| In antiquity, precious stones were diamond, ruby, | | | | gemstones are inaccurate and can often be |
| emerald, sapphire and pearl, sometimes the opal | | | | misleading. As the example of the Tanzanite, |
| was also considered a precious stone. Everything | | | | many gemstones today could easily be |
| else is considered semi-precious gemstones. | | | | categorized as precious due to their increasing |
| Among the popular semi-precious stones and less | | | | scarcity, and high price. Rarity will be an important |
| expensive ones are the amethyst, turquoise, | | | | factor in determining the cost of a gemstone and |
| aquamarine, topaz, peridot, opal, tourmaline, | | | | the value of a gemstone should not increase or |
| alexandrite, garnet (but the green garnet could | | | | diminish just because it is categorized as precious |
| cost more.) Today we still use these terms in the | | | | or semi-precious. |
| world of jewelry. | | | | Precious and semi-precious are nothing but labels |
| So our initial understanding is that precious stones | | | | helping us to categorize gemstones, but in no way |
| are of greater quality, of greater importance and | | | | determine importance or value. As far as terms |
| higher priced, and semi-precious meaning of less | | | | go, here are some you shoul know: "gem", |
| commercial value than precious. This clearly | | | | "gemstone", "jewel" "synthetic" and "simulant". |
| indicates that these terms are marketing terms, | | | | Gem: a mineral (naturally occurring material) cut |
| and ultimately confusing. Many semi-precious | | | | and polished. |
| stones such as the rare and beautiful Tanzanite, | | | | Gemstone: a fragment of the gem (the cut |
| may cost as much as $1000 per carat. So don't | | | | stone). |
| be deceived as to think that because it is called | | | | Jewel: the combination of metal and gemstone. |
| semi-precious that it will be less expensive. A | | | | Gemstone set in a metal in order to be worn. |
| diamond can be purchased for as little as $200 | | | | Synthetic: a man made material in no way |
| per carat while a garnet which has always been | | | | equivalent to a mineral. |
| regarded as semi-precious could be selling over | | | | Simulant: a material resembling another material, |
| $500 per carat. Therefore the labels precious and | | | | example glass used as a substitute for ruby or |
| semi-precious should be completely abandoned | | | | emerald. |
| because whether a gemstone is considered | | | | You can also find more information about |
| precious or semi-precious has very little to do | | | | different gemstones on our blog. |
| with the current value. These labels put on | | | | |