Gemstones – Emerging Rivals of Diamonds

While “Diamonds are forever” is a relatively new marketing punch line created by a diamond company, colored gemstones have actually been parts of human civilization since forever. There have been traces of gemstone usage from early human history with mention of gemstones in the holy Bible also. The emperors and royals of ancient ages had special affiliation to colored gemstones. Ancient cultures across the world sanctified colored gemstones and associated different beliefs and mysticism to gemstones. Recently colored gemstones have made a dramatic comeback with colored gemstones like ruby, emerald, sapphire, aquamarine, tanzanite, amethyst and many more dominating the runways, fashion circles, red carpet and of course our jewelry boxes. Here are a few reasons why colored gemstones score over diamonds.

Cost

The most defining characteristic that makes colored gems score over diamonds is the cost. In the cost of one diamond ring (I carat diamond) one can have around 7-8 gemstone rings with good quality gemstones in at least 6×4 sizes. So one can own a lot of gemstone jewelry in place of counted pieces of diamond jewelry. Bigger jewelry like bracelets makes much more sense in gemstones than in diamonds for the obvious cost benefit.

Designs and styles

Jewelry in colored gemstones has more fun and character. With the wide variety of colors and hues available, there are a whole lot of designs to choose from. Colored gemstones can be perfect accessories for all occasions from casual wear to sophisticated party wear to every day office wear. Colored gemstones can be combined in different colors to compliment multi-colored dresses.

Variety

Gemstones have a wide range of colors, styles and costs you could choose from to suit your preference. Even if you are looking for a gemstone of a particular kind, you still have a sea of choices in terms of color and quality available. You could also look for specialty gemstones like the star gems, cats eye species etc. With colored gemstones you can be never run out of options when ever you feel like dressing up differently.

Exotic mysticism

Gemstones have been associated to the occult since ancient times. In olden days gemstones were used as talismans to ward off evil and attract good luck. There is a different belief associated to each gem like sapphire is associated to purity in love; aquamarine is associated to happy marriage, emerald to verdure, amethyst to disciplined habits and so on. Gemstones are also believed to provide healing power.

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Where can I find resources to learn about crystals and gemstones?

Are there any good and specific sites I can go to, to learn about crystals, rocks and gemstones? I am trying to analyze them and research them. Every time I look for sites about Crystals, Rocks and Gemstones, I always end up in an online store that sells crystals. Can anybody give me some good sites that tell you about Gemstones, Crystals and Rocks?

Answer
Look in Wikipedia under Crystal or Gemstone not gemstones (thats a rock group) Below is some basic info the look-up will give you what your looking for.
Crystals-
In chemistry and mineralogy, a crystal is a solid in which the constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are packed in a regularly ordered, repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions.

The word crystal originates from the Greek word “Krystallos” meaning clear ice, as it was thought to be an especially solid form of water.[citation needed] The word once referred particularly to quartz, or “rock crystal”.

Most metals encountered in everyday life are polycrystals.[citation needed] Crystals are often symmetrically intergrown to form crystal twins.
Gemstone-
A gemstone, gem or also called precious or semi-precious stone is a highly attractive and valuable piece of mineral, which — when cut and polished — is used in jewelry or other adornments.[1] However certain rocks, (such as lapis-lazuli) and organic materials (such as amber or jet) are strictly speaking not minerals, but are still applied in jewelry and adornments, and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well. Some minerals that are too soft to be generally applied in jewelry may still be considered gemstones because of their remarkable color, lustre or other physical properties that have aesthetic value. Rarity is another characteristic that lends value to a gemstone.[wikipedia]