Precious and semi-precious stones are highly valued in jewelry and as an investment for other people. They have been appreciated since Antiquity although they were not always arranged in jewelry, They could also decorate swords and other elements that they wanted to enrich in decoration and also in value.
Therefore, Let's get to know the precious and semi-precious stones, and we will see the difference between them.
Precious and semi-precious stones
We may find it difficult to differentiate between precious and semi-precious stones, synthetic stones, fossil stones, etc... The world of jewelry is a vast and complex world. Doubts are common and the risks of buying something that does not have the value we believe are in the minds of many people who do not have great knowledge about gems. If you have any doubts, it is best to consult a specialized jeweler or gemologist to tell us if the jewel we have has a diamond or a ruby or, on the contrary, is a garnet or a zirconite. But, to begin to delve into this exciting world of gems, let's see what they are and how we can differentiate one from another.
Origin of the stones
Precious and semi-precious stones can have different origins, we can divide them into four categories depending on their origin: magmatic, sedimentary, metamorphic and hydrothermal.
- Magmatic They are when they are formed as a result of the crystallization of magma.
- sedimentary They are when they are created by crystallization in the process in which the sediments undergo different changes and become lithified until they become rocks.
- metamorphic They are those created from the crystallization and recrystallization of preexisting rocks that are exposed to changes in temperature and/or pressure.
- Hydrothermal They are those that originate from fluids with high temperatures.
Difference between precious and semi-precious stones
We must take into account that currently, or rather for a few years, they are becoming synthetic gems, that They are not imitations but have the same characteristics than natural gems, but they are created in laboratories. For example, artificial diamonds are made. These synthetic gems, as they can be manufactured, are less valuable than natural stones. In Spain, for example, It is established that jewelry stores make it clear whether a gem is natural or synthetic. Now, the term synthetic is not usually used because it gives the appearance of fake stone and that would not be the case. We can find these laboratory gems called hydrothermal gems, among other names.
Precious stones
Precious stones, also called gems, are a rock, mineral, glass or organic product of natural origin which when cut and polished can be used for jewelry.
If we talk about mineral gemstones We have four: the ruby, the diamond, the emerald and the sapphire. To be considered precious stones, they must be of natural origin (not synthetic) and of high quality as established by the World Jewelry Confederation. Part of their great value is in the beauty of these stones and how difficult it is to find them, extract them and work them.
If we want to know if that ring or those earrings that we have at home are one of these four precious stones or if we want to acquire one and be sure that it is an original stone, we can do several things:
1. Consult a trusted jeweler. Make sure that it is a place with tradition in the area and that it allows us to verify the originality of the stone, that they give us its certificate and its traceability.
2. The malleability of gemstones. The structure of these stones allows them to be shaped, cut, broken, or abraded. However, they do not deform under pressure. If you have a stone that deforms under pressure… it's not a precious stone.
3. The color of the stones This can be checked with gemstone identification charts that can be easily found on the Internet. It is also important to know the blue gemstones and its characteristics to expand our knowledge.
4. Transparency. The stone must let us see through it, the light must pass through.
5. The weight. The weight can be a test of whether it is an original stone or not.
6. If the stone has added parts It's a synthetic or fake stone. Using a flashlight, we can see if it has any additives. Another trick is to submerge it in water to see if it has different sheens or the same shine throughout the stone.
Semi precious stones
Semi-precious stones are some such as turquoise, jade and amethyst. These stones differ from precious stones because they are easier to find and therefore less valuable. and more accessible. There are also some fossil products such as amber. The difference between precious and semiprecious stones It is notable for its availability and use in jewelry.
A trick to distinguish between authentic and non-original items is to see if they have perfect lines. If they do, they are not original. If their shine is very noticeable, It is very shiny, it is also an indication that it is not authentic.