Gemstones, also known as gems and jewels, are rare pieces of mineral which are used to create jewelry, carvings, and other adornments. Well known examples include Rubies, Opal, Emerald, Pearl, and Topaz. A gemstone is typically cut and polished before it's utilized in jewelry making, though it's still considered quite valuable in its raw form.
The stones are identified and studied by researchers known as gemologists, who identify the various types of gemstones based on their very specific characteristics. First, a jewel is identified based on its chemical composition and crystal system. Diamonds, for example, are made up of carbon and feature cubic crystal shapes. They are typically categorized by their color as well.
Occasionally, certain varieties of stones are left uncut and unpolished before they are turned into necklaces, charms, or earrings but the vast majority of them are altered in some way beforehand. The process of polishing and cutting them depends on what type of gems they are. Opals and turquoise are generally polished into smooth domes, while more transparent stones like rubies and emeralds are usually cut with a faceting machine until they sparkle.
Though there aren't any simple ways to duplicate the exact makeup of a gem, creating an artificial one is possible and, in recent years, has become quite popular. The most famous synthetic gemstones are the cubic zirconias, fake diamonds which are made up of materials called zirconium oxide.
The desire to manufacture and own imitation stones is usually a result of the real things' prices. Real diamonds are considerably more expensive than their artificial counterparts yet possess many of the same features.
Jewels are located all over the planet, with some locations producing more of one type than others. Opal is mostly found in the hydrated mineral fields of southern Australia. Aquamarine is usually discovered in mountain regions with rich iron or tungsten deposits.
The stones are identified and studied by researchers known as gemologists, who identify the various types of gemstones based on their very specific characteristics. First, a jewel is identified based on its chemical composition and crystal system. Diamonds, for example, are made up of carbon and feature cubic crystal shapes. They are typically categorized by their color as well.
Occasionally, certain varieties of stones are left uncut and unpolished before they are turned into necklaces, charms, or earrings but the vast majority of them are altered in some way beforehand. The process of polishing and cutting them depends on what type of gems they are. Opals and turquoise are generally polished into smooth domes, while more transparent stones like rubies and emeralds are usually cut with a faceting machine until they sparkle.
Though there aren't any simple ways to duplicate the exact makeup of a gem, creating an artificial one is possible and, in recent years, has become quite popular. The most famous synthetic gemstones are the cubic zirconias, fake diamonds which are made up of materials called zirconium oxide.
The desire to manufacture and own imitation stones is usually a result of the real things' prices. Real diamonds are considerably more expensive than their artificial counterparts yet possess many of the same features.
Jewels are located all over the planet, with some locations producing more of one type than others. Opal is mostly found in the hydrated mineral fields of southern Australia. Aquamarine is usually discovered in mountain regions with rich iron or tungsten deposits.
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