Gemstones - An Overview Of Some Different Types

Semi-precious gemstones can make some of the most attractive jewellery

. Gemstones are actually minerals, these are petrified substances or rocks which have been cut and then polished to be suitable for making jewellery.

Some type of gemstone can be rare, e.g. amazonite. This is a bright green form of feldspar that, in the past, was supplied almost exclusively by Russia. It has now been found in Madagascar and also in Colorado, and as it is very rare it has become highly sought after.

Citrin, or as it is alternatively called citrin quartz, is a gemstone which has an amber colouration.

Aventurine is a gemstone which is usually coloured green, but it can also come in other colours such as yellow, grey, brown and orange. It also comes in red on rare occasions and this colour is the most sought-after.

Cordierite is a magnesium, iron and aluminum cyclosilicate, the transparent variety of which is iolite, which is used as a gemstone. The name, iolite, is derived from the Greek word for violet.

Lapis lazuli is a gemstone which is deep blue in colour. It dates back as far as the ancient Egyptian pharaohs.

Jade is a gemstone of some interest. The name jade is used for two different silicates. It is hardwearing and was even used some time ago for knives, axe heads and weapons. Jade became more prized as a gemstone when it was replaced for these uses by newer materials. Nephrite is cream or green coloured, and jadeite has a number of different colours. Nephrite jade is called greenstone in New Zealand, and is treasured by the Maori people, who use it to make jewellery. Jade is also British Columbia's official gemstone. Some minerals may be sold as jade when they are not the real thing.

Turquoise is another gem and ornamental stone. The name is a very old word , probably derived from the French meaning Turkish stone, although turquoise was not found in Turkey, but was traded there. Iran and the Sinai Peninsula were sources of very fine turquoise. In the United States, the deposits were mined by pre-Columbian Native Americans. Nowadays there is some imitation turquoise, which is so good, that only an expert could tell the difference between the real stone and the fake!

It's possible that rings and bracelets and necklaces made with these semi-precious gemstones may not be as valuable as say, gold or diamonds, but they can be exquisite and highly prized.

by: Sarah Carter

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