Discover the charm of GEMSTONES and enjoy their magnificent world
Gemstones Classification, birthstones and general information about what you need to know before buy a gemstone
Gemstones basically classified as precious and semi-precious. That classification goes back to the ancient Greek. Diamond, Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire are precious gemstones, and the rest is semi-precious gemstones. Lots of gemstones are translucent, and they have fancy colors. Generally, they have good hardness (5 and above in Mohs scale). Recently, Gemstones classified with their hardness, colors, chemical substance, and crystallization.
Gemstones convert your negative energy to positive, and prevent some mental illness and malady. Also, have a gemstone is the best way to show your personality.
The most known Gemstones
Tourmaline group
opal
Hessonite(Gomedh)
Topaz
Peridot
amethyst
Bloodstone
Goshenite
Cat's eye
Jade
Citrine
Zircon
Moonstone
Pink Quartz
Prasiolite
Gem information
Cutting and polishing
Some gemstones could use as gems in the crystal in which they are found. Therefore, many of them are cut and polished for usage as jewelry. The two main classifications of stones cut are Cabochons and Facets; Cabochons are the stones shaped as dome, and Facets are the stones which are cut with faceting machine by polishing small flat windows. Nonetheless, the facets must be cut at the proper angle. Otherwise, the light would pass through the gem and not be reflected back toward the viewer. The faceting machine is used to hold the stone onto a flat lap for cutting and polishing the flat facets. Rarely, some cutters use special curved laps to cut and polish curved facets. The picture shows different forms of cutting.Other treatments applied to gems
Gemstones are often treated to enhance the color or clarity of the stone. Depending on the type and extent of treatment, they can affect the value of the stone. Some treatments are used widely because the resulting gem is stable, while others are not accepted most commonly because the gem color is unstable and may revert to the original tone.Heat:Many gemstones' Color and clarity could improve by heating. Most citrine is made by heating amethyst, and partial heating with a strong gradient results in ametrine(a stone partly amethyst and partly citrine). Much aquamarine is heated to remove yellow tones and change the green color into the more desirable blue or enhance its existing blue color to a purer blue.
Tanzanite is heated to remove brown undertones and give a more desirable blue/purple color. Also, almost all sapphire and ruby is treated with a different kind of heat treatments to improve both color and clarity.
Radiation:Virtually all blue topaz, both the lighter and the darker blue shades such as "London" blue, has been irradiated to change the color from white to blue. Most greened quartz is also irradiated to achieve the yellow-green color.
Waxing/oiling:Emeralds containing natural fissures are sometimes filled with wax or oil to disguise them. This wax or oil is also colored to make the emerald appear of better color as well as clarity. Turquoise is also commonly treated in a similar manner.
videos about gem Cutting & Polishing
How to Determine the Value of Gemstones
There are 4 basic elements(Color, Clarity, Cut, Carat) to determine how much worth a Gem. In short you need to check 4 "C" before buy a gemstone. These give you a general idea about the value of gemstones and of course every gemstone's value is depend on different kind of aspects.
Color:
Generally, vibrant, strong and beautiful colors are increase the value of the stone. This strength in color is called "Intensity" . Another aspect of a stone's color that can effect its value is its rarity. For example, a golden-pink topaz is more valuable than a blue topaz. Because, it is harder to find topaz of this color.
Clarity:
refer to the amount of impurities there are in a stone. If you can see through the stone with an unobstructed view of the bottom facets, it is a clear stone. Clarity is also affected by internal cracks. Generally speaking, the clearer and the value of the stone are linear. However, emeralds are hardly ever perfectly clear; therefore clarity plays a small role in its value.
Cut:
The cut of the stone is also very important. A good cut is one that is symmetrically and beautifully proportioned, perfectly polished and makes the most out of the stones natural beauty. There are several different forms in which gemstones can be cut such as faceted, cabochon. Opaque stones are commonly cut as cabochon, and gems which are transparent are normally faceted. This method which shows the optical properties of the stone's interior to its best advantage by maximizing reflected light which is perceived by the viewer as sparkle.
Carat:
The carat is a unit of mass used for measuring gemstones and pearls. a carat is defined as exactly 200 mg. Gems are often priced per carat. It would make sense therefore that the more carats, the more its worth. However, it doesn't stop there. An additional factor in the value is the rarity of large stones. This means that the larger the stone, the higher the price per carat.
What makes differences between Gemstones
Gemstones are minerals combined with different elements and compounds (except Diamond, Diamond is an allotrope of Carbon atom. These atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure, so there is no other element than carbon).
The only difference between coal and diamond is that their atomic structure
We give different names to every gemstone because every one of them have distinctive chemical structure from others. However, even if we call some of them as same like sapphire, they have different colors. Because different chemical materials in it. Also it is scientific fact that it is impossible to find any other gemstone same as you have got. Even though, chemical structures and compounds changes in the gemstones, For the most of the cases it is not observable.
The most known Gemstone Compounds
Beryl - Beryllium Aluminium Cyclosilicate - Be3Al2(SiO3)6
Gemstones
What makes the Difference
Aquamarine
Fe2+ ions
Emerald
Cr3+ ions
Heliodor
Fe3+ ions
Goshenite
There is no impurity in Goshenite, so it is colorless
Morganite
Mn2+ ions
Red Beryl
Mn3+ ions
Corundum- Aliminium Oxide - Al2O3
Gemstones
What makes the Difference
Ruby
Presence of chromium
Star Sapphire
presence of the element Rutile (Titanium Dioxide)
Blue Sapphire
If both Titanium and Iron presented
A very pale yellow to green color
Depend on the amount of Iron presented in Sapphire
Zodiac Gem stones
Zodiac gem stones are often called astrological gemstones. Mesopotamians,who were some of the earliest astronomers, associated each gemstone with particular human traits and assigned them to the different months of the zodiac. The Astrology stone chart below offers helpful information on Sun sign stones and planetary relationships.
Astrology Sign
Zodiac Gem Stones
Planetary Stone
Lucky Charms
Capricorn
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Agate,Garnet, Ruby
LapisLazuli
Aquarius
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Turquoise
Garnet,Hyacinth
Pisces
(Feb. 19-Mar. 20)
Aries
(Mar. 21-Apr. 19)
Jasper
Taurus
(Apr. 20-May 20)
Emerald,Sapphire
Aventurine, Emerald
Gemini
(May 21-Jun. 20)
Agate,Chrysoprase
Tiger Eye
Agate, Emerald
Cancer
(Jun. 21-Jul. 22)
Agate,Chalcedony
Leo
(Jul. 23-Aug. 22)
Onyx, Tourmaline
Rock Crystal
Amber,Onyx, Peridot
Virgo
(Aug. 23-Sep. 22)
Carnelian,Sardonyx
Libra
(Sep. 23-Oct. 22)
LapisLazuli, Peridot
Opal,Chrsolite,Sardonyx
Scorpio
(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Garnet, Ruby
Sagittarius
(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Pearl,Topaz
Traditional Birthstones
Birthstones have been used as a way to give good luck on and celebrate ones birthday. We have included several traditional birthstones on chart, so you can choose the birthstone which works best for you.
Birth Month
Modern Birthstones
Traditional Birthstones
Mystical Birthstones
Ayurvedic Birthstones
January
Garnet
Garnet
Garnet
February
Amethyst,Pearl
March
April
May
Agate
June
Pearl,Moonstone
Alexandrite
Pearl
July
August
Sardonyx
September
Agate
Moonstone
October
Jasper
November
Pearl
December
Turquoise,Zircon
Turquoise,Zircon
Lazuli
Onyx
Positive Effects of Gemstones
Channeling Energy
All gemstones, but especially crystal gemstones have special energetic properties. Every physiscist knows this as crystals are used in labs all the time. Ancient Shamans and healers know this too and have used the energetic properties of crystals to intensify prayer, magic or healing. Those of us who are not physicists or shamans but who wear our gemstones as decoration have an opportunity to use the energetic properties of the crystals as well. We can do this by putting our positive energy and intentions in the gemstones we wear and be prepared for the strong and balanced energy they give back to us.
Crystals are also used successfully to balance harmful energetic or electromagnetic waves, such as around a nuclear plant, computer, or other strong current.
Secret Powers of Gemstones And Crystals
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Healing
gemstones have been used since recorded history and probably before in various ways to heal the body. Ancient cultures have attributed specific healing powers to a myriad of specific gemstones for every kind of malady from poisoning, to heart failure, insanity to drunkenness. Some alternative healers use crystals to balance the energy of the whole body of a person with the idea that once the energy is balanced again, the imbalance in the body will also be cured. If you are using gemstones on yourself or helping a friend, it is best to work slowly and keep a written record of each treatment as to how long stone was left on the body and exactly where on the body it was placed. Some stones should not touch the body, but only be used about an inch or two above it. Research and understand each stone before using it. These books could help you to understand usage of gemstones for treatment and their spesific purpose.
spiritual, emotional and physical healing of gemstones
Gemstones' healing properties
Rose quartz it opens the heart chakra, especially, if it is worn near the heart. It's a heart healer of physical heart ailments as well as emotional heartbreaks. Also it's open your heart to all forms of love; self-love, family love, romantic love, compassion, kindness. Heals emotional wounds, skin and cell rejuvenation.
Turquoise is a good help to learn to spiritual lessons through meditation, also distinguish positive from negative contact. Aids in speeding the healing process. Its help your depression and very useful worn by people who experience difficulties in having social contacts with others.
Amethyst is a religious and ritualistic stone. Also, has the power to control all types of harmful behavior and increase your awareness of knowing. Therefore, it helps you to increase the memory.
Citrine increases your motivation and keeps you cheerful. Use it as a touchstone treatment of panic disorders, fears and phobias.
Jade is carries serene and calming energy. Because of its beneficial effects on kidney, American natives use it all kind of ailments associate with kidneys. It is also helpful for heart and stomach complaints. Helps restless and unbalanced people to find and conserve their balance.
Emerald "Stone of Successful Love" domestic bliss, stimulates heart chakra, harmony, fidelity, joy, all healing. It also helps sexual love to be more passionate
Ruby Stimulates crown and heart chakras, amplifies energy, facilitates meditation, dreaming and mental clarity. Used physically to treat heart disorders.
Aquamarine "Stone of Courage", Intellectual acuteness, banishes fears, calms nerves, imparts strength and control.
BloodstoneChildbirth, stops bleeding, inflammations, balances emotions, grounding, neutralizes and eliminates toxins.