The History of Gems
Article by Brenda Hopkins
Gem Stones have fascinated man since the beginning of time. Even prehistoric man was drawn to the glimmer of shinny pebbles in the sand. Gem stones are natures rarest products but to be considered a gemstone they must possess three attributes, rarity, color, and of course beauty. A gemstone is a piece of mineral that is used to make jewelry however certain rocks such as lapis lazuli and organic material such as amber and jet are classified as gem stones even thought they are not minerals. Most gemstones are hard making them ideal for jewelry making.
The traditional classification of gem stones dates back to the ancient Greeks, when they made the distinction between precious and semi precious stones. This distinction reflects the quality, and rarity of the stones amongst the most well known of all precious stone are the diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. Nowadays such a distinction is no longer made by the trade because many gemstones both precious and semi precious are used in even the most expensive jewelry. The value has come to rely on the brand name of the designer, fashion trends, market supply, and treatment of the stone itself. This being said diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds still have a reputation that exceeds those of other gemstones.
There is no universally accepted grading system for gemstones but there are many factors that influence the value of gemstones. The most common ones are called the 4 c's - color, clarity, carat, and cut. These factors have an impact on most gemstones, but on some more than others.
A few gem stones are used in their natural crystal form but many must be cut and polished for use in jewelry. Grinding wheels and polishing agents are used to grind, shape and polish the smooth dome shape of the stones. Still others are faceted, a method which takes advantage by maximizing reflected light which is perceived by the viewer as sparkle this method is best observed in translucent stones such as diamonds and rubies.
Due to the rarity ! and expe nse of some gem stones labs have begun making synthetic copies of these stones such as cubic zirconia. These imitations copy the look and the color of the diamond but cannot copy the chemical or physical characteristics. Synthetic rubies and sapphires are very common and cost only a fraction of the price of the natural stone making hem highly desirable.
Some seek stone for their beauty, some for their rarity, and some hold a much deeper meaning. Stones have been sought after for the healing properties that they posses. Folklore about stones has been revered and honored for centuries in all cultures. Whether lab created or natural man is still mesmerized by the beauty of the gemstone.
About the AuthorBrenda Hopkins writes for 84 Country Store about Gem Mining Birthday Parties and gives travel advice.
2011: Earth Healing Light Language Ceremony
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