Topaz or garnet, which is more expensive? What is more expensive: emerald, diamond, sapphire or ruby?

SAPPHIRE

Sapphire is considered a stone of fidelity, modesty, and chastity. It is a transparent corundum (aluminum oxide) of blue color. Sapphire owes its unique color to the combination of titanium and iron. Other shades of stone, except blue, are called “fancy”. Orange colored corundums are called padparadscha. Sapphire is considered a symbol of the heavenly dome, a stone of reflection and contemplation. The priests of the Temple of Jupiter constantly wore cornflower-colored sapphires in their rings. Sapphires were used to decorate the clothes of clergy in Judea and India. They decorated Cleopatra's crown. It is believed that the blue color of sapphire and its energy field calm, relieve excitement, and calm raging passions. Sapphire is a cold and pure stone, therefore it is considered the stone of virginity.

This stone is sometimes also called the “stone of nuns”, as it has the ability to cool passions. The therapeutic effect of sapphire is very wide, and previously it was used for rheumatic pain, diseases of the spine, neuralgic pain, epilepsy, and hysteria. Sapphire is recommended to be worn around the neck, in a gold frame.

Sapphire protects against treachery and fear, protects against slander, heart disease and poisons, and purifies the blood. This stone bestows power and helps in travel and business trips. It is not recommended for weak-willed and inactive people to wear it, as it will further deprive them of their initiative.

The name “sapphire” comes, according to one version, from the ancient Indian word canipriya - beloved by Saturn. Another name for the mineral is azure yakhont. Sapphire is a precious stone.

The name means blue or dark blue transparent gem-quality corundum, colored with impurities of iron and titanium. In Western gemological terminology, sapphire (with an adjective indicating color) refers to transparent corundum of any color except red and orange, although the English gemologist G. Smith notes that sapphire is always a blue stone.
In Russian literature, the term “sapphire” usually meant only blue corundum, but the lack of special names for corundums that were not red or blue in color led to the fact that special articles began to use terms like green sapphire, yellow sapphire and even pink sapphire and blue sapphire.

Named from the Greek “sappheiros” - a blue or blue valuable stone (until the 13th century - lapis lazuli), coming from the Babylonian (Akkadian) “sipru” - “scratching” or the Hebrew “sapphire” - for transparent blue corundum this name was proposed in the 18th century. G. Vallerius. Synonyms: safir, azure yakhont, blue yakhont.

Jewelry with sapphires

Medicinal properties:
In folk medicine, sapphire is used to treat many diseases. This stone is believed to be a powerful remedy for diseases of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract. Some lithotherapists attribute to sapphire the ability to heal wounds, women's diseases, heart diseases, and rheumatic heart disease. In some countries, this mineral is used for ear diseases, skin diseases, and leprosy. There is an opinion that sapphire helps to increase the effectiveness of treatment with chemical and natural medicines. It is believed that in order to prevent various diseases and better treat existing ones, you need to constantly wear a gold ring or a ring with a sapphire.
Sapphire influences the heart chakra.

Magic properties:
Sapphire symbolizes purity, virginity, chastity and constancy. In European countries it was called the “stone of nuns”, and it personified chastity, virtue, love of truth and a clear conscience. In the countries of the East, it was associated with such wonderful human qualities as friendship, modesty and selflessness. In some legends there is a mention of a ring with a sapphire, which helped to distinguish truth from lies. In modern magical practice, amulets and amulets made of sapphire are used for a person’s better knowledge of the world around him. Such amulets help to avoid deception, strengthen love and contribute to a long and strong marriage.
Sapphire is most favorable for people born under the sign of Sagittarius. Sagittarius women are recommended to wear a brooch or pendant with this stone to enhance their attractiveness. For Sagittarius men, sapphire gives confidence and the desire to achieve their goals.

Talismans and amulets:
As a talisman, sapphire endows its owner with the ability to think and contemplate, develop clarity of thought and encourage him to discover the unknown. This is a talisman of philosophers, scientists and poets. Sapphire can be a talisman for people who are overcome by laziness. It will help its owner get rid of this negative quality.
The Diamond Fund of Russia houses a deep blue sapphire from Sri Lanka weighing 258.18 carats, set in a diamond brooch. The largest processed sapphire was considered to be a stone weighing 951 carats, which was seen on the ruler of Burma in 1827, but today a sapphire crystal weighing 1905 carats was found in the USA.
Sculptural portraits of American presidents A. Lincoln, D. Washington and D. Eisenhower, stored in the American Museum of Natural History, are cut from large sapphire crystals (not entirely transparent) weighing 2302, 1997 and 2097 carats.

One of the largest sapphires in the world, weighing 6454.5 carats and measuring 10.8 x 8.4 x 5.1 cm (in rough form), was found in 1977 in Thailand. An even larger sapphire weighing about 19 kg was found in Sri Lanka. According to ancient beliefs, sapphire was considered a stone that gave fidelity, chastity and modesty, protected from anger and fear, and was a symbol of hope and contemplation. Nowadays it is synthesized on an industrial scale.

Brooch with sapphire.

A huge Ceylon sapphire in a sparkling halo of diamonds shines with a thick transparent blue. This is one of the seven historical stones of the Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation. Top of the stone (surface) completely covered with small hexagonal facets, and a ray of light seems to break on this multifaceted surface, scattering in different directions like sparkling fountains, creating a weak but pleasant game. Diamonds enhance the brilliance of this amazingly beautiful gem. The stepped shape of the brooch successfully hid the excessive thickness of the stone, enclosed in a high, light openwork cast.

TOPAZ

Topaz comes in a variety of colors, from blue through blue and green to wine yellow, orange and pink. Colorless topazes are also found. According to its chemical composition, topaz is a fluorine-containing aluminum silicate.

In the ancient world, topaz was considered a stone that could reveal secrets. With its help it was possible to influence others, subjugate people and expose intrigues. Therefore, it received the name “stone of psychologists”, “stone of courtiers”.
Ayurveda considers topaz to be a precious stone that gives an energy boost to the intellect, is able to ignite passion, and reduce fear. Owners are recommended to wear it on the index finger of the right hand, preferably in a gold ring or as a pendant around the neck.

Topaz is able to sharpen the reaction to the environment, develops intuition, and enhances premonitions. He is highly valued for his beauty.

This stone also has healing powers.

In ancient times, it was believed that golden topaz promotes conception in infertile people and helps to find the joy of motherhood, it heals mad people from insanity, can treat liver disease, and restores normal vision in case of myopia. Topaz gives strength to the weak and beauty to women, is able to bring wealth and recognition, and maintains an optimistic outlook on life.

It is also believed that if you wear topaz framed in silver around your neck, it will relieve asthma attacks, relieve insomnia, sharpen the sense of taste, cure gout, and help with epilepsy. For chronic diseases, the use of topaz will increase the effectiveness of other healing methods. This stone was also used in the treatment of throat, inflammation of the tonsils, and diseases of the spine.

During the era of geographical discoveries, it was believed that topaz could calm storms, so sailors, going on sea voyages, purchased a ring with topaz.

The word "topaz" comes from the Latin topazus, supposedly derived from the Sanskrit word tapas - heat or fire. Other names for topaz: imperial, Brazilian ruby, heavyweight (in the Urals).
Uses of topaz: Used as a gemstone:

Healing properties of topaz:
The healing properties of topaz have been known since ancient times. Healers used this stone as a remedy for poisoning. In many countries, various eye diseases, such as myopia, were treated with topaz. It is believed that this stone helps with nervous disorders, improves sleep, and relieves insomnia and nightmares. Lithotherapists suggest that topaz is an excellent remedy for diseases of the liver, gall bladder and spleen. This magical stone sharpens the taste. Some traditional healers use topaz to relieve attacks of bronchial asthma and stop bleeding. There is an opinion that topaz should be worn on the body to prevent colds and increase immunity.

Ring with topaz

Magical properties of topaz:
The magical properties of topaz have also been known since ancient times. In Eastern countries, golden stone is considered a symbol of spiritual enlightenment. In India, pink topaz is revered as a magical remedy that restores lost hope. In many countries, topaz is used to make amulets that can protect against evil spirits, black witchcraft, the evil eye and damage. Topaz is a stone of friendship, prudence, joy and spiritual purity. Ancient legends attribute to this stone the magical property of pacifying raging elements. Topaz patronizes people born under the sign of Scorpio: it helps Scorpio women to become irresistible, and it brings worldly wisdom to Scorpio men.

Talismans and amulets:
A talisman with topaz is used as a means to attract good luck, material wealth, and success in professional activities. This is a talisman for scientists, merchants and travelers. A talisman in the form of a pendant or brooch will give the owner strength, help him overcome difficulties and achieve material well-being.
This stone was used as an amulet that could save a woman from infertility and a man from sexual intercourse.
weaknesses.

AMETHYST

Amethyst is a purple-colored quartz ranging from dark to barely noticeable. Under prolonged exposure to sunlight, dark amethyst turns pale.

Amethyst is a symbol of peace, sincerity, and sincerity. It should be worn when you are tormented by anxiety and emotional unrest. Beads or a ring are best suited for this. Its internal energy helps to find peace of mind and inner harmony, and maintain health. If you are in love, your chosen ones will give you true love. Some widows and widowers wore amethyst as a sign of eternal love for their departed spouses. Amethyst is therefore a symbol of true, devoted love; it is sometimes called the “widow’s stone.”

The name of this stone translated from ancient Greek means “not drunk.” They say that amethyst has outstanding abilities, and the most important of them is to protect a person from drunkenness, and if he does drink, to save him from intoxication. The glorious stone absorbs wine vapors, while remaining absolutely sober and serenely purple.
There is another version of why amethyst is called that way; it was invented by the ancient Greeks. The god of wine, Bacchus, was once offended by people. Those, out of their habit, completely stopped revere him. The offended Bacchus decided to take revenge on the people: the first person he met would be torn to pieces by tigers.

The first was the nymph Amethyst. She was going to the temple of the goddess of the hunt, Diana. When the ferocious animals attacked the gentle nymph, she prayed: “O beautiful goddess Diana, save me!” Then Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure stone. Seeing this miracle, Bacchus regretted his cruelty. He poured grape wine into the statue like blood, trying to revive the nymph. But the girl did not come to life. The stone only changed color and became crimson-violet.

If you wear it in silver, the stone will promote friendly contacts and business meetings, which are sure to end in success. The stone will help infertile women find the joy of motherhood, and men will improve relationships with their wives.

If an amethyst is worn around the neck in gold, it brings the body to energy balance.
If you drink water in which amethyst is immersed overnight, it will help with colds, cleanse capillaries, and heal the liver and kidneys.

Amethyst also strengthens memory and treats skin diseases. It is believed that if you put it under your bed before going to bed, you can get rid of “devilish” temptations.

If your nervous system is upset, the stone will help you manage your emotions.
Place amethyst under your pillow and it will help against insomnia. Place it on your forehead and it will relieve headaches.
The mineral received its name in honor of the Greek nymph Ametis. It is believed that the stone can protect a person from alcohol intoxication.

And the word itself comes from the Greek amethystos - not drunk. Other names for the mineral and its varieties: Bacchus stone, Apostle Matthew’s stone, bishop’s stone, dumpling.

Amethyst is a type of quartz. The color of the minerals is different: violet, from dark purple to pink, blood red, lilac-violet. The shine is glassy.
Application: This is a jewelry stone. In Rus', icons, altars, pectoral crosses and panagias were decorated with amethysts. The crown of the Russian Tsarina Irina Godunova was decorated with huge purple amethysts, which alternated with sapphires.

Medicinal properties:
In Ancient Rome, amethyst was placed in a glass of wine, as it was believed that it protected a person from uncontrolled drunkenness and even neutralized the effects of poison. Products with amethyst were worn during epidemics because they believed that it prevented infection from entering the owner’s body. The healers prepared an “amethyst” drink: at night they put several stones in a vessel with water and gave this infusion to patients with high temperatures and various inflammatory processes to drink. Today in lithotherapy, amethyst is used to improve cerebral circulation, treat insomnia, anxiety, and nervous breakdowns. It is believed that amethyst worn on the ring finger of the right hand strengthens the immune system, and wearing it in earrings helps improve vision.

Ring with amethyst

Magic properties:
Amethyst is a stone that helps develop a person’s internal abilities, open doors to higher spheres, and comprehend universal wisdom. The magical properties of this stone are spoken of in ancient Gaumerian tablets, which say that amethyst is capable of arousing love for the giver of the stone, even if the person who received it as a gift was previously in love with another, therefore married or engaged people should never accept items as gifts with this gem from strangers.
For many peoples, amethyst is a symbol of peace, sincerity, sincerity and virtue. The owner of this stone can be confident in the fidelity of the chosen one (or chosen one) and in the sincerity of his feelings. In Ancient Greece, it was believed that amethyst helped rejuvenate the body, smooth out wrinkles, and remove freckles and age spots. The stone was placed under the pillow at night to prevent nightmares, cure insomnia, and induce pleasant dreams.
Amethyst should be worn constantly, only then will it really help the owner. However, one must remember that this gem easily changes its mood and, if the owner wears it during conflict situations at work or quarrels with family, the stone can tune in to negative energy and begin to transmit it to its owner. Therefore, after any conflict situation, a product with an amethyst should be held for 5-7 minutes under running water so that the stone calms down.
A few more words should be said about the amethyst setting. It should only be worn in silver. However, if a product combines several stones, they can also be set in gold.
Amethyst is contraindicated for Leos and Taurus. Other signs of the zodiac can wear it, but it is especially useful for Libra, Gemini and Aquarius.

Talismans and amulets:
As a talisman, amethyst serves as protection against the anger and discontent of high-ranking officials. It is also an amulet against drunkenness.
It is recommended to wear amethyst on the ring finger. For women - on the left hand, for men - on the right.
Amethyst has been known to people since ancient times. But it became especially popular and loved in the Middle Ages. The hero of Anatole France's novel, Abbot Guitrel, describes the bishop's ring as follows: "The bishop wears the ring as a symbol of his spiritual marriage with the church, and therefore the ring should, in a certain sense, express with its appearance the idea of ​​purity and severity of life."
Amethyst is apparently considered very suitable for decorating a pastoral ring. That is why it is called the "bishop's stone". It sparkles with a moderate shine. It is one of the twelve stones set into the breastplate of the European high priest. In Christian symbolism, it means modesty and humility.
Nowadays, amethyst, compared to other jewelry stones, is not very expensive. And it’s not just that many amethyst deposits have been discovered. It’s just that people have learned to create amethysts themselves, and so successfully that even scientists using laboratory tests are unable to distinguish synthetic amethysts from natural ones. Amethyst growers have learned to grow crystals up to 15 cm long! In addition, synthetic amethysts do not fade in the sun and during production you can give them exactly the color you need.
Amethyst is the only artificial stone that costs about the same on the market as a natural one. So, if not a piece of the Amethyst nymph remains on the planet, the Amethyst stone will still exist.

Gems.

The art of processing precious stones in Russia began to rapidly improve after the establishment of the Peterhof cutting factory in 1725 by Peter the Great. Later, stone-cutting factories were built in the Urals and Altai - in areas known for deposits of precious and semi-precious colored stones. Since then, Russian precious and colored stones have gained worldwide fame. Blue Siberian and Ural aquamarines, Ural emeralds, topazes, and amethysts have no equal in the world in color and quality. The Ural alexandrite and pink tourmaline are also famous. The best in the world in terms of elegance and whimsical design combined with harmonious color tones, as well as in their technical qualities, are the Ural ornamental colored stones - malachite, orlets, jasper; Siberian - jade and lapis lazuli. Precious and colored stones serve not only as a material for jewelry, but are also used in precision instrument making and other branches of science and technology.

Jewelry "Deer Beetle".

Australian noble opal with a unique color.

CLASSIFICATION OF PRECIOUS AND PRECIOUS STONES BY VALUE

The cost of a stone is influenced not only by its size, strength, uniformity, color, but also by how rare it is and how difficult it is to obtain.

There are many classifications - both in our country and abroad. Each classification has its pros and cons. In addition to the basic principles underlying each classification, there are a number of external factors that influence its structure: fashion for stone, discovery of new deposits, market saturation, and others.

The most common in the territory of the former USSR is the classification of V. Ya. Kievlenko, proposed by him in 1973 and refined in 1983. This classification is popular both among industrialists and non-professionals.

FIRST GROUP JEWELRY (PRECIOUS) STONES

1st order - diamond, emerald, blue sapphire, ruby.

2nd order - alexandrite, sapphire (orange, purple and green), pearl, noble black opal, noble jadeite.

3rd order - demantoid, noble spinel, noble white and fire opal, aquamarine, topaz, adularia, red tourmaline.

4th order - tourmaline (blue, green, pink and polychrome), chrysolite, zircon, beryl (yellow, golden and pink), noble spodumene, turquoise, amethyst, pyrope, almandine, chrysoprase, citrine.

Jewelry (precious) stones include minerals (mostly crystals) that are transparent, less often translucent, colorless or have a beautiful, pure and uniform color, bright shine, high hardness, and resistance to wear. The exceptions are opals, turquoise, and pearls - a mineral of organic origin and low hardness.

SECOND GROUP JEWELRY STONES

1st order - lapis lazuli, jadeite, jade, malachite, aventurine, amber-succinite, rock crystal, smoky quartz, hematite (bloodstone). 2nd order - agate, colored chalcedony, amazonite, heliotrope, rhodonite, rose quartz, opaque feldspars, obsidian, ordinary opal.

Jewelry and ornamental stones are minerals that are used both as ornamental and jewelry materials.

THIRD GROUP OPEN STONES

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

Ornamental stones mainly include rocks whose decorative properties are used in products with a large surface area (tens of square centimeters).

In the late seventies, the research institute developed an industrial classification of jewelry and semi-precious stones. In it, three groups are further divided into subtypes and groups according to transparency, hardness (on the Mohs scale) and other properties. This classification is used in the jewelry industry.

A lady finds herself in a difficult situation when she finds herself in a store hoping to choose some jewelry for herself. The stones sparkle and shimmer, the price tags are confusing, the tags do not clarify anything - in general, the situation is almost hopeless. Sellers are ready, in principle, to answer any question, but what to ask is unknown. You can’t ask a nice girl: “That green one over there, is that a good stone? Isn’t it a fake?”

Precious stones, transparent and hard, are rare in nature and therefore are expensive. These include diamond, natural pearl, sapphire, emerald and ruby.

However, diamond occupies a special place among them. It combines exceptional hardness, high light refraction and high gloss.

Diamond

Diamonds are made up of pure carbon atoms that exist deep underground, subjected to intense heat and pressure over billions of years.

What can it be confused with?

The greatest similarity is found in cubic zirconia (colorless zircon created by laboratory synthesis at the Physical Institute of the P.N. Lebedev Academy of Sciences). Although they are very similar in appearance, if you look closely, cubic zirconia gives less colorful highlights. Beryl, sapphire, topaz, and quartz are also passed off as diamonds.

Price

Diamonds are piece goods. A high-quality diamond weighing 1 g costs hundreds of thousands of rubles.

Tips for choosing

Let's try to understand the mineral according to the parameters indicated on the price tag.

The cost of any gemstone is made up of four factors: weight, shape, color and quality.

Weight measured in carats (in ancient times, this word was used to describe special seeds with which the size of a pebble was compared). 1 carat is equal to 0.2 g. The price per carat increases with the weight of the diamond. A particularly sharp jump in price is observed at the 1-carat mark, when the price of identical stones weighing 0.99 carats and 1 carat differs by approximately 1.3 times, since it is believed that a “real” diamond starts at 1 carat. Depending on their weight, diamonds are divided into small (up to 0.29 carats), medium (from 0.30 to 0.99 carats) and large (more than 1 carat). If the diamond is too small, its mass is measured in “points”, which are 0.01 of the carat, that is, only 2 mg.

Form. This is the type of cut: round, oval, etc. This determines how the stone “plays” and glows. Round shape (Kr) is the most common option. Ovals and hearts are cut less frequently and are cheaper. The cut can be simplified, with 17 facets (Kr-17) (for small stones) and complex - with 57 and 58 facets (Kr-57). Another point that influences the evaluation of a stone is the quality of the cut (symmetry, polishing, etc.), evaluated by the letters “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, where the first one denotes the highest class.

Color. Due to the peculiarities of the diamond formation process, only a few specimens are truly colorless stones. The more colorless a “white” diamond is, the higher its value. These rules do not apply to fancy colored diamonds. Such diamonds come in blue, pink, red, yellow, and green. They are very rare, and their cost is several times higher than the cost of “white” diamonds. Diamonds are classified into color groups from colorless with a gradual increase in saturation to yellow, brown, and gray shades. The number of color groups depends on the weight. Small Kr-17 diamonds are classified into 4 color groups (1 - colorless stones). Small Kr-57 diamonds are classified into 7 color groups (1 - colorless stones). Medium and large diamonds are classified into 9 main color groups (1 - colorless stones).

Purity. Diamonds are classified into clarity groups depending on the presence of internal characteristics (inclusions, cracks, surface defects, the elimination of which will lead to significant weight loss), their quantity, location and color (characteristics visible through a 10x magnifying glass are taken into account). Although these shortcomings make the product unique, their presence still makes the product cheaper. The quantity depends on the weight. Thus, small Kr-17 diamonds are classified into 6 purity groups, and small Kr-57 diamonds into 9 groups. For medium and large stones there are 12 purity groups. The relationship between color and clarity is usually expressed as a fraction, with the larger the numerator and denominator, the lower the quality of the stone. For example, a diamond with a characteristic of 3/3 is considered good, but a fraction of 9/12 indicates a very low quality of the stone.

We translate from jewelry

The “coding” of a diamond’s quality looks something like this: Kr57A-0.47-3/5. Translation from jewelry:

• Kr57A - has a round cut shape (Kr) with 57 facets (57) of very high quality (A).
• 0.47 - the second number indicates the size of the stone. Weighs 0.47 carats, that is, medium in weight.
• 3 - the penultimate number on the label indicates the degree to which the color of the stone differs from white (transparent).
• 5 - the last digit indicates the class of “purity” or quality of the stone. Our sample has few foreign inclusions.

Summary

An ideal diamond weighs from 1 carat, round grade A cut with 57 facets, colorless, pink or blue, with a color/quality ratio of 1/1 to 3/3.

Pearl

Natural pearls are formed in the body of an oyster if some foreign body, such as a grain of sand, gets there. The mollusk tries to get rid of it by secreting nacre, which envelops the alien, trying to neutralize its activity. The longer the pearl remains in the oyster's body, the thicker the layer of nacre around it will be. This produces a beautiful shiny gemstone - a pearl.

Natural pearls belong to the category of the rarest and most expensive precious stones. Pearls are not processed by jewelers - they are used in their original form.

What can be confused with

Nowadays, most pearls sold in stores are cultured specimens, grown with the help of humans (a bead is placed in an oyster, after which the pearl formation process continues in the same way as in nature). It is believed that cultured pearls have the same properties as natural pearls. The main difference between natural and cultured pearls is that cultured pearls are harvested much earlier than natural ones, and therefore the layer of nacre on them is very thin.

Price

The price of the final product will depend on the color, growing conditions (sea or river water), thickness of the pearlescent layer, surface gloss, size and shape. As the size increases, the price increases unevenly: a 9 mm pearl costs twice as much as an 8.5 mm pearl. At the same time, river pearls are traditionally valued less than sea pearls. There are no perfectly round pearls, so rounded ones are valued more than crooked ones, but non-standard specimens shaped like snails, for example, are also not cheap. Naturally colored pearls cost more than white pearls, while artificially colored pearls cost less. White and pink pearls are most valued, followed by gold (champagne) and black (Tahitian).

Color

Pale pink, silver, yellowish, light green, white, black, rose red. Sizes range from microscopic to a pigeon egg.

Tips for choosing

If you decide to purchase pearls, compare the quality of what is offered in stores. Take a closer look at the product as a whole: the shine is good, but the roundness is not important; shine and color are normal, but the surface is uneven; The shape is good, but there is no harmony among the pearls in the string.

Place the pearls on your neck or face and make sure their color matches your skin and hair color. Ask if the color is natural. Freshwater pearls are easy to distinguish from sea pearls: they are small and shaped like crooked pearl grains.

Summary

The ideal pearl is natural, marine, shiny and smooth to the touch, without potholes or depressions, round in shape, large in size, white, pink or gold in color.

Sapphire

Sapphire is known in the mineral world as corundum, whose crystal structure is composed of aluminum oxide. On the hardness scale, sapphire is the hardest stone among gems after diamond.

Color

Rare stones of rich cornflower blue color are considered the most valuable. More often there are simply blue, green, yellow, white, pink and brown stones.

What can be confused with

Often the role of sapphire is painted cubic zirconia.

Tips for choosing

The origin of a sapphire greatly influences its value. The homeland of the best sapphires is Kashmir. The color of these stones is cornflower blue. In addition, Kashmir sapphires retain color under artificial light, which is rare for this crystal.

Price

Natural sapphires are very rare and expensive. The purer the blue color of natural sapphire, the higher the price. Darker or paler stones have less value. The price is also affected by the brightness and cut of the stone and the carat weight. The best quality sapphire is one whose purity is visible to the eye, and some inclusions are detectable under a magnifying glass. Sapphires weighing up to 2 carats are more common, but stones from 5 to 10 carats are also found.

However, a gemological3 certificate confirming that the mineral was mined in Kashmir does not yet guarantee its high quality. Burmese sapphires can also be of excellent quality. Sapphires from Sri Lanka are usually paler. The darkest and therefore cheapest sapphires are mined in Australia.

Summary

It is better to look for a sapphire from Kashmir, pure cornflower blue in color, with a good cut, weighing several carats, the inclusions of which should not be visible to the naked eye.

Emerald

Emerald is one of the most revered and expensive gemstones. The stone belongs to the beryllium genus, whose crystal structure consists of aluminum and beryllium. Unlike other green stones, it retains its color under artificial light.

Most natural emeralds have cracks and internal defects visible to the eye, and uneven coloring.

Price

The brighter the green, the higher the cost. Unlike a diamond, a beautifully colored emerald does not lose much in value if it contains inclusions. Natural emeralds of the highest quality weighing more than 2 carats are very rare and very expensive.

What can be confused with

A stone that is too pale in color may not be an emerald, but ordinary beryl or inexpensive fluorite. You can distinguish natural emeralds from synthetic ones based on the fact that most natural emeralds are imperfect, have cracks, and are opaque in places. Perfect dark green and perfectly transparent emeralds will most likely turn out to be high-quality synthetics.

Color

There are five types of emeralds: dark green, normal green, medium green, light green, light green. The most valuable are emeralds, the color of which is close to the color of dill.

Tips for choosing

It is good that the emerald passes the examination of a gemological laboratory.

When purchasing, give preference, if possible, to a larger stone; all its play is most noticeable in it.

Summary

It is most pleasant to own a stone of 1 carat or more, always with inclusions that will guarantee its authenticity. The cut should be neat, the edges without jagged edges or roughness. The color is rich green, close to the color of dill. A conclusion from a gemological laboratory would also be useful.

Ruby

Ruby is known in the mineral world as corundum, whose crystal structure is composed of aluminum oxide. After diamond, it is the hardest stone. Most natural rubies have internal defects.

Color

Its color varies from red to brown. The most valuable colors are "pigeon's blood" - pure red with a slight purple tint.

Price

Like other precious stones, the price is determined based on the richness and beauty of the color, the degree of purity and the absence of defects. Typically, the quality of a ruby ​​can be determined by eye, and inclusions can be examined under low magnification with a magnifying glass. Rubies under 2 carats are more common, while stones over 5 carats are a scarce commodity. And rubies of the highest quality are rare, regardless of their size. The most expensive rubies are those mined in Upper Burma; they have a characteristic “pigeon’s blood” hue. A 5-carat Burmese ruby ​​can cost ten times more than a ruby ​​of the same quality from Thailand.

What can be confused with

Almost all red stones in our jewelry are synthetic corundum.

Tips for choosing

Don't limit yourself to inspecting the stone under artificial light. In daylight, only the stone from Burma seems to be illuminated from within, flickering like a hot coal. Stones mined in Thailand, as a rule, cannot boast of such “fire”. Rubies from Sri Lanka will appear just pale pink in the light of a lamp.

Summary

The most successful investment seems to be in a Burmese ruby ​​of a rich pigeon's blood color, weighing from 1 carat, cut class A, with inclusions visible only with a magnifying glass.

Cannot be exchanged!
When purchasing products with stones in stores, be careful, because jewelry of good quality cannot be returned or exchanged.

• The main rule is that you should buy jewelry in a well-known “name” store.
• If you are not confident in your knowledge, do not neglect the help of a knowledgeable person, be it a relative, gemologist or jeweler.
• First of all, it is worth examining the hallmark of the assay office on the metal part of the product through a magnifying glass. If there is no such mark, it means the jewelry is “left-handed” or was smuggled into Russia.
• In addition, each piece of jewelry must be equipped with a special sealed tag. It indicates the name of the manufacturer/seller, name of the metal, sample, weight, price per gram; if there are inserts, then their characteristics and weight. If this tag is present, if after purchasing a piece of jewelry it is discovered that the declared qualities do not correspond to the real ones, the buyer has the opportunity to go to court, referring to the law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”.
• Find out if the stone comes with a certificate (usually expensive minerals). It repeats information from the tag about the characteristics of the diamond. It also contains a detailed sketch of the stone indicating all inclusions, chips, and cracks. Such a document guarantees the authenticity of the characteristics of the stone.
• After the purchase, keep the sales and cash receipts, the tag and the cord with the seal. The sales receipt must indicate the sample of precious metals, the name, quantity and weight of the stones included in the product. Otherwise, after discovering defects in the product, you will not be able to make a claim.
• When purchasing pearl products, you need to know how it was produced. If the seller claims that the pearls are natural, demand that they provide you with an identification certificate compiled by a laboratory. No certificate? Perhaps you are looking at cultured pearls, which should cost much less than their natural counterpart.

There are several classifications of precious stones, which are based on characteristics such as hardness or light scattering of the stone, mineral composition, crystallographic features, and prevalence in nature. That is why the division into precious and stones is very arbitrary.

For the first time, the division into types of precious stones was proposed by M. Bauer in 1896. Later, many scientists addressed the improvement of this issue, including A.E. Fersman and V.I. Sobolevsky.

It is customary to divide jewelry stones into three types: precious, semi-precious and ornamental.

Gems

Precious stones are minerals that are distinguished by their particular brilliance, beauty and play of color, or strength and hardness, and which are used as jewelry.

According to a simplified classification, first grade precious stones are: diamond, sapphire, chrysoberyl, ruby, emerald, alexandrite, spinel, lal, euclase.

The second grade of precious stones are: topaz, aquamarine, red, phenacite, demantoid, bloodstone, hyacinth, opal, almandine, zircon.

Diamond and brilliant are the same stone, which is a type of crystalline carbon. The first name refers to the stone in its natural form, and the second - cut.

There are no such terms as semi-precious and ornamental stones, since they differ from precious stones only in their wider distribution and less pronounced properties, which is also reflected in the price of products with them.

Among the semi-precious stones are: garnet, epidote, turquoise, dioptase, green and variegated tourmalines, rock crystal, chalcedony, light amethyst, sun and moonstone, labradorite.

Ornamental (gemstone) stones include: jade, bloodstone, lapis lazuli, amazonite, labradorite of lower quality, varieties of spar and jasper, smoky and rose quartz, Vesuveman, jet, corals, amber, mother-of-pearl.

Modern classification of jewelry stones

Professional jewelers and mineralogists consider the best and most modern classification proposed by Professor E.Ya. Kievlenko.

The first group includes jewelry (other synonymous names are cut, precious) stones:

Diamond, blue sapphire, emerald, ruby, constituting the first class;

Alexandrite, orange, yellow, purple and green sapphire, noble jadeite, noble black opal, which are included in the second class;

Demantoid, noble spinel, aquamarine, topaz, rhodolite, noble white and fire opal, red tourmaline, moonstone (adularia), which represent the third class;

Blue, green, pink and polychrome tourmaline, turquoise, chrysolite, noble spodumene (kunzite, giddenite), zircon, yellow, green, golden and pink beryl, pyrope, almandine, amethyst, citrine, chrysolite, chrysoprase, which the scientist classified as the fourth class .

The second group classifies ornamental, or stone-cutting, stones:

Rauchtopaz, amber-succinite, hematite-bloodstone, jadeite, rock crystal, lapis lazuli, malachite, jade, aventurine, belonging to the first class;

Agate, cacholong, colored chalcedony, amazonite, heliotrope, rhodonite, rose quartz, iridescent obsidian, labradorite, common opal, belomorite and other opaque iridescent spars, which make up the second class.

The third group is represented by decorative facing stones, including: jasper, written granite, marble onyx, petrified wood, larchite, jet, jaspilite, obsidian, selenite, aventurine quartzite, fluorite, agalmatolite, colored marble, patterned flint.

What determines the price of topaz? Why is one topaz more expensive than another if both are refined?

Gemology considers topaz to be a semi-precious stone, but the global demand, which has not decreased for several centuries in a row, allows us to understand: topaz is a precious stone! In any case, not so long ago, the best of colorless topazes replaced diamonds and adorned royal crowns.

An interesting natural feature of topaz is the variability of its color. Unlike most crystals, topazes change color not due to the presence of impurities in the stone mass, but due to defects in the structure of the crystal lattice.

Modern experimenters have learned to change the color of crystalline aluminosilicates (topaz is a general name for some varieties of the compound) by heating and (or) harsh X-ray irradiation of the stone. It has been noticed that when heated, topazes become discolored, and under the influence of radioactive radiation their color thickens.

A simple, but at the same time beautiful cut shape can transform any stone. The blue topazes in the photo demonstrate this rule as well as ever.

Topaz color is the most important price criterion

The price of all transparent gem quality stones is determined by four parameters. These are color, clarity, perfection of cut and weight. When evaluating, it is important to note not any individual quality of a gem, but to capture the totality of all the advantages of the product.

For topaz, the most important role in determining the value is played by the color, or more precisely, both the color and the origin of the crystal. Topazes of yellow, pink, and reddish-orange colors are in highest demand among connoisseurs.

In nature, topazes of red shades are extremely rare, and therefore on the world market such stones are valued at high, very high prices. Unsatisfied demand for rare crystals forces traders to look for ways to create imitations and make all sorts of fakes. So it’s worth learning to distinguish the natural color of natural topaz from the color that was given to it through refining!

Pink topaz of natural origin is sold five to ten times more expensive than a crystal that is also natural, but refined to acquire a beautiful pink hue.

Imperial topaz

Imperial topaz is mined in Brazil. Not long ago, excellent quality topazes with a predominance of pink tones were found in Pakistan. When can we call topaz imperial? When its natural color can be defined as yellow, pink, salmon, or mixed: lotus color, red-yellow, reddish-orange, purple-pink.

The most expensive among the imperial ones is considered to be pink topaz, or a stone with a clear predominance of red tones. This gem is valued in the range from 500 to 3,500 dollars per carat. Yellow imperial topaz is cheaper: its cost ranges from 70 to 500 dollars per carat.

Pink imperial topaz. The fantastic beauty of an expensive stone is most evident under artificial lighting. Reddish-orange imperial topaz. The features of the teardrop-shaped cut gave the stone the opportunity to blaze with a bright internal flame. Achieving harmonious color contrasts in the play of light on the facets of imperial topaz is evidence of the high skill of the cutter. Each piece of jewelry of this class is unique! Yellow imperial topaz. Rich natural color, soft pink flashes of refracted rays, impeccable shape and geometrically verified symmetry of the edges make this beautiful stone a unique piece of jewelry.

Natural imperial topazes are rarely “selected” beyond the five-carat weight limit, and very rarely reach the weight threshold of 10 carats.

Sometimes on the gemstone market there are pink topazes that are sold as 100% natural. Most often the seller is disingenuous. Most likely, the topaz sold, although obtained from nature, is artificially colored. The lilac-pink color of the crystal is usually the result of heat treatment.

But even an artificially processed pink stone is more expensive than blue topaz. The answer to the question: “Why?” look in the article about imperial topaz.

Champagne straw color

Below the imperials in the hierarchical price list are topazes with a predominance of yellow tones in color. Such a stone can resemble champagne or golden tea infusion. Some topaz have a brownish color with slight shades of red or yellow. Such stones are priced in the range from 25 to 70 dollars per carat.

A significant role in the assessment is played by the color saturation and overall attractiveness of the stone.

Light yellow topaz. Beautiful natural yellowness, muted with gray-greenish tones, makes the stone quite expensive. Natural topaz with a slight shade of soft yellow. The highlight of its appeal lies in its ability to produce highlights of dense color. You can admire the play of light in such a stone endlessly! Pink champagne topaz. Refinement and nobility are the main qualities of both a natural gem of rare color and an intoxicating drink.

Artificial colors of natural topazes

Oddly enough, artificial pink topaz is not much more expensive, but still more expensive than blue topaz. But in terms of color durability, cool-toned topazes are far superior to warm-toned gems! Apparently, the aesthetic expressiveness of the stone, combined with technological energy costs, outweighs the fragility of the artificial beauty of pink.

However, the price superiority of man-made pink topaz is observed only in a certain weight category of the stone. It makes sense to make topaz weighing up to 10 carats pink: its price will rise sharply! More massive stones will only suffer from such “repainting” in terms of price.

Uneven discoloration will quickly turn a large pink topaz into a featureless piece of glass. Therefore, stones of 10 carats and larger are usually “painted” a more permanent blue color. The price of such a product increases quite significantly.

In retail trade in Thailand, for a ten-carat pink topaz, the buyer is charged from 10 to 15 dollars for each carat of weight. In the same shop, the most expensive (and bluest) among blue topaz - London Blue Topaz - costs from 5 to 10 dollars per carat.

Slightly cheaper than London topaz are stones called Swiss blue and Sky blue - “Swiss blue” (thicker color) and “Sky blue” (thinner color) topazes. The difference in price is determined not by aesthetic expressiveness and jewelry value, but by the amount of refining costs.

Colorless topazes most often end up on the counter after color correction. Natural stone may have an inexpressive brown (gray, dirty milky) tint. No matter how hard you try, you cannot create jewelry from such raw materials. But colorless stones have their loyal admirers!

Among white (that is, uncolored) topaz, crystals with a characteristic three-dimensional pattern inside are especially distinguished. Whether chaotic or ordered, the arrangement of rutile needles in a solid stone sometimes creates impressive effects. Such stones are cut into cabochons so that the play of light on the edges does not interfere with the viewing of the natural beauty of the topazes.

The cost of colorless and rutile topaz is relatively low, but it strongly depends on the size of the stone, the quality of the cut, and the “landscape” pattern of the inclusions.

White, or rather colorless, topaz. It is little valued in the world, but in the territory of the former USSR the jewelry value of white topaz is recognized as undeniable!

The flashiest ones are the cheapest!

From the point of view of a person uninitiated in gemology, the most beautiful is the rainbow-colored topaz - the so-called “Mystic Topaz”. No less interesting is Azotik-Topaz, named after the company that invented magnetron sputtering technology.

A magnetron is a generator of ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic oscillations. A powerful beam of such radiation literally “drives” metal molecules into the surface of an aluminosilicate crystal. The result of the impact is the decomposition of the light flux at the boundaries of the media and the formation of a beautiful iridescent picture.

Breathtakingly beautiful azotite and mystic topazes are priced at no more than five dollars per carat, largely also because magnetron processing does not produce a particularly durable result. It is enough to forget a ring with a beautiful mystic topaz on a brightly lit windowsill, and the effectiveness of the stone will decrease.

Pink topaz. The color is not natural. Visible blue tones in red reflections. It is not difficult to distinguish artificial pink topaz from natural one precisely because of the bluish tones of the stone. Nitrogen topaz. Catchy, beautiful, inexpensive! Mystic topaz. He is the first to attract the buyer's attention. Green tones, extremely rare for natural topaz, are beloved by all gem connoisseurs. A variety of colors of highlights - like a girl's makeup for a disco...

Transparency and brilliance as factors in the cost of topaz

The purity of the crystal and the shine of the polished surface of the stone largely determine the attractiveness of the jewelry. Surface gloss is the result of using high-quality grinding and polishing materials. And the purity of the topaz crystal is usually man-made.
Many of the mined topazes are translucent to light. They seem to be filled with milk - sometimes thick, sometimes thin, like a foggy haze. Modern technologies make it possible to “rotate” the atoms in the crystal lattice so that topaz becomes completely transparent. However, accidentally heating crystal-clear topaz can return it to its natural haze...

Sky blue topaz. Perfect cut. Classic proportions, perfect polishing quality. Normally, a five-carat stone like this might cost $200. It took much more time to make the jewelry than it would have taken for a Thai self-taught person to roughly turn the oval-shaped topaz. Standard quality topaz cut. With good execution and a significant size (about 10 carats), such topazes fill the average price niche of the jewelry market. Mediocre quality (most likely hand-cut in Thailand). Questionable proportions. The price per carat of such topaz is below average, especially if the stone is small. The color – be it London Blue or Swiss blue – doesn’t help.

Cut, proportions, weight

Throughout the industrial world, hand assembly is a sign of a high-class product. Hand-cutting a gemstone, on the contrary, reduces its quality. In underdeveloped countries (it just so happens that the main extraction of topaz is carried out there), gem cutting is carried out “by eye”. Among random artisans, are there many born masters with a steady hand and a trained eye? One in a thousand! Here are the successful hand-cut topazes - one in a thousand.

The ability to correctly interpret the natural shape of a stone and select proportions for a product that allow you to save maximum weight and make the jewelry expressive is called talent. Talents are rare! There are also a few fancy-cut topazes worthy of an exhibition display.