Were
you ever wondering why some gemstones are more expensive and valuable than
others? What is the difference between precious and semi-precious gemstones?
These and many other questions were violating our peace each time we were
buying something in the jewelry store.
What is gemstone?
Well,
before going deep into the classification of gemstones, let’s see what a
gemstone itself is. Gemstone
is a piece of mineral crystal. In cut and polished form it is used to make Designer Handmade Fashion Jewelry or other adornments. It can be both a precious or semi-precious stone.Nevertheless,
jewelers with equal success use certain metamorphic rocks (such as lapis
lazuli) or organic materials that are not minerals (such as amber, jet, and
pearl) in their masterpieces. That is why they are gemstones as well, while in
fact they are not exactly stones. Amber is, for example, a fossilized resin of
prehistoric trees.
What is precious and semi-precious gemstone classification?
The
traditional classification as we know it now appeared back in times of Ancient
Greeks, when naked eye was the main instrument in grading stones. Stones
received classification of precious and semi-precious according to few simple
and very basic principles. The most important for the following grading were
rarity of the Gemstone Fashion Jewelry and its physical characteristics.By
physical characteristics Ancient Greeks meant the visual effects and
characteristics of the certain stone. Among them were – color, clarity to a
lesser extent (emeralds always have a number of inclusions); form and cut,
unusual optical phenomena within the stone such as color zoning (the uneven
spread of color within a gem) and asteria (star effects).
The
Greeks itself, for example, greatly valued asteria gems, which they regarded as
powerful love charms. Even Helen of Troy was enjoying wearing star-corundum.
Why
precious and semi-precious gems classification is misleading?
Nowadays,
only four gemstones belong traditionally to the list of precious – diamond,
ruby, sapphire and emerald. All other gemstones considered semi-precious.
Following
division reflects and is solely based on the rarity and quality of the
respective stones in ancient times. Diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald are
glassy with fine color in their purest forms, except for the colorless diamond.
According to the Mosh scale they are very hard, with harnesses of 8 to 10.
Mentioned
above classification does not reflect nowadays situation completely, for example,
while garnets are relatively cheap, a green garnet called tsavorite can be far
more valuable than a mid-quality emerald.
Therefore,
terms ‘precious and ‘semi-precious ‘are misleading. They falsely imply that
certain stones are in fact more valuable than others. This is not necessarily
the case. This drives me to the idea that precious/semi-precious classification
is a commercial based in some kind and was a division that marketers created
years ago.
Moreover,
as a proof to say above, Ancient Greeks considered opal and pearls among
precious. And pearls are not, strictly speaking, a gemstones. Amethyst was in
the precious list as well up to 19th century, when Brazilians discovered bulk
amethyst. Aquamarine, peridot and cat’s eye (cymophanous) were very popular in
last century and that is why people seen them precious.
Unfortunately,
nowadays gemstone traders do not make following differentiation anymore.
Therefore, typical customers tend to perceive tens of amazingly beautiful
gemstones as second-rate products.A
lot of famous designers and brands use semi-precious gems in their most
expensive jewelry. But, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds still have a
reputation that exceeds those of other gemstones.
Don’t
value semi-precious gemstones less than precious!
So,
this is my call to all our beloved readers, please, don’t value semi-precious
gemstones less than precious as they can be far more beautiful, far more
interesting, far more individual and even far more expensive.Some
of them, like lapis lazuli and amber are in use since the beginning of times,
the times of pharaohs and imperators. Even the King Solomon, “the mightiest and
wisest ruler of the earth that ever was or shall be. Wealthy beyond measure.”
was wearing a ring with lapis lazuli and not a diamond.Following
classification is a concept that puts misleading ideas of truth into consumers’
minds. Don’t be like they want you to be, but be yourself! Open your heart to
the semi-precious stones, and I promise, you will never regret it while buying Online Fashion Jewelry!