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Gems are minerals or organic substances that are cut and polished
and used as ornaments. The qualities sought in gems are beauty,
rarity, and durability. The unit of weight used for gems is the
metric carat (200 mg). Gems are usually cut to bring out their
color and brilliance and to remove flaws, and gem cutting is a
distinct trade. The main semiprecious stones include AMETHYST,
AQUAMARINE, GARNET, JADE, MOONSTONE, OPAL, QUARTZ, TANZANITE,
TOPAZ, TOURMALINE, and TURQUOISE. The organic gems are AMBER,
CORAL, PEARL, and JET. Synthetic gems produced using the chemical
elements of natural stones include diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and
sapphires. |
