Nevertheless, the most commonly used semi-precious minerals are:Īquamarine, the green-blue to blue variety of beryl, is an excellent jewelry gem. The list of so-called semi-precious gemstones used in jewelry is long and full of wonder.Īll gems are precious, each holding unique beauty and character. The correct designation for all jewelry-grade minerals is “gem.” The two labels are disregarded by experts and are primarily used in the industry to highlight the four more popular rare gems in higher demand. Some semi-precious specimens are rarer and more valuable than the four precious gems.įor example, jade, opal, and pearl are often considered precious.Īmethyst was also a precious stone in the past until large deposits were found in Brazil and other locations.Īside from rarity, size and quality also increase the price of a semi-precious gemstone, making it more expensive than some low-quality precious specimens. Rarity, color, brilliance, transparency, durability, cut, optical effects, and size are a few elements at play when determining the worth of a gem. Several factors define the value of a gemstone. They aren’t scientifically based nor reflect the grade or quality of a gem.Įmerald (precious) and aquamarine (semi-precious), for example, are both varieties of beryl. Precious or Semi-Precious: What Is the Difference?Īs ingrained in the collective awareness as they may be, the labels “precious” and “semi-precious” can be very deceiving. “Precious” labeled the shortlist of the most valued gems, and “semi-precious” defined the remaining exemplars relevant to jewelry.Ĭurrently, gemstones used in jewelry that are not diamond, ruby, emerald, or sapphire are generally called semi-precious, so the list of minerals under this classification is rather extensive. In the 19th century, the terms precious and semi-precious became widespread. Therefore, it is no surprise that in antiquity, the term “precious stone” was attributed to the rarest and most sought-after gems at the time. They hold religious, healing, reputation, political, and wealth connotations, gaining the status of symbols in both ancient and modern societies. Gemstones seem to be particularly fascinating to us. They developed personal, public, and spiritual meanings to men, gaining greater social importance as human civilizations evolved. The ornamental use of jewelry and gemstones is deeply rooted in the history of humankind. The remaining gems are called semi-precious gemstones, but this title doesn’t always reflect their value. There are four gems deemed precious in the western world: diamond, ruby, emerald, and sapphire.
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