The Common Types of Gemstones Used in Jewelry

For hundreds of years, jewelry has evolved for symbolic and decorative purposes. Jewelry makers can make spectacular and understated jewelry pieces that are magnificent. And gemstones have been a critical component of many impressive pieces over the years.

There are many different types of gemstones for jewelry, and understanding the other options may help you develop a vibrant collection. Some gems have a distinct chemical makeup and a crystalline structure, so you can classify them in a more specific way.

You can group most gemstones, on the other hand, into a single category. To that end, below are some of the most common types of gemstones used in jewelry.

Diamonds

Diamonds are one of the most precious and hardest naturally occurring materials on the planet. Diamonds form from high-carbon crystals that fuse under tremendous pressure and heat.

Thousands of these gemstones are mined every year worldwide; therefore, they aren’t uncommon. On the other hand, high-quality big diamonds are scarce and set the bar for diamond gemstone rarity in jewelry.

Amethysts

Amethysts have a rich purple color and are unique gemstones. They are a soothing stone that signifies love, happiness, and riches in one’s life.

People used to regard amethysts as more valuable than diamonds. But after miners discovered vast deposits in Uruguay and Brazil, they were relegated to semi-precious status.

Rubies

The ruby, July’s birthstone, has a powerful and bright deep red color that signifies passion and love. This makes it one of the most popular kinds of gemstones for people who want to express their admiration and love.

Many people are unaware that rubies are, in reality, red sapphires. Rubies are also the customary anniversary present for couples celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.

Sapphires

Blue sapphires are one of the most common gemstone jewelry pieces you can come across. The most notable piece we can think of is Princess Diana’s beautiful engagement ring, which passed down to Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.

Sapphires are available in a variety of colors, with blue being the most common. And as we already stated, rubies are, in essence, red sapphires.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline comes in more colors than any other gemstone. It’s no surprise that it’s the birthstone for October when the Northern Hemisphere’s seasons change and the trees come alive with color.

The ancient Egyptians ascribed the tourmaline’s vibrant hues to its long trip up from the earth’s core, during which it traveled through a rainbow. So as you can see, it’s understandable the color in tourmaline is one of the main factors people consider when buying jewelry of this nature.

The Many Types of Gemstones

Of course, there are many types of gemstones out there. They all have unique traits, but jewelry makers prefer some of the ones we listed above the most.

Thank you for your time, and we hope you enjoyed this article? If so, please check out our blog for more helpful info and advice.

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