Names of PRECIOUS and SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES and their meaning [FOTOS]

Gemstone names and their meaning

If you have ever had to ask someone’s hand, give a special gift or feel a fascination for the wonders that nature gives us in the form of precious stones, surely you are curious to know all their names and meanings. And it is that they are not only one of the maximum expressions of beauty for the senses, they also convey ideas and feelings that have been associated with them since time immemorial.

From UNCOMO we want to show you the gemstone names and their meaning, and we also bring you a list of the names of semi-precious stones.

What is a gemstone

Precious stones or gemsThey are minerals that are formed in nature and give us an exquisite beauty when they are carved by experts. The most frequent uses of this wonder are in jewelry, as well as in the elaboration of artistic objects.

There are many precious stones that are formed throughout our planet. But, without a doubt, the four most emblematic and valued varieties are diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. Let’s see in the following lines and in more detail each of these gemstones and their meanings.

The diamond

Your name means “invincible” or “unalterable” and it is one of the most stable forms of carbon. But beyond its chemistry, it is one of the most precious minerals of the planet.

A) Yes, diamond is the gem par excellence. Through time, it has been synonymous with wealth, resistance, exclusivity and refinement. However, it also has its role in less glamorous settings, such as the industrial sector. It is common to find diamond in tools for cutting and polishing in factories and industries, in general. This use is very effective thanks to the ability to conduct heat that this beautiful stone presents.

Marketing tied to the diamond industry has made them symbols of love and couple. It is no coincidence that when you think of engagement rings Let’s think about the name of this gemstone.

Although transparent and colorless diamonds are more common, they can be found in other colors such as yellow, gray, blue, green, black, or pink.

In this other oneHOWTO article we show you How to tell the difference between a zirconia, a brilliant and a diamond.

Gemstone names and their meaning - The diamond

Esmeralda, the stone of well-being and hope

If you were born in May or you like green, this is your gem. In fact, his name means “green stone”. It is a variation of beryl and its characteristic color is due to the minerals that compose it, such as chromium and vanadium. For know if an emerald is of quality, one of the important characteristics is its transparency.

Emerald is related to good health, well-being and hope. In ancient times, almost miraculous properties were attributed to it to cure diseases. It is also related to mental and spiritual well-being, as a symbol of hope and balance. Today, the largest producer of emeralds is Colombia.

Gemstone names and their meaning - Emerald, the stone of well-being and hope

The ruby, the secret of success

Iron and chromium give its color to this corundum called ruby, whose name means ‘red’ in Latin. Its value depends a lot on the intensity and uniformity of this color. They are quite tough; they represent a 9 on the Mohs scale (just after the diamond).

Rubies relate to aspects of success and confidence in oneself, courage, positivism, intuition, power, vitality, etc. This is why many royals and ancient warriors believed that embedding them in their clothes, or even their skin, would bring them protection. Formerly, in India, the ruby ​​was considered the king of gems. Today, Burma is the world’s largest supplier of high-quality rubies.

Gemstone names and their meaning - The ruby, the secret of success

Sapphire, the fourth gemstone

Sapphires are brothers to rubies; both stones are corundum. In fact, the only difference between them is color. While the former are red, the latter may have more shades.

The most common sapphires are blue, product of the presence of titanium in the gem. And of these, the most beautiful is that of Kashmir, for the beautiful shades of this color that it presents.

The sapphire symbolizes sincerity, fidelity and truth in relationships, which is why you can see them on engagement rings in many jewelry stores. Currently, the largest sapphire producers today are in Africa.

Gemstone Names and Their Meaning - Sapphire, the Fourth Gemstone

Why are 4 names of gemstones

Although other minerals are sometimes called precious stones, the traditional and official classification indicates that only these four stones can be called precious.

exist 3 factors that determine whether or not a stone is a gem or gemstone:

  • Hardness: is measured from 1 to 10 in a mohs scale, named after the inventor in 1825, Friedrich Mohs. As you have seen before, diamond is the only gemstone of hardness 10.
  • Rarity: that is, how difficult it is to find and extract it.
  • Esthetic: In the world of gemstones this has to do with aspects such as their color, transparency and brilliance.

Names of semi-precious stones

  • Agate
  • Amethyst
  • Amber
  • Aquamarine
  • Aventurine
  • Quartz
  • Topaz
  • Citrine
  • Garnet
  • Jade
  • Jasper
  • Lapis lazuli
  • Moonstone
  • Sun stone
  • Onyx
  • Tiger’s Eye
  • Opal
  • Turquoise
Gemstone Names and Their Meaning - Semiprecious Stone Names

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