Ratna Sagar Jewels - All Types of Wholesale Gemstone Beads

Many people believe in wearing gemstones because they are said to possess some extraordinary powers to bring good luck and fortune. However, only nine gemstones are said to be precious because there are nine planets in the universe. Each gemstone is associated with a planet, and it is said that they have the potential to receive the radiations emitted by these planets. Accordingly, they can bring significant effects in different ways when used. Since the ancient times, the power of astrology has been recognized. According to the astrological studies, the impact of different planets can create beneficial and harmful vibes at different times. When the right stones are used, they are said to heal the negative vibes and influence the flow of positive vibes in human beings. Consequently, they are much better than herbs or any other natural item. 

Wearing Authentic Gemstones:

Regardless the nature of the gemstone you wear, as per the position of your horoscopic stars and birth planet, it is crucial to wear the most authentic ones. Only then, you can experience the amazing impacts of those stones. Each gemstone passes through strict quality controls. It is important to note that extra care should be done from physical analysis to financial packing. Every gem comes with a unique number of identification to give an idea of the originality and authenticity of the stone. 

Following The Necessary Procedure:

If you are wearing any gemstone for some astrological purpose, it is important to make sure that you follow the necessary recommendations and instructions. Regardless the high quality of the gem you wear, you will not get the desired outcome, if you fail to wear it in the right procedure. In addition to that, it is also crucial to note that the procedure of wearing gemstones varies from one to another. 

Always buy the gemstone from the most reliable place.

Make sure that it is studded in the right metal

You should wear the stone in the correct finger because each finger represents a planet.

A purifying procedure should be adopted to purify the stone. This in turn will remove the negative energy, and the gem will be charged with complete positive energy. 

The mantra associated with the planet should be recited 108 times.

Do not forget that the only way to give power to your planet is by wearing gemstones. This in turn can play a great role in minimizing the negative vibes, and bring a great ray of hope in life of different individuals. 

Some Of The Precious Gemstones:

Yellow sapphire is said to be one of the precious gemstones and it can help in achieving better financial status. Along with wealth, it might even bring good health, name, fame and honor.

Blue sapphire can remove the evil effects of Saturn and it can alleviate long term misfortune.

Emerald can improve the aspects of brain like memory, intuition, communication and ability to learn.

Ruby can bring fame, vigor, fortune and warmth.

Red coral can instill courage among its wearer.   

You must be aware of the huge importance of gemstones. However, if you are looking forward to buying a colored gem, you need to know lots of things. Determining the quality in a colored gemstone is not an easy task, and you will certainly have to take lots of important things in consideration. The appearance in a colored gem is often the result of a combination of different factors to which it is related and by which it is affected. The complexity of these factors can define the quality of a colored gemstone.

 Even when a dealer purchases any gemstone, he makes a quick analysis of the metal to grade the gem. However, prior to that, you can take a look at the following details that make up a beautiful colored gemstone. 

The Importance Of Four Cs:

When you want to determine the quality of a gemstone, you will have to refer to all the four Cs involved in the stone. These are

Color

Cut

Clarity

Carat weight

You must be aware that these factors are vey well-defined for diamond, yet, it exists for any other type of gem including the colored ones.

The color-

In the context of any colored stone, color is certainly the most important factor that determines the quality. The three dimensions in colors are hue, tones and saturation and this is added with color coverage. 

The cut-

Proper cut can often display the exact beauty of the gem. However, in order to evaluate cut, different factors are involved like the cutting style, shape, symmetry, proportions and finish. As a whole, the cut should always display the beauty of the gem to the best advantage without presenting any durability problems. It is also crucial to note that some of the most expensive colored gems have misshaped proportions and symmetry. This is mainly due to the fact that the value of the material is so high that every point in weight in tried to be saved in this context. 

The clarity-

The factor of clarity is usually judged with reference to inclusions. Only the inclusions visible to the naked eye can influence the final grading of the stone. Consequently, colored gems can be considered as different from diamond. Proper inclusions can often enhance the overall beauty and value of the stone. It can even create a great impact on the overall durability of the gem.   

The carat weight-

Weight of the gemstones is calculated on metric carats. In this context, five carats is equal to one gram. When the weight of a particular gem increases, per carat price also tends to increase. 

Color coverage-

Differences in inclusions, proportions, fluorescence, transparency and zoning can often create some of the major differences in color coverage. A gem that comes with a high degree of color coverage can be seen with high saturation in normal viewing positions. Some factors can often improve color coverage.

These are some of the crucial factors that can help you in determining the quality of the colored gemstones. 

Whether you want to wear gemstones for horoscope reasons or for attraction purposes, you will have to make sure that you buy the genuine ones. This in turn will give you the complete value of the stone along with your returns on investment. Moreover, in the recent years, the tendency of buying things from the internet has increased, gemstones being no exception. After all, it gives the complete convenience of buying stones with just the click of a mouse. 

Here are some of the considerations that you should make in buying gemstones. This in turn will help you in making the right decision in the overall buying process. 

1.Consider the color- 

When you buy the stones, color is certainly the crucial factor to consider. Make sure that the color is as pure as possible, without any mixture in shades. Often, blue is different from bluish green. Thus, you might be mistaken. The color of a gemstone is based on its hue, saturation and tone. When the tone and saturation is higher, the color is better and purer. The top shades are always the true colors that come without any mix of shades. The vendor from whom you are buying should present you the right photographs while buying online. This will help you get an accurate picture so that decision making is easier for you. With an accurate photo, you will not only get an idea of the color, but also the characteristics of the clarity.

2.Compare color and price-

There are multiple dealers selling gemstones online. Before finalizing your decision on any one of them, you should always compare the color and price. The price per carat of the gem can often be a difficult subject to compare, but you can always compare the prices of 2 gemstones in the same weight range. The prices of gemstones move by geometrical progression. Often, a single vendor might provide you the option to compare the prices of the finished products.

3.Know about the treatments-

While buying gemstones online, it is important to make sure that you are aware of the treatments that the stone has experienced. Heat is one of the most common forms of treatments applied to the gemstones, and the prices of such stones are less compared to the untreated ones. Go for the untreated ones if you are buying for any astrological purpose. Otherwise, heat like treatment is often said to destroy the qualities of the stone, and can bring negative effects.

4.Know the origins-

You might even be interested in knowing the source of origin of the stone. This in turn can ensure that you are investing on the right product.

5.Certification from a gem lab-

While buying gemstone, it is crucial to make sure that you check the certificate available from the gem lab. It should be from an independent and established lab. The certification can certainly add value to your purchase.

Hence, these things will help you in making the best buying decision of the most valuable gemstones.  

World of rubies is enticing and brilliant. Not long ago, rubies were actually costlier than diamonds. They were called the stone of Romance for their fertile red hues. Together with emeralds and sapphires, the rubies ruled the gemstone market. With advancement in technology, artificial rubies began to consolidate their position. One of the recent additions to the family is the Ruby zoisite. It is often confused with its naturally available sibling. It is actually a calcium aluminium hydroxide, unlike rubies that are exclusively aluminium oxides.
If you are planning to buy Ruby Zoisite, here’s a list of things you must know about them.

History of Zoisites
Formerly called and popularised as Saualpite, ruby zoisite is actually a soro-silicate. In 1805, the name zoisite was first used. It was named after the Austrian scientist, Baron Sigmund Zois von Edelstein who had a notable mineral collection and identified Zoisite as being a unique mineral species. Ruby zoisite derives its name from Greek word, meaning “to increase”. The structure and growth of the gemstone always seems to be distorted giving a feel as if other side is growing against the plane.
Ruby Zoisite belongs to the family of epidote and is always extracted in its massive orthorhombic crystalline structure. The first set of gemstones from zoisite was possibly extracted from the Germanic mines that are rich in pegmatitic and metamorphic deposits.
Blue variety of zoisite was discovered in 1960s. It actually brought Tanzania’s gemstone market into prominence. The terms Zoisite and Tanzanite are interchangeably used in the stone market. When exposed to high temperatures, it changes colour from grey to brown. All inclusions and cloudy pigments subside during heat treatment, garnering a beautiful blue hue. It remains consistent.

Colours of Zoisite
Depending on the presence of metallic oxides, crystalline structure and origin of the stone, a ruby zoisite can be of many colours like-

• Blue
• Green
• Purple
• Pink
• Brown

Pink-brown zoisites are called Thulite.
Popular stones paired with Ruby zoisite
Ruby Zoisite is seldom worn alone. It is paired with other gemstones like Tulite, rhodonite, sapphire, tanzanite and Burmese rubies. Zoisite is cut in the same way as Jasper or a tunlite with additional colour treatments to make them look brighter. They are cut into cabochons to fit into rings and broaches.
Use of Ruby zoisite gained popularity after 1965 when it was renamed as Coizite. They are now paired mostly with Tanzanite, Horn blende gemstones, red corundum and Aniolite.
Zoisite shares its appearance similarity with other popular stone varieties like:

• Tourmaline
• Spodumene
• Wollastonite
• Tremolite
• Rhodonite
• Clinozoisite
• Glaucophane
• Almandine
• Andradite

Metaphysical properties
Just like a native ruby gemstone, zoisite too exudes metaphysical and healing properties. Often fitted into silver frames to direct the energy towards the Heart chakra, zoisite is considered as a talismanic guide among practitioners. It is a harmless stone and neutralizes the negative effect of other powerful gemstones that might be harming your development.

Bloody red or cherry pops... the rubies are exclusively available in red varieties only. Made of corundum, the ruby gemstone exudes a bright red shade owing to the presence of chromium. Considered as the gem of Love, rubies are worn on fingers, arms and around neck to derive protection and strength against evils. Together with sapphire, emerald and diamond, rubies form the formidable quartet of precious gemstones.

Why are they called Rubies?

Rubies have been used since centuries as items of ornament and healing. They derive the name from Latin word for red, “Ruber”. Prices of ruby differ significantly depending on the intensity of the colour. The following colours are available in the market:

• Blood red
• Light red
• Pigeon blood red
• Cherry red
• Purple
• Burnt wood

Ruby gemstone is hard, and comparable to diamond in terms of structural hardness and clarity. Brightest red rubies have rutile inclusions that often signify that it could have been previously artificially treated. The bright rubies are rare in natural form, but still not an exception.

Factors that decide price of a ruby:

Rubies are one of the most consistent gemstones in the stone market owing to their hardness, colour and availability. The factors that command the prices of a ruby are:

• Clarity of the stone
• Cut made on the stone
• Weight, in terms of carat
• Degree of refraction

A naturally bright, inclusion free gemstone weighing 3 carat and more will easily gather a price tag of USD 20000 and more. Heavier stones are split into smaller parts and then auctioned off.

Popular ruby varieties:

Ruby is the birthstone for July. Most rubies are compared in properties and appeal with the world’s costliest ruby, Sunrise Ruby. Nonetheless, there are many controversies regarding the differentiation of a ruby from a sapphire. Some lapidartist dealers call the rubies as Pink Sapphire.

Popular ruby varieties that you can consider for gifting and personal use are:

• Indian Rubies: Mined from the quarries in Orissa, Mysore, Golconda and Vijaywada, Indian rubies had a commanding position in the stone market. In fact, Indian ruby gemstones were considered more valuable than diamonds of same size and cut.
• Burma Ruby: There are two varieties of Burmese gemstones. They are:
• Old world Burmese ruby
• New Burmese ruby

The old Burmese rubies are dark similar to pigeon’s blood. New Burmese rubies are lighter in shade and have small blemish, making it easier to differentiate the Old from new.

• Tanzanian Ruby

Clean, clear and least flawed in the natural ruby family. Larger sized gemstones have darker shade while smaller ones tend to be less bright. They are the cheapest varieties in the ruby family.

• Thai Ruby

Dark and dual toned rubies are rare. Thai rubies have iron and copper oxides in addition to chromium giving them a dual tone appeal. They have a brilliant play of colour when exposed to natural sunlight. Brown, green and blue tinge streaks are visible in Thai rubies.
Other varieties of ruby are Madagascar ruby, Ruby fuschite, Ruby zoisite and star rubies.

Blue and tantalizing... Charming and effervescent! For centuries, blue gemstones have been used as a symbol of prosperity, fertility and compassion. Sapphire gemstone has traces of iron and titanium with impeccable hardness. There are many varieties of sapphire. Blue and yellow sapphires are most common and garner lot of popularity in the natural stone market. Buying sapphires can test even the best of stone collectors. Here are 8 things you must know while buying sapphires from the stone market.

• Colours of sapphire

Natural and artificial gemstones from sapphire family are available in more than 50 different shades. The base shade of sapphire stones includes colours like:

• Pink
• Blue
• Green
• Purple
• Orange
• Yellow
• Red

Sapphire gemstone made of corundum is sold in “fancy” package and not as semi-precious varieties. In a single gemstone family, you can get many colours with consistent hardness and clarity.

• Heat alters colours

Sapphire gemstones have a consistent colour up to a certain temperature. When exposed to higher temperatures beyond 650 degrees Celsius, the colour and clarity of the stone tend to get distorted. Natural gemstones from Sapphire family tend to get cloudy, milky or turn pale. There is no effect on hardness.

• Second hardest gemstones

After mineral corundum, sapphire gemstone is the hardest mineral. On Mohs scale, it ranks 9. Gem quality of the stone is extremely rare, especially if you are looking for consistent colours. Harder gemstones tend to have opaque colours compared to the softer varieties.

• Sapphire with Blue is rare

Intense blue sapphires are rare and more expensive. It is because only a small percentage of blue sapphires display vibrant colours. The lighter gemstones in the family are artificially treated to enhance the colour as well as hardness. Red and blue sapphires now have a separate lineage. Red varieties are counted as rubies. Red sapphire gemstones are cheaper than the red rubies though.

• Look for natural sunlight

Always test a sapphire under natural sunlight. The colour may vary from dark electrifying blue to royal ink blue. Some untreated gems appear red in sunlight and are susceptible to fractures along the differential colour streaks.

• Cleavage

Sapphire gemstone lacks any form of cleavage. They display uneven fracture with a conchoidal contour. With a refractive index ranging between 1.762 and 1.788, the gemstone exhibits tri-axial symmetry along four axes.

• Similar gemstones

Owing to the colour, the sapphires are often confused with gemstones like Iolite, blue Tourmaline, spinel, zircon, beryl, tourmaline and chrysoberyl. There are limited regions in the world that produce natural sapphires. Burma, Kashmir in India and Sri Lanka have always been the top contributors of the gemstone.
Other significant sources are Thailand, Vietnam, Tanzania, USA, Australia and Madagascar.

• Finest quality sapphires

Finest quality gemstones are available in the market based on the auction prices. The finest sapphires come from Kashmir and Mogok. Burmese sapphires and Ceylonese sapphires are stacked in a price range of USD 2000 per carat and above. Collectible gemstones of size larger than 5 carats are available only through auctions.

Feminine, dazzling and cheerful... hardly anyone would disagree that the Rose Quartz is the most enticing gemstone in the pink family. The Stone of Heart exudes exuberant essence of love, romance, compassion and eternal health. Also called the Crystal of Unconditional Love, Rose quartz controls the Heart Chakra and Throat Chakra. It is one of the most common varieties of quartz family that is used for metaphysical and spiritual refinement.

Importance of Rose Quartz
Rose Quartz has been in use in since 600 BC. Greeks and Egyptians used the gemstone as a talismanic guide to improve relationships and reawaken the heart. Innate lovers exchanged rose quartz to build a sense of trust, personal fulfilment and contentment. Perfect for politicians, diplomats, doctors and lawyers, the gemstone is effective in improving professional efficiency within groups and community. Keeping the stone on the desk or in the bank locker attracts wealth and enables you to ward off debts and credits.

The Mother Crystal
Rose Quartz is a nourishment crystal that can be worn during childbirth. Children who have lost their mothers at an early age do well in life despite the personal loss. The orphans and adopted kid who are made to wear the rose Quartz bracelets to promote bonding with the foster parents and elders. It strengthens self-confidence of a new mother and soothes the pain of abortion or miscarriage.

Mothers are recommended to keep a Rose quartz crystal near the food of the baby. If worn during pregnancy, the gemstone protects the mother from issues related to digestion, blood and depression. It also promotes circulation and locomotion event in matured phases of pregnancy.
For elderly individuals, wearing the rose quartz gemstone prevents bone disorders, mental degradation and colic difficulties. For those in mental depression due to relationship breaks, the gemstone enhances tenderness and sensuality.

Cosmic Influence
Rose Quartz carries a higher spiritual attenuation with cosmic elements of the Earth, Universe and the supernatural. Tibetan and Oriental culture emphasized on the use of Rose quartz on auspicious occasions and attract happiness. Wearing of rose quartz is recommended on events like:

• Engagement
• Anniversaries
• Full Moon
• New Year’s Day
• Harvesting day

The cosmic influence directly affects the way body uses Balancing Energy. Wearing the gemstone close to the heart balances the disorderly energy and soothes the frivolous emotions. It has significant impact on the Yin-Yang chakras and stimulates the base energy. Keeping the gemstone close the bed improves:

• Physical relationship
• Dream patterns
• Breathing

Colour of Rose Quartz and its effect
Lighter gemstones are known for their calming effect while the darker ones exude flamboyance. Here is what stone experts recommend:

• Light red gemstone: meditation and calmness of mind
• Light pink: Channelling relationship and emotions towards positivity
• Dark red: Develop sensuality
• Dark pink: Fight resentment and anger
• Cloud pink: fertility and pregnancy

When it comes to earn freedom from past, rose quartz is ideal. It is called Forgiveness stone that frees the mind from the past mistakes and emotional baggage.

A diamond is one of the most precious of all gemstones and therefore, when you seek to buy a diamond, it is understandable to be apprehensive of whether you are putting your money in the right place. Many salespeople will have you think that if you are not in the diamond business or haven’t studied gemology, you will not be able to determine its worth. Although part of it is not wrong, it is also true that it is not difficult to learn the basics of diamond buying and avoid falling into a deceitful trap.

If you can familiarize yourself with certain certifications, grading scales, cuts, shapes, and colors, you can be assured that you will have enough armor against getting duped into buying a worthless fake. Arguably, the most important aspect of the worth of a diamond lies in its grading. It includes an assessment of the four Cs – cut, clarity, color, and carat. Laboratories perform tests on various parameters that can be broadly summed up into these four Cs. It is on the basis of these tests that diamond certificates are prepared.

Although there are many labs that produce certificates for diamonds, the American Gem Society (AGS) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are two that are recognized worldwide. If you are buying diamonds approved by other labs, be sure to check their credentials.

In this article, we will be prominently talking about the “Cut.”

In the jargon used by the diamond industry, the word “cut” can have two meanings – the shape or the reflective qualities of a diamond. As it pertains to grading, the “cut” refers to the reflective quality, which determines the brilliance of a diamond.

Understanding the cut of a diamond is very important because it determines how well the diamond will shine. A poor cut can make even a better carat diamond to look like a drab piece of crystal.

Gemologists say that for the best cut, a formula has to be followed. The formula involves the depth, diameter, pavilion, crown, girdle, culet, and table. The interrelation between these determines how the light that enters the diamond is reflected back. The best formula makes the light entering at the table travel through the pavilion to the other side and then be reflected back to the eye. A lower quality cut will have light entering through the table and leaking out from the bottom or sides rather than being reflected back to the eye of the observer, thus making it a lot less brilliant.

The cut of a diamond is graded on five scales – ideal, excellent, very good, good, and fair & poor. All these grades do not apply to every shape, and there may be other aspects in a diamond better than the cut. For example, the “ideal” category only applies to the round shape, and although a “fair & poor” diamond isn’t really brilliant, it has maximum carat weight. These grades are basically calculated on the amount of light that is reflected. The more light reflected, the better the brilliance, and higher the cost.

As far as shapes are concerned, it depends on the skill of a cutter. Over the centuries, there are 11 cuts that have become quite popular – Asscher, cushion, emerald, heart, Marquise, oval, pearl, princess, radiant, round, trilliant. Some of these look good as a pendant, others as earrings, or as souvenirs. It depends on an individual’s choice how to wear a diamond. However, there are some tricks to choosing a shape that will suit you. For instance, the princess cut diamond ring will suit a hand with long fingers. On the contrary, if someone has a small palm of short fingers, oval and pear shapes give the illusion of elongation and complement the hand better. If you are unsure of any shape, you can consider the round diamond – the most popular shape that looks good in almost any jewelry with its kaleidoscope of brilliance.

The other things that have to be calculated are the clarity, color, and carat. The clarity depends on how flawless a diamond is. There are two kinds of impurities – inclusions (defects inside the diamond) and blemishes (flaws on the surface). Needless to say, the better diamond will have least flaws. As for color, the truly colorless diamond is a rare gemstone, and is suitably priced on the far end of the high scale. There are fancy color diamonds like pink or red that are even rarer and are valued more for their color. However, a slightly brown or yellowish tinted diamond will not be easily discernible by the untrained eye. The carat determines the weight and so, the bigger, the costlier.

Now that you have some idea of what makes a good diamond, you can read the certificate – basically a blueprint of the diamond – and make an informed choice.

Gemstones are found in various colors and they have been used for their powers across time and cultures. Different colors are said to have different powers. So what gives gemstones these powers? And what powers are we talking about?

Let’s first understand how we see colors.

It is common knowledge that color is not an intrinsic property of an object. We see the color of an object because it reflects some part of the light falling on it. The part that is reflected back meets the eye and we perceive it as color. And that part of light is nothing but one of the many wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum.

The wavelength that will be reflected back depends upon the particles in the object. Therefore, the color of a gemstone will depend on the kind of mineral or element it is made up of.

Gemstones reflect certain wavelengths prominently, which explains their dazzling brilliance. As for the powers, they are actually the energy that is created due to a particular wavelength. So when you wear a particular gemstone, the wavelength it reflects or the color that it has makes an impact on the energy surrounding you, and that translates into improved prospects, calm, decreased health issues, or in general, a better well-being.

Now, let’s see which color offers what:

White: White stones symbolize intelligence and integrity while clear stones are a mark of elegance. It is suitable for people who like the traditional way of living life. It helps in maintaining a clear conscience while in doubt by bringing calm and clarity.

Stones: diamonds, pearls, moonstone, white topaz, drusy quartz, moissanite, hematite.

Red:  Red is associated with attention, ambition, and an out-going nature. It complements people like artists, lawyers, leaders, who have a fiery personality and like to show their skills. It is associated with active energy and helps in gaining wisdom and fighting depression.

Stones: ruby, red diamonds, coral, garnet.

Black: It signifies strength, confidence, fidelity, prosperity, and health. Since black is not an easy to carry color, those who wear it with élan have a strong personality and charming sophistication. It complements people like fashionistas, C-level executives, or anyone who likes to be surrounded with a high energy. It helps you decide with a clarity of thought.

Stones: onyx, agate, black diamonds, jasper, hematite.

Blue: It signifies loyalty, truth, good health, strength, and confidence. It works for people with an out-going personality. Blue gemstones are said to bring peace and stabilize emotional imbalances.

Stones: sapphire, lapis lazuli, tanzanite, aquamarine, blue topaz, turquoise.

Green: Green stones are strongly associated with fertility and healing powers. It also brings in prosperity. Bankers, investors, or just people in the money business are said to gain productive intuition with gems of this color. It was also believed in the medieval times that jade brings immortality to its wearers.

Stones: emerald, jade, green sapphires, turquoise.

Purple: Purple has long been associated with spirituality, wisdom, class, and clarity of thought. Purple stones should be worn by philosophers, artists, and the creative group who like to delve deep into human nature and study their behavior. Lavender and purple stones have a mysterious and dignified aura.

Stones: amethyst, purple diamonds, purple sapphires.

Yellow: Yellow is a bright, quirky color that resembles the energy of creativity and uniqueness. It suits people with a creative and adventurous bent of mind like crafters, teachers, and social workers. It exudes optimism, sociability, enthusiasm, and is known to aid mental strength.

Stones: amber, topaz, citrines, yellow diamonds, yellow sapphires.

Brown: Gems with brown shades have a very unique personality, they have an aura that is subtle and down to earth. People like chefs, gardeners, and historians would find such gems complementing with their energies and keeping them calm, motivated, and driven. Brown suits people who have a passion, but do not like flashy statements.

Stones: agate, Tiger’s eye, smoky quartz, chocolate diamonds.

Knowing about the energy associated with different colored gemstones is helpful not only so that you can pick a suitable gemstone for yourself but also because when you buy a jewel gift for a loved one, you know which gemstone will bring happiness to their lives. By gifting them a gem appropriate to their energy and needs, you will be enriching their lives with a valuable token that will also help them be more successful and healthy.

The properties of a gemstone are basically classified under two divisions: physical and optical. While physical properties are concerned with what a gem is made of and how it is made, the optical classification deals with how a gem interacts with light. In this article, we’ll focus on the physical properties.

The physical properties of a gemstone are not affected by how it reacts to light falling on it. On the contrary, every property of a gemstone, optical or otherwise, depends on the material it is made of and the arrangement of atoms in its structure. That is why, an amber bead necklace looks very different from a shiny obsidian pendant, although both of them are gemstones.

Amber and obsidian, or any two kinds of gemstones for that matter, are different because they have different chemical compositions and three dimensional structures. On the basis of structure, gemstones can be divided into two groups – crystalline and amorphous.

Crystalline: A crystalline gemstone has a highly organized and predictable crystal lattice structure, and a specific chemical formula. As a result, they have more brilliance when chiseled in a geometrical shape. Diamond, rubies, emeralds, amethyst have this kind of internal structure.

Amorphous: The word is derived from the Greek term “amorphos,” meaning shapeless. Though an amorphous gemstone is not devoid of structure entirely, it is relatively less defined and somewhat haphazard. Amber, jet, opal, natural glasses, and metamict minerals fall in this category.

X-ray diffraction is the method used to study the internal crystal formation details. It is similar to the X-ray procedure commonly seen in a medical set-up. While studying gems, X-rays are passed through them to fall on a sensitive film. Like more X-rays are absorbed by dense bones, dense clusters of atoms absorb more X-rays while scant areas allow them to pass through and impact the film. The high contrast picture that is produced can be read and interpreted to reveal information about structure patterns. With research using this method, it has been found out that crystalline gemstones can be further separated into single crystals and aggregate gems.

Single crystals: Stones like pyrites and amethysts are made of single crystal units of one kind visible through a microscope.

Aggregates: If the single crystal can be imagined to shrink multiple times its size and then thrown together in random orientations, it will give rise to aggregates.

Aggregates can have starkly different physical features and behavior than single crystals. For instance, amethyst and chalcedony are the species of quartz – each having crystal of the trigonal system (whatever be their size) and the same chemical formula, SiO2. While amethyst is transparent and of a single color, chalcedonies can be translucent to opaque and sometimes of various different colors. Furthermore, it has been noticed that aggregates are considerably tougher than single crystal stones. Single crystals can be humongous – as big as a truck. For instance, the Crystal Cave in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, which is actually a huge underground geode (a hollow cavity of rocks usually lined with crystals) has walls and ceilings composed of celestite crystals.

Aggregate gems can be further divided into two groups: microcrystallines and cryptocrystallines.

Microcrystallines: They are so called because crystals falling under this group can be resolved under a light microscope. A thin sliver of the crystal is obtained and examined under about 100 to 200 times magnification. Jade is an example of such crystals.
 
Cryptocrystallines: “Crypto” means one that is not easily revealed. And so, one cannot see the minute crystals of cryptocrystallines under an ordinary light microscope, one would need an electron microscope or specialized polarized lighting to be able to view the minutest crystals. Agate, jasper, chalcedony come under this group.

Another parameter of classification is the composition. Although most crystalline and amorphous gemstones have one mineral in the composition with a little inclusion here and there, there are some gemstones that are have two or more minerals as substantial ingredients of the composition. Such gems are called gem rocks. The most familiar example would be lapis lazuli, a fascinating rock made of  lazurite, Hauyne, sodalite, calcite, and pyrite. Other examples would be unakite and Chinese writing stone.

These were the basic parameters of classification of gemstones on physical parameters. In the world of gemology, there are many wonderful gems, and equally wonderful methods to study them. If you liked reading this, you would certainly like to explore more about them.