Trade and scientific terminology of semiprecious gemstones with optical effects: issues of harmonization in Ukrainian regulatory documents
| Yu. Ladzhun State Gemmological Centre of Ukraine |
| K. Tatarintseva State Gemmological Centre of Ukraine |
| Yu. Gayevsky State Gemmological Centre of Ukraine |
| O. Grushchynskay State Gemmological Centre of Ukraine |
| A. Tamochkina State Gemmological Centre of Ukraine |
| Language: Ukrainian |
| Precious and Decorative Stones. No. 3–4 (121–122), 2025: 22–25 |
| Abstract The article examines the problem of terminological discrepancies between the names of semiprecious gemstones with optical effects as used in national and international legislation, as well as their trade and mineralogical designations. It has been established that the terms “cat’s eye,” “tiger’s eye,” and “hawk’s eye” are fixed in Ukrainian regulatory documents as independent gemstone names, although in reality they are not mineralogical names but rather refer to optical effects observed in certain minerals. A similar situation exists with the trade names “bull’s eye,” “moonstone,” and “sunstone.” The mineralogical nature of these materials has been analyzed, revealing that the use of trade names in regulatory documents may lead to ambiguity in mineral identification, inconsistency between national and international terminology, difficulties in scientific collaboration, and misunderstandings in trade and economic relations. The article proposes ways to harmonize terminology by aligning Ukrainian terms with internationally recognized standards, which will help to avoid ambiguous interpretations, ensure transparency in the jewelry trade, and enhance consumer trust and protection. |
| Keywords: semiprecious gemstones, mineralogy, terminology, optical effects, chrysoberyl, quartz, feldspar, Ukrainian legislation. |
| References |
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Cymophane. (n. d.). Mindat.org. https://www.mindat.org/min-7481.html Moonstone. (n. d.). Mindat.org. https://www.mindat.org/min-2774 National Classifier of Ukraine. Classifier of Mineral Resources (ККК) DK 008:2007. Order of the State Committee for Technical Regulation and Consumer Policy of Ukraine No. 357 (2007) (Ukraine). https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/rada/show/en/va357609-07?lang=uk#Text [in Ukraine]. On approval of the Lists of Mineral Resources of National and Local importance, Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 827 (1994) (Ukraine). https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/827-94-п#Text [in Ukraine] On State Regulation of Mining, Production and Use of Precious Metals and Precious Stones and Control over Transactions with Them, Law of Ukraine No. 637/97-ВР (1997) (Ukraine). https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/637/97-вр#Text [in Ukraine]. The Blue Books (n. d.). CiBJO. https://cibjo.org/the-blue-books/ The Gemstone Book. (2022). CiBJO. https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/22-12-22-Official-Gemstone-Book.pdf The New IMA List of Gem Materials. (2018, July). New iMa website. https://mineralogy-ima-wordpress.website/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CGM List-of-Gem-Materials-2018-07.pdf |

