What Are the Precious Stones Used in Jewelry Making?
Throughout history, jewelry has been used for religious purposes or as a symbol of nobility, adorned with precious metals to usher in the era of dazzling and glamorous jewelry. The craftsmanship and secrets behind this mesmerizing world, which captivates many, are often a topic of curiosity among jewelry enthusiasts. So, what are the main stars of the sparkling jewelry world, the precious stones? And which stones or metals are used in jewelry making? As ECCE, born from the harmony of modern design, precious stones, and passion, we’ve detailed the precious stones that are the protagonists of the jewelry world for you.
What Is a Precious Stone?
When it comes to precious jewelry and luxury accessories, the term precious stone often sparks curiosity. Simply put, a precious stone is a mineral that is rare, durable, and has a Mohs hardness rating of 7 or higher. The most distinctive features of precious stones are:
- Crystal structures
- Light transmittance
- Light reflection properties
- Transparent and clean appearance
Precious stones used in jewelry making include diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and topaz. Semi-precious stones also appear in various designs, often as striking as precious stones.
Diamond
A star in its own right, the diamond is the most valuable of gemstones and serves as the raw material for priceless diamonds.
- Hardness: 10 Mohs
- Composition: Pure carbon
- Color: White, blue, blue-white, brown, yellow, green, pink
- Specific Gravity: 3.51–3.52 g/cm³
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
Known as the hardest material on Earth, diamonds:
- Cannot be scratched, deformed, or damaged.
- Have an extremely high refractive index, reflecting significantly more light than they absorb.
- Dazzle with brilliance, splitting white light into rainbow colors to create a spectrum effect.
Diamond Cut (Brilliant Cut)
Another star of the jewelry world is the diamond cut, also known as a brilliant cut. Unlike other stones, it is not a raw material; rather, it is the polished and cut version of a diamond.
- Since it is a processed diamond, its core properties are identical to those of a diamond.
- Its value is determined by the "4C" rule, representing cut, clarity, color, and carat.
- Diamonds are classified into grades based on their value, with D-grade diamonds being the most valuable and rare. As you move toward Z-grade, the rarity, value, and white light emission decrease.
For more details on diamond shapes, colors, and qualities, visit our article "What Are the Characteristics of Diamonds?"
Sapphire
- Hardness: 9 Mohs
- Composition: Aluminum oxide
- Color: Blue
- Specific Gravity: 3.95–4.10 g/cm³
- Zodiac Signs: Aries, Virgo
Sapphire, known as the representative of blue in the jewelry world, comes in various shades of blue, classified into lighter and darker tones. While primarily blue, some sapphires display different colors under artificial light.
Emerald
- Hardness: 7.5 Mohs
- Composition: Beryllium aluminum silicate
- Color: Green
- Specific Gravity: 2.63–2.80 g/cm³
- Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Gemini, Aries
Known as the "Queen of Stones," emeralds are considered of higher quality when they are transparent and dark in color. They often exhibit a misty appearance due to liquid or gas bubbles and lines within the stone—a feature that distinguishes real emeralds from imitations.
Ruby
- Hardness: 9 Mohs
- Composition: Aluminum oxide
- Color: Red
- Specific Gravity: 3.95–4.10 g/cm³
- Zodiac Signs: Leo, Cancer, Capricorn, Scorpio
Rubies are the second hardest gemstone after diamonds. Despite their hardness, they are brittle and require meticulous handling during processing. Like emeralds, rubies have a cloudy and spotted structure, a natural feature that sets them apart from synthetic imitations.
Topaz
- Hardness: 8 Mohs
- Composition: Complex silicate
- Color: Green, yellow, blue, white
- Specific Gravity: 3.40–3.60 g/cm³
- Zodiac Signs: Virgo, Leo
Typically pale yellow, topaz has a transparent and glass-like appearance. It is often paired with diamonds or other stones and is a staple in vintage jewelry pieces.
Semi-Precious Stones
Stones not included among the six main precious stones are categorized as semi-precious. While semi-precious stones are often perceived as lower quality, some can be as valuable as precious stones. The primary distinction lies in their Mohs hardness, which is less than 7.
FAQs
Which precious stones are used in jewelry making?
The primary precious stones used in jewelry are diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, topaz, and brilliant-cut diamonds.
What is the difference between a precious stone and a semi-precious stone?
Precious stones have a Mohs hardness of 7 or higher, while semi-precious stones have a hardness below 7.
What is the name of the transparent, glass-like gemstone?
The transparent, glass-like gemstone is topaz.
How can you distinguish real precious stones from fake ones?
The natural cloudy inclusions and imperfections, known as the "fingerprints of nature," are key features that set genuine stones apart from imitations.