Precious stones

In the fascinating world of jewelry, gemstones hold a special place, thanks to their beauty, rarity, and value. The field of the gemology, studying these stones, is essential for understanding the universe of gemstones and their importance in jewelry.

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What do we refer to as a precious stone ?

A precious stone is a natural mineral that, once cut and polished, presents intrinsic beauty and value. Precious stones are appreciated for their vibrant colors, purity, hardness, and quality. Among the most well-known are the diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald.

The faceting and the role of the lapidary

The process of cutting and polishing a rough stone to bring out its beauty and shine is called faceting. The most skilled craftsman in this field is the lapidary. To increase the value and brilliance of the stone, they study it, decide on its shape, then cut and polish it.

The diamond dealer for diamonds

A lapidary specialized in diamond cutting is a diamantaire. They master the unique methods of enhancing this invaluable stone, particularly in terms of proportion, symmetry, and facet quality.

Importance of faceting for the brilliance of a stone

Faceting is crucial for the brilliance of a gemstone. Good faceting optimizes the reflection and refraction of light within the stone, creating a sparkling effect and increasing its value.

Marketing of cut stones

The cut gemstones are then marketed and sold on international markets. Jewelry containing gemstones are highly prized for their aesthetics and value, both for enthusiasts and collectors.

Antwerp, world capital of diamonds

Antwerp, in Belgium, is the world capital of diamonds. The city hosts a large number of cutting workshops, gemstone traders, and certification institutions, thus contributing to the global economy of precious stones.

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Precious stones: Ruby, sapphire and emerald.

In addition to diamond, the other major gemstones are ruby, sapphire, and emerald. The ruby is a red gem, derived from the mineral corundum. The sapphire, also derived from corundum, comes in different colors, except red. The emerald is a green stone, a member of the beryl family.

The term "precious stone" is assigned based on several criteria, including the beauty, rarity, purity, and hardness of the stone. These criteria determine the value of gems and justify their use in the making of prestigious jewelry.

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Why do stones have such value ?

Wonders of nature

Gemstones naturally form from minerals. Geological processes, such as crystallization, metamorphism, and erosion, contribute to the formation of these gems. The conditions of temperature, pressure, and chemical composition determine the color, purity, and hardness of gemstones.

The colors of precious stones come from various elements and chemical compounds present in their crystalline structure. For example, the ruby owes its red color to chromium, while the blue sapphire owes it to iron and titanium. Green emeralds owe their color to vanadium or chromium.

Importance of stones through the ages and cultures

Gemstones have fascinated mankind for millennia. They have been used as symbols of power, wealth, and protection. Many ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, placed great value on gems and incorporated them into their jewelry, art objects, and monuments.

Some precious stones have made their mark on history, such as the Hope Diamond, the sapphire of the Russian imperial crown, or the Bahia Emerald. These exceptional gems have become objects of legend and fascination, testifying to mankind's passion for these natural wonders.

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The reasons for covetousness

Beauty

The beauty of gemstones lies in their brilliance, color, and purity. Their unique appearance makes them objects of admiration and desire, highly prized for the creation of jewelry and works of art.

Rarity

Scarcity is another factor that contributes to the value of gemstones. Some gems, like diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, are very rare and their presence on the market is limited. This scarcity gives gemstones an additional appeal and a high value.

Purity

The purity of a gemstone refers to the absence of inclusions or imperfections in its crystalline structure. A high-quality stone is almost perfectly transparent, which increases its brilliance and value.

Hardness

The hardness of gemstones is measured on the Mohs scale, which classifies minerals from 1 to 10 according to their resistance to scratches. Precious stones, such as diamond, ruby and sapphire, have a high hardness, which makes them durable and resistant to damage.

Quality

The quality of a colored stone is evaluated based on its color, clarity, size, and brilliance. Institutions such as the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) assign grades to gemstones to help buyers and collectors determine their value.

The quality of diamonds is, as for elle, evaluated according to the 4 C's criteria: carat (weight), color, clarity (purity), and cut. These criteria determine the value of a diamond and are essential for jewelry such as engagement rings and necklaces.

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Gemstones are not just simple minerals.

Gemstones are much more than simple minerals. They represent miracles of nature, testifying to the beauty and complexity of the world around us. Gems also symbolize the passion and desire of humans for rare and precious objects.

Importance of precious stones in jewelry

Jewelry, which encompasses the art of jewelry making, goldsmithing, and gemology, celebrates the beauty and value of precious stones. Gem-adorned jewelry, such as earrings, bracelets, and rings, hold special meanings for those who wear them and give them as gifts. Precious stones, whether diamonds, rubies, sapphires, or emeralds, will continue to inspire jewelry designers and captivate lovers of beautiful things around the world.

Among the countries producing precious stones, we can mention Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Paraiba in Brazil and Uruguay. In Europe, France is also renowned for its gems. Precious stones are often displayed in museums, such as the MNHN Farges in Paris, where visitors can admire exceptional collections and learn more about the history and formation of gems.