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Chapter 8 ppt-1

The document discusses different types of gem minerals including diamond, beryl, corundum, and their properties. It covers topics such as diamond formation and composition, emerald treatments, ruby and sapphire sources, and factors affecting gemstone value.

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Demeke Wendim
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120 views

Chapter 8 ppt-1

The document discusses different types of gem minerals including diamond, beryl, corundum, and their properties. It covers topics such as diamond formation and composition, emerald treatments, ruby and sapphire sources, and factors affecting gemstone value.

Uploaded by

Demeke Wendim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 8

Introduction to Gem Minerals


A gem is a natural (but rare) mineral of considerable
beauty and durability.
While many kinds of gems are described as 'precious
stones', the classic precious stones - diamond,
emerald, ruby and sapphire originate from three kinds of
gemstone: diamond, beryl and corundum.
Gemstones are any non-metallic mineral or other natural
material (e.g., amber, jet, pearl) that can be cut and polished
for use in jewelry and related products.

Mineral gemstones include: sapphire, ruby, diamond,


emerald, topaz, turquoise and opal
Diamond
This is the hardest of minerals, classified 10 on the Mohs
Scale. The crystal structure of the diamond is a cube.
Although diamonds are made completely of carbon,
carbon dating cannot be used to estimate the age of
diamond deposits because they are too old. Instead,
scientists use other radioactive materials, in particular
uranium and lead which can be found as impurities in
diamonds.
Most diamonds which we see are transparent, but
coloured diamonds also exist.
Coloured diamonds may be yellow, green, brown, or
shades of pink.
Larger pink diamonds are quite rare and very expensive.
Beryl
This is a silicate mineral containing the element beryllium.
Beryl crystals can be very large because the silicate
tetrahedra are linked to form rings.
The most famous variety of beryl is emerald. Emeralds are
brittle and most have impurities (known as inclusions), so
large flawless stones are very rare and expensive.
To conceal some of their microfissures and to improve their
appearance, emeralds are usually treated with polymers or
colourless oil.
The most valuable emeralds are a transparent variety of
beryllium aluminosilicate containing small amounts of
chromic oxide which give the stone its bright green
colour. In the ancient world emeralds were the highest
valued of all gems.
Corundum
Corundum is an aluminum oxide with a hexagonal crystal
structure. The red variety of corundum is better known
as ruby. Sapphire exists almost in any colour, although the
most common varieties are blue .
Corundum comes mainly from metamorphic and volcanic
rocks.

Synthetic corundum can be made in a variety of ways including this colorful


collection of flame fusion crystals, seen before cutting.
Both rubies and sapphires are often heat-treated by
jewellers to enhance their colour and hide impurities. The
distinctive “pigeons blood” coloured rubies from
Mogok (Burma) are the most expensive rubies on
earth.
Nowadays because of heat-treatment the price of rubies
has gone down.
Synthetic ruby can be produced via flux growth processes (crystal
and cut stone on left), and flame fusion (boule and cut stone on
right).
Sapphire – some of the earliest examples of synthetic
sapphires are in original pieces of art nouveau and art deco
jewelry.

Natural amethyst and rock crystal quartz crystals (left) and synthetic amethyst and
synthetic rock crystal quartz crystal (right).
Value of Gemstones
The 4 factors that affect the value of a gemstone are often
refered to as the "4 c's"
Colour
Clarity
Cut
Carat - 1 carat = 0.2 g, thus 5 carat = 1 g
Gemstones have become symbols of
wealth, rank and power as well as religious
symbols and charms.
Gemstones are naturally formed substances and most are
minerals. All minerals and stones that are used to make
jewelry and ornaments are called gems. Gemstones
such as pearls, coral and amber are made from plants and
animals. Gems are divided into three
categories: precious stones, semi-
precious stones, and common gemstones.
Emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds are precious
stones.

Years ago the diamond was not popular because it is


colorless.

Stones that were beautifully colored were valued more.


Emeralds are deep green in color. They are found in
Ecuador, Peru and Columbia in South America.

Rubies and sapphires come from Myanmar


(Burma), Kashmir, Sri Lanka and Australia. Rubies
are red. Sapphires are found in cornflower blue,
yellow or pink.

The finest opals are flecked with bright glints of


red, green, yellow and purple. The richest deposits
are found in Australia.

Today people wear rings containing their birthstones. A different gemstone


represents each month of the year. This tradition began in Poland during the 18 th
century
These synthetic opals are sometimes seen in the market, and to the
unpracticed eye may appear to be highly valuable, natural white and black
opal.
Synthetic spinels seen here are in crystal form as they appear from the
manufacturer. The faceted stones can be found in any color, and are often used
to simulate various natural gemstones.
Why are some gems so expensive?

With the exception of diamonds, most gemstones are


highly valued Because of their :
Beauty
Rarety
Tradition
Perception of permanence

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