Semi-precious stones: properties, names and subtleties of choice

At all times, stones have been given great importance. They were worn by people with a certain social status - most often, high. Now almost everything can afford them - the variety of stones, as well as the prices for them, are extensive. But if precious stones are known to everyone, then few can distinguish semiprecious stones. This article will tell about what they are, what stones they include, and about their properties.

Semiprecious stones, at first glance, practically do not differ from precious ones, especially for ordinary inhabitants.

Combining all the previously collected information about them, we can say that semiprecious stones are minerals, the main feature of which is a beautiful appearance.

Representatives of precious stones can be counted on the fingers, and they are all quite famous, and the list of semiprecious stones is quite wide. In addition, now the boundaries of separation of precious and semiprecious stones are being erased. It is noteworthy that despite the large number of the latter, the price of some minerals is rather high.

Now statements about the beneficial effect of stones on a person depending on which sign of the zodiac it belongs to, as well as about their treatment of various kinds of diseases, are quite popular. Of course, it is not necessary to talk about the effectiveness of the influence of any stones in the treatment or establishment of interpersonal relations. But a very real fact is the absence of various allergic reactions of the body to natural semiprecious stones.Jewelry from them is also recommended for young children.

Many samples in this group are an important part. amulets jewelrymade since ancient times.

Speaking more seriously, it is worth noting the fact that mineral scientists - gemologists - there are three main groups of all stones: precious, semiprecious and ornamental. They all have characteristics such as rarity being in nature degree of transparency and durability.

Now the boundaries of the classification of these three groups are becoming increasingly blurred, as mentioned above.

In any case, one property of all gems is invariably and undeniable - this is their value as material property.

Below is an incomplete list and a brief description of the brightest representatives of the group of semiprecious stones.

• One of the representatives of natural semiprecious stones is called agate. It is a subclass of quartz with chalcedony. Depending on the different types of patterns, it received different names: “moss agate” refers to a stone with plant patterns, and “dendrite” refers to a wood pattern. Agate can also have cloudy, landscape, rainbow or fire patterns.

• Aquamarine has a characteristic bluish-green color. Especially shimmers in all shades of these two colors stone under the sun. If used to be used for inlaying crowns, now it is mainly used to set lenses.

• The next stone is amethyst. As a rule, this mineral comes in various burgundy and dark violet shades, however, transparent amethysts are also known. The latter are quite rare.

• Garnet - a mineral that has many colors and shades. It got its name due to the fact that it is pyrope (red pomegranate) that is easiest to process, and therefore was used in jewelry.

• Jade has a lot in common with jade. Most often, this rare stone is green in color, but pink, purple and even white samples can also be found. It has been used for centuries to make amulets and vases in China.

• At quartz There are a number of unusual characteristics - it is quite easy to obtain, it is very common, and also differs in hardness. The classification of quartz includes the following stones: smoky quartz, rock crystal, the aforementioned agate, amethyst and chalcedony, as well as rose quartz, carnelian, onyx, cat's eye and a number of other stones.

• Moon rock quite famous and has a characteristic transparent blue color with a pearly shimmer. Sometimes there are white and pink stones. A rather rare phenomenon is a stellar pattern.

• Known from ancient times, especially in the East, stone - nephritis. Often found, it has a dark emerald green color. Other shades of this stone are red, gray, blue and variations of green. Another name is “calm stone”.

• Traditional color mother of pearl It is white with various rainbow shades, but it can be any other color up to black. As a rule, it is extracted from pearl shells and is used not only for inlaying jewelry, but also in the manufacture of buttons, as well as other small parts of clothing and accessories.

• Topaz It is a crystal of uniform color. It can have many shades - from dark purple to transparent white. The yellow mineral is especially appreciated.

• Sardonyx It is a kind of agate that looks similar to it, but has distinctive dark and light stripes.The tradition of making amulets from sardonyx originates in antiquity and continues now.

• Cornelian has a transparent red or brown color and is a type of chalcedony. Rare samples are orange. It differs in its chaotic pattern and interspersed in the form of stripes. Ancient healers used as an ingredient for healing powders. Now it is mainly used only in the manufacture of jewelry. It is noticed that it is best combined with silver.

• A variety of chalcedony is also chrysoprase. It has a “clear” or transparent green color. The higher the level of transparency, the more expensive it can cost.

• Chrysolite is a stone of volcanic origin. All samples of this stone have a green tint, but with various impregnations. Due to its special structure (high refractive index) it is able not only to overflow, but also to shine under the rays of the sun. It is very fragile.

• Rhinestone. In antiquity, cups and even dishes were made from it. It is a transparent stone. In sunlight, it becomes almost transparent and reflects light, sparkling brightly.

• Citrine, also called golden topaz, is a type of quartz. It has a characteristic transparent yellow color. It is mainly used for making jewelry.

This list is not limited to these representatives.

We should also talk about the classification of such minerals.

• Group of Red Representatives. Such stones symbolized brightness, power and even rage. Used to inlay the ornaments of rulers. To this day are the most expensive. Typical representatives of red stones are ruby, garnet and alexandrite.
• Group of purple stones. Since ancient times, the unusual color had ambiguous and contradictory associations; therefore, it is traditionally believed that the group of these minerals does not have any special properties. But nevertheless, their special beauty and overflow of colors makes them remarkable. The smallest group, including amethyst, sapphire, charoite and other stones.
• A group of blue "fossils." Such stones are in the arsenal of almost any jeweler. The most famous representatives of this group are turquoise, lapis lazuli and tanzanite. It is the samples of this group that are most extracted in Altai.
• Group of yellow stones. Because of their color, they were associated with gold and money. They acquire their color due to the content of lithium, measure and iron in their composition. They were considered women's stones. Representatives - citrine, amber, carnelian, heliodor and others.
• Group of green semiprecious stones. They were considered stones whose color acted soothingly. They are abundantly inlaid with various ornaments. Among these stones are jade, jadeite, chrysoprase and malachite. The latter is worth mentioning separately. It is an ornamental stone from which vases, caskets, coasters and other various accessories are made. Its large deposits are in the Urals.
• A group of black stones. Having an unusual and even outrageous color, these stones are appreciated by lovers of bright jewelry. Among such samples are agate, onyx, hematite and the notorious obsidian.
• A group of white nuggets. In their structure they are crystals and have a characteristic “glow” and transparency of the structure. Include moonstone and opal. Many representatives of this group are mined in the Crimea.

Cut - A multi-stage process during which the gem is processed. The result of this process is to give the stone a form and maximum “sparkle”. Obviously, gems themselves without certain cuts do not have their high price.In addition, stone cutting simplifies the fastening of the gem in the jewelry. Types of the main cut of stones in jewelry and not only include the following techniques.

As it becomes apparent, it is used for diamonds and other minerals with a high level of color dispersion. After cutting, gems take on characteristic forms - diamonds. Many of its faces are called fatsety. The widest edge, located on top, is called the site. The back of the diamond is the pavilion, the front is the crown. The belt surrounding the section with the largest area is called girdle.

The beam is reflected twice from each of the faces of the back side and exits through the crown. There are three main diamond cutting techniques: high-light cut (74 facets), majestic (102 facets), royal (86 facets).

It is a stepped cut, in which the stone is given an octagonal shape. Step cutting, in turn, is the type of processing in which facets are placed on top of each other. The platform has the shape of a polygon, and the side facets - trapezoid, triangles.

With this technique, the sides of the sides and corners are given a triangular shape. After processing, the upper part of the nugget consists of four pyramids, each of which has four faces, and a trapezoid at the base. The bottom is similar to the top, which is based on the same number of triangular faces. In this case, the girdle is separated by one third of the total stone.

When using this technique, the stone has no lower part, as well as a platform. The crown contains an even number of triangular faces (usually 24 or 42 faces). There are several types of this cut: Dutch, semi-Dutch, double Dutch, briolette and Antwerp. As a rule, the stone after processing has a rounded shape. But this may not always be so, there are exceptions. Now used infrequently, but was popular in the late Middle Ages.

It is a simple stepped processing technique. It has a large and wide platform. Commonly used for gems designed to inlay male signet rings.

With this method of cutting, the lower part of the nugget remains flat, while its upper part is smooth and streamlined. Typically, such products are round, oval or in the form of an elongated drop. Such facets are usually translucent, opaque or cloudy with interspersed patterns. Cabochons come in different heights - medium, high and low. This parameter is dictated by the fragility of the material.

It is a technique of embossed carving on stones. Bright representatives of this work are cameos. A rather complicated technique, originating in the times of BC. Typically, glyptic crafts depicted antique subjects, and later portraits.

Finished samples are mini-figures. They were usually used as pendant charms for kimonos. Now this technique has become widespread, and products made in it are sold as souvenirs. However, professional craftsmen still exist and sell their work very cheaply.

Other cutting techniques are also worth noting - mixed, pear, "marquise", "pendelok"as well as inlay and Florentine mosaic. In the last two techniques, surfaces are covered with gems in the form of patterns.

There are some properties inherent in semiprecious stones, by which their value is evaluated, and, accordingly, a choice is made.

• One of the most important aspects when choosing - rarity of sample.
• Stone parameters. To this item can be attributed the volume and size of minerals.
• Characteristic pattern on the pattern. Most of the representatives of this group are with a “picture”.
• Pattern Quality. Openwork or symmetrical patterns are much more appreciated than chaotic ones.
• The presence of inclusions of other stones. This can both increase the price of certain stones and lower it.
• Integrity. Cracks in nuggets are a characteristic thing for them.
• The last, but most often important criterion is fashion trends. The popularity of most semiprecious gems is similar to a sine wave curve with ups and downs.

In conclusion, I would like to note the fact that with the development of various sciences, the market was filled with counterfeit products. In addition, there is now the opportunity to grow artificial stones in certain conditions.

No synthetic stone will have the same special characteristics as natural.

In the next review, you can find out how semiprecious stones are used in the design of furniture, walls, plumbing and other decorative elements.