Gemstone

What Are Gemstones?

A gemstone is a beautiful piece of mineral or crystal that we cut and polish to make shiny jewelry. Some rocks like lapis lazuli or opal, and even things made by nature like pearl or amber, can also be gemstones!

Types of Gemstones

Long ago, people in ancient Greece sorted special stones into two groups: precious and semi-precious. Today, the precious stones are emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond. All other gemstones are called semi-precious. These precious stones are very rare and very hard.

Why We Love Gemstones

Gemstones are loved because they sparkle and come in many beautiful colors. Experts called gemologists study gems to learn what they are made of. For example, diamonds are made of carbon, and sapphires are made of aluminium oxide. People cut and polish gemstones to make them shine even more. Some gemstones are cut into smooth, dome-shaped pieces called cabochons, while others are cut with many flat surfaces called facets to make them sparkle.

Fun Facts

• Diamonds are one of the hardest materials on Earth.
• Rubies and sapphires are made from the same material but have different colors.
• Opals can show many colors, like a rainbow, when you move them in the light.
• Some gemstones, like pearls, are made by living things, not just minerals.

Gemstones make jewelry special and beautiful, and people have admired them for thousands of years!