Gemstones 101

Blog #002

Gemstones are more than just adornments – they are deep connections to the earth, each carrying distinct energies of the natural world. Yes, they are beautiful energetic powerhouses, but what exactly is a gemstone? In this article, we'll dive into the basics of gemstones, exploring their classifications and characteristics.

What Are Gemstones?

Gemstones are minerals distinguished by their beauty, rarity, and durability. For those of us that need a refresher in chemistry, a mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound with an orderly internal structure, well-defined chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties.

There are a few cases where organic materials (non minerals) can be considered gemstones as well, namely pearls, coral, and amber. Despite their organic origins, these materials are also prized for their beauty and rarity and are generally considered gemstones.

The term gemstone is usually reserved for cut and polished specimens of these minerals or organic materials.

The Classification of Gemstones

Gemstone classification is how you determine what specific stone you are dealing with (am I looking at a moonstone or a diamond?). They are classified based on a few key factors:

• Mineral Composition: This refers to the chemical makeup of the stone. For example, emeralds are composed of beryllium aluminum silicate, while sapphires are primarily aluminum oxide.

• Crystal Structure: The way a gemstone’s atoms are arranged affects its external shape and internal symmetry. For instance, diamonds have a cubic crystal structure, contributing to their incredible hardness and brilliance. Quartz on the other hand has a hexagonal structure. Crystal structure influences the stone’s hardness and other physical characteristics.

• Color: Color is one of the most significant factors in gemstone classification helping us to determine what type of stone we are dealing with. The presence of trace elements, like chromium in emeralds or iron in amethysts, gives these stones their vibrant colors.

Gemstone Characteristics

When exploring the world of gemstones, it's essential to understand the key characteristics that define their value. The rarity of a stone is very important to its perceived value but that’s pretty self-explanatory, let’s look at the other factors.

Color:

The color of a gemstone is one of its most defining characteristics. In gemstones, color is evaluated based on three main components: hue, tone, and saturation.

• Hue: This is the basic color of the gemstone, such as red, blue, green, etc. For example, rubies are known for their red hue, while sapphires are recognized for their blue hue.
• Tone: Tone refers to the lightness or darkness of the color. Gemstones can have a range from very light to very dark tones.
• Saturation: Saturation describes the intensity or purity of the color. Highly saturated colors are vivid and rich, while lower saturation can make the color appear duller.

Clarity:

Clarity refers to the presence of internal or external flaws, known as inclusions and blemishes, respectively.

• Inclusions: These are internal flaws such as crystals, gas bubbles, or fractures within the gemstone.
• Blemishes: These are surface flaws, like scratches or nicks.

In general, gemstones with fewer inclusions and blemishes are more valuable. However, some inclusions can enhance the beauty of a stone, as seen in gems like star sapphires or emeralds, where certain inclusions create desirable effects.

Size:

The size of a gemstone is commonly measured in carats, though the actual size (dimensions) of a stone can vary depending on its density and shape.

• Carat: A carat is a unit of weight used to measure gemstones. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams (0.2 grams). Carat weight can be subdivided into points, where one carat equals 100 points. For example, a 0.50-carat gemstone is often referred to as a "50-point" stone.

The larger the carat weight, the more valuable the gemstone is likely to be, especially if it also has high color and clarity. However, the size (carat weight) must also be considered in relation to the stone's cut, shape, and overall quality.

Although the market might deem a particular gemstone valuable, remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes smaller is cuter, and sometimes lighter tones are prettier and vice versa. For me, the energetic resonance of the stones are just as important as their beauty.. learn more about the spiritual significance of gemstones in an upcoming blog post!

Shapes of Gemstones

The shape of a gemstone is a key factor in its appearance and how it’s used in jewelry. Here are some common shapes:

• Round: This is the most traditional shape for gemstones.
• Oval: Elongated round, another popular shape.
• Marquise: A pointed oval shape that maximizes the gemstone’s carat weight.
• Cushion: A square shape with rounded corners, giving a softer appearance.
• Pear: A teardrop shape, often used in pendants and earrings.
• Emerald: A rectangular shape with cut corners, named after the emerald stone.

Each shape can influence the way light interacts with the gemstone, enhancing its brilliance and color.

Semi-Precious vs. Precious Gemstones

Historically, gemstones were categorized into two broad groups: precious and semi-precious. This classification, while still in use, is somewhat outdated and based more on tradition than scientific criteria.

• Precious Gemstones: Traditionally include diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. These stones were considered the most valuable due to their rarity, durability, and beauty.
• Semi-Precious Gemstones: Includes everything else, from amethyst to turquoise.

The term "semi-precious" can be misleading, as many of these stones are just as beautiful and meaningful as their "precious" counterparts. In fact, some semi-precious stones like tanzanite or opal can sometimes be more valuable than so-called precious stones. In today’s market, the value of a gemstone is determined by a variety of factors, including rarity, color, clarity, and size.

Gemstones vs. Crystals

The terms "gemstone" and "crystal" are often used interchangeably, but they do have distinct meanings.

• Gemstones: As previously mentioned, these are cut and polished minerals or organic materials used in jewelry or other decorative pieces.
• Crystals: Solid substances with atoms arranged in repeating patterns. Crystals can be gemstones, but not all crystals are used as gemstones. For example, quartz is a crystal, and some varieties of quartz, like amethyst, are used as gemstones.

Embrace the Magic of Gemstones

Now we’ve gotten to know gemstones a little better. While all of this information is fun to know (at least for me!), none of it really matters. What matters is your eye and your energy. When I am making jewelry I don’t really take these factors into account. Sometimes yes, but most of the time I see a stone or beads that I think are beautiful, that resonate with and inspire me and I create a piece that flows with whatever characteristics, color, shape. etc. are present within that stone. It's all about embracing the magic of that particular stone, whatever its shape or size.