Gemstone
Throughout history, gemstones have held a very high status in nearly all major world cultures because they have fascinated humans from the very earliest days with their beauty. Despite any other cultural differences, people have long shared an appreciation of gemstones as well as an affinity for the gemstone jewelry created using such gems. Over time, values have shifted, but the fact remains that gems continue to enchant the world with their sparkle, shine, color and ability to evoke a sense of wonder in the observer. For these simple reasons alone, gemstones hold an aesthetic importance that will not soon be replaced.
In order to understand exactly what gemstones are, it is important to turn to science. According to scientific categorization, gems are minerals that are valued for traits which make them useful in jewelry. While most gems are actually mined out of rock, several types of gems including coral, amber and pearls, are made from living animals or plants are therefore classified as organic gems. Since the natural processes that create gems occur over such enormously long periods of time, gems are very valuable. Their rarity is part of their value, but their beauty, durability, clarity, color, shine, sparkle and in some cases, their lack of color – as in the diamond.
Even though there are more than two thousand different types of minerals found on earth, only fewer than one hundred of these could properly be considered gems and among these, only sixteen have risen to any great level of importance on a global level. These sixteen precious stones are: zircon, diamond, opal, olivine, turquoise, tourmaline, quartz, spinel, topaz, lazurite, feldspar, garnet, chrysoberyl, jade, beryl (of which emerald and aquamarine are both sub species) and corundum (sub species of which include rubies and sapphires). While other semi precious gems such as onyx, amber or pearls are also used in the creation of gemstone jewelry, and greatly favored by those who prefer them, they are not held at the same level of value for a variety of subjective reasons.
While diamonds of colorless type are the most valued, most gemstones are more value if they are of a deeper, richer color. This will affect their value, as will what style of cut has been applied to them. Gemstone jewelry offers several cuts including pear, marquis, princess cut, heart and round brilliant, for diamonds. With gemstones, one has a wide array of choices and since there are birthstones for every month of the year it is very possible to make a gift of gemstone jewelry be a very personal and sentimental affair. Understanding the colors and gems that a person likes most can help one pick the perfect gift, but be sure to know which precious metals they prefer since gemstone jewelry can be made combining any gems and precious metals on the market today to create a rainbow of different looks to suit just about any tastes.
People today might not believe that gemstones contain magical powers, but one thing is for sure: gems continue to fascinate us in ways that no other objects of beauty on Earth can ever come close to.
Tags: gemstone guides, gemstone jewelry, gemstones