Cardinal gem

Traditional gem classification

Cardinal gems are gemstones which have traditionally been considered precious above all others. The classification of the cardinal gems dates back to antiquity, and was largely determined by ceremonial or religious use and rarity.^[1] The term has largely fallen out of use.

The five traditional cardinal gems are:

amethyst (purple) – Rare and precious in the Old World until large deposits were found in Brazil.
diamond (transparent)
emerald (green)
ruby (red)
sapphire (blue)

References

^ Geary, T.F.; Whalen, D. (2008). The Illustrated Bead Bible: Terms, Tips & Techniques. Sterling Pub. p. 69. ISBN 9781402723537. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2015-07-19.

Gemstones

Gemmological classifications by E. Ya. Kievlenko (1980), updated

Jewelry stones

1st order	Diamond Ruby Emerald Blue Sapphire Alexandrite Natural marine pearls
2nd order	Pink sapphire Demantoid Tsavorite Spinel Precious Black Opal Tanzanite
3rd order	Yellow, Green, Violet Sapphires Aquamarine Orange topaz (Imperial) Elbaite Precious White and Fire Opal
4th order	Tourmaline – Verdelite Indicolite, polychromous Beryl – Heliodor, pink, yellow-green Topaz yellow, blue, pink Peridot Garnets – Spessartine (malaya), Rhodolite, Almandine, Pyrope Amethyst Citrine Blue Turquoise

Jewelry-Industrial
stones

1st order	Lazurite Jadeite Nephrite Malachite Amber (Baltic amber) Chrysoprase Charoite
2nd order	Agate Amazonite Rhodonite Colorless, smoky and pink quartz Hematite Common opal Opaque iridescent feldspars