Precious Stones Explained!

The mineral to which the term " precious stone" isneglected for other gems, causing a sensible
applied, must be adaptable for jewelry ordifference in the value of these stones.
ornamental purposes and must possess beauty,It has been a mooted question as to the proper
hardness, and rarity.dividing line between stones that deserve the title
The beauty of a precious stone or gem consists"precious," and those, which should be placed in a
of its color or colorlessness, brilliancy or softnessso-called semi-precious or lower category. To
of luster, and transparency. To take a high anddraw such a line is hardly possible, as neither
lasting polish, a mineral must be hard, -and manyhardness, rareness, nor value would be a positive
stones that would otherwise be highly valued aretest--some of the hard stones, like zircon and
low in the estimate of worth because they doalmandines being less valuable than softer opal,
not possess of sufficient hardness to make themwhile the diamond, one of the most plentiful of
endure the wear and friction to which a preciousprecious stones, is at the same time, one of the
stone is subjected when used in the form ofmost valuable.
jewelry. The rareness of precious stones has aNeither can price be taken as a complete test,
decided effect in determining their values. Forbecause fashion makes a turquoise, an opal, or an
instance, the crocidolite, commercially known asemerald much more valuable at one time than at
tiger-eye, was sold by the carat some years ago,another, All precious minerals used for ornamental
and was largely used in the making of finepurposes, from the diamond to quartz, or
jewelry. Today, this material is so plentiful that itchalcedony, may properly be termed precious
is no longer classed among the higher gems, butstones.
serves for cameos and intaglios like chalcedonyThe Final Word On Precious Stones
and onyx.The most precious stones are the diamonds,
The changes of fashion have much to do withemeralds, rubies and sapphires. The pearl is
determining the market value of precious stones.oftentimes classed with precious stones. Although
Amethysts, topazes, cat's-eyes, aquamarines,strictly speaking while it is not a stone it holds an
alexandrites, and even emeralds and opals haveesteemed place in jewelry.
been eagerly sought for at times and then again