2. GARNET Garnets come in a wide variety of colors.

3. These are stunning examples of fine color amethyst from a mine in Arizona. AMETHYST

4. This rough crystal (left) shows the classic seawater color aquamarine is named for. AQUAMARINE

5. DIAMOND The Diamond also comes in many colors.

6. This 10.86-ct. Colombian rough crystal shows the color of the finest emeralds. EMERALD

7. PEARL AND CULTURED PEARL Akoya and Tahitian cultured pearls

8. ALEXANDRITE Alexandrites change colors under different lighting, going from green in daylight and fluorescent light (left) to red or raspberry in incandescent light (right).

9. RUBY Ruby can command the highest price of all colored stones. This 15.97-ct. Ruby sold for over $3,000,000 at auction.

10. PERIDOT The finest peridot is a beautiful green to slightly yellowish green. The depth of color in this 172.53-ct. faceted gem is especially rare for peridot.

11. SAPPHIRE Sapphire is the most popular blue gem, but it comes in a wide array of colors.

12. Opal displays the play-of-color phenomenon. OPAL

13. Blue Topaz TOPAZ Imperial topaz

14. TANZANITE Tanzanite is a beautiful bluish - purple gem from Tanzania, Africa.

15. Credits Columbia Gem House, Inc. De Beers (Diamond Promotion Service/Diamond Information Center) M. Roudnitska/GIE Perles de Tahiti Tino Hammid John Parrish Jeffrey Scovil Timeless Gem Designs Harold & Erica Van Pelt Robert Weldon