Gemstone
Gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However, certain rocks (such as lapis lazuli and opal) and occasionally organic materials that are not minerals (such as amber, jet, and pearl) are also used for jewelry and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well. Most gemstones are hard, but some soft minerals are used in jewelry because of their luster or other physical properties that have aesthetic value. Rarity is another characteristic that lends value to a gemstone.
Formation and characteristics[edit | edit source]
Gemstones are formed from geologic processes such as mineralization and are typically found in igneous rock, sedimentary rock, and metamorphic rock. They are classified based on their crystal structure, chemical composition, and optical properties. Some gemstones, such as diamonds, are formed deep within the Earth's crust under conditions of intense heat and pressure, while others, such as amethyst, form in the Earth's surface layers.
Types of gemstones[edit | edit source]
There are many different types of gemstones, each with its own unique properties. Some of the most well-known gemstones include:
- Diamond: The hardest known natural material, diamonds are prized for their brilliance and durability.
- Ruby: Known for their deep red color, rubies are one of the four precious gemstones.
- Sapphire: Typically blue, sapphires can also come in a variety of other colors.
- Emerald: These green gemstones are highly prized and are one of the four precious gemstones.
- Amethyst: A type of quartz known for its purple color.
- Opal: Known for their play of color, opals can display a wide range of colors within a single stone.
Gemstone grading[edit | edit source]
Gemstones are graded based on the Four Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The grading process is complex and requires specialized knowledge and equipment. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is one of the most well-known and respected organizations that grade and certify gemstones.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Gemstone Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
