Opaque.
• Strongly pleochroic.

Fine transparent stones may show different blue, green and nearly colorless tones depending on viewing direction.

Grandidierite is traditionally associated with resilience, individuality and calm decision-making.

Transparent facetable material is uncommon. The grandidierite price guide explains how transparency, color, size and certification affect value.

Grape Agate

Grape agate is a trade name for rounded chalcedony formations that resemble bunches of grapes.

Common colors include:

• Purple.
• Lavender.
• Green.
• Gray.
• Blue-gray.

Grape agate is traditionally associated with cooperation, community and gradual growth.

Despite the name, it usually lacks the regular banding associated with traditional agate.

The rounded formations can break easily, making natural clusters better suited to display than exposed jewelry.

Green Aventurine

Green aventurine is a quartz-rich material containing reflective inclusions that create subtle sparkle.

Its shades range from:

• Pale green.
• Medium green.
• Blue-green.
• Dark forest green.

Green aventurine is traditionally associated with optimism, opportunity and practical growth.

It is widely used for beads, cabochons, carvings and casual jewelry.

Glass imitations may show unusually strong, evenly distributed glitter.

Green Calcite

Green calcite is a pale mint to yellow-green variety of calcite.

It may be translucent, cloudy, banded or opaque.

Green calcite is traditionally associated with renewal, patience and emotional balance.

Its softness and acid sensitivity make it more suitable for carvings, pendants and display pieces than rings.

Avoid vinegar, lemon juice, abrasive compounds and storage beside quartz or sapphire jewelry.

Green Fluorite

Green fluorite ranges from pale mint to deep emerald-like tones.

It may occur in cubes, octahedrons, clusters or banded polished material.

Green fluorite is traditionally associated with focus, organization and clear priorities.

Its softness and strong cleavage make it vulnerable to scratches and breakage. It is primarily a collector gem or protected pendant stone.

Some specimens may lose color after prolonged exposure to strong sunlight.

Green Onyx

Green onyx is a commercial name that may refer to:

• Green chalcedony.
• Banded carbonate material.
• Dyed agate.
• Dyed calcite.
• Other green ornamental stones.

It is traditionally associated with confidence, balance and controlled communication.

Because the name does not guarantee one composition, care should follow the underlying material rather than the trade label.

Ask whether the piece is chalcedony, calcite, dyed stone or an assembled product before purchase.

Grossular Garnet

Grossular is a garnet species occurring in green, yellow, orange, brown, pink and colorless varieties.

Important gem varieties include:

• Tsavorite.
• Hessonite.
• Mint garnet.
• Yellow grossular.

Grossular garnet is traditionally associated with growth, prosperity and generosity.

Many transparent stones have good durability for jewelry.

Color, clarity and variety name strongly influence value, especially for vivid green tsavorite.

Gypsum

Gypsum is a very soft sulfate mineral that includes:

• Selenite.
• Satin spar.
• Desert rose.
• Alabaster.

It commonly appears white, clear, cream, gray or pale peach.

Gypsum is traditionally associated with clarity, simplicity and reflection.

With a Mohs hardness of 2, it scratches easily and is unsuitable for high-wear jewelry. Carvings and protected pendants require dry, gentle care.

Which G Gemstones Are Best for Jewelry?

Strong or practical options include:

• Garnet.
• Grossular garnet.
• Goshenite.
• Grandidierite.
• Gem silica.
• Green aventurine.
• Garden quartz.
• Golden obsidian.

Materials requiring greater protection include:

• Gaspeite.
• Green calcite.
• Green fluorite.
• Grape agate.
• Gypsum.

Galena should remain a safely stored collector mineral rather than wearable jewelry.

Care and Buying Notes

• Confirm the composition of trade-named green onyx.
• Keep galena away from children, pets and consumable liquids.
• Protect soft calcite, fluorite, gaspeite and gypsum from harder gems.
• Avoid acids on copper- and carbonate-bearing materials.
• Treat goldstone as glass rather than a natural crystal.
• Inspect included quartz for fractures that reach the surface.
• Obtain laboratory documentation for valuable grandidierite.
• Keep delicate grape agate clusters in stable display boxes.

The guide to gemstone cleavage explains why certain gems can split even when their surfaces resist scratching.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most valuable gemstone that starts with G?

Fine transparent grandidierite can be extremely valuable. High-quality gem silica and green grossular varieties can also command substantial prices.

Which green gemstones start with G?

Gaspeite, gem silica, grandidierite, green aventurine, green calcite, green fluorite, green onyx and grossular garnet are notable examples.

Is goldstone a natural gemstone?

No. Goldstone is manufactured glass containing reflective metallic particles.

Is golden obsidian a crystal?

No. It is natural volcanic glass.

Is grape agate a true agate?

It is a commercial name for rounded chalcedony formations and usually lacks conventional agate banding.

Is galena safe for jewelry?

No. Its lead content, brittleness and tendency to leave residue make it inappropriate for ordinary jewelry.

Is goshenite the same as clear quartz?

No. Goshenite is colorless beryl, while clear quartz is silicon dioxide.

Is green onyx always natural chalcedony?

No. The name may also be used for dyed or carbonate-based materials.

Continue the Gemstone Alphabet

Continue with Gemstones That Start With H, or browse all directories through the Crystals 101 collection.