WHAT ARE PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES

Stones have been worn by men and women since ancient times. Modern jewelry uses beautiful, rare and colorful stones as a dominant feature for a piece with a metallic setting. The stones used in the crafting of fine jewelry are generally divided into two classes- precious stones and semi-precious stones. These stones are simply rocks (minerals) taken from the earth, and after they have been enhanced by the artisans cutting and polishing, the finest and rarest of them are what we call gems.

RECIOUS STONES
The most precious stones are the diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The pearl is sometimes classed among precious stones while strictly speaking it is not a stone it holds an esteemed place in jewelry. Sometimes the opal is also considered a precious stone. Anything except these is considered semi-precious gemstones. The exceptional value of gems or precious stones depends simply upon their use as ornaments these days. Gemstone jewelry is very popular and considered very fashionable and elegant at the same time.

SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES
Among the popular semi-precious stones and less expensive ones are the amethyst, turquoise, aquamarine, topaz, peridot, opal, tourmaline, alexandrite and garnet (but the green garnet could cost more). These stones while comparatively common and inexpensive are indispensable to jewelry makers. These stones come in a variety of colors and thus it is possible to make unusual designs of artistic merit according to the personality of the wearer. The most valuable semi-precious stones would be the amethyst, turquoise, lapis-lazuli, aquamarine, topaz, peridot, moonstone, tourmaline, opal, zircon, chrysoberyl and alexandrite. Some other semi-precious stones that are not as valuable, though valuable still would include jade, garnet, chrysoprase, agate, azurite, bloodstone, coral, malachite, carnelian and a lot others.

For some gemstones the source of beauty is the color or the shine that makes them stand out in comparison to other stones, for others it is the hardness. Rarity also plays a role in classifying as gemstone. Since the valued characteristics of gemstones usually come into effect only through cutting and polishing, hence they are normally considered to be the cut stones.

Cutting and polishing means refinement of what might otherwise be insignificant raw materials. From time to time, new gemstones are discovered or varieties with gemstone quality are found in minerals which have been already known. Harder stones are suitable for jewelry, whereas the soft ones are often sought after by amateur collectors as well as serious lapidaries.