Ads
related to: semi precious stones chart identification pictures and symbols meanings
Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
This is a list of gemstones, organized by species and types. Minerals. There are over 300 types of minerals that have been used as gemstones. Such as: A–B
^ Colorado is the only state whose geological symbols reflect the national flag's colors: red (rhodochrosite), white (yule marble), and blue (aquamarine). ^ Florida's state gem, moonstone, was adopted to highlight Florida's role in the United States' Lunar program, which landed the first astronauts on the Moon. [81]
Mineral symbols (text abbreviations) are used to abbreviate mineral groups, subgroups, and species, just as lettered symbols are used for the chemical elements. The first set of commonly used mineral symbols was published in 1983 and covered the common rock-forming minerals using 192 two- or three-lettered symbols. [ 1 ]
In modern times gemstones are identified by gemologists, who describe gems and their characteristics using technical terminology specific to the field of gemology. The first characteristic a gemologist uses to identify a gemstone is its chemical composition. For example, diamonds are made of carbon (C) and rubies of aluminium oxide (Al 2 O 3).
Some gemstones (like pearls, coral, and amber) are classified as organic, meaning that they are produced by living organisms. Others are inorganic, meaning that they are generally composed of and arise from minerals. Some gems, for example, amethyst, have become less valued as methods of extracting and importing them have progressed.
A lapidary is a text in verse or prose, often a whole book, that describes the physical properties and metaphysical virtues of precious and semi-precious stones, that is to say, a work on gemology. [1] It was frequently used as a medical textbook, since it also includes practical information about the supposed medical application of each stone ...
Chalcedony (/ k æ l ˈ s ɛ d ə n i / kal-SED-ə-nee or / ˈ k æ l s ə ˌ d oʊ n i / KAL-sə-doh-nee) [2] is a cryptocrystalline form of silica, composed of very fine intergrowths of quartz and moganite. [3]
An engraved gem, frequently referred to as an intaglio, is a small and usually semi-precious gemstone that has been carved, in the Western tradition normally with images or inscriptions only on one face. [1] The engraving of gemstones was a major luxury art form in the ancient world, and an important one in some later periods. [2]