 A gemstone is a mineral, rock, or organic material that is used for jewelry, ornamentation, or art. Opals and pearls are generally styled into jewelry or art without any cuts or polishing. They can be called as gemstones, but not gems. Gems can be describes with an example such as diamond. This is a type of gemstone that must be cut and polished for its beauty to be visible and this type is known as gem. A few organic materials like amber, coral and pearls are also regarded as gemstone. Gemstones can also be called as crystalline rock. The appearance of the gemstones is like a piece of attractive mineral and is used to make jewelry or other adornments after cutting and polishing.
Origin of Gemstones
The origin of gemstones is from the earth, some form deep beneath the earth, while the others are formed from hot fluids and other chemical components. The gemstones that are formed deep beneath the earth ultimately brought to the surface by explosions of molten rocks. Some stones are also crystallized slowly from hot fluids and gases as they cooled and solidified eventually. These stones are formed far below the surface of the earth. Others stones are formed from liquids that are filtered into crack and pockets in the rock. Some stones are formed when rocks were heated and pressurized by the natural earth movements, and then again formed as a new, different mineral altogether.
Characteristics of Gemstones
The characteristics of gemstones can be explained by technical terminology. This is the specific subject for the gemologists. Gems are characterized in terms of refractive index, dispersion, specific gravity, hardness, cleavage, fracture, and lustre. They may exhibit pleochroism or double refraction. They may have luminescence and a distinctive absorption spectrum. Material or flaws within a stone may be present as inclusions. The gem may occur in certain locations, this is popularly known as `occurrence.`
Classification of Gemstones
There are more than 30 popular gem varieties and many rarer collector gemstones. Although some gemstone varieties have been treasured since before history began and others were only discovered recently, they are all nature`s gifts to the environment. On the basis of subsequent characteristics like Chemical Composition, Crystal Structure, Optical Characteristics, Specific Gravity, and Durability Gemstones are classified.
Grading of Gemstones
Many years ago, there were only two types of gemstones. Some of them were precious while some were semiprecious. Some basic principles are involved in grading gemstones of both types. There are 4 C`s regarding gemstones. These can be mentioned as color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Comprehensive color grading is an extremely important factor in determining the value of colored gemstones. Unlike diamonds, where the cut is one of the most important factors, the `color` of colored gemstones can influence as much as fifty percent of a gemstone`s value. Most of the gemstones are cut and polished for usage as gemstones. The two main classifications are stones cut as smooth, dome shaped stones called cabochons, and stones which are cut with a faceting machine by polishing small flat windows called facets at regular intervals at exact angles. Stones, which are opaque, are commonly cut as cabochons whereas the transparent gems are normally faceted.
Colour of Gemstones
The actual color of a gemstone is due to the absorptive and reflective properties of any trace elements and impurities within the crystal. This colour does not include any optical effects caused by reflection or refraction. Gemstones are the most intensely colored natural material available on earth. Gems have become so synonymous with color that now a day`s most of the persons know ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue and jade green, etc. But the world of gemstones today has an even more extensive selection of colors, which span the entire rainbow. The wide range of gemstones available today means that no matter what the favorite color is, a gemstone is available to match it.
Synthetic Gemstones
Some gemstones are manufactured to replicate other gemstones. But these artificial gemstones copy the look and colour of the real stone but possess neither their chemical nor physical characteristics as well. However, true synthetic gemstones are not necessarily imitation. There are almost 130 species of minerals that have been cut into gems with 50 species in common use.
Power of Gem Stones
Gems are being popularly used as an astrological remedy to counteract adverse planetary effects. Gems have their own power of attracting an individual by their brilliance and beauty. The ancient prophets of India used to call them as ratnas. They also used them to help an individual native. Among the many gemstones, the lunar astrology advocated the use of nine stones to counteract the adverse effect of the planets. But these gemstones should be carefully selected according to the planetary positions and these can bring about prosperity, mental peace and success.
Semi-Precious Gemstones
The use of precious and semiprecious stones has been popular from time immemorial. There are 84 types of gems. Out of these there are only 8 gems, which have been described as precious and the remaining are called semi-precious gems. Many of them are used to make idols, cutlery, and ornamental items. Some of them are however not available now. Semi-precious gems, which are in fashion these days, have more sheen, importance and influence than the real ones.
Significance of Gemstones
Gemstones often carry significant role in the wearer`s life. People like to wear them but most of them don`t know how the gemstones are made and why they are so precious. Many gemstones have healing and medicinal power that protect against the bad effect of planets. They are also known to boost the spiritual power in human being`s body. Research has proved that gemstones usually heal people suffering from dangerous and fatal illnesses by energizing them as well.
Gem Therapy
The healing power of gems is not entirely a illogical belief. If it were, oral administration of gems as oxides and powder would never be so extensively practiced and so effective. Ayurvedic medicines and the Greek system, known as the Unani system in India, both utilize gems. Practitioners of these systems have studied gems and their typical effects on human organs, because gems are mineral in pure crystalline form and human body is composed of the same materials. Gems provide the lacking colour in any human body for which the person may suffer from various diseases.
Navratna Gemstones
Navratna gemstones are the collection of nine stones related to nine planets. An obvious rule to wear the ring is that a person should wear either the ring of a single precious stone or that of a set of nine precious stones. This navratna gemstone should be worn to boost the power of planets and remove their malicious effects. A man with any sign of the zodiac could wear the ring of nine precious stones. The wearer of a nine-gem ring can earn the delight of money, name and fame, grandeur, respect, sons, family and mental contentment.
Gemstones for Planets
There are many gemstones, which are effective for planets. These can be mentioned as Blue Sapphire that is gemstone for Saturn, Cat`s eye that is gemstone of Ketu, Coral, which is the gemstone for Mars, Emerald that is the gemstone for Mercury, Gomed that is gem stone of Rahu, Ruby that is the gemstone for Sun, Pearl that is the gemstone for Moon, and Yellow Sapphire that is the Gemstone of Jupiter.
Types of Gemstones: There are different types of gemstones present in the earth`s surface. All the gemstones can be differentiated in two distinct groups of precious and semi-precious stones. Diamonds have traditionally been the most highly prized of such stones, varying in color from yellow to bluish white and sometimes reaching enormous size. Rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are other precious stones used for jewelry, as are the less costly topaz, and zircon. Some names of the semiprecious stones can be mentioned as Amethyst, garnet, opal, aquamarine, jade, turquoise, agate, onyx, lapis lazuli, and malachite. In the same way some of the stones of organic origin can be mentioned as Amber. This is mainly a fossil tree resin and also a highly valued stone. Pearls and corals, though animal in origin rather than mineral, are also usually considered as good gemstones. Gemstone is any of various minerals highly prized for beauty, durability, and rarity. More than 2,000 identified natural minerals are present, out of which less than 100 are used as gemstones and only 16 have achieved importance. These are beryl, chrysoberyl, corundum, diamond, feldspar, garnet, jade, lazurite, olivine, opal, quartz, spinel , topaz, tourmaline, turquoise, and zircon. Some of these minerals provide more than one type of gem. As for example, Beryl provides emeralds and aquamarines, while corundum provides rubies and sapphires. In virtually all cases, the minerals have to be cut and polished for use in jewelry. Some other names of gemstones can be mentioned as
|
