THE
BIG THREE
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What are gemstones?
A gemstone is a precious or a semi-precious stone used in jewelry. Gemologists identify gemstones. They label gems in the arena of gemology using practical language and their features. A gemologist uses the gemstone’s chemical arrangement to classify it. For instance, diamonds are made of carbon (C). Many gems are categorized by a crystal system because they are crystals. Gemstones are classified into different varieties, species, and groups (refer image below). They are also characterized in terms of dispersion, hardness, specific gravity, refractive index, luster, fracture, and cleavage. Flaws in a stone are known as inclusions.
GROUP
broader categories of minerals
SPECIES
based on chemical composition and structure
VARIETY
often based on color, trace element
The "Big Three" stones mentioned above are considered as Precious Stones.
WHAT IS "PRECIOUS STONES"?
“Precious stones” is a name that was created in the mid 1800's and is usually used in reference to four types of gems: diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.
All precious stones are translucent and are valued by the richness of their colour except for the diamond, which has a higher calue based on being colorless. Their rarity, beauty and method in which they are produced all ass to the allure of a precious stone. Any accessory containing a precious stone would be deemed sophisticated and worn by someone of high class.
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So what is Semi-Precious?
