All About Gemstones

Human beings have loved to adorn themselves with jewellery, also considering it as a status symbol from a very long time. From the nobilities to the common man everyone has been awed by the spell of jewellery. When all gold jewellery and simple brass rings were the two extreme ends in the jewellery category, gemstones came in to fill the gap beautifully. Popular gemstones include diamonds, rubies, emerald, opal, sapphires and onyx. Today modern jewellery uses beautiful, rare and colorful precious stones as a dominant feature for a piece with a metallic (gold, silver or platinum) setting. These stones are simply rocks (minerals) taken from the earth, and after they have been enhanced by the artisans cutting and polishing, the finest and rarest of them are what we call gems. The overall beauty of some gemstones is marked upon by their color, shine as compared to others and also sometimes on its hardness. Rarity plays a classifying role as well. The gemstones are also known as cut stones, since as the valued characteristics of gemstones come into effect only after its cutting and polishing. The gems could be considered as mere useless material until it has not been refined, that is unless it has not been through the process of cutting and polishing. From time to time, new gemstones are discovered or varieties with gemstone quality are found in minerals which have been already known. Harder stones are suitable for jewellery, as the softer ones would break away easily. The most precious stones are the diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The pearl is sometimes classified among precious stones while strictly speaking it is not a stone it holds an esteemed place in jewellery. Some people consider opal as a precious stone. Anything except these is considered semi-precious gemstones. Gemstone jewellery is very popular and considered very fashionable and elegant at the same time. Among the popular semi-precious stones and less expensive ones are the amethyst, turquoise, aquamarine, topaz, peridot, opal, tourmaline, alexandrite and garnet. These stones while comparatively common and inexpensive are indispensable to jewellery makers. These stones come in a variety of colors and thus it is possible to make unusual designs of artistic merit according to the personality of the wearer. The most valuable semi-precious stones would be the amethyst, turquoise, lapis-lazuli, aquamarine, topaz, peridot, moonstone, tourmaline, opal, zircon, chrysoberyl and alexandrite. Some other semi-precious stones that are not as valuable, though valuable still would include jade, garnet, chrysoprase, agate, azurite, bloodstone, coral, malachite, carnelian and a lot others. One must always make a note to ask for the certificate of genuine gemstone from the buyer in order to avoid being cheated. Check out a few gemstone jewellery products from Voylla Shuchi K