The Complete Gemstone Guide: How to Buy This Type of Jewelry

The Complete Gemstone Guide: How to Buy This Type of Jewelry : The color, sparkle, and luster of gemstones have made them prized objects for thousands of years. Their value depends on their color, luster, transparency, and durability. Although there are dozens of types of gems, some are better known for producing gorgeous jewelry pieces.

Are you familiar with popular gemstones that produce stunning jewelry? Colored gemstones can enhance the beauty of traditional white and yellow diamonds. Enchanted Butterfly Necklace with stunning gold plated chain along with some gemstone hanging pendants can make it look traditional and out of great class combination.

Read this gemstone guide to learn about different types of gemstones that you can add to your jewelry collection.

What Is a Gemstone?

Gemstones are minerals or rocks that are mined, cut and polished. The dazzling array of gemstone colors make any jewelry collection come to life. Not only are they colorful, but some ancient myths also say gems have healing powers.

The best-known gemstones for jewelry are diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald. However, the following other gems offer pizzaz and value to any jewelry collection.

Alexandrite
Tanzanite
Peridot
Alexandrite
Aquamarine
Topaz
Amethyst
Citrine
Garnet
Morganite
Tourmaline
Spinel
Turquoise
Marquise
Paraiba
Sphene
Opal
Ametrine

Learn more about gemstone jewelry in this gemstone guide.

Gemstone Guide

Understanding a few differences about gemstones can help you select the jewelry that’s right for you.

Precious vs Semi-Precious Gemstones

During the 1800s, the terms precious and semi-precious stones became popular. They were used to classify gemstones. The terms remain in use today, but it is controversial.

Precious stones originally referenced the four rare gemstones: diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald.

Semi-precious gemstones are all the other gemstones.

Rare gemstones are considered precious. The traditional precious gemstones are diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald.

All the other types of natural gemstones are semi-precious. Stones created within the earth are natural gemstones.

When you’re choosing jewelry, be aware that some gemstones are created in laboratories. They’re made using chemicals and machines. They look identical to natural gemstones.

Understanding Color, Clarity and Carat

Gemstone colors have three color categories, which are hue, tone, and saturation. These are the qualities that determine the gem’s quality and monetary value. The most preferred gemstones for jewelry are ones with clear, intense, medium-toned and primary colors.

The clarity of gemstones includes either the presence of inclusions or no inclusions. Inclusions occur naturally in nature. They refer to any dust, insects, air holes or embedded minerals inside the gemstone.

The clarity of the gemstone depends on how visible imperfections or inclusions are. The clarity grade also depends on if you can see the imperfections with the naked eye.

Carat refers to the weight of the gemstone. When you’re buying gemstone jewelry, remember that some gemstones are denser than others. This means that even if the stones are the same size, their value could differ greatly.

Visit this website to learn more about gemstone jewelry color, clarity, carat, and cut.

Explore the World of Gemstone Jewelry

Now that you’ve read this gemstone guide about precious and semi-precious gemstones, explore all the color options they have to offer. You can find a wide array of gemstone jewelry in different weights that fit your price range. When selecting your gemstone, take your time to choose one that fits your personality while keeping color, clarity, carat and the cut in mind.

If you found this information about gemstones helpful, read more helpful beauty and fashion advice in our magazine.