Precious stones are the most sought-after materials from the depths of the earth in the entire globe, and this is owing to their incredible beauty, their cryptic meanings, their tremendous health advantages, as well as all of the myths and tales that are associated with them.
What are Gemstones?
The term “gem” refers to a mineral substance, rock, or organic substance that is notable for its beauty, rarity, optical properties, and durability. Gems or precious stones are minerals, rocks, or organic substances that, after being carved and cut, are used to create accessories in jewelry, handmade jewelry, ornamental gems, or collection gems.
It is important to note that, while the majority of valuable gems are naturally hard and resistant, there are other groups that are appreciated more for their beauty than their hardness, such as amber stones, which are rather soft yet are highly prized by collectors despite their softness.
You may use these gemstones to create jewelry such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, charms, chains, pendants, earrings, and other items. It is necessary for these materials to possess specific traits and attributes in order to be classified as gems. These include hardness, beauty, color, durability, brightness, and rarity, to name a few. The following are some of the different names given to these lovely materials:
- Precious Gem / Fine Gem
- Gemstone
- Jewel
- Talisman
These valuable stones are also referred to as precious jewels in some circles. They originate from rocks, minerals, glass or any natural product that can be polished or cut to create good quality wearables. Some stones are used to imitate the look of certain jewels; in this situation, the appearance is of the biggest significance since they are appraised on the basis of their perfection and aesthetic appeal.
Stones are typically hard in nature; nevertheless, they may include soft minerals that are commonly utilized in jewelry because of the physical features that they possess. Some of the aspects that might increase the aesthetic value of stones include their shine or rarity, as well as some very distinctive and striking traits. These are some of the reasons why individuals value their uniqueness and individuality.
Types and Classification of Gemstones!
The universe of valuable stones is vast, and gemologists, jewelers, and geologists classify them in a variety of ways, according to their properties. Mineral stones are naturally divided into three categories: inorganic mineral stones, organic mineral stones, and mineraloids.
1. Inorganic Gemstones
Inorganic gems are those that are formed from the crystallization of hydrothermal fluids such as water, gases, magma and lava that contain chemical elements within their composition that, when combined, form various types of very valuable gemstones. The term “precious minerals” is also used to describe them.
They are any and all of the stones that are classified as different sorts of minerals. Let us recall that a mineral is an inorganic material that is characterized by the presence of a definite chemical formula, a crystalline structure, and the fact that it has been generated in the natural environment. The diamond, in all of its forms, is a superb example of this sort of valuable stone, as is the ruby.
2. Organic gemstones
Those gems and precious stones that are generated by the biological action of living species such as plants, mollusks, and even bacteria, or by the fossilization of the bones of living animals, are referred to as organic gems and precious stones. They are not regarded minerals, as opposed to inorganic jewels, but rather organic substances, as opposed to inorganic gems.
There are various well-known jewels in this category, including pearls, jet stone, coral gems, amber gems, and a variety of other sorts of fossils. For example, amber stone is generated as a result of the freezing of old tree resins over thousands of years. Oysters have also contributed to the formation of the pearl, which is yet another example of biological activity.
3. Mineraloid Gemstones
Mineraloids are all materials that are not minerals since they do not have a developed crystalline structure or a well-defined chemical makeup, and hence are classified as stones. The most notable examples of this category include all of the opals and all of the obsidian found on the planet.
The jewels and Precious stones that are second to none!
Despite the fact that there are a large number of valuable gems available on the market, the reality is that there is a limited set of stones and crystals that may be considered to be the finest precious stones available. These stones are the most valuable or expensive, they are the most difficult to obtain in nature, and they are the most beautiful and uncommon of all the gemstones available. The names of these one-of-a-kind minerals and crystals may be found in the list below.
- In most cases, the diamond is considered to be the most valuable precious gem in the world, as well as the most expensive and one of the rarest gemstones on the planet. It belongs to the category of minerals known as native minerals.
- According to the sapphire stone’s definition, it belongs to a group of gems and valuable crystals that are exhibited in blue tones and is a member of the corundum group of minerals.
- The ruby stone is a valuable gem that is available in red and pink hues, and it is a member of the corundum group, just like the sapphire stone.
- In addition to being one of the world’s most costly stones and crystals, the topaz stone is distinguished by the wide range of hues that it may be found inside it.
- The emerald stone is a beautiful mineral that may be found in a variety of green hues and originates in the crust under harsh circumstances due to the presence of carbon. Colombian emeralds are the most highly prized of all.
The Big 5 are a group of valuable jewels that are well-known in the jewelry industry. Diamond, sapphire, ruby, topaz, and emerald are all examples of precious stones. However, several precious stones have been discovered recently that are much more valuable than these!