GEMSTONES
I could probably write a whole book about the fascinating world of gemstones and in the future I might write some blog post about interesting phenomena.
When is a gem a gemstone? (and when not)
'Gemstone' is a very general term which is used for stone and stone-like natural materials that are used for jewelry. They can be raw or rough or they can be cut in traditional or less traditional gemstone shapes. I think it is good to know the differences between precious and semi-precious gemstones and other natural materials because their classification tells us something about the hardness of the stones which is closely linked to the longevity of the jewelry in which they are set.
Precious and semi-precious stones are mineral crystals that can be very rare or less rare with different degrees of hardness (the force they can withstand without getting scratched / breaking). Other natural materials that are used as gemstones in jewelry but are not gemstones in the traditional sense of being a mineral crystal, include pearls, mother of pearl (seashell) and amber (fossilized tree resin) but also rocks like vibrant blue lapis lazuli and various varieties of opal.
To answer the question: gemstone is a very general term but it’s good to know something about the hardness of the material.
What is the difference between precious and semi-precious gemstones?
The main difference between precious and semi-precious stones is their hardness, measured on the scale of Mohs. The scale goes from 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest of them all: diamond. Traditionally, ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond have been the only gemstones that used to be classified as precious gemstones. The definition I like to use is that any gemstone as hard or harder than an emerald is precious and anything below that is semi-precious.
Hardness is not the only aspect of gemstones that contributes to the value. Softer gems can be equally or more valuable than harder ones when they are very rare or unusual. (for instance certain rare varieties of opal and tourmaline)
How can I select a gemstone?
Selecting your perfect gemstone can be done in (at least) three ways:
Spot one you love on my Instagram account and ask me if I have something similar. I will know what to ask you next. Some gemstones are very homogeneous and some have a lot of variation. If the latter is the case, I may try to match it to the photo you sent me or I will send you some photos or videos.
Keep in mind that I do not cut gemstones so you can not always request gemstone X but shaped like gemstone Y.
Sending me a photo or the name of the gemstone you like is a great idea, sending me a color or a bunch of colors you like is a less great idea as there will still be way too many options to list.
It is not a good idea to send me photos of gemstones by others as they may have adjusted the colors in their photos to enhance their beauty or taken their photos in unnatural lighting and they will most likely have something that I do not have.
Study all information you can find about gemstones and come with a (very) specific request. I may be able to source the gem for you as I have many contacts around the world. Keep in mind that there will be additional costs for research and shipping. For more valuable pieces I may refer you to the (sustainable) gem dealer / cutter where you can acquire your gem.
Select your own gem during an online appointment. It is still advisable to do your research before the appointment as thousands of options might be overwhelming.
What gemstones do you have available?
I have a big collection of gemstones for which I have been on a treasure hunt since I started my business in 2014. This collection is very fluid as I am always adding to it and gems get reserved for pieces of jewelry every day. The best photos can be found on my Instagram account. I put a lot of time and effort in taking these photos with my professional camera with the right natural lighting to make the colors appear true to reality. This is not something I can do with my phone in a few minutes and photographing my entire collection of gemstones properly (literally thousands of specimens) will take hundreds of hours. Also, loose gemstones can appear very different from gemstones set in metal.
Here’s a list of gemstones that may or may not be available for those who like to do some research:
I have written the precious gemstones in cursive.
- I might have these gems in various qualities, colors and cuts. For their appearance it is best to look at the photos on my Instagram account. -
Agate, moss agate, Dendritic agate, Forest agate, Amazonite, Amber, Amethyst, Apatite, Aquamarine, moss aquamarine, Aventurine, Carnelian, Cats eye, Chalcedony, Chrome diopsite, Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, Feldspar, Fluorite, Garnet, Rhodolite garnet, Malaya garnet, Herkimer diamond, Howlite, Iolite, Jade, Jasper, Kyanite, Labradorite, Pink labradorite, Lapis lazuli, Larimar, Moonstone, rainbow moonstone, Morganite, Mother of pearl, Obsidian, gold obsidian, Onyx, Opal, Ethiopian opal, Australian opal, Pearl, Peridot, Petersite, Pyrite, Quartz, rutilated quartz, smokey quartz, Rhodochrosite, Rose quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Seraphenite, Spinel, Sunstone, Tiger eye, Topaz, London blue topaz, Imperial topaz, Tourmaline, Watermelon tourmaline, Turquoise, Vessonite
Do gemstones have a certain meaning or mystical power?
There are many personal and cultural believes about the meanings and powers of gemstones. There is not one authority to which I can refer as these believes tend to vary between cultures and individuals. A lot can be found on the internet but I would advice you to always keep in mind that these are personal believes.
Of course it can be fun to look up what people have written about your gems!
I am of mixed cultural background and the only culture that has officially accepted me as one of them is that of the Maasai. We do not have any specific believes about meanings and powers of gemstones.
I do believe a piece of jewelry can be a wearable token of certain memories, achievements or loved ones and I put my undevided love and effort in every piece I make.