It is difficult to imagine that there were times when precious stones were practically worthless, had no name, and were often used for absolutely primitive purposes (for example, cracking nuts with them). And all because gems extracted from rocks at the initial stage rarely have a presentable appearance: precious stones are dazzling with their amazingly beautiful colors only after jewelers have worked on them properly (cut, polished, created the appropriate design). Immediately after this, gems become incredibly expensive, and no one dares to use them as a tool.
Precious stones are natural chemical compounds (minerals) that have a crystalline structure and a certain composition that affect the characteristics and appearance of gems.
Since there are more than four thousand names of a wide variety of minerals in nature, experts agree that only a natural crystal that is distinguished by its beauty and durability, and therefore suitable for jewelry processing, can be considered precious. Moreover, these minerals can be either colorless or have a beautiful monochromatic color, shine, create an amazing play of light and shadow, surprise with unusual optical effects, and be characterized by resistance to wear and high hardness.
Considering all these interrelated factors, scientists have still not been able to develop a clear and unambiguous scheme for dividing gems into groups (in each country the same stones are often classified as precious or semi-precious). The main list is still the same in many classifications: no one doubts that natural rubies, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, alexandrites and pearls are precious stones. For example, in Russia they are recognized as such at the legislative level, and therefore all other natural jewelry stones are considered semi-precious.
Among them are garnet, amethyst, topaz, malachite, turquoise, agate, jade, amber: despite the fact that after processing these minerals become transparent and acquire a unique shine, they are not unique and do not have the required hardness. True, this does not prevent jewelers from widely using semi-precious stones in finishing work (malachite boxes, the Amber Room in the Catherine Palace).
The beauty of gems
Precious stones are primarily characterized by monotony (they can be either colorless or have a certain color). A gem can have both “its own” and “foreign” color, which it acquires due to impurities of other minerals that somehow ended up in its composition (for example, semi-precious agate can have a yellowish tint due to inclusions of hematite and iron hydroxides ).
Also, an important role in evaluating a gem is played by its brilliance (the level of refraction of rays, the ability of the stone to reflect them) and transparency. In addition, the beauty of gems is given by optical effects, which are obtained by combining shine, color and transparency:
- Asterism – from the middle of the gem to different sides rays of light diverge. This property can be seen when inclusions of other minerals (ruby, sapphire) are observed along the edges and faces of gems;
- Cat's eye - obtained due to the presence of tube-shaped voids or fibers of other crystals in the structure, giving the gem a silky shine (jade, quartz, chrysoberyl);
- Opalescence is formed as a result of the refraction of rays from the three-dimensional structure of the stone. This property is best expressed in opals, whose colors shimmer and sparkle;
- Iridescence - manifests itself in the form of a rainbow-colored glow in bright light, characteristic of spar, quartz, moon and sun stones;
- Dispersion - a property that can be seen in minerals with high refraction of light rays (diamond). In these gems, waves of purple and red tones shimmer beautifully as they pass through the crystal.
Wear resistance of gems
The less strength a stone has, the less valuable it is: when processing a gem for jewelry, it is very important that it can be cut, sawed, polished, etc. without much fear. Thus, according to hardness, gems are divided into the following types:
- Soft (from 1 to 5) – talc, lime spar, marble, onyx;
- Medium (from 5 to 6.5) – apatite, orthoclase;
- Hard (from 6.5 to 7.5) – quartz;
- High hardness (more than 7.5) – topaz, sapphire, diamond.
The quality of precious and semi-precious stones is influenced by their property, such as viscosity - the ability to change and restore shape during the action of deforming forces on them. Gems with high viscosity (jade) easily retain their shape, and you can wear them without fear that they will begin to crumble, as, for example, fragile semi-precious stones such as opal or obsidian can do.
Jewelers also value such a property of a stone as cleavage - its ability to break into crystallographic plates (a very necessary property for obtaining a flat surface). Meanwhile, if this characteristic is expressed too strongly, jewelers prefer not to mess with the gem: the stone may become covered with cracks and chips.
One of the characteristics of the strength of a gem is its purity or defectiveness - the absence of voids, cracks, and impurities. It is worth considering that an absolutely pure mineral is almost never found and always contains traces of the early stages of its development.
Cracks rarely decorate a gem and always reduce its strength - this also applies to expensive diamonds.
Thus, the most expensive gem “Cullinan” (the diamond received its name in honor of the owner of the mine where it was discovered) was presented to King Edward VII of Great Britain at the beginning of the twentieth century: it had 3106 carats, its weight exceeded half a kilogram, and its dimensions were 100x65x50 mm. Since the donated diamond had cracks, it was impossible to make one large diamond from it, and therefore, before splitting it, the best lapidary of the time, Joseph Ascher, studied it for several months.
It was not possible to break it right away: during the first attempt, the knife broke. But the second approach turned out to be more successful, and Cullinan divided it into two parts (interestingly, after the first accurate blow, the master lost consciousness from overexertion). As a result, nine large diamonds and ninety-six small gems were made from the stone, the largest of which is set in the royal scepter, and the second largest adorns the crown of the British Empire.
Chemical composition of the gem
The appearance of most semi-precious and precious stones largely depends on the chemical composition of the gems. Since they all have different chemical compositions and crystal structures (gem quality gems almost always have an ordered crystal lattice), they are divided into corresponding groups.
The most common element in gems is oxygen, followed in descending order by silicon, aluminum and calcium (the most numerous group being silicates). By chemical composition The list of semi-precious and precious stones is as follows:
- Silicates – chrysolite, garnet, beryl zircon, jade;
- Oxides – corundum, quartz, opals, spinel;
- Sulfides – pyrite, galena, sphalerite;
- Halides – fluorite;
- Native elements – diamond;
- Carbonates – malachite, marble onyx;
- Organic compounds - amber, corals, pearls, jet.
It is interesting that the chemical properties of gems of the same group can change while the crystal structure remains unchanged: stones can become both precious (a ruby transforms into pink sapphire) and semi-precious types.
Even the smallest fluctuation in properties can change the appearance of the jewelry, for example, ruby and sapphire, being varieties of the corundum mineral and having the same characteristics, have different colors - blue sapphire, red ruby.
As for gems of organic origin, before they acquired their current form, they were an element of living nature: pearls grew in an oyster shell, amber is the resin of old trees, coral is the skeleton of marine invertebrate animals, jet is petrified wood.
Origin
If it was previously believed that the most beautiful gemstones could be formed only in the tropics, geologists managed to prove this belief wrong by discovering many gems in temperate latitudes. For example, in Russia such precious stones as aquamarines, diamonds, jades, topaz, lapis lazuli were found, in Japan - coral, pearls, amethyst, in Ukraine - beryl, topaz, in Hungary - opal.
Almost all precious stones (of course, except those of organic origin) were formed in rocks, and therefore they are divided into metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary (among the latter are rock crystal, garnet, Colombian emeralds). Some gemstones are considered primary (found in the place where they were formed), others are considered secondary formations (formed minerals were transported by rivers, seas or winds to a new place).
The extraction of precious stones largely depends on the origin of the gems. Precious and semi-precious stones located close to the earth's surface are often mined by hand (especially in third world countries): stones are separated from the rock with ordinary hammers, chisels, picks, and sometimes explosives are used. Placer deposits located in water are processed by washing sand or using dredges. But in order to extract stones located at great depths (for example, diamonds), equipment is still used - this cannot be done manually.
Synthetic stones
Just a hundred years ago, it was quite easy to distinguish a semi-precious or precious stone from their glass imitation or an ornamental stone: a jewelry stone could be identified “by eye” and it was not easy to deceive anyone. But, in the middle of the last century, science made a huge leap forward - and the emergence of synthetic stones, which were in no way inferior to natural precious stones, made gems accessible to the general public.
It is worth noting that if earlier the creation of such stones was very expensive due to the high cost of equipment, then recently the cost of them has been falling every year.
The main difference between these stones and the original ones is that they were not formed inside a rock, but were created artificially in a factory or laboratory. Therefore, they have another name - “grown jewelry stones”: often there is a complete imitation of the natural process of gem formation (the only thing is that the stone grows much faster).
In building artificial stones there are many positive aspects. First of all, jewelry has become more accessible to the masses, hence sales and profits have increased. Artificial gems are often more perfect than their natural counterparts (they do not have cracks or impurities, they are usually more saturated and deep in color). Do not forget that in some cases the creation synthetic stone is the only way to replace endangered natural gems with their artificial counterparts.
Since ancient times, jewelry has personified the well-being and social significance of the owner of the item. In the Middle Ages, rings, pendants or necklaces with natural stone inserts were considered a sign of power and might. Exquisite minerals mined from the depths of the earth were used to decorate the royal symbols - the throne, crown and scepter. Because of the expensive stones, travelers traveled impressive distances, and high-ranking officials shelled out unimaginable sums for rare specimens of rocks. Admiration for the brilliance of natural formations, on the surface of which colors contrast harmoniously, only enhanced the value of unique minerals.
Over time, people learned to skillfully process stones, creating amazingly beautiful jewelry. Particularly rare minerals are edged with noble metals of the highest standard, and the cost of such products becomes affordable only for the wealthy part of the planet's population. The price of one carat of gemstone reaches $45,000. Such jewelry is not supplied to jewelry stores; they are bought by avid collectors.
Simplified classification of minerals
In the 19th century, in order to systematize accumulated knowledge, people divided minerals into two groups. Over two eras, established categories have undergone changes, so today natural formations are classified into 3 subspecies:
- Precious minerals are diamond, euclase, all and chrysoberyl, crystalline formations of spinel and ruby, as well as alexandrites, emeralds and lales.
- Semi-precious crystals – garnet and labradorite High Quality, mineral compounds of epidote, sun and moon stones, formation of turquoise and amethysts light shades, and also in this category there are dioptase and chalcedony, crystal structures of rock crystal, rauchtopaz and tourmaline.
- Ornamental and decorative stones – jade; bloodstone; amber; corals; lapis lazuli; jet; Vesuvman; spar; jasper; pink and smoky quartz; amazonite; low quality labradorite.
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The rarest, hardest and most durable minerals are classified as “Precious”, so the cost of natural formations present in this category is a priori high. To classify minerals, gemologists follow the following system for grading stones:
- The principle of crystal structure.
- Structural features of minerals.
- Chemical composition of stones.
- Crystal processing method.
- Origin of mineral formations (natural or artificial).
The international classification of stones of mineral origin traditionally does not include pearls, because “peas” are formed in mollusk shells. However, organic compounds are equivalent in importance to class I
If the crystalline compound corresponds to the standard parameters of the rock, then gemologists classify the natural stone as “Precious”.
Law on the classification of mineral and organic formations in the Russian Federation
By law Russian Federation Gemstones are divided into categories in accordance with an improved technique created by gemologist E.Ya. Kievlenko. The jeweler revised the classical classification of natural formations, proposing 4 classes of minerals, taking into account crystallography and structural parameters:
- Group I consists of rubies and sapphire mineral formations of blue color and alexandrite, and this category also includes emeralds.
- Group II contains the noble minerals jadeite and black opal; all colors of sapphire (except for the blue tint) are also classified here.
- Group III “includes” demantoid and, it contains noble formations of spinel, as well as white and bright red opal. Burgundy tourmaline and all varieties of aquamarines, mineral compounds of moonstone and rhodolite are classified into this category.
- Group IV consists of turquoise and almandine crystal formations, this includes amethyst and mineral compounds of pyrope, as well as chrysolite. Tourmaline is found here, as well as citrine and noble varieties of kunzite. This category of minerals includes chrysoprase and zircon, as well as beryl of bright colors.
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The found crystalline formation must be assessed by gemologists at the state level. If the characteristics of the mineral or organic compound meet the rock standards, then the stone is issued an appropriate certificate of authenticity of natural origin.
Referring to Law No. 41-FZ of May 26, 1998, precious metals are considered precious in Russia. natural stones Class I, including pearls and unique amber formations. All organic compounds are equated to expensive stones only after a corresponding decree issued by the Government of the Russian Federation, therefore the current list can only be changed on a federal basis.
When choosing jewelry with an exquisite mineral, be guided by the laws of the country in which you are going to purchase a crystalline or organic formation. It is advisable to find out which stones are classified as precious minerals, taking into account the federal decree - this approach will protect you from buying a synthetic product instead of a genuine crystal.
The classification of natural stones still gives rise to heated debate, both among specialists and among ordinary consumers. Expert gemologists do not use the term “semi-precious” at all in their work; all stones are divided into precious (1st, 2nd, 3rd order) and semi-precious.
According to the law, only diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, alexandrite, and natural pearls are considered precious. The circulation of these minerals is regulated by the state; all others can safely be classified as semi-precious.
- This is interesting:
An important criterion when assessing the quality of stones is hardness; the higher the indicator, the more valuable the mineral. For example, the hardness of a diamond is considered the standard; all other stones are significantly inferior in this parameter. To describe all the semi-precious stones, and there are about forty varieties of them, is a difficult task; let us present the names and photos of the most common of them.
Amethyst
Natural mineral - a type of quartz, comes in all shades purple, from almost transparent to almost purple. Very interesting feature, is the ability of a stone to change its color depending on the lighting. The hardness is quite high - 7, on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond, corundum, and topaz.
The mineral is quite common; high-quality samples are used in expensive jewelry and even to decorate the crowns of state rulers. Lower-grade stones are often used as an ornamental material for decorating paintings, dishes, boxes, making beads, and sometimes inlaid into icons.
Amethyst helps its owners relieve stress, makes them more peaceful, and brings peace of mind and balance.
Topaz
One of the hardest crystals, for which it has been valued by jewelers since ancient times. Comes in a wide variety of colors. The most valuable samples of blue, pink, yellow color, transparent topazes are quite common.
Large stones of high quality are not so rare. Sometimes they try to sell colored topazes as more valuable gems.
Topaz will add mystery to its owner and surround it with an aura of mystery.
Aquamarine
The origin of the name (sea water) indicates the color of the mineral - bluish-green, and other similar shades. Its composition is beryl, that is, it is a very close relative of emerald. Quite often, stone is subject to heat treatment to improve color.
Aquamarine has many faces, like the sea element - it encourages the lazy to take action, brings peace of mind to those who are rushing about, a symbol of fidelity and eternal love.
Pomegranate
The mineral is dark red, bloody in color, quite widespread in nature, samples of other colors are rarely found, for example, greenish, emerald-like, brown. In ancient times, it was believed that the pomegranate had the ability to give power over those around them.
Rhinestone
Silicon dioxide is a type of transparent quartz, perfectly pure, large samples are quite rare and expensive. The most famous representative of this family is smoky quartz, more popular and not entirely correct name which – .
In nature there are quite large crystals, which allows it to be used as an ornamental stone. It is believed that smoky crystals can fog the brain, so they are often used for meditation and communication with other world. The black variety of crystal is called morion.
Company Swarovski, which began its activities as a rock crystal cutting company, now produces synthetic glass - an analogue of a natural mineral.
- It is important:
Citrine
This mineral is also a type of quartz, however, it is rarer. The name comes from Lat. citrus – lemon, has a yellow or golden color. Quite often, citrine is obtained artificially by heat treatment of less expensive aquamarine.
The sunshine of citrine crystals brings warmth to the soul, helps to find peace, and relieves evil thoughts.
Zircon
The name of the mineral comes from Persian, meaning “like gold.” The crystals have a golden color, less commonly pink or transparent colorless. Reddish-brown specimens are called hyacinth. Using heat treatment you can get a stone of a beautiful blue color - starlit.
IN modern world The term zircon is increasingly used to designate synthetic inserts – ( Cubic Zirconia), however they have nothing in common, just an inaccurate translation of a foreign name.
Natural zircon will help its owner with fatigue, restore spent energy, and give a healthy, restful sleep.
Aventurine
A variety of quartz, the most popular color is green with shiny inclusions. The stone has a long history, it was especially revered by the Chinese, even the emperor’s seal was made of aventurine.
Almost all products with such inserts, especially budget silver items presented in jewelry stores, are fakes called aventurine glass, produced on an industrial scale in China.
Manifestations of a craving for adventure and excitement only intensify among those who wear jewelry with the semi-precious stone aventurine.
Agate
Quite often, agate can be found under another name - chalcedony. This is a variety of the same quartz with various inclusions. Widely used as a semi-precious stone in jewelry, as well as for carving and as an ornamental material.
Quite often there are samples with a pattern in the form of an eye, so you can hear the interesting name of agate - Eye of the Creator. Comes in a wide variety of colors.
Agate can bestow wisdom, eloquence, health and longevity on its owner.
Opal
A very valuable variety is noble opal - a second-order gemstone, standing in the hierarchy immediately after the most expensive diamond, sapphire, emerald, and ruby. For mass production jewelry They use thin plates glued to cheaper semi-precious stones. The production of synthetic imitations of opal is well established in Russia and around the world.
Suitable for creative people, it helps to reveal talent, however, there are many beliefs according to which opal can bring misfortune.
Lapis lazuli
In the name of the stone, its color is azure and other shades of blue from dark saturated to pale blue and white. Widely used in jewelry and also as an ornamental material. Often used in making mosaics.
It is considered a symbol of sincerity and the disposition of higher divine powers, brings good luck and success.
Tourmaline
A semi-precious stone of various colors, the second name is “cat's eye”. Sometimes there are crystals consisting of two colors, such as pink or green. The black color of tourmaline is popular; it is believed to have special magical properties.
Suitable for creative people - artists and poets, it brings inspiration.
Chalcedony
Like many other minerals, it has a whole range of shades of different colors, which have their own names. Cornelian– reddish crystals, chrysoprase– greenish. It is used as a semi-precious insert in jewelry, and also as an ornamental stone. Chalcedony is believed to be a strong source of love energy.
Tanzanite
Compared to other semi-precious stones that have a long history, tanzanite is a newcomer to this large family.
It was discovered in Tanzania in 1966, at first it was mistaken for sapphire, but a year later justice was restored, the mineral was named after the country where it was discovered. So far, no new deposits of this beautiful crystal have been found.
Very popular all over the world jasper, malachite, nephritis However, they are rarely used as inserts in jewelry, but rather they can be called ornamental stones.
The cost of precious gems directly depends on their size and quality characteristics; some so-called “semi-precious” minerals can be valued more than the most precious ones and serve as a worthy decoration for the mineralogical collections of the world’s leading museums, as unique, inimitable creations of nature.
All jewelry stones are divided into precious and semi-precious.
Also e stones are further divided into four categories in order of their value:
A) 1st order ( first-class gemstones) - diamond, ruby, blue sapphire, emerald, alexandrite;
b) 2nd order - demantoid, pink and yellow sapphire, noble black opal, noble spinel and others;
V)ІІІth order ( second-class gems) - aquamarine, beryl, noble white and fire opal, tanzanite, pink topaz, tourmaline, chrysoberyl, peridot, tsavorite, zircon, spinel;
G) IV order ( semiprecious stones) - almandine, amethyst, smoky quartz, rose quartz, kunzite, pyrope, blue and wine topaz, citrine, Moonstone, epidote, sunstone, green tourmaline, chalcedony, aventurine, agate, amazonite, apatite, turquoise, hyacinth, heliodor, hematite, rock crystal, garnet, serpentine, cacholong, lapis lazuli.
Separately, precious stones of organic origin are distinguished: pearls and amber.
In general, more than four thousand different minerals are found in nature, but not all of them can bear the proud title of “gem”. High hardness and transparency, optical effects and shine - thanks to this unique combination of properties, the stones were called precious.
Of course, minerals of the first order have always been considered especially valuable - diamonds, rubies, blue sapphires, emeralds and alexandrites. Gold and silver jewelry inlaid with these precious stones are invariably in high demand and are unlikely to ever lose their value, because there are fewer and fewer precious minerals left in the bowels of the Earth.
To the number ornamental stones belong to onyx, malachite, jade, obsidian, olivine, noble opal, mother of pearl, rhodonite (eagle), carnelian, topaz, tourmaline, charoite, chrysoberyl, peridot, zircon, citrine, spinel, euclase, amber, jasper. They are set in silver or used to make sculptures, vases and other interior items.
Products with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and other precious stones of the first category (evaluated by the purity of the water, the play of shine in the edges, the shape and design of the ring and earrings, the jewelry quality of the workmanship, because such things are usually given as gifts for big family events - a wedding, the birth of a child. They become family jewels and are passed on from generation to generation, so these jewelry should be bought according to the principle: it is better to have one than several, but of poorer quality.
Stones by color
pink: tourmaline, garnetsapphire, topaz, kunzite, pearls
red: ruby, tourmaline, garnet, spinel
orange: sapphire, topaz
yellow: sapphire, citrine, pearl
green: emerald, tourmaline, demantoid, tsavorite, peridot, amethyst
blue: tourmaline, topaz, aquamarine.
blue : sapphire, tanzanite, spinel, kyanite
violet
: amethyst, spinel
grey:
rauchtopaz, (smoky quartz), pearl
brown : diamond, zircon, pearl, hairy quartz
white : diamond, pearl, sapphire, topaz
black : diamond, spinel, pearl
multiking : alexandrite, opal
How to wear jewelry?
The question is serious. Do not wear more than two rings on one hand, and they must be in harmony in style - for example, gold jewelry should not be worn with a product made of platinum or silver, they must be made of the same material. They also don’t wear different stones at the same time, say, earrings with a ruby and a ring with an emerald. Do not decorate yourself with rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces at the same time. Do not wear jewelry in the morning or during the day, especially with casual clothes. You should also not wear any massive jewelry at this time of day; elegant ladies prefer elegant watches with a bracelet made of good leather, thin gold or silver chain, modest rings that can be paired with petite pearl earrings. Large jewelry is worn in the evening with appropriate dressing.
Gold or silver brooches with diamonds or rhinestones are not pinned to sporty-cut blouses - non-binding jewelry is appropriate for such a dress. By the way, you should not wear costume jewelry in combination with real jewelry - it looks vulgar, like any mixture of styles.
The greatest American actress and singer, immortal sex symbol and simply luxurious blonde and favorite of gentlemen, Marilyn Monroe, claimed in one of her songs that best friends girls - diamond jewelry. Indeed, it seems that a man is able to settle any quarrel, make amends for any guilt, by presenting his beloved with a treasured velvet box with a precious ring or earrings.
Most women love jewelry. But, unfortunately, not everyone can afford to wear diamonds. In addition, diamond products look appropriate only with outfits for special occasions; in everyday life they look too pretentious. Therefore, for weekdays and simple everyday wear, there is another jewelry option - with semi-precious ornamental stones.
Ornamental stones: varieties
These stones, unlike colorless and transparent diamonds, have beautiful rich or pastel shades, with which you can successfully highlight the color of your eyes or skin, as well as focus attention on your manicure and other accessories, and successfully complete your look.
In addition, people have believed since ancient times that each of these stones has its own energy and is capable of influencing a person’s aura or even his destiny. Therefore, many women choose jewelry with semi-precious stones, following the horoscope or according to the meaning of the name.
Semi-precious stones are natural minerals that are used to decorate jewelry. Some of them have a higher price because they are rarer, more difficult to cut and are used in the manufacture of only elite and luxurious jewelry (diamonds, sapphires, rubies and others). Some are suitable for creating other decorative items - boxes, ashtrays, cigarette cases (for example, quartz, opal, malachite). They also look attractive as decorative elements on rings, bracelets or beads. In other words, natural minerals can be divided into precious and ornamental stones. There are a great variety of types; choosing the right one depends on the tastes and preferences of the jewelry lover. However, this article will focus specifically on ornamental stones. A list of the most popular is attached below.
Rose quartz
Rose quartz It is no coincidence that it ranks first in the ranking of the most popular and sought-after ornamental stones. Initially, quartz is a base mineral that forms other ornamental stones (photo below). Natural quartz has a transparent or milky white color, while admixtures of various metals give it other shades. Thus, purple quartz is called amethyst, colorless quartz is the so-called rock crystal, citrine is yellow-lemon quartz, and the unusual minerals “cat’s”, “tiger’s” and “falcon’s” eye are the same quartz with a mother-of-pearl texture.
However, rose quartz stands out the most among them. Thanks to its transparent texture and delicate pink tone, this stone looks like a real treasure. Blondes are very fond of jewelry with rose quartz, as its color helps to emphasize a touching image and romantic nature. Again, thanks to the pastel color, even little fashionistas can wear such products. Earrings with rose quartz could easily become a girl's first piece of jewelry.
In addition to jewelry, rose quartz also finds its use in lithotherapy - stone treatment. Experts say that rose quartz has a positive effect on the nervous system, suppresses diabetes, and improves immunity. According to Feng Shui, the stone helps strengthen love relationship, increases the likelihood of conclusion happy marriage. Rose quartz is recommended for wearing by Aries, Taurus and Libra.
Hematite
This ornamental stone is popularly called “bloodstone” or “red glass head”. His appearance quite unusual: the metal covering is connected to the brick-red stone surface. If we delve deeper into the etymology of the word, the name “hematite” comes from the Greek “haima” and translated means “blood”. Indeed, both the bright scarlet color of the mineral and the large presence of iron in it clearly remind us of blood. That is why the stone was popularly called “bloodstone”.
Hematite is an ornamental stone, but is not primarily used in jewelry making. It finds its application in glyptics - the art of creating carved paintings on minerals. When processed, hematite resembles morion, obsidian or jet, but still differs significantly from them in its strong metallic luster. Hematite was the most popular ornamental stone in ancient times. Since ancient times, it has been used as an amulet, a talisman for men and children. Hematite was used to treat diseases of the spleen, liver, and problems associated with the circulatory system. According to popular belief, hematite has a positive effect on sex life and awakens sexual energy. As a talisman, hematite is suitable for Scorpios and Cancers.
Amber
One of the most beautiful and sought-after ornamental stones can rightfully be called amber, “sunstone”, “tears of resin” or “mineral gold”, as it is also called. Amber is a beautiful ornamental stone; in ancient times it was valued not only as precious mineral, but also as a medical remedy for the treatment of various diseases. Decoctions and infusions of amber were used to treat the genitourinary system, eye diseases, rheumatism, heart pain and headaches. Today, thanks to innovations in medicine, its healing properties have faded into the background, but its aesthetic significance has not decreased at all.
Amber jewelry is almost universal; the variety of shades allows you to choose them to suit any image and color type of appearance. The amber color palette includes a huge number of colors, thanks to natural impurities in the mineral, as well as modern technologies processing. It is no coincidence that the color of amber is called honey, and the shades of honey are called amber. The variety of honey palette also includes a wide variety of colors: from milky and lemon yellow to dark burgundy and brown. The amber amulet protects pregnant women and children; it is believed that it scares away evil spirits and protects houses from fires. Amber is the symbol-stone for Leo.
Malachite
This bright green, beautiful ornamental stone is the pride of the collection of Ural gems. Perhaps it is not so popular and in demand in manufacturing jewelry, like, for example, amber, but every child in Russia has heard about it since childhood, thanks to the famous fairy tale by P.P. Bazhova about the Mistress Copper Mountain and the malachite box he mentioned. The color palette of malachite includes all shades of green, from the color of fresh grass to dark green and turquoise. Malachite could be called an ornamental alternative to emerald, thanks to its luxurious, noble shades.
On the cut of the stone and on its surface there are unusual and very beautiful veins and patterns that cannot be reproduced artificially. Jewelry designers often use this property to decorate crafts and accessories. Not only rings, bracelets, earrings and beads are made from malachite - malachite vases, boxes and even table lamps look no less expensive and luxurious. Malachite goes well with gold trim and plating.
In ancient times, malachite as an ornamental stone was considered the strongest amulet against evil spirits and a symbol of wisdom. The green mineral was used to combat heart disease, respiratory tract diseases, various poisonings and toothache. Malachite is considered a talisman for Taurus and Libra.
Turquoise
Turquoise is another, no less popular ornamental stone all over the world. Its name is of Eastern origin; it was there, in the countries of Islam, that turquoise was considered a symbol of purity and innocence and was a mandatory attribute of the bride’s attire. Today, turquoise is great for decorating any product: earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces. Turquoise has a beautiful greenish-blue hue, which in nature belongs only to this stone. Therefore, other objects painted in a similar color are called turquoise. The beautiful tone and opaque texture allow you to wear jewelry with turquoise as in daytime, and for evening events.
Since ancient times, turquoise has been known for its healing properties. Wearing this stone on the chest ensured the prevention of heart and stomach diseases. Turquoise also has a positive effect on the nervous system and is considered a stone of reconciliation, calm and well-being. The brighter the color of turquoise, the stronger its energy, while a dull and pale stone loses its properties. As a talisman, turquoise is intended for Taurus, Sagittarius and Scorpio.
Opal (common)
There are a huge number of varieties of this ornamental stone. And depending on the origin of the mineral, it is classified as both precious and semi-precious stones. The pattern of the opal can have beautiful stains or resemble a mosaic; the rainbow play of colors on the opal is called opalescence. Based on the main color, these stones can be black, purple and blue, bright red or yellow. The milky white color and transparent texture provide opal with a higher value, equating it to jewelry stones.
According to Indian legends, opal reveals the gift of clairvoyance, enlightens the mind, and protects against illness. In ancient times, opal was used to treat heart diseases, nervous system, eye diseases and problems with potency. Opal is considered a talisman stone for Pisces.
Jasper
Jasper is a semi-precious ornamental stone that has been used since ancient times to make jewelry and other decorative items. Due to the variety of its shades and textures, jasper is in great demand in jewelry. Among its colors there are spotted, sprayed, striped and speckled. According to color combinations, jasper can be black, red, turquoise, yellow, gray-brown. Plain jasper is very rare. In ancient times, personalized amulets were made from it, which were supposed to protect the owners from the evil eye, remove negative energy. The therapeutic properties of jasper have been used in the treatment of fever, epilepsy, cardiovascular and gastric diseases, as well as insomnia and various types pain.
Taoists were sure that a jasper amulet prolongs life, and if placed at the head of the bed, it will help enlighten the mind. Jasper is suitable as a talisman for Virgos.
Agate
Agate is a beautiful ornamental stone. In ancient times, it was endowed with various magical properties, thanks to its unusual design. The natural patterns on agate resemble the eye of a bird of prey. According to legend, a bird of prey lost its eye in a fight with one of the heavenly gods. The eye fell to the ground and turned into stone. Ancient craftsmen used this property to create totem statues, inserting agates in place of empty eye sockets so that they served as protection against evil spirits.
In fact, agate is a type of fine-crystalline quartz. However, agate, like quartz, has varieties of rocks that are perceived as independent stones. For example, onyx or chalcedony. The color palette includes white, gray, red and yellow shades. The pattern is very diverse: striped, “moss”, “star”, “bastion”, “eye” and others. Agate is used abundantly in jewelry making, as well as in artistic carving on stone. The stone is popular in various eastern cultures: in Ayurveda it relieves disorders water balance in the body, Buddhists believe that agate expels demons from the home and body of a person; among the Mongols, it promotes the development of internal energy. Its medicinal properties are used for chronic diseases musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, gastrointestinal tract, various infections. Agate is a talisman stone for Taurus.
Tourmaline
Thanks to its glossy and transparent texture, the semi-precious ornamental stone tourmaline, when processed, is practically indistinguishable from natural jewelry: rubies, sapphires, emeralds and others. Depending on its origin, tourmaline itself can be either a precious or semi-precious stone.
Tourmaline is not synthetic; fakes of this stone are made from simple glass. The color range of tourmaline is varied: pink, red, yellow, orange, blue, purple and black. Polychrome colors are popular, combining several colors (for example, red, yellow, green), smoothly transitioning into each other according to the gradient principle. Medicinal properties tourmaline include a positive effect on the nervous system and sleep, prevention of cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, endocrine and immune systems. Tourmaline improves the condition of the skin, promoting its rejuvenation. In India, tourmaline is used to establish a connection with the cosmos; it is believed that the energy of this stone cleanses the aura. Tourmaline is most suitable for Leos, Capricorns, Sagittarius and Scorpios.
