Jewelry from natural stones. What stones are jewelry made of What stones are jewelry made of?

23.06.2020

Content

Inserts in jewelry are made of precious or semiprecious minerals, while the latter are in no way inferior in beauty either in the photo or in life. Semi-precious nuggets look very dignified, in addition, their huge variety and the range of prices from low to high allow every girl to become the owner of a beautiful piece of jewelry made from natural materials. Why do semi-precious stones evoke so many pleasant emotions, what do they mean and how to choose such a natural talisman for yourself?

What are semi-precious stones

Minerals that have a beautiful appearance are called semi-precious. They are used to create jewelry, collected, and turned into bank assets. They are common in nature, but in certain places. So, the deposit of some rocks is only one point on the map, while others are found all over the world. The cost depends on the volume of the rock found and the hardness on the Mohs scale from 1 to 10, where the hardest (10) is diamond.

In Russia, only diamond, blue sapphire, emerald and natural pearls are considered precious. The rest were equated with semi-precious ones, although products with them are not always cheap, and sometimes the cost is even higher. Semi-precious stones are popular not only among women, but also among men. They are credited with magical and medicinal properties, they are worn according to the sign of the zodiac. In general, semiprecious minerals have occupied a certain niche in the world of jewelry and delight their owners not only with their beauty, but also with properties.

List of semi-precious stones

In nature, there are a lot of stones that are considered semiprecious. A complete list with title and description can be found in the reference, where each is described in detail, and can be found alphabetically, which simplifies the process. Types of semi-precious stones are distinguished by color, composition, structure and properties. Here are the most popular noble breeds that can often be seen on store shelves or jewelry catalogs:

Name of the stone

aventurine;

aquamarine;

alexandrite;

heliodor;

obsidian;

rauchtopaz;

sardonyx;

cornelian;

tanzanite;

tourmaline;

chalcedony;

chrysoberyl;

chrysolite;

crystal;

Red

Red stones are considered royal because they are associated with the element of fire. They are able to ignite desire in a person, symbolize brightness, creativity, determination. Minerals of this color always accompanied emperors, were the main decoration on crowns and rings. While red nuggets are recognized to be a symbol of power, each individually has its own unique properties:

Garnet is a dark red stone that is often sold in beads or bracelets in the form of small chips; it is cut in jewelry. With his properties, he brings up wisdom in women, and decisiveness in men. Such a talisman is suitable for bosses, people who have to manage a team. Pomegranate is considered valuable and is second only to ruby in price.
Ruby is only for rulers and powerful people. No ruler goes out without a ruby ring. The nugget was used as a decoration to detect poison in drinks. Ruby has a lot of medicinal and magical properties, it is considered a symbol of health, was worn by infertile women for healing. The ruby was given great importance, therefore it was revered in many countries.
Alexandrite is a stone that can change its color from emerald green to burgundy red, depending on the lighting. It was discovered during the reign of Alexander the Second, in whose honor the mineral was named. Today, alexandrite is very expensive, because it is rarely found in nature, while the most expensive is the mountainous Ural alexandrite. The talisman is recommended for those who suffer from diseases associated with veins and blood.

Purple

The smallest group of minerals. Purple is a combination of red and blue, making it the most controversial shade. At the same time, purple nuggets are popular because they look mysterious, bewitching and very beautiful. Since ancient times, this color has stood for some kind of uncertainty. Previously, all lilac minerals were called amethysts, until the chemical composition of each was studied. The most recognized purple and lilac nuggets are:

Amethyst is the most common purple semi-precious stone. The origin story goes far back to mythology, where a nymph named Amethyst was rescued from death by turning into a purple stone statue. They made dishes from amethyst, decorated thrones. A non-capricious mineral is used to create jewelry, while it looks great with jewelry. The cost depends on the cut and the metal used to create the piece.
Sapphire is a very expensive stone that is used to replenish the collection, or for jewelry made of gold or platinum. While in other violet stones the color appears due to manganese, the sapphire acquired its color due to vanadium. Sapphire has medicinal properties: it helps to cure asthma, with female diseases, and relieves headaches.
Charoite is a beautiful mineral that is similar in composition and texture to jade. Large specimens are not found in nature. After cutting, it gets unusual overflows that seem to enchant a person. Charoite has soothing properties: if you look at it for a long time, you can relieve stress, feel peace and peace of mind.

Blue

Less common in nature are blue nuggets. Because of this, they are highly prized among jewelers and collectors, and every nugget lover's casket is sure to have a piece of jewelry with blue stones. A blue amulet is a sign of good taste and wealth. Thanks to modern technologies, minerals are artificially tinted to obtain a rich blue color, but precious stones mined in the bowels of the earth will remain valuable:

Turquoise is one of the most ancient talismans. They were inserted into the jewelry of emperors 5000 years ago. This blue mineral has conquered all the peoples of the world and is considered a symbol of wisdom. They used it for predictions, meditation, spiritual healing. It has a bright blue color with veins. Today, it is problematic to acquire real turquoise: Asian countries are actively trying to replace it with a fake, to which buyers are led. Turquoise is used only in precious metals in very small quantities.
Tanzanite - a chameleon gem is also referred to the group of precious stones, because it looks worthy of such a title. Depending on the processing, it acquires unpredictable shades. Because of this, it is often confused with sapphire. In the skillful hands of a jeweler, tanzanite will be a wonderful piece of jewelry for women.
Lapis lazuli - a blue mineral with beautiful splashes of gold color, is recommended for pregnant women. They are mined in many countries of the world, deposits have been found on the territory of Russia. The cost depends on the cut, the type of product that complements. Lapis lazuli helps to develop intuition, grow spiritually, makes you wiser. The amulet will help you forget all the bad things in order to start moving forward.

Yellow

Yellow nuggets are formed from lithium, ferric iron and sulfur. The shade ranges from bright yellow to grayish beige or brown. In the ancient world, yellow minerals were associated with wealth because they had the color of gold. People believed that such talismans would definitely bring good luck, improve mood, and improve a person's energy. What yellow semi-precious stones are popular for jewelry:

Citrine is a type of quartz that is not expensive. It is difficult to find pure citrine in nature, it often has inclusions and cracks. Now citrine is grown artificially, so it makes no sense to hope for healing properties. If you managed to buy a real nugget, then luck and money will soon come into your life.
Amber is a very ancient mineral that is fossilized pieces of resin from conifers. The largest deposits are located in Russia. The composition contains zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron, iodine, therefore such a talisman is intended for the treatment of a number of diseases, especially the thyroid gland. Amber is a powerful talisman against evil spirits.
Carnelian is a volcanic rock that is formed from chalcedony. Previously, weapons and knives were decorated with it, then they began to be used as a decorative element in furniture and decorations. Only the type of carnelian that contains radium has healing properties.
Heliodor has a golden hue, which turns blue after heat treatment. This beryl brings self-confidence, charm and protects to its owners from blues. It has a calming effect on the nervous system, relieving insomnia and nightmares. Contributes to the favorable development of marital relations and career advancement.

Green

By itself, green symbolizes balance, harmony, because it is located in the very center of the color spectrum. It is perceived as neutral and has a calming effect. Green stones are often associated with the heart chakra and are therefore recommended to be worn to heal spiritual wounds. Any shade of green in the talisman will help create a sense of security:

Chrysoprase is a precious stone in ancient Egypt. A new wave of popularity appeared in the 18th century and continues to this day. Chrysoprase is inserted into precious metal jewelry. The bright shine gave a new name - "green gold" for the rulers. Chrysoprase is recommended to be worn by the elderly, because it helps with joint pain, visual impairment, and improves the functioning of the thyroid gland. Like other green stones, chrysoprase helps with depression.
Malachite is a well-known semi-precious ornamental stone that is often used to create cabinet decorations: vases, lamps, handles. The largest deposit is located in the Urals. It was from there that the material for the Winter Palace was delivered to decorate the malachite room. Today, many fakes are made, so only a jeweler can distinguish a real mineral from an artificial one.
Jadeite is found most of all in the Urals. The nugget is used to decorate jewelry because the texture and color are ideal for this. Those jadeites that shine through are considered expensive in their class. In jewelry, there are three types: imperial (a high quality transparent nugget), utilities (a popular and inexpensive variety), commercial (used in jewelry). Jadeite helps to get rid of migraines, toothaches, asthma, insomnia.
Green jade is a popular variety of this nugget in the world (there are also white and black ones). It is very difficult to buy a natural mineral, because now fakes of it are offered everywhere. Jade balls are used for massage, applied to sore spots. This mineral is believed to help heal and heal wounds. Jewelry with jade gives comfort and rescues from insomnia.

Black

Black stones are preferred by those who are not alien to classics and conservatism. Black minerals always look trendy, and they go well with any toilet. They are also credited with magical and healing properties, so black stones are used to create amulets and charms. Inexpensive black minerals:

Agate - black nuggets attract jewelers from all over the world with their striking beauty. Peculiar colored patterns complement the nugget, and in the hands of craftsmen they look like paintings created by nature itself. Agate is a very common breed among minerals, but black has always attracted the most attention. Agate is bought for every zodiac sign to attract good luck.
Onyx is a mineral of volcanic origin, which is often found, so its cost is not so great. Completely opaque, heavy. Today it can be replaced with black marble and sold under the guise of agate, so be careful. Beads and bracelets are made from onyx, inserted into precious metals, more often silver.
Hematite has the ability to lower pressure. Hematite bracelets are worn by adults with cardiovascular problems. By itself, hematite resembles a polished magnet, so it looks less impressive with gold than with silver.
Obsidian is a black mineral with a special glow when it hits light from a certain angle. The stone is very ancient, magicians attached special importance to it, calling it "Satan's Claw". Obsidian is considered a volcanic rock.

White

The magic of white minerals has always attracted a person. White nuggets look very pretty, have a glow or shine. Features with different colors and structures were evaluated by scientists who divided them into three classes:

precious;
semi-precious;
ornamental.

This classification characterizes the value of minerals and their structural features. In addition, the color itself is an important characteristic. It is determined against the background of a clean white sheet, evaluating not only the shade, but also the presence of all kinds of inclusions and changes in color:

Moonstone is a mixture of several crystals, the chemical structure of which varies, but converges in appearance. The mineral can be transparent, almost colorless, or translucent, with a beautiful glow from the inside. The lunar nugget is difficult to confuse. He is credited with a lot of magical properties: the search for love, avoiding quarrels, has a positive effect on the human nervous system. It is not recommended to wear such an amulet for introverted people, otherwise this character trait will intensify even more.
Opal is a white mineral similar to the moon because of the glow from the inside. White opal develops foresight in a person and helps to realize creative ideas. In addition, opal has a positive effect on the nervous and immune systems, strengthening them and protecting them from negative influences. The amulet requires good moisture, with high dry air it can fade and even crack, so opal is recommended to be worn regularly.

Jewelry is not only an accessory, but also a profitable investment, but only if it is jewelry made of precious metals with natural stones. It should be said that not only diamonds are precious, and the range of natural stones is simply huge, but it is important to know how to properly assess their quality, not to fall for a fake, and, most importantly, by what parameters the cost of stones is determined.

What are gems

Natural minerals, mainly of crystalline nature, which have no color at all, or have a beautiful, uniform color of moderate tone, transparency and hardness, shine, play in the light and cause admiration are considered precious. A natural gemstone must be resistant to wear and tear and fading, as well as external chemical attack.

Natural stones are used to create jewelry and other artistic products, and their price is largely determined by the prevalence of the gem in natural conditions.

There are several opposite classifications of precious stones, the most common of which are jewelry and general (taking into account the cost of gems).

Jewelry classification

Jewelry craftsmen divide all stones into natural and synthetic. Artificial gems have no material value, but natural ones can be of organic or mineral origin, and are divided into several categories.

In jewelry and trading practice, all natural stones used are divided into:

precious;
semi-precious;
ornamental.

Among the precious stones are rocks of mineral origin with high hardness and transparency - diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, as well as natural organic pearls.

Crystal size and value is determined by its carat weight.

Diamond is the hardest and most expensive gemstone that is mined by cutting a diamond. The cost of diamonds, in addition to size, is also determined by its color and clarity (the presence of natural defects).

Gems, the names and photos of which can be found in the article, can be selected both in appearance and in quality characteristics, horoscope, and other individual parameters.

Emerald is a rather fragile and low-translucent stone, which is valuable, first of all, for its unusual green color, a shade of fresh grass.

Ruby is one of the subspecies of mineral origin of corundum stone, it is distinguished by a bright and rich red color.

Sapphire is also a member of the corundum group, has a high transparency, and its shades range between dark blue and pale blue. Sapphires are rare in nature. However, their cost is lower than that of rubies.

Pearls are a precious stone of organic origin, formed in the shells of sea and river molluscs. Pearl color is from white to black. The larger the pearl grain, the higher its value.

Semi-precious stones can also be transparent or colored, and among them the most popular are:

turquoise;
Garnet;
topaz;
amethyst;
tourmaline;
zircon;
opal;
quartz;
spinel.

Ornamental stones are slightly transparent or generally opaque minerals of low hardness. At the same time, such stones are distinguished by a beautiful natural pattern and color, therefore they are widely used in jewelry.

The most common ornamental stones are:

cornelian;
agate;
onyx;
cat's eye;
jasper;
malachite.

General classification

The abundance of classifications of precious stones is due to the fact that specialists in different fields distinguish different quality characteristics of gems that are necessary in their business and divide stones into types in accordance with such characteristics.

There are classifications based on:

the chemical composition of the crystals;
the origin of the stones;
sizes;
colors;
crystallographic parameters;
methods of processing;
cost;
medicinal properties;
destination.

The first scientifically grounded classification, demonstrating which stones are precious, was formed in 1860 by the German scientist Kluge, who divided the stones not only into precious and semi-precious, but also into different classes, according to their physical characteristics. Subsequently, knowledge about stones increased and the classification was supplemented.

The simplest and most accurate is the division of stones into groups, according to their purpose:

jewelry;
jewelry and ornamental;
ornamental.

To date, the most complete and widespread is the classification of gems by the scientist Kievlenko, which takes into account both the purpose and the cost of precious stones.

According to this classification, gems are divided into groups and orders within these groups:

Jewelry stones

1st order: diamond, ruby, emerald, blue sapphires.
2nd order: orange alexandrite, purple and green sapphires, black opals, jadeite.
3rd order: spinel, fire and white opals, topaz, aquamarine, tourmaline, rhodolite.
4th order: chrysolite, zircon, beryl, turquoise, amethyst, citrine.

Jewelry and semi-precious stones

1st order: lapis lazuli, jade, malachite, charoite, amber, rock crystal.
2nd order: agate, hematite, obsidian.

Ornamental stones

jasper;
onyx;
pegmatite;
quartzite.

Gem colors

Most of the gems have the same or similar features, as among transparent stones there are groups of different minerals of the same color, therefore it is not always possible to determine the nature of the stone solely by shade and additional expertise is required to determine the crystallographic indicators. A high clarity blue gemstone can be either topaz or sapphire. The cost of these stones is very different, but for an ordinary man without experience in gemology, the difference may not be noticeable.

However, it is the colors of the stones that are their main distinguishing characteristic.

By color, stones are:

Transparent: diamond, rock crystal, zircon.
Opaque: pearls, coral, amber.

Red

Transparent: fire opal, ruby, spinel.
Opaque: coral.

Transparent: hessonite, zircon, citrine
Opaque: amber, jade, cat's eye.

Purple

Transparent: amethyst, spinel.
Opaque: charoite.

Pink

Transparent: quartz, tourmaline, spinel.
Opaque: pearls, coral, rhodonite.

Green

Transparent: emerald, tourmaline
Opaque: jadeite, malachite, jade, onyx.

Blue and blue:

Transparent: aquamarine, topaz, tanzanite, zircon, sapphire, spinel.
Opaque: turquoise, lapis lazuli.

Opaque black: pearls, hematite, obsidian.

Any color in fact consists of seven pure colors of the rainbow, which differ in wavelength. The visible color depends on the degree of reflection and absorption of the waves in the color spectrum. Thus, a stone that transmits the entire spectrum of colors through itself appears to be transparent, but if the stone absorbs the entire visible color spectrum, it is black. When a stone reflects only one color, for example, blue, red or green, then only that color is visible to the human eye, and the rest of the colors are absorbed.

The color of the stone can be fully appreciated only in bright light, and the stone may look different in artificial and sunlight.

Transparency

Clarity is an important characteristic, especially when it comes to precious stones. In this case, transparency means the ability of a mineral to transmit light rays through itself. The transparency is also affected by the structure of the crystal, the presence of defects and cracks in it, and various inclusions. Inclusions, especially those larger than the wavelength of light, distort the passage of light through the stone, and with multiple inclusions, the stone becomes opaque.

The transparency of precious stones is assessed both visually and using a special device - a spectrophotometer.

By the level of transparency, gemstones are divided into:

completely transparent (colorless or weakly colored, through the edges of which objects are clearly visible).
translucent (colorless and colored stones through which objects are seen blurry);
translucent in thin layers (stones, into which light penetrates only in the outer layer, but not through and through, objects are not visible);
completely opaque.

Shine

Gemstones, which are primarily named after minerals, are classified based on their luster, among other characteristics.

Luster is the ability of a stone's surface to refract and reflect light.

Depending on the nature of the shine, the stones are divided into:

Diamond (diamond, zircon), in which light is strongly reflected from the surface.
Glass (corundum, topaz, tourmaline) - glassy gloss.
Wax (turquoise, jasper, coral), matt surface with a slight gloss.
Metallic (hematite, pyrite), strong reflection of light from the surface of opaque stones.
Resinous (amber).
Mother-of-pearl (pearl) shine and play of several colors.

Hardness

For a woman, precious stones are jewelry, but often not only their beauty is important, but their practicality, which depends on the quality characteristics of the mineral. The hardness of stones is measured on the Mohs scale. As a standard for the scale, 10 minerals of different intrinsic hardness are used, with which all other stones are compared. The indicator is evaluated in points.

Gemstones can be scratched by minerals with a higher Mohs hardness. The hardest gem is considered to be a diamond.

Treatment

Initially, the mineral looks absolutely unattractive, and only a master in an ordinary shard can see the beauty of a precious stone.

Without exception, all gems are processed in two ways:

tumbling;
cut.

The type of processing is selected according to the type, hardness and size of the mineral, as well as its purity and optical characteristics.

The stones are turned into cabochons using the tumbling method. Tumbling is considered the oldest type of processing of precious stones. This processing method is suitable for translucent and opaque minerals: turquoise, cat's eye, onyx, charoite, malachite.

The result of tumbling (grinding and careful polishing of the mineral) is a streamlined smooth stone without edges, often with a flat base, with which it is fixed in a metal frame.

Cabochons can not only be of different sizes, but differ in height and shape (flat, convex, concave).

Transparent minerals: sapphire, emerald, topaz, ruby and, of course, diamond, are cut, giving them a geometric or fantasy shape with a large number of facets that provide a play of light.

Assortment of cuts

The most common gemstone cuts in jewelry are:

a circle;
oval;
pear;
marquis;
baguette;
square;
octagon;
trillion;
heart;
polyhedron.

The circle is the most common form of cutting, as it allows you to get symmetrical inserts that perfectly transmit light. The standard of round cut is brilliant cut with 57 facets per stone.

Large minerals are often cut into ovals, making wedge-shaped edges on them. This cut became popular only in the 60s of the last century.

Despite the name of the pear cut, stones processed in this way outwardly resemble drops, in which the upper platform is smooth, and the play of light is provided by side wedge-shaped edges.

A marquise is a grain-shaped cut with pointed corners. With this method, the length of the stone is half its width, and it can serve as an insert not only for rings, but also for pendants and earrings.

Baguette is a type of stepped cut of a rectangular shape. With such processing, not only the advantages, but also the disadvantages of the stone become noticeable, and the quality of the mineral is especially important.

Square - step cut with equal length and width. Stones of this shape are used in jewelry both as a central insert and for framing.

Octagon is an octagon-shaped stone cut, often referred to as emerald. This shape is suitable even for brittle minerals, helping to prevent damage and chipping, but at the same time it perfectly demonstrates their purity and color.

Trillion - Triangle cut. The number of faces on a gem depends on the characteristics of the stone and the design of the future jewelry.

The heart is one of the most complex and expensive cuts, often used for exclusive jewelry. The cut quality is determined by the evenness of the contour of the finished stone.

A polyhedron is a type of cut in which the mineral is given the shape of five, six, octahedrons. This treatment is often used for semi-precious stones inserted into three-dimensional jewelry.

The best way to imagine what a particular gem looks like in different cuts is to look at a photo of the gemstones.

Weight of stones

The main factor that determines the value of a gemstone, in addition to clarity, cut, and color, is its weight.

The metric system used from the beginning of the twentieth century to our time, by which the weight of stones is determined, is carat.

A carat is a unit of mass equal to 0.2 grams used throughout the world to determine the mass of gemstones and pearls.

The weight of stones is determined with the help of special electronic scales, taking into account not only a whole number, but also hundredths and sometimes thousandths of a carat.

The weight of pearls is determined according to the carat system in grains, one carat contains 4 grains.

The larger the gem, the higher its value per carat, since large stones are the rarest, especially diamonds.

If you look around carefully, then almost all objects that surround us are made of stones and minerals. Or, these components are part of the components from which this or that material is made.

The house is built of concrete, which is a mixture and rubble. In turn, cement is burnt limestone, and crushed stone is fragments of various rocks. Window glass, an electric light bulb, glasses and wine glasses are made of the mineral quartz, more precisely, molten quartz sand.

Mercury is present in the manufacture of mirrors and in the manufacture of thermometers, which is extracted from the beautiful mineral cinnabar. And all metal objects were at first ores, from which various metals were then smelted - iron, aluminum, copper and nickel. And the ore is the same stone, by the way, it is often very beautiful.

Many paints that artists use in the process of creating their canvases, and with which they paint various surfaces in decoration, are also prepared from various minerals.

In the kitchen there is table salt in a salt shaker. This mineral is halite. The mechanical wrist watch is set with artificial rubies. And precious stones are inserted into jewelry. For grinding and polishing furniture, corundum sandpaper is used, and for metal objects - diamond tools and pastes.

Various products made of ornamental stones and minerals will become a real decoration and will give a peculiar flavor to the design of the room, giving it an atmosphere of luxury and respectability.

Ornamental stones are called rocks and minerals, from which not jewelry is most often made, but figurines, vases, candlesticks, countertops, and the like. This name is conditional, since a stone considered to be ornamental can also look great in jewelry, although they are traditionally used for their manufacture.

Let's look at what types of natural stones and minerals are used to make various interior items, and which are used as raw materials for the production of building and finishing materials.

Asbestos.

This is one of the most amazing minerals. It doesn't quite look like stone because it has a soft and fibrous structure. In the old days it was called "mountain flax". And they even wove napkins from it, and which had amazing properties - they did not burn in a fire.

The thing is that asbestos belongs to, and it is these properties that made this mineral indispensable in the manufacture of heat-resistant and acid-resistant coatings, pipes, suits and gloves, roofing materials and many other products.

There are asbestos gaskets in electric irons and gas stoves, in a car engine and in a washing machine. There is a large asbestos deposit in the Urals, where even the city is called Asbestos.

Jet.

This is the name of deep black fossil coal. It is easily processed and excellently polished: in ancient Egypt, even mirrors were made from it. Jet jewelry is produced in a variety of ways. It is often used as a plane on which transparent sparkling stones, even diamonds, are fixed. It turns out very nicely.

There is one very interesting verbal confusion associated with jet. You can often hear this expression: "Eyes, black as agate." So, "agate eyes" have nothing to do with agate - a banded stone. Of course, the eyes should be "jet", but jet is not familiar to everyone. Hence such a misunderstanding arises.

Gypsum.

Gypsum is a very famous material, respected for its quality properties. It is widely used in many spheres of human life - in construction and repair work, in medicine and technology, in art - everywhere there is an application.

It has the ability to form a variety of beautiful crystals that look original in the collection. If the crystallization of gypsum occurs in the sand, then a very interesting crystal with a poetic name - "desert rose" is formed.

Hematite.

The name of this stone comes from the Greek word "heme" - blood. And its Russian name is "bloody". When processing a stone, hematite dust turns hands and water into a raspberry-red color. People have learned to make paint out of it for a long time.

Hematite is the main iron ore, and it is somehow unusual that excellent jewelry and various products for interior decoration are obtained from it. The color of hematite itself is grayish-black, and after polishing, an elegant silvery metallic sheen appears on it. Today hematite is extremely popular and jewelry can be seen everywhere.

Jade.

Most often, jadeite of green shades with various spots is found, but there is jadeite of white, gray, pinkish-purple and yellow colors. This stone is very popular in China, where figurines, snuff boxes, and religious items are carved from it.

The beautiful translucent emerald green jadeite "imperial" is highly valued in the world stone market. From it they create wonderful items for interior decoration, as well as various decorations.

Coil.

This name was given to this stone in Russia for some resemblance to snake skin. The scientific name of the coil is serpentinite. Usually this is an opaque stone of green shades, from which jewelry is made, various crafts are made. In the old days in the Urals, bowls of rare beauty were cut out of it.

Limestone.

Limestone is a sedimentary rock. which formed at the bottom of the sea. Algae, corals, molluscs, snails, after dying off, sink to the bottom of the sea. Over the years, a thick layer of these remnants forms, which eventually turns into stone - limestone.

Limestone, which is easy to process, has long been used to build houses and other structures all over the world. Millions of years ago, a warm sea splashed in the place where Moscow is now located. Subsequently, the sea disappeared, and huge reserves of limestone remained on land. Once the Moscow Kremlin was built from it, for which the capital of Russia was nicknamed "white stone".

Artificial stones.

Laboratory-created stones that do not exist in nature are called artificial. But at the same time, in terms of decorative properties and many other indicators, they are not inferior to natural stones.

Everyone has probably heard of one of these stones. This beautiful artificial gem was created in Russia and is called "cubic zirconia".

Quartz.

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. Quartz has many beautiful varieties:

colorless - rock crystal;
black - morion;
purple - amethyst;
brown - smoky quartz;
rose quartz;
chalcedony.

Rock crystal, chalcedony and amethyst have long been used to make various jewelry.

Corundum.

This mineral is one of the hardest in nature. It is very widely used in industry to process various materials. For example, whetstones are made from it.

The demand for it is so great that the production of synthetic corundum has been established all over the world. Corundum is also known for its transparent precious varieties - ruby and sapphire.

Flint.

This stone is the sibling of quartz as it has the same chemical composition. Flints are found everywhere. In the Stone Age, flint served as both a tool of labor and a weapon.

During archaeological excavations, many flint scrapers, arrowheads and spearheads are found. Later, with its help, a person learned how to make fire, striking sparks by striking one piece of flint against another (but it should not be confused with modern flints for lighters - they are made of a different material).

There are patterned flints. There are especially many of them in the Moscow region, and during the construction of the Moscow metro, flints of rare colors, distinguished by extraordinary beauty, were extracted from the ground along with the rock.

Crystal.

Crystals are substances in which their constituent particles (atoms, ions, molecules) are arranged in a strict order, forming a geometrically regular crystal structure.

Crystals are very diverse, and each mineral has its own special crystalline form. Good, regular crystals are rare in nature, and extremely rare in some minerals, and are therefore highly sought after by collectors.

Labrador.

At the beginning of the last century, the Labrador Retriever was a rare and expensive stone. The discovery of a Labrador boulder near St. Petersburg became a real sensation. Among the fashionistas of that time, it was considered an honor to have jewelry with a Labrador.

But time passed, and huge reserves of this stone were discovered, and gradually it depreciated. Now they decorate metro stations, revet facades of buildings, and even make a pavement on the street. And in vain, because the reserves of the Labrador are not endless, and our descendants, perhaps, in search of this beautiful stone, will have to dig up ancient pavements.

Nowadays it is almost never used in jewelry - who wants to have a stone in jewelry that is identical to those with which buildings are faced. But because there is a lot of Labrador retrievers, he did not become less beautiful.

Lapis lazuli.

Pure lapis lazuli is dark blue in color. But the bulk of the mined stone contains white inclusions, and therefore it appears spotty or similar to a cloudy sky. From ancient times to the present time, lapis lazuli is not only used to make jewelry, but also make mineral paint from it. Only nowadays paint is made not from natural, but from synthetic lapis lazuli.

Listvenit.

A beautiful ornamental stone of greenish tones, foliage is very popular. Vases, boxes, ashtrays and other items are made from it. Listvenite is rarely used in jewelry.

Moon rock.

Translucent, with a slight silky bluish tint, it really seems to be woven from moonlight. There is some mystery in it. It is not for nothing that many legends and traditions are associated with the moonstone.

The moonstone is often set in a silver setting, and various beads, bracelets, brooches and souvenirs are also made from it. It is sometimes also used as an ornamental stone.

Malachite.

Special attention should be paid to malachite. In the scientific sense, it is a copper compound, therefore, it is found in places where copper ores are accumulated. However, malachite acquired its fame back in Ancient Egypt, where it was highly valued for its unique beauty.

In all ages and among all peoples, he was one of the most beloved stones. For more than two hundred years, malachite has been mined in the Urals, which is considered the best in the world in terms of quality. It can be safely called a Russian stone, because only Russian masters were able to fully reveal its beauty, creating unique pieces of art.

In the Hermitage and St. Isaac's Cathedral you can see beautiful vases, tables, candlesticks, and even columns made of malachite. Whole halls are decorated with it, the appearance of which is admirable. It is not for nothing that Pavel Bazhov called his fairytale heroine the Mistress of the Copper Mountain - and malachite was mined in that mountain.

This green patterned stone is still widely used for jewelry making today. True, the reserves of Russian malachite are now almost depleted, and we see an African stone on sale, which is brought from Zaire. But in beauty it is not inferior to ours.

The need for malachite forced scientists to do many experiments to create synthetic malachite, and they solved this problem. However, he is still far from the perfection of a natural gem.

Marble.

The rock that represents the converted limestone is real, natural marble. Pure limestone is usually white, but marble is rarely white. Such, for example, is the famous Carrara marble, the favorite material of sculptors.

The amazing variety of colors and patterns of marble has made it an indispensable material for interior and exterior decoration of buildings. The Moscow metro has become a real collection of marble. There is practically not a single station, the walls of which would not be decorated with it.

Marble is easy to work with and therefore is often used for the manufacture of various products. Due to the extremely high cost of the material, it is often used in the interior decoration of premises, which meets all the characteristics of natural marble.

Nephritis.

Jade is a stone that, together in flint, has served man since ancient times. It is softer than flint, but is prized for another property - the jade ax could not be broken. Flint can be easily crushed under pressure, but jade is so strong, or, as they say, viscous, that it collapses only under tremendous pressure. Therefore, jade is stronger than steel.

However, it is quite easy to process jade. From it, unlike stones of other rocks, rings, carvings, and also thin-walled dishes are obtained. Jade can be of different colors - white, yellowish, bluish, gray, black.

Green jade is most appreciated, although, say, in China, white jade is more popular. Jade is a good gemstone, and some of its varieties are highly decorative.

Obsidian.

Volcanic eruptions produce a lot of volcanic glass - obsidian. There are very beautiful varieties of it, and they are readily used by jewelers. Some dark obsidians contain tiny air bubbles, and when processed, a silvery streak appears on the surface of the stone.

By the way, all known pumice is a porous type of volcanic glass. Obsidian splits into very sharp pieces, which people have used since ancient times as a cutting tool.

Today, medical scalpels are sometimes made from obsidian. The largest obsidian deposits are located in Armenia.

Fossils.

Fossils are the remains of animals and plants that once lived on our planet enclosed in sedimentary rocks. They are also called fossils. Fossils can be found wherever sediment is found.

For example, belemnites (or, as they are also called "devil's fingers"), large spiral ammonite shells, various small shells are often found in the Moscow region. Interest in fossils is shown not only by collectors, but, first of all, by scientists.

The fact is that fossils help them to restore the appearance of living organisms of distant eras. In addition, the age of these rocks can be determined from the remains of living organisms in sedimentary rocks.

Sand.

Sand is considered a rock. It is made up of tiny debris of all kinds of minerals. Most of the sand contains quartz particles, but it also contains almost all the persistent minerals found in the area.

If you look at the sand with a microscope, you can see that most of the grains of sand are transparent, and they are all different colors - pink, greenish, red, yellow or purple. Some of the grains of sand are opaque, but sparkle like diamonds, some are completely black.

It is almost impossible to determine one or another mineral by the rounded particles, but in addition to quartz, the sand always contains garnets and amethysts, topazes and pyrites, mica, feldspar, and, possibly, gold.

There are sands consisting of almost one quartz. It is from this sand that glass is made. There are pomegranate and coral sands, but on the shores of Lake Issyk - the kul sands consist of beautiful pink feldspar.

In addition, sand is the most important building material, one of the constituent parts of concrete, asphalt, as well as various ceramic products.

Pyrite.

Pyrite crystals look very impressive - it's not for nothing that collectors love it so much. People, little familiar with the world of stones, at all times took pyrite for gold. This is associated with numerous nicknames of the mineral, which were given to him by miners: for example, "fool's gold", "cat's gold" and the like.

Unfortunately, at the moment, pyrite is rarely used as a gemstone, although it deserves it. Very beautiful products of an unusual look are obtained from it.

Rhodonite.

The Russian name for this mineral is orlets. It is a beautiful pink or crimson mineral, most often permeated with black dendrites, which give it a special appeal.

Perhaps the most beautiful rhodonite is mined in Russia in the Urals. Russian craftsmen made wonderful items from it, many of which are kept in the State Hermitage.

Rhodochrosite.

This is a beautiful, but little known mineral in our country. In the translucent pink stone, light wavy, as if lacy, stripes are streaming. A large deposit of rhodochrosite is located in South America, Argentina, where it is mined in silver mines. Crystals of rhodochrosite are very ornate, but they are very rare.

Cornelian.

The tint palette of this stone is truly beautiful: reddish clouds hover in the almost transparent brownish-orange depth. Smooth, gentle color transitions, from honey to dark brown, do not take your eyes off the stone, and perfectly lift your spirits.

Carnelian - "cordial", "pleasing to the heart" - in Russia has always coexisted with the most expensive gems in the frames of icons, in jewelry, in clothes.

Building stone.

Limestone, granite, basalt, marble, sandstone from primitive times served as a building material for mankind for dwellings, fences, roads, dams and temples. Now almost everywhere they have been replaced by bricks and, but we have retained respect for natural stones, and we use them to decorate buildings when we want to make them especially elegant. And the strength of some types of building stone can be the envy of many modern materials.

Tiger's Eye.

A bright silky glare runs along the dark and light brown-orange stripes like a ray of the sun over the elastic tiger hair - these are the poetic lines that characterize the color of the most beautiful stone - the tiger's eye.

It is no coincidence that perhaps the largest deposits of the tiger's eye are in Africa. Such a stone, expressive in its decorative qualities, could not remain unnoticed since ancient times. It is believed that this stone instills courage, determination and dexterity in a person.

When lightly ignited, the tiger's eye becomes brighter, acquiring a reddish color. The same tiger's eye, only painted in blue and blue tones, is called "hawkeye". often they coexist in one piece of stone, which causes surprise and delight.

Tourmaline.

Tourmaline jewelry is widely sold, but it is impossible to get an impression of a stone from them. Firstly, these tourmalines are synthetic, and secondly, they are all the same pink - crimson color.

Tourmaline comes in many color options, including the following:

verdelite - green;
sherl - black;
achroite - colorless;
dravit - green - brown;
indigolite - blue;
rubellite - pink;
tsilaizit - yellow;
uvit - brown;
siberite - raspberry color.

These and many other tinted variants of tourmaline have always attracted the attention of people, and made them admire the unique beauty of the stone.

Fluorite.

The appearance of fluorite is diverse. It can be of almost any color, it can be solid and have striped colors. Fluorite crystals are distinguished by their beauty and perfect shape.

Fluorite glows brightly in ultraviolet rays, and therefore the phenomenon is called "fluorescence". At the same time, fluorite is rather difficult to process due to its fragility. Samples of the mineral can be found near metallurgical enterprises - here it is used as an additive to facilitate the smelting of ore.

Craftsmen willingly make various products from fluorite, which are distinguished by high decorative qualities. Vases and clocks, tableware and figurines - many people willingly use all these decorative elements in the interior design of their apartments and private houses.

Charoite.

This stone is named after a place of discovery on the Siberian river Chara. True, then, in 1949, no one saw the beauty of the stone, and they took it for a completely different mineral. Later, already in the 70s, charoite was discovered again, but again it was mistaken for another stone.

A little later, they figured out that this is a completely new stone, and even very beautiful, and gave it their own name - charoite. This name is quite suitable for the stone, because its appearance is really enchanting: silky wavy and star-shaped stains are streaming over the lilac background.

It is necessary to slightly turn the stone, and new overflows appear on its surface. In some places black and bright yellow spots are scattered. Charoite instantly became popular. It is eagerly bought by foreign stone traders.

Jasper.

In fact, jasper is a hard rock containing a lot of quartz and chalcedony. Jasper can have surprisingly varied colors:

plain;
banded;
tape;
porphyry;
variegated;
landscape;
brocade;
watercolor;
chintz;
meat;
penny and many others.

There are many famous deposits in Russia, which are located in the Urals and Altai, on the Kola Peninsula and in Karelia. Orsk jasper, which is mined in the Southern Urals in the area of Mount Colonel, is distinguished by a special variety and attractiveness.

In the Hermitage, you can see many beautiful products made of this stone, among which several giant vases made of solid blocks stand out.

Jewelry without stones is boring and monotonous. All that a jeweler can do in this case is to use engraving, notches, a combination of metals and other elements. But with the use of stones, jewelry is completely transformed. A large gemstone becomes the "heart" of the product and attracts all eyes, while a scattering of small stones radiates a unique shine and adds luxury.

Stones from which jewelry is made

Attempts to make a reliable classification of which stones are used to make jewelry have been made since ancient times, but the largest-scale research was organized by Academician A. E Fersman at the beginning of the twentieth century. This classification is used by gemologists to this day. The academician divided the stones into groups depending on the rarity of finding, value and individual properties of each of them. Following this theory, there are three types of jewelery stones:

Gems or gems of the first order. These include: diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, alexandrites, chrysoberyls. Pearls were also included here, designating it as a precious stone of mineral origin. Transparent, clean stones of even thick color are especially appreciated. Turbidity, fracturing and uneven coloration greatly reduce the cost of the gem.
Semi-precious stones of the second order. Their price is significantly lower than that of gems, but they are also used for jewelry. This includes beryl, topaz, phenakite, pink tourmaline, amethyst, zircon, opal. With exceptional clarity and beauty in tone, they are sometimes rated as first-order stones.
Ornamental stones. Only rare specimens have a high cost. All others are very cheap and affordable. These stones are used for inexpensive jewelry and have the following names: turquoise, tourmaline, rock crystal, quartz, carnelian, amber, jade and others.

These types of natural stones for jewelry have found application in art. Some artists use the remains and small crumbs of stones to decorate paintings, and folk healers are credited with wearing stones for various diseases.

Jewelry with colored stones

We have decided what stones are used for jewelry, and now we can give another classification, which is based on the color of the mineral. It is the color that draws attention to the product and emphasizes its uniqueness and individuality. Although this classification is not official, it gives a complete overview of colored stones.

Blue stones. This color looks noble and majestic. The most valuable blue gem in jewelry is called sapphire. In addition, aquamarines, tourmalines and topaz have a bluish tint.
Black stones in jewelry. There may be more than one name for a black stone in jewelry: agate, jet, sheol, bloodstone. Black diamonds, garnets and black corals are considered rarer and more expensive. Dark color in jewelry looks mysterious and bewitching. Black stones look stylish in combination with silver and white gold.
Red stones in jewelry. It is impossible to find saturated bright red in stones, there are dark red brownish colors. Pomegranates, hyacinths, rubies and tourmalines have such shades.
Jewelry with green stones. The following stones are used for such products: euclases, aquamarines, topaz, amazonites, emeralds. Products with green stones look especially noble.

These are the main colors of jewelry that are often found in salons and products. Less commonly, one can find pink, yellow, white or purple stones in jewelry.

A childhood dream of finding a treasure chest and an adult desire to disconnect from smartphones and the frantic pace of life can be fulfilled with one hit - try a fashionable hobby of searching for stones and minerals, or, in other words, hunting for stones. As a bonus - jewelry with semi-precious (in some countries - and precious) stones of our own authorship. Jewelry designer Alison Jean Cole spoke in more detail about Vogue's new hobby. About where to start your search and what nuances to pay attention to - in our material.

Alison Jean Cole once took a course in stone carving, and this occupation captivated her so much that after a while she quit her main job, and six years later launched her own jewelry brand. Now she creates earrings and pendants from the stones she found.

Place

Despite the fact that this hobby - hunting for stones and minerals - was born in America, it can be practiced almost anywhere in the world. But first, you should study the local laws. In Russia and the CIS, you can independently search for common semi-precious stones, and semi-precious and precious stones - only accompanied by an employee of the mining company. In most Asian countries, the found gem can be taken for yourself only if it is a semi-precious or ornamental specimen. But in Australia, America and Canada, any find outside the territory of professional mining - both a nugget of gold, and a pink diamond, and a banal but pretty jasper - automatically belongs to you. Such is the memory of the gold rush.

First, find an area with open rocks. For example, beaches near cliffs or hiking trails in hilly terrain. But dense forests are not suitable for these purposes: it is almost impossible to find a worthy exhibit in the soil littered with branches and trees.

Necessary equipment

You will need a capacious container where you will put the found treasures. You don't have to pick out pieces of stone from rocky rocks: your task is to collect what lies under your feet. You can bring along a basic set of gardening tools: a small shovel, gardening gloves, a chisel and a scraper.

The correct uniform is much more important. Remember, you'll have to spend all day outdoors in the sun, so a wide-brimmed hat, several layers of lightweight clothing, and high boots are a must. And do not forget to take with you enough water and a light snack, but it is better to leave your smartphone at home or at least turn it off - such a hobby involves digital detox. The real dream of a metropolitan resident.

Map

Before you go in search, do not be lazy to learn as much as possible about the area. This will give you an idea of which types of stones and minerals to pay attention to. Also, practice reading maps - who knows where the road will take you. Cole recommends regular paper maps, as they provide more coverage: "With them you will be able to explore areas that often slip out of sight when using electronic navigators."

Good sample

It all depends on the goals. Experienced "hunters" usually take any stones and minerals that they find interesting. If you intend to collect a serious collection, it is important to develop your own taste - so, later you will look for only the samples you need. For example, Cole collects mainly stones of bright unusual colors with interesting textures or patterns - these are ideal for jewelry.