What Makes it a “Semi – Precious” Gemstone?
The blue topaz gemstone is a marvelous choice in jewelry. It is said to be a “semi-precious” stone. What does that mean? All gems are purer, clearer, or more crystalline forms of common minerals. Common minerals are less spectacular, less beautiful, and not so fashionable. Nonetheless, the makeup of the stones is the same. Diamonds, emeralds, and rubies are examples of true gems. Other stones are classified as semiprecious or ornamental. The value of a gem is generally determined by its scarcity and demand. Other factors include luster, transparency, color, and hardness. Luster is determined by the way a gem reflects light. Transparent gems also refract or bend light. These gems are cut in such a way as to bend the light back to the eye of the person examining the stone. Color can add or detract greatly from a gem’s value. Many stones are found in a variety of colors and their value is further defined by the scarcity or abundance of each particular color. Hardness is important in terms
