More and more often, jewelry with uncut precious and semi-precious gems began to appear in jewelry stores. Such accessories have both positive and negative sides, which, however, do not interfere with their special and incomparable beauty.
Raw stones are used in a wide variety of jewelry, both necklaces and bracelets. Recently, they have begun to be inserted into wedding rings. Such products turn out to be unique, which newlyweds really like.
Shape of rough stones
The shape of the gem depends on the design of the product and the setting option. The most common:
- drusen;
- crystal;
- thin plates and sections;
- gems without cutting and polishing.
Drusen resemble a cluster of small crystals of garnet and quartz. They are distinguished by their special color and unusual texture. They are often painted or coated with a thin layer of gold.
Crystals are asymmetrical minerals , which in their own way attract jewelers and future owners of products. This form is suitable for both colored and colorless crystals. However, they look especially good if the stones have color distribution and other effects.
Sections and plates have the same shine as faceted materials, but at the same time remain natural. Thanks to this form, the products are varied and always especially interesting.
It happens that the material is beautiful in its structure, in this case it is not changed in any way. Opaque minerals with bright colors or interesting inclusions, such as coral or lapis lazuli, are best for this purpose
Jewelry with natural crystals is difficult to evaluate, since the evaluation criterion is the aesthetics of the finished product, and not the quality of the cut or the purity of the material
Separation of gems by color
The name “gem” indicates that each stone has an individual color. In the old days, it was believed that the shades of minerals were not random - magical abilities and healing properties were attributed to each color. In the modern world, there is a special science - color psychology, which studies the influence of colors and shades on humans.
The choice of stone color for jewelry plays a big role.
Scarlet is a symbol of movement, so rings and earrings with ruby are suitable for active and enterprising people.
When choosing a precious item, you need to take into account the main character traits of the future owner.
Purple
The color purple symbolizes wisdom and inner intuition and helps to achieve hidden secrets. Among the gems of purple and lilac shades, the following stand out:
- Ametrine - combines two minerals: citrine and amethyst. It is considered rare because it is mined only in one place - in the mines of Bolivia. Areas of lemon and purple colors are combined unevenly or zonally.
- Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz, a rare and beautiful stone. The amethyst palette includes different shades that give the color richness and depth.
- Kunzite is a mineral discovered recently, but immediately fell in love with due to its unusual color. Color - violet with shades of pink and light red.
- Sugilite is one of the youngest precious minerals, ranging in color from purple-blue to light pink. It is mined only in a few places around the world, so it is considered expensive and rare.
- Jade. Lavender stone is the rarest representative of the jade group. It is mined in the Urals and Kazakhstan.
- Charoite is a stone with a mysterious name mined in Russia. Thanks to the manganese it contains, the color of the gem varies from light lilac to violet.
Ametrine
Kunzite
Sugilite
Charoite
Blue
Minerals and gems with blue colors are considered one of the most beautiful and expensive. The value of natural sky-colored stones is due to their rarity and the fact that the blue color represents greatness and knowledge. Sometimes jewelers specially tint inexpensive minerals to achieve a uniform blue tone, as this increases the cost of the item.
Among natural blue gems, the following stand out:
- Sapphire is the king of blue stones, because even the name of the mineral is translated as “blue.” There are sapphires in other colors, but azure ones are the most expensive.
- Lapis lazuli is a soft and brittle mineral, colored in various shades of blue and blue.
- Turquoise. The stone has been loved and known to people since ancient times. The color of turquoise varies from light sky to blue-green shades.
- Benitoite is a beautiful mineral with a deep blue color. Considered expensive due to scarce deposits.
- Indigolite is a rare variety of tourmaline that can be dark blue, black-blue or sea green.
Turquoise
Sapphire
Lapis lazuli
Indigolite
Reds
Red crystals and gems symbolize fire, passion and energy and have been highly valued at all times. Among the fiery minerals, there are both inexpensive representatives, for example, corals, and valuable ones, such as fiery rubies.
Gems of scarlet tones:
- Ruby is a type of corundum, one of the most valuable stones in the world along with diamonds and sapphires. The color palette includes rich dark red tones and light scarlet shades.
- Hyacinth is a precious red-brown gemstone with a diamond shine.
- Almandine is a variety of red and scarlet-violet garnets. The color of almandines can be purple or cherry red.
- Carnelian is a red-pink or scarlet-yellow variety of chalcedony.
Almandine
Hyacinth
Carnelian
Ruby
Greens
Green is the color of life and health, so natural minerals in emerald shades were given great importance. It is believed that stones in a shade of fresh greenery calm the nerves, prolong life and bring harmony. In addition to these qualities, jewelers and buyers value “herbal” gems for their rich color.
The group of green minerals includes:
- Emerald is a rare precious crystal. The color ranges from light green to dark green. It is worth noting that emeralds without defects are more valuable than diamonds.
- Jade is a mineral colored in light shades of green, used as an ornamental material and for making decorative items.
- Malachite is a gem of a deep dark green tone. The largest deposits of malachite are located in Russia.
Malachite
Emerald
Nephritis
Yellow
Gold, lemon, orange are shades of happiness, good luck and material well-being. Jewelry inlaid with golden stones can bring luck to the owner’s life, which is why yellow gems are among the best-selling:
- Amber is a stone with an amazing origin. This is the resin of coniferous trees, frozen millions of years ago. In nature, there are specimens of yellow and dark-golden flowers, as well as greenish and silver ones.
- Citrine is a variety of quartz that is recognized for its ease of processing. The color of the gem includes all shades of yellow.
- Heliodor is a type of beryl. It lends itself well to cutting and has a wide palette of sunny tones.
- Topaz is a golden-yellow mineral that is highly reliable and durable.
Heliodor
Topaz
Citrine
Amber
Advantages
Such decorations have several main advantages.
- One of the main advantages is the uniqueness of each product , since the shape of natural minerals cannot be repeated .
- Such specimens attract attention with their originality .
- Untreated materials are durable and resistant to mechanical stress. However, sometimes there are fragile products.
- Uncut precious and semi-precious stones retain their natural beauty , which is lost after cutting.
- To create products, specimens with a large number of additional inclusions are used.
- They are not processed, due to which their cost is noticeably lower than faceted specimens.
Flaws
There are also disadvantages.
- Such accessories have a dull shine , since light rays do not pass through them. Minerals cannot sparkle until they are cut and polished.
- Accessories with such gems still remain unusual decorations.
- To create them low quality materials , with cracks, impurities and bright colors. High-quality crystals are often cut.
- Such accessories may remain popular only temporarily. In addition, uncut specimens are not as prestigious as cut ones, which is why the demand for them is unstable .
- Natural minerals are difficult to find in regular jewelry stores. Most of the jewelry with them is made to order in jewelry workshops.
Uncut gems are now particularly popular; they attract attention with their natural beauty . However, it is unknown how long their fashion will last. You also need to take into account that there are many scammers who pass off low-cost minerals as precious stones. For example, rough diamond and quartz can only be distinguished by professional jewelers. However, if you want to purchase such an original decoration, you should not deny yourself this.
30.01.21
The magic of natural stones and gems in jewelry
Gems are hidden not only in the books “The Garnet Bracelet” by Kuprin, “The Cursed Emerald” by Westlake, “The Queen’s Necklace” by Dumas and other writers. Boho divas and fashionistas from India, Thailand, and Burma adore them, trying on earrings, amulets, bracelets and gem rings even on their toes. The largest amount of precious jewelry was found in the tomb of Queen Pu-Abis (3rd millennium BC). That's lucky madam!
Pearls, amethyst, turquoise, agate and other stones fit perfectly into the boho look!
Gemology is perhaps the most expensive and mysterious science that studies the physical and optical properties of natural stones. Only she knows which of them are afraid of ultraviolet radiation, dimming before our eyes. The magic of the scarlet color of a ruby is revealed by an admixture of chromium, and the blue color of a sapphire is revealed by an admixture of titanium and iron. Secretly, any diamond can be easily turned into graphite using a vacuum or an inert gas, but vice versa - sorry, alas.
Gems give a mood and elegantly complete an evening look.
The color palette of natural stones seems endless!
According to numerous stories and legends, natural stones in jewelry relieve ailments and addictions, promote good health, speed up pregnancy, and even influence the elements:
- jewelry made from alexandrite, diamond, amethyst, cat's eye will protect against alcoholism, infertility and anxiety
- Gems turquoise, garnet, emerald, jade, opal, ruby, sapphire will give inspiration and strengthen fidelity
- rock crystal will instill confidence and cheer
- natural stones ruby, red garnet, jade will give power and authority
- turquoise and tiger's eye will relieve you from everyday routine.
Some stones give power, bring wealth, others add attractiveness and charm
