Gemstone

A gemstone (also called a fine gem, jewel, precious stone, semiprecious stone, or simply gem) is a piece of <a href="/facts/Mineral/LkUFbNmv">mineral</a> <a href="/facts/Crystal/e2R2mk3E">crystal</a> which, when cut or polished, is used to make <a href="/facts/Jewellery/DYt7cj0R">jewelry</a> or other <a href="/facts/Adornment/Sa7e56Gz">adornments</a>. Certain <a href="/facts/Rock_(geology)/FXCJkmop">rocks</a> (such as <a href="/facts/Lapis_lazuli/KKPFyQFN">lapis lazuli</a>, <a href="/facts/Opal/LF7Xa7nK">opal</a>, and <a href="/facts/Obsidian/GW1DI93A">obsidian</a>) and occasionally <a href="/facts/Organic_chemistry/djxhxaNg">organic</a> materials that are not minerals (such as <a href="/facts/Amber/wN9dVRdv">amber</a>, <a href="/facts/Jet_(gemstone)/y3veX07v">jet</a>, and <a href="/facts/Pearl/7ombxKgg">pearl</a>) may also be used for jewelry and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well. Most gemstones are hard, but some softer minerals such as <a href="/facts/Brazilianite/vAnP1Dg4">brazilianite</a> may be used in jewelry because of their color or <a href="/facts/Lustre_(mineralogy)/TCobwMGC">luster</a> or other physical properties that have <a href="/facts/Aesthetic_value/FSD8f7oF">aesthetic value</a>. However, generally speaking, soft minerals are not typically used as gemstones by virtue of their brittleness and lack of durability.
Found all over the world, the industry of coloured gemstones (i.e. anything other than diamonds) is currently estimated at US$1.55 billion as of 2023 and is projected to steadily increase to a value of $4.46 billion by 2033.
A gem expert is a <a href="/facts/Gemology/3bxqnE2b">gemologist</a>, a gem maker is called a <a href="/facts/Lapidarist/DAjscsb5">lapidarist</a> or <a href="/facts/Gemcutter/DAjscsb5">gemcutter</a>; a <a href="/facts/Diamond/IBUdnd1y">diamond</a> cutter is called a <a href="/facts/Diamantaire/EGSlB1Vs">diamantaire</a>.

Gemstone open-in-new

Gemstone