Novelist and poet George Elliot once said of gemstones: “These gems have life in them: Their colors speak, say what words fail of.” Whether referencing precious or semi-precious gems, he understood that colorful gems dazzle us with their beauty. But precious gems stand out above the rest. Let’s explore the characteristics that define precious gems, some famous examples, and the timeless appeal that has made them treasures for centuries.
What are Precious Gems?
Precious gems are rare, highly desired naturally-occurring stones. Sure, you may have pieces of jewelry that you consider "precious" to you; however, only four stone types hold the official title of "precious gems" due to their increased rarity, hardness and visual appeal compared to non-precious gemstones. Let’s explore the “big four” of precious gems.
Diamonds
Forever “a girl’s best friend,” diamonds are adored for the sparkling display of light and color (known as a diamond’s brilliance and fire) and rank at the top of the Fab Four's precious gems. As one of the hardest substances ever discovered, diamonds rate a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale (the highest ranking), making them extremely hard, durable gemstones. While not as rare as some gemstone types, diamonds are still commonly associated with rarity, luxury and exclusivity.
Rubies
Known for their gorgeous red color, rubies (the “King of Gems”) are made of corundum and aluminum oxide, like sapphires. However, they get their red color from trace amounts of chromium. Rubies are commonly associated with passion, love and vitality. Primarily found in places like Myanmar, Mozambique, Sri Lanka and Thailand, rubies land between 9 and 9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale and are relatively rare, especially those of fine quality and size.
Emeralds
Known for their captivating deep green color, emeralds are created from various beryl minerals. Admired for their clarity and brilliance, emeralds are often associated with growth, renewal and eternal love. Ranking at 7.5-8 on the Mohs hardness scale, emeralds are relatively hard, but their crystal structure can make them susceptible to chipping. Due to their beauty and rarity, particularly those with high clarity and deep color, emeralds have been coveted for centuries.
Sapphires
Known for their classic deep velvety blue color, sapphires actually come in a variety of colors, including blue, yellow, pink and colorless. Sapphires rank nine on the Mohs hardness scale, making them incredibly durable gemstones. While sapphires are relatively common, fine-quality ones, especially those with intense color and clarity, are rare and highly sought-after.
What is a Semi-Precious Gem?
With only four spots reserved in the “precious gems” category, the remaining gemstone types fall into the “semi-precious” category. Semi-precious gemstones are less rare and typically less expensive than precious gems. While they possess beauty and value, they are often more abundant and have varying degrees of hardness compared to the "big four" precious gems. Let’s take a closer look at some popular (and a few more obscure!) semi-precious gemstones.
Alexandrite
Alexandrite is a captivating, rare semi-precious gem renowned for its dramatic color-changing property. It shifts from a vibrant green in daylight to a deep red in artificial light. This unique phenomenon is due to the interplay of chromium and iron within its crystal structure.
Opal
Once referred to as the “Queen of Gems” by William Shakespeare, opals are mesmerizing semi-precious gemstones known for their play of color, often referred to as "opalescence."
NOTE: While not technically considered a precious gemstone, opals are divided into two categories: precious opal, known for their impressive kaleidoscope of color, and common (or “potch”) opal, which are unable to display this play of color due to irregularities in their structure.
Spinel
Spinels are durable semi-precious gemstones available in a wide range of colors, including red, blue, pink, purple, and even colorless. Due to their variety of colors and high brilliance, spinels are often mistaken for other gems. They are commonly found in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Vietnam.
Tanzanite
Primarily sourced from Tanzania, tanzanite is a trichroic semi-precious gemstone, meaning it can appear in three colors (blue, purple or bronze) depending on the viewing angle. Naturally, tanzanite is brown, but a gentle heating process enhances its color to a stunning blue. Its unique color-changing properties and relative rarity make it a highly sought-after gem.
Jade
A durable semi-precious gemstone often used in carvings and jewelry, jade is prized for its calming and balancing properties. Jade exists in two primary forms:
- Jadeite: This rarer variety is renowned for its vibrant green color and glass-like luster. It's prized for its durability and is often used in fine jewelry and intricate carvings.
- Nephrite: More abundant than jadeite, nephrite is typically softer and more translucent. It's often used in a broader range of applications, from jewelry to decorative objects.
Pearl
Semi-precious gems formed within the shells of oysters and other mollusks, pearls are prized for their luster and variety of colors (pink, green, purple, blue, peach, gold, silver and even black). Pearls can be cultured (farmed) or natural (naturally occurring), and factors like size, shape, color and luster influence their value.
Garnet
Garnets are semi-precious gems made of silicate minerals (the most common minerals on Earth, composed primarily of silicon and oxygen) and come in a wide variety of colors, including red, green, orange and yellow. Named for its resemblance to a pomegranate seed (“granatus”), garnet is a traditional birthstone for January.
Morganite
A beautiful pink variety of beryl (making it a sister gem to emeralds!), morganite is the semi-precious gem often associated with love, compassion and emotional healing. It's a relatively recent discovery, first identified in the early 20th century. Found in the U.S., Brazil, Madagascar and Afghanistan, morganite owes its beautiful, delicate pink color to its trace amounts of manganese.
Amethyst
A purple variety of quartz, amethyst is the semi-precious gem known for its calming and spiritual properties. While its color can differ due to factors like iron content, the most prized amethysts have a rich, deep purple color with a slight reddish or bluish tint. Amethyst is one of the most popular gemstones, used often in jewelry and decorative items.
Aquamarine
A serene blue variety of beryl associated with peace, tranquility and good health, aquamarine is a semi-precious gem often used in jewelry and is a popular birthstone for March. Its color can range from pale sky blue to deep sea green, influenced by trace amounts of iron.
You now know the difference between precious and semi-precious gemstones. But remember, this list of semi-precious gemstones is just a start. Many more semi-precious gemstones exist, including topaz, tourmaline, zircon, lapis lazuli, citrine, turquoise, carnelian, labradorite, moonstone, peridot, onyx, jasper and more.
How Are Gems and Precious Metals Similar?
Are precious gems the same as precious metals? Let’s dig into the similarities and differences.
- Similarities: Both precious gemstones and metals receive this title due to their rarity, value and durability. Metals like gold, platinum, silver, rhodium and palladium rate higher in these categories than other metals, placing them in the precious metal category. Many popular metals, including copper, nickel, titanium, zinc and tin, aren't considered precious.
- Differences: Despite containing the "precious" title, precious metals and gems come from different sources. Precious metals are elements that exist naturally in the Earth's crust. In contrast, precious gems are minerals that have been formed over a long period of time due to the right ingredients and environment. In terms of beauty, precious gems are valued for their color, clarity and cut. In contrast, precious metals are sought after for their luster and malleability. Lastly, the two categories differ in use, with gemstones being used primarily for jewelry, while precious metals can be used for jewelry, as well as electronic and industrial applications.
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