Gemstones are minerals, rocks, or organic matters that have been chosen for their beauty, durability, and rarity and then cut or faceted and polished to make jewelry or other human adornments. Even though most gemstones are hard, some are too soft or fragile to be used in jewelry, so they are often exhibited in museums and sought by collectors.
Gemstones are diverse in their beauty, and many are available in a stunning variety of shades and colors. Most gemstones have little beauty in the rough state, they may look like ordinary rocks or pebbles, but after a skilled cutting and polishing the full color and luster can be seen. Generally, gemstones with clear, medium-tone, intense, and saturated primary colors are most preferred.
More so, the weight of the gemstone is measured in carats (5 carats = 1 gram). It’s important to recognize that some gems are denser than others. For example, a one-carat ruby (very dense) is going to be smaller than a one-carat emerald (less dense).
Also, different types of gems that are similar in size may still differ significantly in value.
What’s your favorite gemstone and what unique quality about it fascinates you most? Share below!
Text rights:(Riginov, n.d.)
Source: Riginov: What are Gemstones? (n.d.). Riginov. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from http://riginov.com/EN/education-guidance/gemology/what-are-gemstones.aspx
