Other minerals, such as graphite and chaoite, are also formed from carbon. This distinctive structure imparts diamonds with some extraordinary physical properties not seen in other stones. Diamonds are composed of carbon atoms arranged in a covalent lattice structure. Most of the diamonds mined throughout history were formed in the extreme high heat and pressure of the Earth’s mantle. Precious Stone #1: Diamond Loose white diamond Diamonds Overview However, as an informed consumer, you should be aware that a precious stone may not necessarily be more beautiful, rare and/or valuable than one that’s considered semi-precious. The terms “precious gemstones” and “semi-precious gemstones” are still used in the jewelry industry, and are useful descriptions to a point. A lot of why a gem is is classified as precious or semi-precious has to do with tradition, sentiment, and marketing. These examples show that what people consider precious gems (and what we don’t) isn’t solely based on concrete measures like rarity and cost. Fine quality paraiba tourmaline can sell for up to $87,000 per carat, while high grade white diamonds fetch up to $68,000 per carat. And yet, a high quality tsavorite garnet costs only about a tenth as much a high quality emerald.Īnother example is paraiba tourmaline, a blue-green clear stone that’s about 10,000 times as rare as diamond. This green color variety of the garnet group is rarer and harder than emerald, with a richer green color, higher clarity, and greater brilliance. However, there are numerous exceptions.įor example, tsavorite garnet. In many cases, semi-precious stones don’t possess the beauty, rarity, clarity, color, durability, or value of precious gemstones. Transparent stones are likely to be cut into faceted gems to make the most of their ability to sparkle, while more opaque ones are polished into rounded cabochon gemstones with a smooth, lustrous finish. A semi-precious gemstone can be transparent, opaque, or somewhere in between. What About Semi-Precious Gemstones? Assorted semi-precious stonesĪny stone that’s widely accepted as more beautiful than common minerals or rocks, but is not one of the four precious stones, is considered semi-precious.
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