Sunday, August 30, 2009

Discover Gemstones

Our world is built of rocks and minerals. Gemstones crystals, which are mineral compositions, develop deep in the earth where heat melts the minerals from rocks and turns them into liquid magma. This liquid pours out through cracks in the earth or when volcanoes erupt and if there is enough space in the midst of the cracks and crevices of the Earth's crust, the crystals may form and grow. When they cool and harden the new structures expand, connect and develop to form regular three-dimensional geometric shapes that we know as Crystals.

Specific conditions combined with heat and pressure makes crystals grow and become very beautiful, captivating and rare. When this happens, we call these stones precious or semiprecious. Emeralds, diamonds, sapphires and rubies are among the most valuable because they posses the most magnificent colors and are not so abundant. These are the precious stones of which the diamond is "king". But there are also other stones of somewhat lesser value known as semiprecious stones. These are found in more abundant quantities and for that reason their worth is less; but still, they are very attractive and also have the admiration of jewelry artist as well as those that acquire them. To name a few of these group, we have: aquamarine, amethyst, peridot, citrine and carnelian. If you have seen these stones, you realize immediately their mystery, uniqueness and beauty. The word crystal comes from the ancient Greek word krustallos that means ice. Crystals can be found at the surface of the earth or mined underground; large ones originate inside the earth and small ones on the surface.

The minerals that make up crystals can arrange themselves in six different and regular geometrical shapes and they are classified into seven systems. For the purpose of this article, I will only name them because further understanding of their classification is a lengthy study called crystallography that also includes the study of all other properties of crystals. The crystal systems are called: cubic, tetragonal, hexagonal, trigonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic. The six shapes are amorphous, pyramidal acicular, prismatic, massive and dendritic. Other physical properties of crystals are: hardness, density and specific gravity, and cleavage and fracture. Among the optical properties are: color, luster, transparency, luminescence and interference.

A few gems come from plants or animal sources and they are known as organic gems such as amber, pearls, jet and corals. These gems are also minerals but they have different origins. They are also classified by their properties.

The incredible beauty of crystals cannot be denied. It is almost impossible to decide which stone one likes best. I choose to love each and every one of them and discover their hidden mystery and allure.

The-Joy-of-Jewelry.com is an online store created by Patricia Aguirre.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Aguirre

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