Semi-precious gems are less expensive than cardinal gems, and there are many substitutes available for those who want to save money on jewelry. They range from minerals to organic compounds, and prices vary based on size, quality, and authenticity.
Semi-precious gems are minerals or organic compounds used in jewelry and ornaments. They differ from the four cardinal gems, diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald, because they are more abundant and therefore generally less expensive. Amethyst was once considered the fifth cardinal gem, but recent discoveries of extensive South American deposits have led to its reclassification as a semi-precious gem. A large proportion of semi-precious stones are of the mineral silicate class, which makes up 90% of the earth’s crust.
One way to economize on jewelry is to replace cardinal gems with semi-precious stones of a similar color. Zircon, not to be confused with cubic zirconia, is a normally colorless stone which makes it an excellent substitute for diamond. In fact, people who want to avoid counterfeiting diamonds might consider using zircon as a gem replacement.
Many royal families have been surprised to discover that the emerald treasures they possessed were actually peridots, the crystalline form of olivine. Although more yellow-green in color, peridot is easily mistaken for the more expensive emerald and a lovely gem in its own right. Another emerald alternative is creamy green jade, known in China as the royal gem. Extremely variable in color, jade can range from pale green with milky streaks to dark luster and even imperial jade.
For those who prefer sapphires, there are numerous semi-precious stones as substitutions. Frequently seen in Native American jewelry, turquoise is a sky-blue stone that can alter hues with exposure to the skin. It has a waxy sheen and occasionally white streaks. A semi-precious stone in the same family as emeralds, aquamarine is a nearly translucent stone with a blue tint. Topaz is often heat treated to create a deep blue that is more reminiscent of a sapphire.
If the drama of a ruby is appealing, consider blood red garnet. Garnet ranges from a true red to dark brown, and carries much more sparkle than ruby. Noah is even said to have used a garnet lantern to help him steer the ark.
The varieties of semi-precious stones do not end with their similarities to cardinal gems. Moonstones, a legendary gem from Sri Lanka, may appear almost colorless, but appear to have a mysterious gray sheen called “adularescence” that many believed changed with the cycles of the moon. The opals, sourced from the deep mines of Australia and New Zealand, appear to be pearly gray or blue in color, but tiny silicate microcrystals refract light through the gem into rainbows.
Other semi-precious stones are not stones at all, but organic compounds like amber. This hardened sap from ancient trees turns a beautiful golden brown hue and often contains small fossils. A pinkish-red gemstone, coral is a clean, polished material from the coral species coral rubrum and corallium japonicum. Also from the sea is the pearl, a highly prized stone harvested from oysters and noted for its brilliance.
Semi-precious stones range in price based on size, quality, and authenticity. Many semi-precious stones are lab-treated to enhance color and remove blemishes, and are therefore less expensive. For loose semi-precious stones, prices can range from a few US dollars (USD) to several hundred, depending on size and quality.
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