The Truth About Gemstones

The title is a little misleading as I really want to discuss the terms Precious and Semi-precious gemstones. You hear and read statements such as “Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald are the only true precious gemstones. The rest are considered semi-precious” or “Emeralds, Rubies, Diamonds, and Sapphires were precious by definition and everything else, regardless of relative value, was semi-precious”. This is now somewhat misleading as it suggests that some gemstones have inferior value. Actually, all stones are now considered precious and their prices are determined by the availability and quality of the gemstone. But, you will still see these terms on a regular basis. I even slip myself.

The two groups of gemstones are Mineral gemstones and Organic gemstones. Mineral gemstones are naturally growing rocks found in the earth's surface. There are 16 groups of mineral gemstones, including: Beryl, Chrysoberyl, Corundum, Diamond, Feldspar, Garnet, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Peridot, Quartz, Spinel, Topaz, Tourmaline, Turquoise, and Zircon.

Organic gemstones are not as durable as gemstones from minerals, and consist of four groups. Amber, a fossil resin found in the sap of ancient tree pines, usually lacks a crystalline structure. It is most often brown or semitransparent and mined. Coral is calcium carbonate extracted from the sea when a small marine animal, known as a coral polyp, uses it to build a protective home for itself. Gem coral ranges from semi-translucent to opaque and can be white, pink, orange, red, blue, violet, gold, or black. Jet is a black fossilized coal that can be used for making beads. Pearl is formed inside an oyster, or any other mollusk that deposits substances inside of its housing. Mollusks creating pearls can be found in either fresh or salt water, but salt water pearls have traditionally been more sought after for use in jewelry. This is changing however, as the Japanese have developed new methods of creating freshwater pearls that are uniform and round -- the 2 greatest attributes of saltwater pearls.

Here are a couple of examples of what I've been talking about. Pink Sapphire is a really hot stone in jewelry-making right now. It's not one of the "Big Four" yet it has a value that is right in league. Padparadja Sapphire is one of the "Fancies" and is exquisite with its delicate blended shades the color of fresh salmon and sunsets. The gemstones in this picture are all Sapphires. Needless to say, mineral gemstones are stunning.

Round, symmetrical Pearls have always been prized, but the mistakes or mishappen ones are now gaining a following again. They are called Keishi Pearls and they come in Rose Petal or Corn Flake shapes. Keishi pearls are formed when the mollusk ejects the pearl bead nucleus but continues to make a pearl. Like other freshwater pearls, some are natural colored and others are enhanced. Either way, they are a glorious looking Pearl. Just look at these fabulous Platinum Keishi Pearls.

For more information on gemstones, the following link will take you to a fascinating chapter of a book on gemstones. It is very easy to read and extremely informative.

www.secretsofthegemtrade.com/images/chapter2.pdf

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