Exploring 15 Different Gemstones to Infuse Brilliance into Your Existence
In the realm of jewellery and collectibles, gemstones stand out as symbols of beauty, rarity, and unique properties. From the hardiest to the most vibrant, these precious stones capture our imagination and adorn our most cherished possessions.
Pearls, not to be mistaken for minerals, are a hardened deposit formed within the soft tissue of mollusks, commonly found in oysters and mussels. Known for their lustrous baroque forms and subtly coloured pearls, they offer variety that rivals many other gemstones. However, direct sunlight and acids can damage pearls, making care essential.
Diamonds, the hardest gemstone on the Mohs scale, are made from pure carbon and remain a staple in jewellery. They come in various colours, including colourless, yellow, pink, blue, and green, with South Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia being their main origins.
Rubies, another form of corundum, are renowned for their deep red colour, which comes from chromium. Sapphires, also a variety of corundum, are second only to diamonds in hardness and are known for their vivid blue colour, although they can also be found in pink, yellow, green, and purple hues. Emeralds, a green variety of the mineral beryl, get their colour from traces of chromium and vanadium, and can be found in several locations, including Brazil, Zambia, and Afghanistan.
Aquamarine, a blue-green variety of beryl, is named for its sea-like colour. It is commonly found in South America and is often heat-treated to remove greenish tones. Topaz, which can appear in pale yellow, colourless, and even pink shades, is often heat-treated to enhance its colour.
Tanzanite, a valuable gemstone, is unique because it forms in only one location. It shows blue to violet hues and is an extremely rare gemstone from Tanzania. Imperial topaz, the most highly valued, can display a range of colours, including yellow, orange, and pink.
Opals show mixed colours through a phenomenon called "play-of-color." Fire opal, which adds fiery orange tones to the mix, is mainly found in Australia and Mexico. Lapis Lazuli is a blue stone made of multiple minerals with a long history in art and jewellery. The Mali garnet, a green color hybrid, is a relative newcomer in the gem world.
Chrysoberyl, a gemstone not mentioned in the list, is notable for the Cat's Eye effect, a phenomenon where a bright line of light moves with the viewer, resembling a cat's eye under incandescent light.
Rose Quartz, a variety of quartz with a soft pink colour, is often carved into decorative items. Garnets range in colour from purplish red to reddish brown to green. Amethyst, a violet variety of mineral quartz, was once considered as valuable as ruby and emerald and is the birthstone of February.
Peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine, often found in volcanic regions. It is one of the few gems that occurs in only one colour.
These gemstones, each with their unique characteristics and origins, continue to captivate us with their beauty and rarity. Whether you're a collector, a jewellery enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the wonders of nature, these precious stones offer a fascinating world to explore.
Pearls, although they are not minerals, are still considered precious stones and offer a variety that rivals many other gemstones in the realm of fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden, requiring careful maintenance due to their sensitivity to sunlight and acids.
In the environment, aquamarine, a blue-green gemstone from the mineral beryl, is commonly found in South America and, like many other gemstones, is often heat-treated to enhance its color.
Science reveals that tanzanite, a gemstone unique to Tanzania, is a variety of zoisite and shows blue to violet hues, while chrysoberyl, a gemstone not mentioned in the list, is notable for the Cat's Eye effect, a phenomenon that resembles a cat's eye under incandescent light.
