Name gems. Semiprecious stones: names, photos

Precious stones are valued for their beauty, harmony of color and natural outlines, noble cut style. Thousands of years before our era, jewelry was found in nature, protected, decorated with clothes, jewelry, religious objects.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, it became possible to produce synthetic stones, in the photo they cannot be distinguished from real ones. Natural minerals are still valued more and cost accordingly.

Stones are divided into three groups:

• precious ones that jewelers use, they are also called gems;
• ornamental, from which decorative items are made - caskets, figurines, ashtrays;
• jewelry and ornamental, intermediate group.

There is no single classification, sometimes certain stones are attributed either to jewelry or to semi-precious ones.

Names, descriptions and classification

Precious gems in most countries are classified at the legislative level.

Precious minerals are determined by the beauty and purity of color, hardness, ability to maintain properties under mechanical stress. There is a general description, catalogs with photos.

Minerals are classified:

• genetically (by origin) and by chemical composition;
• on the basis of crystallography.

The first group of gems is divided into orders and the following names.

First order:

• - translucent, the shade varies from blue-green to pink-raspberry;
• - "indestructible", the hardest mineral. Precious gems are colorless, yellow, blue, red, black and blue;
• Emerald is a green and transparent gem. An ideal stone is valued more than a diamond;
• - red mineral, pink shade is allowed. It is also used in quantum electronics;
• Sapphire is a blue gem, in the old days it was called "baus".

Second order:

• - "sea water", a transparent, light blue stone;
• - a green mineral, very similar to jade;
• Opal - a stone with a beautiful iridescent overflow of white, red, blue, green colors;
• - it can be colorless, golden, pale blue, pink;
• Zircon - "golden", a description translated from Persian. Transparent stones are used by jewelers.

Third order:

• - a variety of quartz, it can be of any color;
• Turquoise is the stone of happiness. There is such a description - "victorious." Turquoise is famous for its characteristic blue-green color;
• Rock crystal - transparent and pure quartz, exquisite in the photo;
• - "similar to grains." Red, purple, green stone, which was also called "lal", opaque in the photo;
• - volcanic glass

Fourth order:

• - “not to be drunk”, a description translated from ancient Greek. Violet variety of quartz;
• it is green, colorless, black. The red varieties were called "lal";
• is a yellow variety of quartz.

Stones of organic origin are distinguished into a separate group:

• - a type of coal;
• Pearls - formation in the shell of a mollusk, is not a mineral. It happens white, blue, pink, black;
• represents the skeleton of a colony of polyps. It happens in red and pink, as well as silver (“angel skin”), white and black (“akkabar”);
• - fossilized resin. It is yellow, brown, colorless, greenish.

Belonging to one or another list is relative. According to some classifications, the same gems can be listed in different orders. There is also an industrial description.

The influence of stones on a person

Beautiful minerals are stored in banks and private collections (they can only be seen in the photo), especially rare specimens are exhibited in museums, they are complemented by jewelry and works of art.

They have always attracted humanity with their beauty and rarity. Currently, gems are used:

• in jewelry art;
• in lithotherapy (treatment);
• in magic, as well as in meditation and mystical practices.

Gems and jewelry art are connected by aesthetics, high artistic value of products. Men and women adorned themselves thousands of years ago with earrings, bracelets, beads, headdresses with minerals.

In lithotherapy, only natural natural minerals are used. Their application is quite wide:

• preparation of medicines;
• production of health massagers, rosaries, pyramids;
• energy charging of water;
• stimulation of biologically active points of the body;
• restoration of the movement of energies in the body;
• strengthening and cleansing the aura, charging the chakras;
• body toning.

Magical properties were also attributed to gems long before our era. They were used in divination, in the administration of various cults and in the manufacture of sacred objects. Minerals are very individual and personal, they adapt to the energy of the owner. Products are stored in caskets and boxes, away from the light, washed with clean water and wiped with soft tissues to remove negativity.

With the help of a talisman stone, you can:

• dispel negative energy in the house;
• attract love, wealth, success, prosperity, longevity;
• stimulate spiritual awakening and renewal;
• find harmony and peace of mind;
• get in touch with the astral world;
• protect yourself from evil, bad deeds, evil tongues, drunkenness;
• awaken wisdom and power of thought;
• attract patrons and friends;
• gain protection from fire and water, from the forces of the elements;
• cure ailments.

Many gems become the object of fakes. In order for the product to be useful, and not just pleasing to the eye, it must be completely natural, natural. Precious minerals are bought by referring to the photo in the directory and the descriptions of the properties.

Gems are an amazing and beautiful part of the planet Earth, a demonstration of the beauty of nature and matter. Minerals are always chosen, trusting intuition and taste, because the right choice helps to find not just an ornament, but also a talisman that will help improve the quality of material and spiritual life.

At all times, precious stones have been highly valued for their beauty and brilliance. In ancient times, they were even credited with magical properties. For example, it was believed that a diamond gives courage and strength, sharpness of mind and stamina. Other gems and minerals have been endowed with the ability to heal diseases or make their owners more attractive. However, there are many controversial points as to whether this or that mineral can be considered precious.

At all times, precious stones were highly valued for their beauty and brilliance.

In any dictionary you can read the definition of precious stones. It is believed that these are minerals that attract with their beautiful appearance (although in most of them it appears only after multi-stage polishing and cutting) and at the same time they are rare, which increases their value. Precious stones are used in the manufacture of jewelry, they are collected, and they, along with gold, can be considered banking assets. The properties of precious stones, their chemical composition, features and types of cutting are studied by the science of gemology.

Sometimes you can come across the term “synthetic gemstones”, that is, we are talking about mineral-type raw materials obtained by artificial means. In particular, these are elements imitating a diamond (zircon, cubic zirkonia and crystal glass - the very famous rhinestones). There are other synthetic stones - sapphires, spinel, moissanite, but they cannot be considered precious, although the same cubic zirconias have an index of refraction and dispersion almost the same as that of natural diamonds. That is, the main criterion by which a stone is classified as precious is the rarity of the mineral, and not its beautiful brilliance.

The beauty of a stone can often be revealed only by cutting.

Moreover, beauty can often be revealed only by cutting.. For example, in the Middle Ages, diamonds were not valued as highly as rubies and emeralds, since the method of facet cutting was not yet discovered, which managed to show their brilliance and magnificence.

In industry and trade, the term “jewelry stones” is common. They designate all those minerals that are used in the manufacture of jewelry. Ornamental items according to this classification include those that are used for the manufacture of so-called stone-cutting products (for example, boxes, ashtrays, writing instruments). Finally, there is a group of minerals that are called jewelry and ornamental, it occupies an intermediate position.

The most expensive gems in the world (video)

precious species

You should figure out which stones are among the precious ones. According to the classification adopted in jewelry, 4 classes are distinguished in this category. The representatives of the first are diamonds, emeralds, rubies. These are those whose main evaluation criteria are hardness, transparency and color. But already the second group includes gems, which are often used as ornamental stones (for example, jadeite). Representatives of the third class are noble spinel, topaz, red tourmaline, and the fourth - turquoise, amethyst, citrine and zircon (but only natural).

The intermediate category of precious and semi-precious elements includes smoky quartz, amber, malachite, agate, chalcedony and others. It is interesting that hematite is included in this group of jewelry and ornamental stones, although in fact it is not a stone, but iron ore. In addition, amber is also not a stone, it is a resin of organic origin. The legislation created on the basis of this geological classification states that pearls are also among the precious stones. But in fact, this is a compound of biogenic origin, the result of a protective reaction of a mollusk to the invasion of a foreign body into its shell.

An interesting position in the classification is occupied by corals, which are also of organic origin (these are processed pieces of coral colonies), but are used as jewelry.

Gallery: gems (50 photos)

Ornamental stones and their properties

In the literature, you can often find the term "ornamental stones". This is a collective concept that combines a large number of minerals and rocks used to create jewelry and stone-cutting products. In fact, from a scientific point of view, the boundaries between different categories are very blurred. Many believe that this is a synonym for the term "gemstones" (although it is household and has no scientific justification). Others believe that gemstones are less valuable minerals. But there is another opinion, according to which only opaque minerals belong to this category.

In the jewelry industry and trade, another term is often used for them - “semi-precious stones”. These include minerals that meet several criteria. First, there is the hardness scale used in jewelry. And the harder the crystal, the closer it is to falling into the gem category. Secondly, it takes into account how often the mineral occurs in nature. It is clear that the rarer semi-precious minerals come across, the more expensive they are. They are used for inserts in jewelry, for cabochons, and sometimes even for technical purposes (we are talking about agate and jade).

The properties of semi-precious stones can be reduced to the following:

• have a beautiful pattern or shade;
• characterized by high hardness;
• able to accept various types of processing, including grinding, cutting or polishing.

Gems do not have to be transparent and have high light scattering. This applies mainly to precious stones. Whereas gemstones are usually semi-translucent and sometimes completely opaque.

The difference between precious and semi-precious stones also lies in the fact that the latter may well include small mineral inclusions of a different color. In many ways, this is what they are valued for.

Semi-precious stones have certain physical and chemical properties. They can be either hard or soft. To determine this indicator for semi-precious gems, the same Mohs scale is used. Hard gems include stones with an indicator above 5 (these are jasper, agate, jade). All the rest - with a hardness of 4 and below - are soft stones (this is malachite, some types of onyx).

Jewelry in culture and art

Precious and semi-precious stones are used as money, or at least as a liquid asset, along with precious metals and spices, that is, with goods that are valuable for their rarity.

At the same time, they were also used to make various jewelry - these were beads and necklaces, earrings and bracelets, rings and brooches. They decorated weapons and armor, and they also made amulets and even symbols of power from them. The first such decorations were found in historical layers dating back to the Neolithic era. These were very simple items. But already in ancient times they learned to place them in metal frames. Starting from this era, a special mystical meaning is assigned to each mineral. For centuries, people have believed in the supernatural properties of precious stones, in their ability to ward off evil spirits and promote healing.

For example, in ancient Egypt it was believed that carnelian and lapis lazuli had special powers. They carved scarab beetles, which were considered a symbol of immortality.

Of course, over time, some of these properties have been refuted by science. But back in the 20th century, it was found that succinic acid, which is widely used in medicine, can be obtained by distilling amber. In addition, some types of medical equipment are made from technical amber.

In art, gems are used as a material for artistic carving, glyptics, sculpture, inlays and cladding. Sometimes precious stones acquire even an independent artistic value. Gems made in Ancient Rome are valued not only because they are semi-precious stones, but also because their unique coloring becomes part of the carved artwork.

How gems are mined (video)

But precious stones play a special role in the art of the East. For example, in China, often jewelry became works of art due to the fact that corals, turquoise, malachite or even pearls were woven into a complex pattern (various techniques could be used for this, including enamel and openwork cut-out techniques). In such jewelry, precious stones became elements of the landscape: tree branches, clouds, flower petals, and even figures of fairy-tale creatures. Oriental works are characterized by the desire to reflect with maximum completeness all the nuances of the color of such minerals. Especially popular from this point were rose quartz, amethyst and jade. They are widely used in the works of modern masters.

Attention, only TODAY!

SEMI PRECIOUS STONES, stones from which jewelry is made, but not classified as precious stones. They do not have a strict classification. Semi-precious minerals include minerals such as AMETHYST, GARNET, OPAL, TOPAZ, TOURMALINE, TURQUOISE and stones ... ...

SEMI PRECIOUS STONES- a group of minerals, sometimes distinguished in cost classifications as an independent unit, and sometimes considered stones (see) of class III. K. items include: garnets, green and full-chrome tourmaline, rock crystal, chalcedony, agate, ... ... Great Polytechnic Encyclopedia

Gems ... Wikipedia

- … Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

PRECIOUS STONES, stones from a group of about 100 minerals, opaque, transparent and translucent, which are highly valued for their beauty, rarity and strength. Transparent stones such as DIAMONDS, RUBIES, EMERALDS and SAPPHIRES are the most expensive. ... ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

Natural minerals and their artificial counterparts used to make jewelry and art products. These stones are characterized by beautiful coloration, high hardness and durability, bright brilliance and play. The actual price of the stone… … Collier Encyclopedia

GEMS- To see precious stones in a dream, as well as semi-precious, decorative and ornamental stones, playing with faces or striking with a unique pattern on the cut, means in reality to receive a false judgment about complex things and high matters. See or... Dream Interpretation Melnikov

World of Warcraft Cover for World of Warcraft. Developer Blizzard Entertainment Publisher Vivendi Universal Designer Jeffrey Kaplan ... Wikipedia

Cover for World of Warcraft. Developer Blizzard Entertainment Publisher Vivendi Universal Designer Jeffrey Kaplan ... Wikipedia

Books

• Healing stones. Precious, semi-precious, ornamental ..., Yuri Konstantinov. Few people know that ornamental and precious stones can not only please the eye, but also bring significant benefits to our body. Since ancient times, people began to use them for ...
• Healing stones. Precious, semi-precious, ornamental, Yu Konstantinov. Few people know that ornamental and precious stones can not only please the eye, but also bring significant benefits to our body. Since ancient times, people began to use them for ...

Along with gold and silver, precious and semi-precious stones have always been a symbol of wealth and power. It is customary to call precious minerals rare in nature, which have a beautiful appearance after cutting and polishing. They also emit semi-precious stones - these are minerals that are often found in nature, they are used to make both jewelry and various crafts.

Grade of raw materials

There are standards by which the quality of minerals is assessed and their price is set. This is the so-called grade of raw materials. The indicators for evaluation are:

• the degree of transparency of the mineral;
• color quality (uniform / clean / pronounced);
• interesting drawing;
• the absence (sometimes, on the contrary, the presence) of foreign particles, cracks;
• mineral size;
• strength / durability;
• the rarity of being in nature;
• fashion.

The fact that for one mineral is a minus, greatly underestimating its price, for another is a plus, increasing its value. For example, for a diamond, a contraindication is a foreign body inside or a crack. Whereas for amber, any of these factors can raise the value of the stone hundreds of times.

Therefore, speaking of precious stones, it is always necessary to specify the grade of the mineral and take into account its features. Both precious and ornamental stones have their own varieties and subspecies.

Definition of value

Each institution defines the concept of a precious stone in its own way. In the legal sense, this is a specific list of natural rocks: emeralds, diamonds, rubies, alexandrites, sapphires and pearls (all of natural origin). Thus, the state clearly defines a valuable natural resource, the turnover of which can be controlled.

Gemologists (specialists in minerals) define the concept of precious stones more broadly, linking the value of a stone with its main characteristics: hardness, transparency and rarity in nature.

Separate semi-precious and ornamental (non-precious) stones. The first type is the same minerals of natural origin, but inferior in quality to them. They can be opaque, easily broken, often found in nature, etc. Paradoxically, among semi-precious stones there are those that cost more than precious ones, for example, red spinel. Therefore, the assignment to the “sex” category is relative and it would be more accurate to call all of it “jewelry”.

Ornamental stones are mineral compounds most often used as mosaics, haberdashery, and applied arts.

There is no clear distinction between these three categories. In speech, they are often used as synonyms, sometimes mixing two groups into one (precious ornamental). In Russian, there is a good general concept for all minerals, depending on their characteristics - gems.

There are also several classifications of precious stones, although they are generally similar. Most of them are based on the division by cost and purpose.

Precious types of minerals

The most valuable among precious stones is considered a diamond, or in an uncut stage - a diamond. According to its chemical composition, it is a kind of carbon (or the lead of a simple pencil), it has amazing strength, and after cutting - beauty.

Classic Gemstone Composition:

All gems have one thing in common: a rarity in nature, a high degree of hardness and a bright interesting appearance after cutting. They never lose their value, even in wartime.

Semiprecious stones

In total, there are more than a hundred types of this type of stones. Their abundance in nature determines which semi-precious stones should be included here. Although all of them are natural, any one can be quite easily obtained, processed and embodied in the form of jewelry.

It is customary to refer to the main group of these stones:

Semi-precious stones are the most popular materials for jewelry and personal use.

Minerals of wide application

A separate group includes stones that are widely used in interiors, and not in the jewelry industry. They also have strong magical properties, they can be purchased or given as a decoration:

All of these stones have become famous through jewelry and handicrafts. Many luxurious interiors were decorated with natural minerals. For example, everyone has heard of the famous Amber Room, the malachite box.

Jewels in history

In all cultures and at all times, magical properties were attributed to natural minerals. Jade is a symbol of life. Amber helps with toothache. Jasper has always been revered in Japan, and turquoise - in Russia. Products from semi-precious stones are even more popular because they are available to a wide range of people.

No matter how fashion changes, there is always a place for jewelry. No matter what happens to the economy, and no matter what era comes, natural minerals never lose their value.

For many centuries, semi-precious stones have been one of the most popular jewelry inserts. The amazing colors and properties of these crystals, as well as their reasonable price, allowed them to decorate both simple, uncomplicated items and jewelry masterpieces. In addition, this type of stone is widely used in exquisite handicrafts.

Semi-precious stones: how to determine?

But, in fact, what stones do we consider semi-precious?

There is no single answer to this question. In fact, the name used by everyone is not a definition. In various sources, we can find different conditional classifications of such stones.

Firstly, semi-precious minerals include those minerals that are quite common in nature and are so diverse that their price is significantly lower than the price of rare gems.

Secondly, this is the name of those stones that are intensively used in the jewelry industry, as well as in the manufacture of handicrafts.

In addition, the classification of this category of minerals is often based on the hardness scale known in jewelry production. In this case, everything is simple: the harder the crystal, the higher the value of the jewel.

So let's recap. Semi-precious stones are minerals that are very popular in jewelry, but are not classified as expensive gems. By the way, according to the law of the Russian Federation “On Precious Metals and Precious Stones”, only diamond, blue sapphire, ruby, emerald, alexandrite and natural pearls are considered rare in Russia. It follows from this that, according to the law, all other jewelry stones are semi-precious or, as they are sometimes called, ornamental.

Favorite Gems

How did semi-precious stones deserve such love from jewelers and buyers?

The main physical properties of these stones include high hardness and, therefore, ease of cutting. That is why they are so valued by jewelers.

Semi-precious stones are in high demand among buyers due to their varied color palette (from crystal white to deep purple) and transparency. At the same time, attractive appearance is favorably combined with accessibility, which makes them especially popular. Until now, many jewelry houses, when creating their collections, give preference to semi-precious stones.

Choose your

The most famous and popular semi-precious stones are amethyst, aquamarine, garnet, rock crystal, topaz, chrysolite, citrine. After cutting, these stones become transparent and especially attractive. Therefore, in the hands of experienced jewelers, minerals acquire a unique brilliance and become the perfect complement to any piece of jewelry.

In addition to attractive external characteristics, it is customary to endow semi-precious minerals with a number of interesting properties.

So, amethyst is considered a symbol of sincerity, sincerity and peacefulness. Amethyst is uplifting, invigorating and relieves stress.

Aquamarine is a stone of the brave, the patron saint of travelers and enthusiasts. Aquamarine tends to inspire action, so it is often given to lazy people. Since ancient times in Europe, newlyweds have exchanged rings with aquamarine, which brings love and mutual respect to the family.

Pomegranate brings joy to its owner, gives self-confidence and raises self-esteem. This is a special stone, a stone of love, flame and passion. Pomegranate contributes to a creative upsurge, therefore it is considered a talisman for people of creative professions.

Rock crystal stimulates mental activity, improves emotional mood and has a positive effect on the general condition of its owner.

Topaz is considered to be the most mysterious of all semi-precious minerals. This is a stone of exposure, penetration into the essence of something. Products with topaz are recommended to be worn by psychologists and criminologists. It awakens mental strength, gives emotional balance.

A similar name, but different properties has rauchtopaz. This gem is considered to be a stone of calmness and contemplation. It is often worn by people seeking to get rid of depression.

Chrysolite brings love and peace to its owner. Chrysolite is considered to be a stone of successful people, leaders in their field. Since ancient times, chrysolite inserts have always adorned the products of merchants, merchants and businessmen.

Citrine will help improve the mood of its owner and set it in an optimistic mood. In addition, citrine helps to achieve good results in cooperation and partnership, to express one's thoughts correctly. Therefore, jewelry with citrine is recommended to be worn by pupils, students, as well as all business people.

A fairly rare mineral is ametrine, which got its name due to its similarity with amethyst and citrine. A special two-color stone has a positive effect on mood, makes a person more friendly.

As inserts, jewelers also use apatite, which is called the "stone of appeasement." It is believed that the mineral absorbs the energy of its owner, so it is not recommended to regift products with apatite.

One of the varieties of quartz is aventurine. No wonder its name is translated as "associated with the case." It is believed that the stone brings good luck to those people whose activities are associated with constant risk and uncertainty. Therefore, the stone is recommended to be worn by athletes, as well as creative people looking for inspiration.

fairy stones

Not everyone knows that semi-precious stones also include such stones as agate, turquoise, onyx, malachite, jade, jasper and amber. It seems that these are names from old fairy tales or antiquity, pulled out of a dusty box. And such associations are not accidental.

These semi-precious stones are quite large in size, so they most strongly realize their natural potential. Since ancient times in different countries they have been attributed special magical properties. For example, in China, jade was called nothing but the stone of life. Jasper has long been especially valued in Japan. Russia has always been considered the empire of amber (94% of this mineral is mined in our country), and turquoise was especially popular in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Products from semi-precious stones have always been at the peak of popularity, and our time is no exception. Fashion dictates new forms, but traditions remain unchanged.