![]() A lot of why a gem is is classified as precious or semi-precious has to do with tradition, sentiment, and marketing. These examples show that what people consider precious gems (and what we don’t) isn’t solely based on concrete measures like rarity and cost. Fine quality paraiba tourmaline can sell for up to $87,000 per carat, while high grade white diamonds fetch up to $68,000 per carat. And yet, a high quality tsavorite garnet costs only about a tenth as much a high quality emerald.Īnother example is paraiba tourmaline, a blue-green clear stone that’s about 10,000 times as rare as diamond. This green color variety of the garnet group is rarer and harder than emerald, with a richer green color, higher clarity, and greater brilliance. However, there are numerous exceptions.įor example, tsavorite garnet. In many cases, semi-precious stones don’t possess the beauty, rarity, clarity, color, durability, or value of precious gemstones. ![]() Transparent stones are likely to be cut into faceted gems to make the most of their ability to sparkle, while more opaque ones are polished into rounded cabochon gemstones with a smooth, lustrous finish. A semi-precious gemstone can be transparent, opaque, or somewhere in between. What About Semi-Precious Gemstones? Assorted semi-precious stonesĪny stone that’s widely accepted as more beautiful than common minerals or rocks, but is not one of the four precious stones, is considered semi-precious. Symbolism: Precious stones have traditionally been symbols of authority, wealth, and supernatural power, and can be found adorning religious and royal regalia to this day.Strength: Precious stones are hard and resistant to scratches, chips, and other forms of damage, making them ideal for jewelry use.Rarity: Precious stones are generally rarer than semi-precious stones (although this is not always the case).Sparkle: All four of the precious stones are translucent and have the ability to refract and disperse light, which allows them sparkle brightly when cut into faceted gems.Their alluring sheen and often vibrant colors distinguish them from more common rocks and minerals. Beauty: Precious stones are aesthetically appealing and captivating to the eye. ![]() Here are the top reasons why we consider precious stones to be precious: From Ancient Greece and Rome to the empires of Asia and the New World, humans have valued diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds for thousands of years. Why Are Precious Gemstones Precious? The “Big Four” precious gemstonesįascination with precious stones transcends geographical and historical boundaries. ![]()
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