Ads
related to: characteristics of a gem
Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Physical characteristics that make a colored stone valuable are color, clarity to a lesser extent (emeralds will always have a number of inclusions), cut, unusual optical phenomena within the stone such as color zoning (the uneven distribution of coloring within a gem) [23] and asteria (star effects).
In later times, Robert Boyle believed that gems, including diamonds, were formed of clear, transparent water, and that their colors and characteristics were derived from their metallic spirit. [ 55 ] The diamond is the birthstone for people born in April, and symbolises a sixty-year anniversary , such as a Diamond Jubilee or diamond wedding ...
In the 20th century, experts in gemology developed methods of grading diamonds and other gemstones based on the characteristics most important to their value as a gem. Four characteristics, known informally as the four Cs, are now commonly used as the basic descriptors of diamonds: these are its mass in carats (a carat being equal to 0.2 grams ...
The word "emerald" is derived (via Old French: esmeraude and Middle English: emeraude), from Vulgar Latin: esmaralda/esmaraldus, a variant of Latin smaragdus, which was via Ancient Greek: σμάραγδος (smáragdos; "green gem"). The Greek word may have a Semitic, Sanskrit or Persian origin.
Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. Ruby is one of the traditional cardinal gems, alongside amethyst, sapphire, emerald, and diamond. [3] The word ruby comes from ruber, Latin for red. The color of a ruby is due to the element chromium.
One test to determine the gem's identity is to measure the refraction of light in the gem. Essentially, when light passes from one medium to another, it bends. Blue light bends more than red light. How much the light bends will vary depending on the gem mineral. Every material has a critical angle, above which point light is reflected back ...