Origin of the gemstone can be an important quality parameter if you are buying a rare and exquisite gemstone like the Kashmir sapphire or the Burmese ruby. But commonly gemstones are valued on the 4Cs and difference in origin would just mean a shade difference in color or brilliance.

Origin Quick Facts:

• In most cases a difference in origin simply means a difference in color. African emeralds differ in color from Colombian emeralds but both varieties are equally popular.
• For most gemstones determining the origin can be tricky. After the basic treatments and fine lapidary, it becomes even more difficult to judge origin of a gemstone.
• There is no standard for certifying origin; while AGTA certifies the origin of gemstone, GIA doesn’t.
• Rare and exquisite gemstones like the Kashmir sapphire, Burmese ruby or Santa Maria aquamarine command a premium for the origin. Ensure the seller certifies the origin if you are paying an extravagant price.
• While in most cases origin translates to color of the gemstone, you might concentrate on a good color rather than the origin.

Amongst the most precious of gemstones available, sometimes the best emeralds can be even more valuable than diamonds. Emeralds are extracted from the mineral beryl which is not an uncommon mineral. Beryl interestingly is found in different colors which makes an array of beautiful beryl gemstones. Emerald is green variety of beryl ranging from intense green to a light green to a yellowish green. Though beryl is a common mineral, mines for fine emeralds are very rare making these gemstones as precious.

In ancient times, emeralds were mined in Egypt, Austria and present-day Afghanistan. Later Colombia became one of the most popular sources of fine emeralds. These gems from Colombia are celebrated and prized for their shiny, vivid green color which is unadulterated by any blue tint. The famous Colombian mines Muzo and Chivor have been a popular source of emeralds since the pre-Columbian times, almost 5 centuries ago, when the Spanish explorers first arrived on the American continent. The rare Trapiche emeralds that have six rays emanating from the centre are also from Colombia.

Other origins of fine emeralds include Zambia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Pakistan, India and Russia. The African nations Zambia, Zimbabwe and Brazil in particular have a good reputation for fine emeralds. The stones from Zambia are particularly famous for the beautiful, deep emerald green color with good transparency. The color of these gems is darker than the Colombian gems, and often has a fine, blue undertone. The stones from Zimbabwe have an intense green color with a delicate yellowish-green hue. The gems from Brazil are only next to the much celebrated Colombian greens. Brazil also mothers some rare emeralds such as emerald cat's eyes and the star emerald with a six spoke star.

Beautiful and rare, sapphires have spell bound gemstone and jewelry lovers with the exotic color and mysticism. Sapphire is extracted from Corundum, after diamond the strongest and hardest mineral on earth, which makes it perfect for high quality jewelry. Another interesting fact about corundum is it occurs in a variety of colors like white, yellow, green, orange and of course the beautiful blue.

Sapphire is found in many locations across the world but only a few mines produce gem quality sapphires.

The historical source of sapphires is Sri Lanka. People have been digging for these gemstones since ancient times and till date Sri Lanka remains a popular source of fine sapphires. The popular Padparadscha sapphire with its beautiful pinkish orange hue, that resembles a lotus, is found only in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is also popular for its velvety blue sapphires. Another major source of the velvety blue sapphires is Australia. The Australian gemstones are dark inky in appearance. The Burmese sapphire is also known for its beautiful deep blue.

The most beautiful and the most valuable blue sapphires were found in Kashmir in India. In 1880, there was a land slide which uncovered this treasure. The Kashmir sapphire has a pure, intense blue color with a very subtle violet undertone, refined by a fine, velvety shine. According to some specialists, the rich color of this sapphire does not change its hue in artificial light. However Kashmir sapphire is extremely rare making it even more precious.

Other sources of sapphire are Madagascar, Burma, India- Kashmir, America, Thailand and Cambodia.

Aquamarine is amongst the most popular gemstones around the world. Emerald's cousin, aquamarine is also extracted from the mineral beryl. The blue beryl aquamarine is light blue in color ranging from deep sky blue to sea blue to teal. The difference in color quality of aquamarines from different sources can be very noticeable.

Aquamarine is a very popular gemstone for jewelry and can be found in many parts of the world. Apart From the lovely color and versatile gem quality, popularity of aquamarine is also owed to its wide availability.

The first aquamarines were found in Madagascar. The gemstones from Madagascar were medium dark blue in color. However in recent times production from these mines has waned. Today, Brazil has become the most abundant supplier of aquamarine. The 'Santa Maria' class of aquamarines from Brazil is perhaps the most celebrated of aquamarines in the world. The Santa Maria gemstones have the rare, intense blue hue, which is the most prized color in an aquamarine. Similar nuances, 'Santa Maria Africana' aquamarines, are produced in Mozambique, Africa.

Other sources of aquamarine are African countries of Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria, the island of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia.

Amongst the most sought after gemstones in the world, rubies can be a passionate possession for connoisseurs and jewelry lovers alike. Ruby is the red cousin of sapphire, extracted from the same mineral corundum. High quality rubies especially in larger sizes are extremely rare and can command exorbitant prices. Sources for fine gem quality rubies are very rare making these exotic gems even more special.

The stones from Burma (now Myanmar) are the finest quality rubies available. These stones have the purest and the most vivid red that can be imagined. The color is popularly known as 'pigeon-blood-red', but the term 'Burmese color' is a more popular description. These rubies are rare, valuable and often found adorning a connoisseur's collection. These stones are typically found in Mogok, North of Myanmar. Here, the much celebrated stones lie in a mountain valley surrounded by high peaks in a tough terrain. Another important deposit is from a small town of Mong Hsu in the North-East of Myanmar. These gemstones had a purple black core with a bright red periphery. These stones were initially not accepted in the jewelry market for the typical color characteristic. But when it was discovered that heat treatment could transform the dark core into deep red, the gems became an instant hit.

A relatively new gemstone, tanzanite was discovered only in the 1960s. According to the folklore Masai tribesmen discovered the gemstone as a stone that had stuck with lightning.

Tanzanite, named after its cradle Tanzania, is found only in Merelani Hills near Arusha in the north of Tanzania, a rift valley 25 miles from the base of Kilimanjaro, the Massai tribal land in Tanzania. Tanzania is the only source of tanzanite in the world.