What is Natural Stone Jewelry?
What does Natural Stone mean?
A question a lot of people ask us, if a stone is indentified as natural this means that it has not been treated, enhanced, or altered.
Gemstones are mined, cut, faceted, and finally polished. Natural gemstones are generally rare in nature.
What is a Natural Gemstone?
Natural gemstones are formed in nature with no interferance from humans. Other than being mined, cut/faceted, and polished. If a stone is indentified as natural, this means that it has not been treated, enhanced, or altered. Faceting is allowed for a stone to still be considered natural.
What is a Genuine Gemstone?
A genuine gemstone is real, but it is treated in some way to enhance its cut or appearance. These are referred to as "enhanced" or "treated" stones.
Treatments are applied to fix "flaws" in the stone. i.e., discoloration, crack and/or inclusions.
What is a Lab Created Stone?
"Synthetic", "Artificial", "Lab-Grown", and "Man-made" gems have the exact chemical composition of the same stone created in nature but made by man and not mother nature.
What is a simulated Gemstone?
Simulated gemstones are often called "imitation", "faux", and "fake" stones. It is intended to "look like" another gemstone but its composition is not the same.
Simulants are not always to deceive, these are called "alternatives" and serve as additional stone options that might be a better fit based on personal appearance.
Lab created vs. Genuine?
Which is better? "Better" is an extremely subjective opinion that varies dependent upon the gemstone.
*If you are partial to buying jewelry crafted with a real and authentic stone for its value and natural properties, genuine should be your choice.
*If you have environmental concerns, lab -created stones are created in a controlled setting with few resources versus procured through and extensive mining process, which is typically followed by importation and other activities that result in a much larger carbon footprint.
*If you prefer a more even color and don't like visible flaws go with lab-created, they have a more "perfect" appearance.
*If you are frugal and love the thrill of saving money, a lab-created stone maybe the better choice being as they tend to cost less than a genuine stone.
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Natural Stone Information and Tid Bits
How can you tell what is a natural stone?
The first step is to check for inclusions on the stone with your bare eyes. (Inclusions will be explained below) If you are unable to see any inclusions with your bare eyes, then use a magnifying glass of at least 10x magnification to find out if the gemstone contains any inclusions. If you found any, then they are real gemstones.
~Difference between natural stone and gemstone?
Synthetic gemstones are manufactured in labs whereas natural gems are mined.
**Gemstones are lauded for their healing qualities and different stones react to the different centers of our bodies.
**When crystals and natural stones are placed directly on your body, they have powerful vibratory effect that surges from the crystal/stone to you.
~What is a Cabochon?
A gemstone which has been shaped and polished as opposed to faceted. The result from this this is usually a convex (rounded) obverse with a flat reverse. (A flat bottom and a round top)
~What are Inclusions in Natural Jewelry?
An inclusion is any material that is trapped inside another mineral while those mineral forms.
Examples: Crystals, liquid or gas bubbles, or even fractures cause by radioactive material in the host material may comprise gemstone inclusions.
They can both add or reduce the value and beauty of a stone. (Although I believe the latter statement is subjective) They're also helpful in gem identification, in determining whether a stone is synthetic or natural, if its treated, and its source.
Inclusions are extremely one-of-a-kind. They appear in various patterns and types, making each gem even more unique.
The Meanings of Natural Stones
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, many believe that gemstones carry properties that can positively influence their physical and emotional wellbeing.
This belief in the meanings of natural stones has withstood the test of time, dating back several generations, across different cultures over the world.
The popularity of gemstones was also propagated by the writers and poets in the Middle Ages who spun metaphors that likened crystals to perfection, desire, love, and purity.
But, just as no two stones are the same, natural stones have varying properties and can help affect different aspects of ones life.
For a detailed list of each stone and properties go to the Stone Properties page up top.
Part of the reason why people have been drawn to natural stones and believe that they carry special properties is the ethereal appearance-the way they reflect light, and how they are both translucent yet murky.
webpages for information used, www.interweave.com, himalaya-jewelry.com/blogs/news/the-meaning-of-natural-stones, eh.silvexcraft.eu/blog/natural-stones-for-jewelry-making, thepearlandstone.com, jewelrybyjohan.com, crystalmuse.com,
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