A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal that is used in making ornaments or jewelry. Although certain rocks and organic materials are also used, these are generally not considered gemstones. Regardless, gemstones are a popular choice for adornments and jewelry. In fact, they are considered one of the most precious and sought-after materials for jewelry.
Colour
There are a number of factors that affect the colour of gemstones. These include the cut of the gemstone and its clarity. These factors affect the colour of gemstones, which can be further manipulated by the cut. Another factor affecting the colour of gemstones is their response to light. Some of these effects are refraction, absorption, transparency, luster, and inclusions.
There are several different grades of gemstone colours. The intensity of the colour of the gemstone can be described as high, medium, or low. A gemstone’s saturation is also important, because a low-saturation value means that the stone looks gray or brownish.
Crystal system
Gemstones can be classified according to their crystal systems. For instance, there are three types of axes in the tetragonal system. Two of them are right angles, while the third is inclined. Gemstones formed in this system typically have paired faces, while those formed in the hexagonal system are uniaxial.
There are three types of gemstone crystal systems, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. One type of gemstone is biaxial, or two axes that are the same length. The two axes meet at 90deg, and the third angle is less than 90deg. As a result, the gem’s base is a parallelogram. This system is also known as monoclinic. It is the most common type of gemstone crystal form.
Habit
A gemstone’s habit refers to its structure and how it forms. Different crystals exhibit different habits as they grow in different geological settings. For example, a diamond has two pyramid-like faces attached at their base, whereas quartz has six sides. A gemstone’s habit is determined by its axis, which is the direction between each side of the crystal.
An expert crystallographer knows the habit of a particular gemstone. They mentally note down the faces that the crystal has, whether they’re flat, striated, or etched, and the position of each face.
Value
Whether you are interested in buying a gemstone for yourself or giving it as a gift, there are many factors that can influence its value. Among them is tradition. Tradition sums up the efforts made by people and organizations to promote the use of gemstones. These efforts include deliberate promotions by jewelers, publicized purchases, and use of gemstones for symbolism in churches and other institutions. The goal of these efforts is to raise public awareness about gemstones and their uses.
Demand also plays an important role in determining the value of gemstones. Certain gemstones are in great demand for a specific occasion, while others are in relative eclipse. A good example of this phenomenon is the revival of interest in amber in the 1920s, when it was the second largest gem imported into the United States. This trend didn’t last, however, and amber is now rarely seen in retail jewelry.
Preciousness
The preciousness of a gemstone is determined by the quality and rarity of the stone. The most precious gemstones include diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald. Other gems, such as jade, opal and peridot, are considered semi-precious.
Gemstones come in a wide range of colors and have unique qualities. For example, diamonds are the hardest gemstones known to man, followed by sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Emeralds are a brilliant, deep green color that makes them particularly beautiful. Although these stones are fragile, experts recommend keeping them out of excessive moisture to prolong their beauty.
Synthetic gemstones
If you are looking for a gorgeous gemstone for an affordable price, you may want to consider synthetic gemstones. These stones are often close to perfect and can be a fraction of the cost of natural stones. Synthetic gemstones are also available in a wide variety of colors and can be grown to your specifications.
There are many different ways to produce simulated gemstones, but the main difference between simulated and natural gemstones is the chemical composition. Synthetic gemstones are made using glass. Glass can be colored and can even have special properties, such as the ability to reflect light. For example, a blue glass piece can look like a blue sapphire. Other synthetic gemstones include tanzanite and peridot.
