The oldest names of gemstones come either from Eastern languages, or from Greek or Latin. Greek has particularly left its mark on the modern nomenclature of gems. The meaning of old names is not always understandable, especially when the writing has changed over time and, in fact, a different meaning has emerged.
In addition, in antiquity completely different stones but with the same color were often referred to by the same name.
The Etymology of the names of stones often relates firstly to their own characteristics (color, cleavage, etc.) then to their origin and finally to the mysterious forces supposed to be present there.
(source: Guide to precious stones by Walter Schumann).