DESCRIBING GEMSTONES

Gemstones can be divided into groups based on how they are formed. The most common groups are minerals, human-made gemstones, rocks, organic materials, or amorphous materials. The mineral groups are further divided into mineral families. For example, all the gemstones that have silica (SiO₂) as a building block are silicate gemstones.

Gemologists, or people who specialize in the study of gems are concerned with the identification, quality, and cut of gemstones. Lapidary is the craft of working with stone, especially gemstones. Lapidarists are the people responsible for the setting of the cutting of the gems. Jewelers are people who set the stones so people can wear the gems in a bracelet, ring, earring, or necklace.

   

Blue Topaz