Types, names and colors of precious stones for jewelry and jewelry: list, brief description with photographs. How to distinguish a natural real stone from a fake, from glass in jewelry?

Classification of precious stones. Varieties of precious stones by color. How to identify a real stone among the many fakes, imitations and hacks?

Today, jewelry specialists have a much more difficult time than their predecessors. If a few decades ago a genuine gemstone could be easily distinguished from a fake, even visually, then in the world of modern technology and progress it is almost impossible to do this by eye.

In addition to the well-known hacks made of glass, imitators of expensive stones from cheaper minerals, a new product has appeared on the jewelry market today - stone grown in laboratory conditions. Such a creation of human hands visually looks no worse than a mineral created by nature over many decades, but it costs several times less. How to distinguish a genuine natural stone from a fake or artificial stone? What precious minerals even exist?

Black gems: name, description, photo

Black gemstones
There are so many minerals in nature that stand out for their black color. Some of them are so rare that it is almost impossible to find any information about them. In many cases, the name “black” stone can be considered relative, since in fact the mineral has a lighter or non-uniform color. Here are the most common black stones in jewelry:

Gems

Black diamond or carbonado

Black Diamond is the greatest rarity and value in jewelry. However, it is worth noting that it never reaches the level of jewelry, since its cutting and processing is very complex - it can only be done using the same stone. In the annals of jewelry there are only a handful of such stones, the most expensive of which was estimated at 1.7 million dollars. The other two became known as "Black Star of Africa" ​​and "Korloff Noir".

Black Diamond

Black sapphire

True black sapphire does not exist in nature. Almost all black sapphires are the work of scientists. They are obtained by processing blue sapphires. The few black sapphires that are of natural origin can hardly be called black, since their color is closer to the color of the sky at night. The most famous black sapphire is the Black Star of Queensland, worth $100 million.

Black sapphire

Black Pearl

This type of pearl is also difficult to consider truly black, since its darkness is softened by the mother of pearl of the pearl. However, the cost of such a curiosity remains quite high to this day. The rarest specimens of black pearls are collected in Tahiti in the corresponding museum.

Black Pearl

Black opal

This type of opal is considered one of the most expensive and valuable rocks. Most often, this mineral is found in deposits located in the least developed countries of the world, which causes numerous human losses during its extraction.

Black opal

Black spinel

Black spinel is one of the most inexpensive types of black gemstones. Its cheapness is easily explained by the fragility of the stone and the complexity of its processing. Most often, spinel is used in needlework or jewelry in the form of cabochons.

Black spinel

Semiprecious stones

Black quartz or morion is the only representative of semi-precious stones of black color. This mineral is most often used in jewelry today. Externally, it has an opaque or barely transparent surface.

Black quartz or morion

Jewelry and ornamental stones

Black agate

In fact, black agate does not exist in nature. Only dark coal-colored minerals can be found. A rich black color can only be achieved through technological processing of this stone.

Black agate

Other representatives of black jewelry and ornamental stones are: black onyx, obsidian, black jasper or jet, hematite, argillite and hypersthene.

Ornamental stones

This category includes all minerals that are suitable for glyptics - stone cutting. They serve as the basis for the manufacture of figurines, netsuke, cameos, and decorative boxes. Glyptics are valuable not only for their natural beauty, but also for the hardness of the raw material and the ability to process it.

Raw emerald

The name “ornamental stones” is also conditional: modern craftsmen carve amethyst, beryl and even emerald. Gemologists classify the following minerals as ornamental stones: jets, jaspilites, listvenites, marble onyx, aventurine quartzite, jasper, obsidian, fluorites, selenites, agalmatolites, samples of written granite, petrified wood, patterned stone, banded skarn, colored marble.

All of the above categories apply only to natural gems. Synthetic crystals grown in a laboratory, imitations of natural minerals, cannot be classified as one of them.

White gemstones: name, description, photo

White gemstones
White or naturally transparent minerals are considered the most expensive and valuable stones in jewelry. White gemstones include:

Diamond or diamond

It is a transparent diamond or an already cut part of it (diamond) that first comes to the mind of any person (especially women) when mentioning white precious stones. Indeed, this mineral is considered one of the most sought after. Its high cost is easily explained by the few deposits of this mineral in the ground. At the same time, only a small fraction of all mined diamonds are suitable for cutting.

Diamond

Transparent spinel

Unlike its black counterpart, white spinel is a fairly expensive stone with a high strength. The impeccable purity and the fact that this mineral contains no impurities makes it even more valuable. White spinel is most often used in luxury jewelry.

White spinel

Colorless topaz

With the naked eye, this mineral can easily be confused with a diamond. However, upon closer inspection, differences can be detected. In jewelry, it is customary to frame colorless topaz in noble white metals - gold, platinum.

White Topaz

Goshenite or colorless beryl

Goshenite is also very similar in appearance to diamond, but its shine can rather be called more chilling and restrained.

Goshenite

Pearl

White pearls have always managed to captivate the fair sex with their warmth and tenderness. Oddly enough, in nature, pearls rarely have a round shape (such representatives are highly valued) - more often they are oblong and uneven. Pearls also have one more feature - their lifespan. If ordinary minerals will delight the eye with their beauty forever, then a pearl can “go out” at any moment. The lifespan of this mineral does not exceed 300 years.

White pearls

Achroite or white tourmaline

This type of rock is very rare, since its deposits are located in only one point on the map. Achroite is quite rare in the form of jewelry. This kind of pleasure can only be ordered from a few jewelry workshops in the world.

White tourmaline or achroite

Semi-precious white stones include white agate, rock crystal and white opal.

Jewelry and ornamental stones can boast of the presence in their list of such white minerals as milky coral, white jasper, moonstone, and white-green jade.

Classification of precious, semi-precious and ornamental stones

Very often our visitors are interested in which stones are classified as precious, which are semi-precious, and which are considered ornamental?

Classifications for dividing stones into precious, semi-precious and ornamental exist, but in different countries these classifications have their own characteristics and differences.

Now the most famous and used in Russia and the CIS countries is the classification of E.Ya. Kievlenko.

Jewelry gemstones

I order: diamond, emerald (green beryl), ruby ​​and blue sapphire (corundum).

II order: alexandrite, orange, yellow, purple and green sapphire, noble black opal, noble jadeite.

III order: demantoid, spinel, noble white and fire opal, aquamarine, topaz, rhodolite, tourmaline.

IV order: chrysolite, zircon, yellow, green and pink beryl, kunzite, turquoise, amethyst, pyrope, almandine, moon and sun stone, chrysoprase, citrine.

Jewelry and semi-precious stones

I order: lapis lazuli, jadeite, jade, malachite, charoite, amber, rock crystal, smoky quartz (rauchtopaz).

II order: hematite-bloodstone, rhodonite, opaque iridescent spar (belomorite, labradorite and others), iridescent obsidian, epidote-garnet and vesuvian rodingites - jade.

Ornamental stones

Jasper, marble onyx, obsidian, jet, petrified wood, listvenite, jaspilite, selenite, fluorite, aventurine quartzite, agalmatolite, patterned flint, colored marble.

Blue gems: name, description, photo

Blue gemstones
Blue or cornflower blue sapphire

Only an experienced specialist will be able to distinguish these two types of mineral by eye. Blue sapphire is valued somewhat lower than cornflower blue sapphire, but it is still considered a precious stone. As for the cornflower blue sapphire, in ancient times it was used only for inlaying royal outfits and jewelry.

Blue sapphire

Cornflower blue sapphire

Topaz

Topaz is most often found in blue, but in nature it also comes in other colors - yellow, green, orange, etc. Topaz is not an overly expensive mineral. Most often it is framed in white precious metals - platinum, white gold. Such metals seem to emphasize its gentle radiance.

Blue Topaz

Aquamarine

Already from the very name of the mineral, its origin and associations associated with it become clear. The marine color of this stone helps jewelers create masterpiece blue jewelry. Aquamarine lovers should pay attention to the fact that this mineral is quite fragile - exposure to chemicals, mechanical damage and heat treatment negatively affect its condition.

Aquamarine

Blue spinel

This color of stone is extremely rare, which determines its rather high price. Framed, it can only be found in exclusive creations by jewelers, which are often kept in private collections and cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Blue spinel

Semi-precious blue stones include: zircon, chalcedony. Turquoise, apatite, bezoar, and amazonite are considered ornamental blue stones.

Blue gems: name, description, photo

Sapphire
gemstones

Blue sapphire

Topaz

Blue Topaz

Lapis lazuli

Lapis lazuli is a gemstone that is most often set in yellow gold. This mineral is believed to have strong healing and protective properties.

Lapis lazuli

Semi-precious blue stones include turquoise, the color range of which includes dozens of shades of blue, green and light blue.

Turquoise

Gems

According to the current legislation of the Russian Federation, the following list of precious stones has been adopted:

• diamonds in natural or processed (diamonds) form;
• alexandrites are the rarest minerals that change color when the lighting changes;
• rubies and sapphires are crystals belonging to the corundum group;
• emeralds;
• natural pearls;
• rare amber formations - samples weighing over 1 kg, with large inclusions more than 1 cm in diameter.

Ruby in gold

This classification is needed so that the state can control the production and sale of the most expensive gems. However, it is not used on international exchanges: first of all, each specific sample is evaluated, and not that it is assigned to a particular name. The exception is diamonds: they come in different qualities, but all have one or another value.

Gemology - the science of precious stones - often uses a table compiled by Professor Kievlenko to make a preliminary assessment of gems.

Red gemstones: name, description, photo

Red gemstones
Ruby

Perhaps every person, when mentioning red gemstones, immediately thinks of ruby. This stunningly beautiful mineral is very widely used in jewelry. It is framed in various kinds of precious metals - gold, platinum, silver. A piece of jewelry inlaid with ruby ​​can be quite expensive - everything will depend on the metal, as well as the number and size of minerals. Since ancient times, rubies have been credited with many magical and healing qualities. This stone has always been associated with love, passion and desire.

Ruby

Red tourmaline

Red tourmaline

Red spinel

Red spinel

Semi-precious red stones include garnet, zircon, carnelian, and coral.

Garnet, carbuncle or pyrope

In the myths of various ancient states there were very frequent references to this mineral. It was believed that pomegranate was able to heal many ailments and block the effects of poison and poison.

Pomegranate

As for ornamental stones, the most famous representative of them in red color is jasper.

Red Jasper

Price for semi-precious stones

You can purchase jewelry and nuggets only in trusted places. Due to the fact that many fakes are supplied today, there is a chance that you will buy yourself a useless piece of jewelry that will not have all those magical and healing properties. Natural stones are expensive, especially some types: turquoise, jade, ruby, moonstone, amber. Approximate cost of jewelry:

Pink gemstones: name, description, photo

Kunzite
Gems

Until recently, this soft pink gemstone was not classified as a separate subgroup - it was simply considered one of the varieties of amethyst. However, thanks to the works of the American Kunz (by whose name it was named), this mineral, based on its composition, different from amethyst, was nevertheless recognized as a completely different stone.

In the early 90s, kunzite attracted the attention of the entire public. He owed such popularity to the Kennedy family. The fact is that the American president, on the eve of his tragic death, purchased Jacqueline a ring inlaid with kunzite. But John was never destined to give the gift to his beloved wife - he was shot dead a month before the celebration.

Kunzite

Morganite or pink beryl

Morganite (in Russia sparrowite) is a rather rare mineral. Most often it is used to decorate products in the company of diamonds.

Pink beryl or morganite

Rubellite or pink tourmaline

Rubellite is a fairly inexpensive, but no less beautiful gemstone. Its resemblance to a ruby ​​played into the hands of scammers in ancient times. It was this mineral that was used to counterfeit more expensive rubies.

Rubellite

Semi-precious pink stones include quartz, agate, and corundum. As for ornamental stones, nature often colors jasper, coral, rhodochrosite and rhodonite pink.

Green gemstones: name, description, photo

Green gemstones
Emerald

Naturally, the most famous green gemstone is the emerald. Few people know that in its original form this mineral can hardly be called beautiful - only after high-quality cutting can one recognize it as the king of green stones. Emeralds are most often framed in yellow metals. In white version they can only be found in company with white gold and platinum. The price of emeralds is sometimes simply fabulous - from $300 per carat.

Emerald

Demantoid or green garnet

The high refractive index of the sun's rays of the demantoid raises it to the level of the most regal stone - diamond. Most often, green garnet is confused with emerald, although its color, unlike the latter, is closer to the color of grass. For one carat of this gemstone you will have to pay from $100 to $1000.

Green pomegranate

Green tourmaline

Green tourmaline

Green sapphire

Green sapphire

Semi-precious green stones include: peridot, aventurine, beryl, seraphinite.

Green ornamental stones most often include jasper, malachite and jade.

The most expensive stones in the world

The price depends on the rarity of the stone, as well as on its characteristics, but there are record-breaking minerals. Let's talk a little about them.

Red diamonds

Truly rare, minerals weighing more than one carat are even rarer. Pure red diamonds are also extremely rare. The second name of the mineral is fancy red. For one carat you will have to pay from half a million dollars to a million.

Mined in Australia at the Argyle mine. Nowadays, it is almost exhausted, and it is unlikely that similar diamonds will be found anywhere else.

Blue diamonds

They are Fancy Vivid Blue. Usually their blue color is pale; bright options are much more expensive. The price per carat is from $300,000. Unlike red ones, there are also quite large minerals among them. Found in Australia and South Africa.

Blue sapphires

The deposits of the most valuable of them are located in Kashmir, Sri Lanka and Burma. Large ones are rare; their color is due to impurities of titanium and iron. The largest blue sapphire sold weighed more than 390 carats and sold for $17 million. The most “budget” of blue sapphires will cost the buyer one and a half thousand dollars per carat. Heated blue sapphires with enhanced color are also sold. They, of course, cost less. They are characterized by high hardness.

Padparadscha sapphires

Also known for their rarity. They have a pinkish-orange color, sometimes pink ones are also found. Their deposits can be found in Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Madagascar. The price for one carat can reach $15,000. Heated versions are also sold, they are cheaper. The most expensive one was sold ten years ago for $775,000.

Burgundy gemstones: name, description, photo

Ruby
gemstones

Burgundy ruby

Tourmaline

Burgundy tourmaline

Semi-precious garnet can also have a beautiful burgundy color.

Pomegranate

How to distinguish natural stone from fake, from glass in jewelry?

How to distinguish a real gemstone from a fake?
It will not be difficult for a high-class jeweler or appraiser to identify the authenticity of a stone using special tools and devices. As for the inexperienced layman, it will be very difficult for him to distinguish a real stone from a fake. In such cases, professionals recommend using the following techniques:

1. Natural stone, as a rule, is much stronger than glass or plastic fakes. If you run a sharp object over it, there should be no mark left on it. In this case, a scratch may form on the fake. But this method is relevant only when it is necessary to distinguish hackwork from a real stone - if the product uses a natural, but less expensive mineral instead of a top-level precious stone, then there is no point in conducting such an experiment.
2. Natural stones have a cool touch. If you put a stone on your tongue or apply it to your cheek, it will remain cold for a long time. If the product uses glass or plastic, the stone will heat up quite quickly.
3. Natural stones grown in the depths of the earth are rarely large, but artificial minerals created in laboratories can reach more impressive sizes.
4. The color of natural stone is rarely very rich and bright. At the same time, creating hackwork of any color and shade is quite simple.
5. You should not expect that a natural stone will cost a penny - the price per carat of a precious mineral can reach thousands and hundreds of dollars.
6. When purchasing a product with natural stones, you can ask the seller to provide a certificate of authenticity of the stones.

In fact, all precious minerals have completely different chemical and physical properties. Therefore, the identification of each of them must be approached individually.