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Discover the charm of GEMSTONES and enjoy their magnificent world

Updated on April 30, 2013

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

Ruby

Aquarius

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Amethyst,Garnet,Opal

Turquoise

Garnet,Hyacinth

Pisces

(Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

Amethyst,Bloodstone

Aquamarine

Amethyst

Aries

(Mar. 21-Apr. 19)

Bloodstone,Diamond

Jasper

Bloodstone, Diamond

Taurus

(Apr. 20-May 20)

Emerald,Sapphire

Aventurine, Emerald

Diamond,Sapphire

Gemini

(May 21-Jun. 20)

Agate,Chrysoprase

Tiger Eye

Agate, Emerald

Cancer

(Jun. 21-Jul. 22)

Emerald,Ruby

Moonstone

Agate,Chalcedony

Leo

(Jul. 23-Aug. 22)

Onyx, Tourmaline

Rock Crystal

Amber,Onyx, Peridot

Virgo

(Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

Jade, Jasper,Sapphire

Citrine

Carnelian,Sardonyx

Libra

(Sep. 23-Oct. 22)

LapisLazuli, Peridot

Sapphire

Opal,Chrsolite,Sardonyx

Scorpio

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Aquamarine,Topaz

Garnet, Ruby

Aquamarine

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Amethyst, Sapphire

Topaz

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

Emerald

Garnet

February

Amethyst

Amethyst

Bloodstone

Amethyst,Pearl

March

Aquamarine

Bloodstone

Jade

Bloodstone

 

April

Diamond

Diamond

Opal

Diamond

May

Emerald

Emerald

sapphire

Agate

June

Pearl,Moonstone

Alexandrite

Moonstone

Pearl

July

Ruby

Ruby

Ruby

Ruby

August

Tourmaline

Sardonyx

Diamond

Sapphire

September

Sapphire

Sapphire

Agate

Moonstone

October

Opal,Tourmaline

Tourmaline

Jasper

Tourmaline

November

Citrine

Citrine

Pearl

Topaz

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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*Ancient & modern properties

*Healing properties of Crystals & Gems

*How to choose your Crystals & Gems

*How to care for your Crystals & Gems

*Chakra Crystals & Gems

These are just some of the highlighted titles and I found it amazingly low price, its just $3.99

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.

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