The Bones of Mother Earth

They are called "the bones of mother earth.” They are the sediments of rock and mountain, filling the landscape in our view of the natural skyline. And with years of patience, these beautiful bones can be discovered and unearthed, then made into elegant, beautiful gemstones. 

There are hundreds of types of gemstones, each uniquely formed then extracted, cut and polished. Each gemstone has a distinct feature and is categorized scientifically by the way they are formed structurally. There is also an art behind the treatment and shaping of these gems. The science behind gemstones and their development is measured meticulously. 

Gemstones we see commonly are used in jewelry. These gemstones can be varied in appearance. Stones can look ethnic and earthy or extravagant and luxurious depending on the way they are made.

Here's some general information about gemstones:

Quartz- Quartz is one of the most common minerals. Quarts varieties include amethyst, citrine, rose, crystal and smoky quartz. Quartz can be treated, dyed in numerous ways and is rather affordable. Quartz can also be grown synthetically in large batches. 

Quartz

Amethyst

Citrine

Chalcedony-Chalcedony is a form of quartz with crystals that are too small to see without magnification. Chalcedony describes the stones that are translucent, solid colors. Agate stones are a type of chalcedony, usually patterned and often semitransparent, with stripes and multiple colors. Jasper is a spotted variety of chalcedony, although unlike agate, it is non transparent, and usually has more vivid colors that mimic leopard spots or paint splatter. Carnelian and tiger’s eye stones are also in this family of stones. Carnelian commonly comes in warm hues and tiger’s eye is a shimmery gold and brown color similar to wood grains.

Chalcedony

Agate

Carnelian

Tiger's Eye

Corundum- Corundum are a type of stone crystalized in a specific manner and very durable. The most common and valuable corundum are ruby and sapphire. Ruby comes in dark, rich, warm tones. Sapphire comes in a variety of colors, but notably in a dark azure-blue.

 Ruby

Sapphire

Beryl- Beryl is a type of high quality treated stone that comes in solid yet transparent colors. Examples of stones in this family are emerald and aquamarine. Emerald is a high quality stone that comes in hues of green and dark green while aquamarine has blue hues.

Emerald

Aquamarine

Diamond- Diamonds are the most valuable and hardest mineral on earth. They are used to cut through stone such as marble. Diamonds are graded and measured by color, cut, clarity and carats. 

XOXO,

Deanna

All information and more can be found on gemsociety.org

Image Source, in order of appearance:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc0mHnlivu8uCuxZ3ZHZhE2-P6uYET7XezjxzpmYmQ9b16ZjMsT10J2qTdjKhHWD6F5_K3qSktrom8gGB9rmSCER3VM-xnyMVjl64NCwA0UJn1kKz5PwYClokmRUBY1kMoLiySvVlEJg/s1600/Stunning_Mountain_Landscape.jpg

http://www.25karats.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/color-stone.jpg

http://tribalmuse.com/images/products/detail/TibetanTribalJewelryNecklace1.JPG

http://storage.harrywinston.com/media/images/be8c16040cc5411c9881e7beeacd94cd-450x440.png

http://www.majestic-quartz.com/healingjourney/infopics/images/quartz-cluster-300.jpg

http://www.glitteringstones.com/Images/amethyst-stones.jpg

http://www.westernwoods.biz/store/images/CitrinePoint.jpg

http://bookofgems.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/chalcedony_category-2.jpg

http://www.earthstonefireandice.com/beads/images/Botswana%20Agate.JPG

http://img0.etsystatic.com/005/0/5232515/il_fullxfull.373354408_643u.jpg

http://www.elizabethlocey.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Golden-Tiger-Eye-Tumblestones.jpg

http://www.gemsoul.com/images/articles/madagascar-ruby.jpg

http://www.all-color-gem-stones.com/images/ceylon-blue-sapphires-gemstones.jpg

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/resources-rx/images/1007/devonshire-emerald-slide_13852_1.jpg

http://img3.etsystatic.com/008/0/6568342/il_570xN.366625247_jtn9.jpg

http://www.minerals.net/GemStoneInTheRoughImages/aquamarine-gem-grade-rough-brazil.jpg

http://pogisostours.co.za/web/Images/CD2.gif

http://www.jewelryexchangeandauction.com/library/diamond-chart.jpg