A gemstone is a mineral - and sometimes organic materials such as amber or pearls -  which, in cut and polished form, are used to make jewelry.  

 

Most gemstones are hard, but some soft minerals are used in jewelry because of their luster or other physical properties that have aesthetic value, like pearls or opals.

 

Rarity is an important quality that imports value to a gemstone. Of course, so does colour, lustre and cut.

 

The five principal gemstones are known to everyone:  diamond, sapphire, ruby, emerald and pearls.  And they are well-loved for good reason:  with the exception of the pearl, they are the hardest gemstones available and so are a timeless investment, not to mention that their extreme physical 'hardness' allows for the most sparkle and brilliance in a stone. 

 

But there are many other gemstones, more discrete but equally deserving of admiration. Often referred to as 'semi-precious' stones, this name can be a misnomer as some of them can cost more per carat than the so called 'precious' gemstones - the magnificent Paraiba tourmaline, is a good example.

 

Let us delve into the mysterious and colourful world of precious gemstones, wonderful treasures of the earth.

 

 

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