What specifically are gems and gemstones? We know some of
the most common ones – emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds. But what
exactly are they, how are they made and why we do we prize them so highly?
The International Gem Society defines a gem as “a mineral
that has been chosen for its beauty and durability, then cut and polished for
human adornment.”
Most gems are minerals. Others, like pearls or amber, are
created from living organisms. Usually gems are of a color that mirrors other
natural elements we consider beautiful or valuable. Emeralds mirror the lush
green of plant life, sapphires are the color of the sky and rubies are a rich
blood-red. There are variations in color in all of these gems, of course, and in
diamonds, but those are the colors most normally associated with them. Diamonds
can come in colors as well, with pink and canary diamonds being highly prized
variants.
Most gems are hard and durable, although pearls can be
easily damaged, as can opals and moonstones. Usually a gemstone has to be
durable enough to wear as adornment, but others, while too soft to wear, are
valued by collectors. Pearls can eventually disintegrate, even if all you do is
wipe dust off them. And if you spray hairspray or perfume on them, this can
also damage your pearls.
Opals are highly prized for their beauty and fire and make
exquisite jewelry, but are extraordinarily susceptible to damage. They can
shatter easily if dropped. And there’s a story of a woman who wore an opal
brooch to a holiday party. When she left the warmth of the party to leave and
the brooch experienced the sudden drop in temperature, it shattered, just like
a glass that’s been heated and then cooled too quickly.
0 comments:
Post a Comment