What Are Gemstones?

Do you ever wonder why some stones are more valuable and how many different types can we distinguish? Let’s start with the first point.

Gems are minerals that come from various minerals under the earth’s surface, which are cut and polished, and then used in jewelry. At Wholesale925silver, we offer a wide variety of high-quality gemstones that are meticulously set in authentic 925 sterling silver jewelry.

 

The Origins of Gemstones

Gemstones are made from various minerals which are inorganic substances. that is beneath the earth’s surface and has been dug up and then cut and polished or carved into various shapes After that, it will be used to make jewelry. In addition, some organic substances have also been selected as gemstones. We can divide gems into two main types

 

Types of Gemstones

There are many interesting types of gemstones. I will introduce gemstones that are popular in the jewelry business.

1.Diamond: It is a precious and expensive crystal. Diamonds are composed of 99.9% pure carbon and are extremely durable Mohs scale hardness 10. Diamonds are designated as the traditional birthstone for April.

 

2.Emerald: It is a beautiful and striking green gemstone of very high value among the Beryl family. In ancient Egypt, it was believed that emeralds were symbols of immortality, and emeralds were the birthstone for May.

 

3.Ruby: Ruby, also known as the “King of Gems” has a hardness second only to diamonds. It is popular for use in jewelry. Naturally occurring rubies often have an opaque body with many flaws, and some pieces are too opaque and unattractive. Ruby is the July birthstone.

 

4.Sapphire: Sapphire is a gemstone from the corundum family that comes in various colors, but generally refers specifically to the blue variety. Sapphire is classified as a corundum mineral, like ruby, giving it a high degree of durability. Sapphire is the birthstone for September.

 

5.Amethyst: The purple color of amethyst comes from iron atoms embedded in the quartz mineral. Among the quartz varieties, amethyst is very popular. In ancient times, it was believed that amethyst could cure confusion and frenzied emotions. Amethyst is the birthstone for February.

 

6.Citrine: Citrine is a transparent variety of quartz that ranges in color from yellow-brown to reddish-orange. Citrine has the nicknames “merchant’s stone”, “stone of success”, and “money stone” because it is believed to bring prosperity to those who wear it. Citrine is The birthstone for November.

 

7.Garnets: Garnets can be found all over the world. The name garnet comes from the Latin word “granum” meaning “grain” or “seed”, referring to its deep red color. It is believed that garnets bring prosperity. Garnets is The birthstone for January.

 

8.Peridot: Peridot is known for its distinct colors, ranging from yellow-green to green-tinged with brown. In ancient Egypt, peridot was called the “Gem of the Sun.” In 2003, NASA discovered that peridot can also be found on Mars. Peridot is The birthstone for August.

 

9.Opal: is a gemstone in the quartz family, like amethyst. It has an iridescent quality and can display multiple colors such as white, red, yellow, green, purple, and black. The word “opal” derives from the Sanskrit word “upala”. Opal is the birthstone for October.If you are interested in opals, you can read more about them Here.

 

10.Pearl: Pearls are one of the few gems that originate from living organisms. There are various types of pearls including South Sea pearls, Tahitian pearls, Akoya pearls, freshwater pearls, and Natural pearls. The pearls we typically see are mostly round, but in nature, pearls can occur in various unique shapes and forms. Pearls is The birthstone for June. You can find more information about pearls on this blog.

 

11.Tanzanite: Tanzanite is a gemstone in the zoisite mineral group. Its natural color is blue, but it can also appear in shades like royal blue, indigo, and violet. Tanzanite has only one geographic source – it is found in just two mines in Tanzania: the Merelani Hills and Lelatema. Nowhere else on Earth has tanzanite been found in its natural state. Tanzanite is The birthstone for December.

 

12.Aquamarine: Aquamarine is a gemstone in the beryl family, just like emerald. Aquamarine crystals of gem quality are mostly formed in cavities beneath the Earth’s surface during the final stages of magma cooling. Aquamarines range in color from pale blue to light greenish-blue. Aquamarine is The birthstone for March.

 

13.Onyx: Onyx is a mineral from the chalcedony group, which is a family of semi-precious gemstones. In ancient times, it was believed that onyx was a gem of fortune, power, and could enhance the wearer’s charisma. Onyx was thought to bring prosperity and authority to those who wore it.

 

 

Semi-Precious & Precious Gemstones

Jewelry enthusiasts are likely familiar with the terms “precious gemstones” and “semi-precious gemstones,” but what do these classifications truly mean?

Classification of Gemstones Only 4 types of gemstones are classified and ranked as precious gemstones:

 

Precious Gemstones:

Diamond – The hardest gemstone in the world with a Mohs Scale hardness of 10 (Symbol of purity, strength, and eternal love)

Ruby – Red corundum, the stone of passion, power, and courage

Sapphire – Corundum in all colors except red, the stone of wisdom, justice, and nobility

Emerald – Green beryl (the stone of love, growth, and abundance)

 

Semi-Precious Gemstones

Semi-precious gemstones refer to all gemstones that are not among the four types mentioned above. However, this does not mean their value or beauty is inferior.

Amethyst – Purple quartz (peace, balance, wisdom, and love)

Topaz – Available in various colors (symbol of confidence, clarity in decision-making, creative growth, and good fortune in work)

Peridot – Yellow-green color (good fortune, success, good health, peace, and protection from evil)

Citrine – Yellow quartz (enhances charm, intelligence, and wealth)

Aquamarine – Light blue beryl (peace, courage, and new beginnings)

Green Tourmaline – Bright green color (direct healing to the heart, helps increase life energy for the wearer, providing both emotional and physical strength and vitality)

 

Gemstone Cutting and Popular Gemstone Shapes

 

Round Cut Round Cut, also known as Brilliant Cut, is one of the most popular cutting styles. It features a distinctive circular shape with 57 or 58 facets and can be used in all types of jewelry. The advantage of the round shape is that it can effectively hide flaws and inclusions within the gemstone.

Princess Cut Princess Cut is the second most popular style after the round cut, particularly suitable for engagement rings. In the 1960s, the Princess cut became popular as an alternative to the Round Cut. This cut is commonly used with diamonds, but it can actually be applied to other gemstones as well.

Emerald Cut This cut enhances the color saturation and emphasizes the clarity and depth of the gemstone. Originally used exclusively for emeralds, it is now applied to other stones such as diamonds. This cutting style features a step-cut design that creates steps that reflect light.

Cushion Cut Also called Pillow Cut due to the soft, gentle appearance of this cutting style. It emphasizes maximizing the use of the rough gemstone material.

Oval Cut This cut is similar to the Round Cut in emphasizing color and brilliant sparkle, but the Oval shape is more elongated. It helps make the wearer’s hands appear longer and more delicate due to the larger appearance of the Oval Cut.

Pear Cut Features a teardrop shape and is popular for pendants and earrings. It combines elements of both round and marquise cuts. The advantage is that it captures the benefits of both styles: the brilliance of the round shape and the distinctive characteristics of the marquise, creating a soft, romantic appearance.

 

Gemstone Clarity

Flawless (FL) – No inclusions visible under 10x magnification

Grade 2: Internally Flawless (IF) No internal inclusions No internal inclusions visible under 10x magnification, but may have very minor external blemishes

Grade 3: Very Very Slightly Included (VVS) Very, very minor inclusions When using 10x magnification, very tiny inclusions can be seen. This grade can be further subdivided based on the quantity found: VVS1 and VVS2

Grade 4: Very Slightly Included (VS) Very minor inclusions When using 10x magnification, small inclusions can be seen without difficulty. This grade can be further subdivided based on the quantity found: VS1 and VS2

Grade 5: Slightly Included (SI) Minor inclusions When using 10x magnification, inclusions can be seen without difficulty. This grade can be further subdivided based on the quantity found: SI1 and SI2

Grade 6: Imperfect (I) Obvious inclusions When using 10x magnification, inclusions can be seen very easily, visible to the naked eye, and some inclusions may affect the durability of the gemstone. This grade can be further subdivided based on the quantity found: I1, I2, and I3

Gemstone clarity assessment requires appropriate tools and the experience of qualified graders to obtain accurate information.

 

Different Types

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) classifies colored gemstones into 3 types:

Type 1 Gemstones in this group are typically found without inclusions or with virtually no inclusions, making it reasonable to expect nearly perfect transparency.

Type 2 Type 2 gemstones typically have some inclusions but are generally clean at the eye-clean level rather than being clean under magnification.

Type 3 Usually have visible inclusions almost all the time. For this type of gemstone, IF-level clarity is very rare, making almost all of them have inclusions visible to the naked eye.

 

Gemstone Carat

Carat is the measurement unit for gemstone weight that is widely used around the world and serves as the standard weight measurement for gemstones. 1 carat equals 0.2 grams or 200 milligrams. The decimal portion is called “Pointer,” divided into 100 Pointers, allowing for precise measurement to two decimal places. For example, 0.10 carat can be called 10 points or 1/10 carat.

0.25 Carat = 25 Points 0.50 Carat = 50 Points 0.75 Carat = 75 Points 1.00 Carat = 100 Points

Small gemstones such as 0.05 and 0.10 carat are commonly referred to primarily as “Pointers.

 

Mineral Gemstones and Non-Mineral Gemstones

Another way to classify them is as precious and semi-precious gemstones. These terms are still heard occasionally today. Currently, this type of classification has virtually no meaning in actual gemological classification because there are many exceptions.

Calling certain gemstones “precious” and all other gemstones “semi-precious” can be misleading. One should exercise careful judgment before making purchasing decisions.

 

Natural Gemstones vs Synthetic Gemstones

Currently, we may have heard of “Lab-grown Diamonds.” Today, some gemstones can be created by human craftsmanship. This section will clearly distinguish between synthetic and natural gemstones.

Natural Gemstones These are gemstones from nature that take millions of years to form. They naturally contain inclusions or impurities because they come from nature, though flawless ones without inclusions also exist.

Synthetic Gemstones These are gemstones created by humans, simulating natural formation conditions. They take much less time than natural formation – millions of years in nature versus just 1 month to 1 year for synthesis. However, they are not imitations in any way because the mineral composition, chemical components, and structure are identical.

Value of Both Types The values of both types are not equal. Lab-created gemstones have lower value than natural ones because they can be produced continuously, unlike natural ones that must be mined with greater difficulty, making their value higher. Due to continuous production capability, their selling prices are also lower. They are so similar that they cannot be distinguished with the naked eye.

 

Value of Both Types

The values of both types are not equal. Lab-created gemstones have lower value than natural ones because they can be produced continuously, unlike natural ones that must be mined with greater difficulty, making their value higher. Due to continuous production capability, their selling prices are also lower. They are so similar that they cannot be distinguished with the naked eye.

 

Mohs Scale of Hardness for Gemstones

The Mohs Hardness Scale, or Mohs Scale, is a widely used scale for measuring the hardness of minerals and rocks. It was devised in 1812 by Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist and geologist. The scale ranks minerals from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest.

You can look up the Mohs Scale ratings for various minerals here

Mohs Scale of Gemstone Hardness

How to Care for Gemstone Jewelry

• Use warm water mixed with mild dish soap or gentle detergent, then clean with a soft-bristled brush or cloth. This method works for most gemstones.
• Some gemstones (such as pearls, opals, amber, turquoise) are fragile, porous, or have undergone quality treatments and require more careful handling.
• Avoid using steam cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners as they may damage surface coatings and cause cracks.
• Remove gemstone pieces before engaging in strenuous activities (sports, cleaning) as they may be damaged or cracked from impact, and avoid contact with household chemicals, perfumes, and lotions.
• Store each piece separately in soft pouches or padded jewelry boxes to avoid scratches.
• For pearls, opals, and other moisture-sensitive gemstones, consider storing them in slightly humid conditions.

 

Reference source

https://www.kgkgroup.com/diamonds-origin-history/

https://www.labichejewelers.com/types-gemstones/

https://australian.museum/learn/minerals/gemstones/geological-origin-of-gemstones/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemstone