Gemstones are minerals or rocks that are cut, faceted, and polished for use in jewelry. They can be natural or lab-made, and are classified by chemical composition, crystal system, and group, species, and variety. Gemologists use technical specifications to evaluate their value.
Gemstones, also known as gemstones, are minerals or rocks that become collectible when cut, faceted, and polished. Many are commonly used in jewelry.
These stones can occur naturally, or they can be simulated in the laboratory. Natural stones come directly from the ground or the mine and are cut or faceted to the desired shape and size. They are usually the most popular among collectors and consumers, as well as the most expensive. Lab mock versions are created in a lab. These man-made stones can still be considered gemstones, but they are easier to find and generally less expensive than their natural counterparts.
There are also organic gemstones, including amber, which is made from fossilized tree resin; and jet, which is a form of carbon. There are some gemstones that are too soft or brittle to be used in jewelry, such as the single crystal rhodochrosite. Although they cannot be used for jewelry, they are displayed in museums and sought after by collectors because of their beauty.
Gemologists use technical specifications to differentiate between stones. The first consideration when identifying a gem is the chemical composition. Diamonds, for example, are made of carbon, and rubies are made of aluminum oxide. Most gemstones are actually crystals, which a crystal system classifies as cubic, trigonal, or monoclinic.
These stones are also classified into different groups, species and varieties. Ruby, for example, is the red variety of corundum of the species, which belongs to the spinel or hematite group. Emerald, aquamarine, bixbite, goshenite, heliodor, and morganite, on the other hand, are all varieties of the mineral species beryl.
The separation of precious stones in this type of groups helps to identify their composition, their color and their origin. They also have an index of refraction, dispersion, specific gravity, hardness, cleavage, fracture, and brightness. Each of these characteristics is important when evaluating the value of the stone.
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