Precious gemstones

Precious stones are defined as visually appealing gemstones created from rocks or minerals. Gemstones have played various roles in the myths and legends of human cultures throughout history. There are only FOUR precious gemstones; DIAMONDS, RUBIES, EMERALDS, SAPPHIRES.
All precious stones are translucent and are valued by the richness of their color, except for the diamond, which has a higher value based on being colorless.


Diamond 
The diamond is the most popular of all gemstones. The diamond is the highest valued precious stone, which takes millions of years to form. A diamond is a mineral compound made of pure carbon and is the hardest natural substance on the planet. Diamonds are measured in carats—the higher the carat weight and purity level of a stone, the more valuable the gem. Diamonds are typically colorless, but yellow, brown, green, gray, black, pink, blue, red, and purple stones can also be found along the diamond color spectrum. Jewelry-grade diamonds are rated based on color from bluish-white to yellow, and on clarity. The world’s love of diamonds had its start in India. Few people outside the gem industry realize the true nature of a gemstone’s journey from the mine to the counter of a store.

Ruby
The ruby is a pink to deep red precious gemstone. The name comes from the Latin word for red, ruber.In its purest form, the mineral corundum is colorless. Trace elements that become part of the mineral’s crystal structure cause variations in its color.The most renowned rubies, like those from Myanmar, the Himalayas, and northern Vietnam. Rubies found in marble typically fluoresce red under ultraviolet light—even the ultraviolet light in sunlight. Fluorescence can make a ruby’s color even more intense and increase its value.The largest mined ruby weighing in at four pounds, the Liberty Bell Ruby, was stolen in a heist in 2011. The ruby is the birthstone for July.

Emerald
Known for its brilliant green color, emerald can also have blue or yellow undertones and loses all color when subjected to high heat. Their brittle exterior makes emeralds difficult to shape. Gem experts differ on the degree of green that makes one stone an emerald and another stone a less-expensive green beryl. Some people in the trade tend to give the name emerald to any green beryl colored by chromium. Today, most emerald production originates in four source countries: Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, and Zimbabwe. These countries reliably produce commercial amounts of emeralds. Emerald flaws are very often concealed by treating a stone with oil or synthetic lubricants. This is a common practice in the gemstone industry. 


  
Sapphire 
Sapphires come in a variety of colors, but are mostly associated with blue hues. A sapphire of another color, like pink, white or yellow, is generally called a fancy sapphire. Sapphires have been prized as great gemstones since 800BC. Fine sapphires are most available under two carats, but they can also be found in sizes from five to ten carats. The color of a sapphire is created by various amounts of iron and titanium in the stone, the combination of which produce varying colors. Kings wore sapphires around their necks as a powerful defense from harm. The sapphire has, for centuries, been seen as a symbol of the heavens, a guardian of innocence. Sri Lanka is the world’s largest producer of sapphires over 100 carats and they are a lighter shade of blue

 post by Aisha Asad