These are mineral substances that, once carved, cut and faceted, are used in the world of jewelry making. They have always been highly valued for their unique appearance, shine and striking colors. You are most likely to have heard of diamond, emerald sapphire. But we are going to look at what a gemstone really is. Today we are going to talk about the characteristics of gemstones and what types of gemstones exist. You are bound to discover details of these treasures that you didn’t know before. Let’s get to it!
Gemstone characteristics
Without a doubt, at a glance, precious and semi-precious gemstones are characterized by their beauty. The colors are unique and striking. Many of them stand out for their astounding clarity and shine. But there are more characteristics that set them apart from other minerals. Below, we are going to explain the most notable ones so you know how to distinguish them from non-precious gemstones.
Gemstone hardness
Hardness is one of the most notable characteristics of gemstones and it defines their durability. The harder they are, the more resistant they are to scratches and wear. It is measured using the Mohs scale, which goes from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). Most gemstones have a hardness of between 2 and 6. One of the hardest, by far, is the diamond, which has a value near to 10. To give you a general idea, ruby and sapphire are around 9, topaz has a hardness of 8 and lapis lazuli is between 5 and 6. The softest gemstones include pearls, their hardness would vary approximately between 2 and 4, and coral, whose hardness is between 3 and 4.
Gemstone colors
The colors of gemstones are a sight to behold. It is the most obvious and attractive property that everyone can admire, without being an expert in the field. Each gemstone has a unique color that makes it special. When we come to valuing precious gemstones in terms of color, what counts is the intensity since this can vary depending on the presence of impurities and oxides inside the mineral. There are also colorless gemstones, like diamonds. They stand out for their unmistakable shine.
Gemstone shine
Another notable characteristic of precious stones that draws our attention is their shine. The shine of a gemstone refers to its capacity to reflect light. It is a glassy or metallic shine that gives them a radiant appearance. In addition to being a highly attractive characteristic, the degree of shine is another determining value that influences the value of precious stones. Among experts, this is called the shine refractive index and it can be measured in each gemstone. Normally it is between 1.4 and 3.2 in precious stones.
Rarity of precious stones
Rarity is another characteristic that determines the value of precious stones. Obviously, the rarer it is, the higher its value will be. Among the rarest precious stones in the world is the red diamond. If you have one of these, you own a genuine treasure. But don’t underestimate an intensely colored ruby either, which can be hugely valuable if the purity is high.
Types of gemstones
As we have already explained, there are different types of gemstones, each with their own characteristics and properties. Depending on their properties, they are classified into two groups: precious stones and semi-precious stones.
Precious stones
Precious stones are worth the most, thanks to their beauty and exceptional hardness. Given the strict requirements for a stone to be considered precious, there are currently only four.
- Diamond: This precious stone is famous for its high level of hardness and shine. It is one of the most valuable and most popular gemstones. It can be colorless or be a variety of colors, from pink to blue.
- Emerald: Emeralds are a stunning green color. In general, the brighter the color, the more valuable the emerald will be.
- Ruby: Rubies are red gemstones that symbolize love and passion. Their extreme resistance to wear and their hardness, which is only exceeded by diamonds, make them one of the most spectacular precious stones in the world.
- Sapphire: The blue variety is the best-known of this precious stone, although there are also pink, yellow and green sapphires.
Semi-precious stones
Whether a gemstone is precious or semi-precious is a constant debate among experts. In general, semi-precious gemstones are those that do not meet all of the requirements to be categorized as precious gemstones, but that still possess exceptional beauty and appeal. The most popular semi-precious stones include jade, lapis lazuli, amethyst and amber.
Pieces of jewelry adorned with gemstones are a way of expressing your personal style. They add shine or color to any simple accessory. TOUS offers a wide range of jewelry with gemstones, find yours in the online store!