Gemstone

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A selection of gemstone pebbles made by tumbling rough rock with abrasive grit, in a rotating drum. The biggest pebble here is 40 millimeters long (1.6 inches).

A gemstone is a mineral, rock, or petrified organic matter that, when cut or faceted and polished, is collectible or can be used in jewelry and decorative items. Among the most highly valued gemstones are diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. Some gems (such as single-crystal rhodochrosite) are too soft or fragile to be used in jewelry, but they are often exhibited in museums and sought by collectors. Various gemstones also have practical value—for instance, to make abrasives and generate laser beams. A number of them are now being produced by artificial processes. On account of their monetary value and aesthetic appeal, gemstones have also been sought by thieves and warriors, fueling violence and causing people to suffer.

Characteristics and classification

Gemstones are made of various materials. Most gemstones are minerals, which means they are naturally occurring, inorganic materials, each with a particular chemical composition and crystalline structure. In terms of chemical composition, the largest group of gemstones consists of silicates, and the second largest group consists of oxides.[1] For instance, emerald is a silicate of beryllium and aluminum (Be3Al2(SiO3)6, or beryl), and rubies and sapphires are composed of aluminum oxide (Al2O3, or corundum). Diamonds, however, are a crystalline form of carbon (C).

For a material to take a crystalline form, its molecules (or atoms or ions) are packed in regularly ordered patterns (with names such as cubic, trigonal, and monoclinic). Some crystals exhibit a property called twinning, in which two crystals intergrow and share some of their lattice points.

Some gemstones, such as lapis lazuli, are classified as rock—that is, they are composed of mixtures of minerals. Others are made of organic matter. For example, pearl is produced by oysters, amber corresponds to a fossilized tree resin, and jet is a form of coal. If a gemstone is mainly made of a single mineral but contains small but visible quantities of a different mineral or fossil, those "flaws" are known as inclusions.

Characteristics of gems include their optical properties such as luster, luminescence (low-temperature emission of light), dispersion of light (separation of different wavelengths of light), refractive index (ratio of the speed of light in the material to that in a vacuum), and absorption spectrum (wavelengths of light absorbed by the material). In addition, gemstones are characterized by their physical properties such as specific gravity (density), hardness (resistance to scratching), type of cleavage (splitting of crystals along definite planes), and fracture (breakage of the material without separation of the parts).

Gemologists classify gemstones based on their chemical composition and crystal structure. According to one system of classification, a specific type of gem is considered a variety that is part of a certain species and group. For example, ruby is the red variety of the species corundum that belongs to the spinel group. Emerald (green), aquamarine (blue), bixbite (red), goshenite (colorless), heliodor (yellow), and morganite (pink) are all varieties of the mineral species beryl.

Gemologists also use the term "crystal habit," which is the outward shape the gem is usually found in. The outward shape is often not the same as the inner, invisible "crystal system." For example, diamonds, which have a cubic crystal system, are often found as octahedrons.

Value

Jewelry made with the gem amber.

The value of a gemstone is usually based on its visual attractiveness, rarity, durability, size, and shape. Characteristics that make a stone beautiful include its color and any unusual optical phenomena. In addition, the stone is cut in ways that enhance its optical features. The art of cutting and polishing gemstones is one of the lapidary arts. Usually, the less the number of imperfections in a stone, the more valuable it is considered. Sometimes, however, the presence of an interesting inclusion will increase the stone's value.

Diamond is highly prized as a gemstone because it is the hardest naturally occurring substance known and, when faceted, can reflect light with fire and sparkle. Diamonds, however, are far from rare, as millions of carats are mined each year.

Traditionally, common gemstones were grouped as precious stones (cardinal gems) and semi-precious stones. The former category was largely determined by rarity and a history of ecclesiastical, devotional, or ceremonial use. Only five types of gemstones were considered precious: diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, and amethyst. Currently, gemologists consider all gems as precious, although four of the five original "cardinal gems" are usually (but not always) regarded as the most valuable. The value of amethyst has dropped ever since huge quantities were discovered in Brazil and other parts of the world.

Some gemstones are so rare and unusual that that they are scarcely known except to connoisseurs. They include andalusite, axinite, cassiterite, clinohumite, and iolite.

Various gemstones also have practical value, and a number of them are now made by artificial processes (see Synthetic and artificial gemstones below). For example, diamonds are excellent abrasives and are used for cutting, drilling, engraving, grinding, and polishing. Likewise, garnet sand is a good abrasive and may be used instead of silica sand in sand blasting. Obsidian (a naturally occurring glass) is used in cardiac surgery because an obsidian blade can be made much sharper than a high-quality steel surgical scalpel. Synthetic sapphires with small amounts of chromium or titanium are used to generate lasers. In the past, jade was used to make knives and weapons, and lapis lazuli was powdered and converted into the pigment ultramarine.

Synthetic and artificial gemstones

Some gemstones are manufactured to imitate others. For example, cubic zirconia is a synthetic diamond simulant, composed of zirconium oxide. Such imitations copy the look and color of the real stone but possess different chemical and physical characteristics.

True synthetic gemstones, however, are not necessarily imitation. For example, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds have been manufactured in laboratories, with chemical and physical properties that are very nearly identical to those of the genuine stones. Synthetic corundum stones, including ruby and sapphire, are quite common and cost only a fraction of the natural stones. Smaller synthetic diamonds have been manufactured in large quantities as industrial abrasives for many years. Only recently, larger synthetic diamonds of gemstone quality, especially of the colored variety, have been manufactured.

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has strict guidelines about labeling artificially produced gemstones. According to the FTC, such stones need to be clearly described with such terms as "synthetic," "imitation," "laboratory-created," and so forth. In addition, the created stone may not be given the name of a particular gemstone unless it has "essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as the stone named."[2]

Historical symbolism and beliefs

Gemstones have been known and valued throughout history. Many have been associated with symbolic significance as well as material wealth and power. For instance, in early Indian culture, diamonds were associated with the gods and were used to decorate idols. In traditional Islamic cultures, an agate ring was thought to offer protection from mishaps and victory over one's enemies. Jade was the royal gem in early Chinese culture; while lapis lazuli was highly prized by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

In various cultural traditions, specific gemstones were thought to have the power to heal physical and mental illnesses. For example, agate was thought to prevent disease and soothe the mind, as well as to cure scorpion stings and snakebites. Emerald was used as a cure for epilepsy and dysentery, garnet was used as an insect repellent, and lapis lazuli was thought to keep the limbs healthy and free the soul from error. In addition, emerald and garnet stones were thought to have the power to ward off evil spirits.

In Western culture, the diamond has traditionally been taken to symbolize virtue and fearlessness, and garnet has been a symbol of faith and trust. Amethyst, a symbol of heavenly understanding, has been worn by the person who pioneers the spiritual and material realms. Today, the diamond is taken as symbolic of eternity and love. Moreover, various gemstones continue to be associated with calendar months, zodiac signs, and days of the week (see Birthstones, zodiac stones, and birthday stones below).

Types of gemstones

There are over 130 species of minerals that have been cut into gems. Of these, some of the common ones are listed below.

Minerals that infrequently occur in gem quality include:

  • Andalusite
  • Axinite
  • Benitoite
  • Bixbyte (Red beryl)
  • Cassiterite
  • Clinohumite
  • Iolite
  • Kornerupine
  • Natural moissanite
  • Zeolite (Thomsonite)

Artificial or synthetic materials used as gems include:

Organic materials used as gems include:

  • Amber
  • Bone
  • Coral
  • Ivory
  • Jet (lignite)
  • Mother of pearl
  • Ammolite (from fossils formed from the shells of extinct ammonites)
  • Pearl
  • Tortoiseshell

Birthstones, zodiac stones, and birthday stones

Birthstones

A birthstone is a gemstone culturally associated with the month of a person's birth. Different cultures have historically used many different sets of birthstones. In 1912, Jewelers of America, a national association of jewelers in the United States, officially adopted the following list, which is currently the most widely used list in the United States and many other countries.

  • January: garnet
  • February: amethyst
  • March: aquamarine or bloodstone
  • April: diamond
  • May: emerald
  • June: pearl, moonstone, or alexandrite
  • July: ruby
  • August: peridot, sardonyx, or sapphire
  • September: sapphire
  • October: opal or tourmaline
  • November: citrine or yellow topaz
  • December: turquoise, lapis lazuli, zircon, or blue topaz. In 2002, the American Gem Trade Association added tanzanite to December.

Zodiac stones

An astrological version of birthstones uses the 12 zodiac signs instead of the 12 calendar months. Listed below are the birthstones associated with dates for the tropical Sun signs.

Sign Dates Stone
Aquarius 21 January – 18 February garnet
Pisces 19 February – 21 March amethyst
Aries 22 March – 20 April bloodstone
Taurus 21 April – 21 May sapphire
Gemini 22 May – 21 June agate
Cancer 21 June – 22 July emerald
Leo 23 July – 22 August onyx
Virgo 23 August – 22 September carnelian
Libra 23 September – 23 October chrysolite
Scorpio 24 October – 21 November beryl
Sagittarius 22 November – 21 December topaz
Capricorn 22 December – 21 January ruby

Birthday stones

A "birthday stone," sometimes used as a synonym for birthstone (see above), is correlated with the day of the week of a person's birth:

  • Monday: Garnet
  • Wednesday: Cat's eye (chatoyant chrysoberyl)
  • Thursday: Emerald
  • Friday: Topaz
  • Saturday: Sapphire
  • Sunday: Ruby

List of famous gemstones

A number of gemstones have gained fame because of their size and beauty or because of the people who owned or wore them. A partial list of famous gemstones follows.

Aquamarines

  • The Giant Aquamarine

Diamonds

  • The Allnatt Diamond
  • The Centenary Diamond
  • The Cullinan Diamond, the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found at 3106.75 carats, also known as the Star of Africa
  • The Darya-ye Noor Diamond, the best known diamond of the Iranian Crown Jewels
  • The Deepdene
  • The Dresden Green Diamond
  • The Dudley Diamond
  • The Eugenie Blue Diamond
  • The Excelsior Diamond
  • The Florentine Diamond
  • The Golden Jubilee (the largest faceted diamond ever cut, at 545.67 carats)
  • The Great Chrysanthemum Diamond
  • The Great Mogul Diamond
  • The Heart of Eternity Diamond (perhaps the largest Fancy Vivid Blue)
  • The Hope Diamond (blue, but supposedly cursed)
  • The Hortensia Diamond
  • The Idol's Eye
  • The Incomparable Diamond
  • The Jones Diamond
  • The Koh-i-Noor (a very old diamond, mentioned in Baburnama of 1526, is surrounded by legend and believed to be the most precious)
  • The Millennium Star (the largest colorless, flawless diamond)
  • The Moussaieff Red Diamond (the largest Fancy Vivid Red)
  • The Nizam Diamond
  • The Ocean Dream Diamond (the only known natural Fancy Deep Blue-Green)
  • The Oppenheimer Diamond
  • The Orloff (an Indian rose cut, rumored to have served as the eye of a Hindu statue)
  • The Paragon Diamond
  • The Portuguese Diamond
  • The Premier Rose Diamond
  • The Pumpkin Diamond (perhaps the largest Fancy Vivid Orange)
  • The Red Cross Diamond
  • The Regent Diamond
  • The Sancy
  • The Spirit of de Grisogono Diamond (the world's largest cut Black)
  • The Star of the South
  • The Steinmetz Pink Diamond (the largest Fancy Vivid Pink)
  • The Taylor-Burton Diamond
  • The Tiffany Yellow Diamond
  • The Vargas

Emeralds

  • The Duke of Devonshire
  • The Gachala Emerald
  • The Mackay Emerald

Opals

  • The Andamooka Opal (presented to Queen Elizabeth 2, also known as the Queen's Opal)
  • The Aurora Australis Opal (considered the most valuable black opal)
  • The Black Prince Opal (originally known as Harlequin Prince)
  • The Empress of Australia Opal
  • The Fire Queen Opal
  • The Flame Queen Opal
  • The Flamingo Opal
  • The Halley's Comet Opal (the world's largest uncut black opal)
  • The Jupiter Five Opal
  • The Olympic Australis Opal (reported to be the largest and most valuable gem opal ever found)
  • The Pride of Australia Opal (also known as the Red Emperor Opal)
  • The Red Admiral Opal (also known as the Butterfly Stone)

Ruby

  • The DeLong Star Ruby
  • The Hixon Ruby Crystal
  • The Midnight Star Ruby
  • The Neelanjali Ruby
  • The Rajaratna Ruby
  • The Rosser Reeves Ruby

Sapphires

  • The Logan Sapphire
  • The Queen Marie of Romania Sapphire
  • The Ruspoli Sapphire
  • The Star of Asia Star Sapphire
  • The Star of Bombay (given to Mary Pickford by Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.)
  • The Star of India (the world's largest and most famous star sapphire)
  • The Stuart Sapphire

Spinels

  • The Black Prince's Ruby (a spinel mounted on the Imperial State Crown)
  • The Samarian Spinel (the world's largest spinel)
  • The Timur Ruby (believed to be a ruby until 1851)

Topaz

  • The American Golden Topaz (the largest cut yellow topaz, weighing nearly 23,000 carats)

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ USGS, Gemstones: Statistics and Information Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ Office of the Federal Register (U.S.), Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16, Commercial Practices, Pt. 0-999, Revised as of January 1, 2014 (Office of the Federal Register, 2014, ISBN 0160922496).

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1978. ISBN 0394502698
  • Klein, Cornelius. Manual of Mineralogy. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1985. ISBN 0471805807
  • Knuth, Bruce G. Gems in Myth, Legend and Lore. Parachute: Jewelers Press, 2007. ISBN 0964355043
  • Kunz, George F. The Curious Lore of Precious Stones. Dover Publications, 1971. ISBN 0486222276
  • Office of the Federal Register (U.S.). Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16, Commercial Practices, Pt. 0-999, Revised as of January 1, 2014. Office of the Federal Register, 2014. ISBN 0160922496
  • Weinstein, Michael. The World of Jewel Stones. New York: Sheridan House, 1958.

External links

All links retrieved April 18, 2024.

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