Gems

Uses of MineralsUses of Minerals

Properties of GemsProperties of Gems

Gems or Gemstones are highly prized Gems or Gemstones are highly prized minerals because they are rare and minerals because they are rare and beautiful.beautiful.

Most gems are special varieties of a Most gems are special varieties of a particular mineral.particular mineral.

They are clearer, brighter, and more They are clearer, brighter, and more colorful than common samples of that colorful than common samples of that mineral.mineral.

Imperial State Crown – Imperial State Crown – made for made for Queen Victoria of England in 1838. It includes several Queen Victoria of England in 1838. It includes several precious gems, namely: 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 precious gems, namely: 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17

sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies.sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies.

Minerals and Minerals and their Gemstheir Gems

Beryl and EmeraldBeryl and Emerald Beryl is named for the element beryllium. Beryl is named for the element beryllium.

Some crystals reach several meters inSome crystals reach several meters in

length.length.

Spinel and Ruby SpinelSpinel and Ruby Spinel A red spinel in the British crown jewels A red spinel in the British crown jewels

has a mass of 352 carats. A carat is 0.2ghas a mass of 352 carats. A carat is 0.2g

Zoisite and TanzaniteZoisite and Tanzanite Purplish-blue examples of zoisite were Purplish-blue examples of zoisite were

discovered in 1967 near Arusha, Tanzania.discovered in 1967 near Arusha, Tanzania.

TopazTopaz The most valuable examples are yellow, The most valuable examples are yellow,

pink, and blue varieties.pink, and blue varieties.

Olivine and PeridotOlivine and Peridot Olivine composes a large part of Earth’s Olivine composes a large part of Earth’s

upper mantle. It is also present in moon upper mantle. It is also present in moon rocks.rocks.

Garnet and AlmandineGarnet and Almandine Garnet is a common mineral found in a wide Garnet is a common mineral found in a wide

variety of rock type. The red color of the variety variety of rock type. The red color of the variety almandine is caused by iron in its crystal almandine is caused by iron in its crystal structure.structure.

Quartz and AmethystQuartz and Amethyst

Quartz make up about 30% of Earth’s Quartz make up about 30% of Earth’s crust.crust.

Corundum and Blue Corundum and Blue SapphireSapphire The blue color of sapphire is caused by The blue color of sapphire is caused by

iron or titanium in corundum.iron or titanium in corundum.

Important GemsImportant Gems

All gems are prized, but some All gems are prized, but some are truly spectacular and have are truly spectacular and have played an important role in played an important role in history.history.

Cullinan DiamondCullinan Diamond

Found in South Africa in 1905Found in South Africa in 1905 Largest uncut Diamond ever discoveredLargest uncut Diamond ever discovered 3,106.75 carats (about 621 g)3,106.75 carats (about 621 g) Cut into 9 main stones and 96 smaller Cut into 9 main stones and 96 smaller

onesones The largest is Cullinan 1 or Great Star of The largest is Cullinan 1 or Great Star of

AfricaAfrica

Cullinan 1 or Great Star of Cullinan 1 or Great Star of AfricaAfrica Its mass is 530.20 carats (106 g)Its mass is 530.20 carats (106 g) It’s now part of the British monarchy’s It’s now part of the British monarchy’s

crown jewels (Royal Scepter).crown jewels (Royal Scepter).

The nine largest pieces of the Cullinan Diamond.The nine largest pieces of the Cullinan Diamond.

The Cullinan IV (upper, 63.60 carats) and Cullinan III The Cullinan IV (upper, 63.60 carats) and Cullinan III (lower, 94.40 carats), set in a pendant brooch.(lower, 94.40 carats), set in a pendant brooch.

The Cullinan VI (lower, 8.80 carats) and Cullinan VIII The Cullinan VI (lower, 8.80 carats) and Cullinan VIII (upper, 6.80 carats)(upper, 6.80 carats)

The Cullinan II Diamond. Note the two tiny platinum loops on The Cullinan II Diamond. Note the two tiny platinum loops on the edges.the edges.This is so the stone can be worn as a brooch, alone or with the This is so the stone can be worn as a brooch, alone or with the Cullinan I Cullinan I attached. However, it usually resides in the front of the attached. However, it usually resides in the front of the Imperial State Crown. Imperial State Crown.

Blue Hope DiamondBlue Hope Diamond

The most notorious of all diamonds.The most notorious of all diamonds. Purchased by Henry Philip Hope around Purchased by Henry Philip Hope around

18301830 Because the entire family as well as a Because the entire family as well as a

later owner suffered misfortune, the Hope later owner suffered misfortune, the Hope diamond gained reputation for bringing its diamond gained reputation for bringing its owner bad luck.owner bad luck.

Hope DiamondHope Diamond 45.52 carats (about 9 g)45.52 carats (about 9 g) Currently displayed in the Smithsonian Currently displayed in the Smithsonian

Institution in Washington, DCInstitution in Washington, DC

Useful GemsUseful Gems Diamond – useful as industrial Diamond – useful as industrial

abrasives and cutting toolsabrasives and cutting tools Rubies – used to produce Rubies – used to produce

specific types of laser lightspecific types of laser light Quartz – used in electronics and Quartz – used in electronics and

time piecestime pieces

Useful Elements in MineralsUseful Elements in Minerals

Ore – a mineral or rock that contains a Ore – a mineral or rock that contains a useful substance that can be mined at a useful substance that can be mined at a profit.profit.

Smelting – a substance is melted to Smelting – a substance is melted to separate it from unwanted materials that separate it from unwanted materials that may remainmay remain

Ilmenite and Rutile – contain titaniumIlmenite and Rutile – contain titanium

Magnetite – Magnetite – contains iron contains iron (for frying pan and ships)(for frying pan and ships)

Hematite – Hematite – contains iron (for contains iron (for frying pan and ships)frying pan and ships)

Bauxite – Bauxite – contains aluminum (for contains aluminum (for bicycles, soft-drink cans, foil, and bicycles, soft-drink cans, foil, and lightweight parts for airplanes and cars)lightweight parts for airplanes and cars)

Titanium Containing OreTitanium Containing Ore

Titanium is used in automobile body Titanium is used in automobile body parts, manufacture of aircraft, eyeglass parts, manufacture of aircraft, eyeglass frames, and sport equipments such as frames, and sport equipments such as tennis rackets and bicycles, and tennis rackets and bicycles, and wheelchairs used by people who want to wheelchairs used by people who want to race or play basketball.race or play basketball.

IlmeniteIlmenite

Rutile (protruding from a Rutile (protruding from a quartz crystal)quartz crystal)

Rutile (with a center of Rutile (with a center of hematite)hematite)

BirthstonesBirthstones

January - GarnetJanuary - Garnet

By her who in January was By her who in January was bornbornNo gem save garnets shall No gem save garnets shall be wornbe wornThey will ensure her They will ensure her constancyconstancyTrue friendship and fidelity. True friendship and fidelity.

February - AmethystFebruary - Amethyst

The February born shall findThe February born shall findSincerity and peace of mind,Sincerity and peace of mind,Freedom from passion and Freedom from passion and from care,from care,If they, the amethyst will If they, the amethyst will wear.wear.

March - AquamarineMarch - Aquamarine

April - DiamondApril - Diamond

She who from April dates She who from April dates her years,her years,Diamonds shall wear,Diamonds shall wear,lest bitter tearslest bitter tearsFor vain repentance flow. For vain repentance flow.

May - EmeraldMay - Emerald

Who first beholds the light Who first beholds the light of dayof dayIn spring's sweet, flower In spring's sweet, flower month of Maymonth of MayAnd wears an Emerald all And wears an Emerald all her lifeher lifeShall be a loved and a Shall be a loved and a loving wife. loving wife.

June - MoonstoneJune - Moonstone

June - PearlJune - Pearl

By her who in June was bornBy her who in June was bornNo gem save Pearls shall be No gem save Pearls shall be wornwornThey will ensure her They will ensure her constancyconstancyTrue friendship and fidelity. True friendship and fidelity.

July - RubyJuly - Ruby

The gleaming Ruby should The gleaming Ruby should adorn,adorn,All those who in July are All those who in July are born,born,For thus they'll be exempt For thus they'll be exempt and free,and free,From lover's doubts and From lover's doubts and anxiety.anxiety.

August - PeridotAugust - Peridot

Wear a Peridot or for thee,Wear a Peridot or for thee,No conjugal fidelity,No conjugal fidelity,The August born without The August born without this stone,this stone,`Tis said, must live unloved; `Tis said, must live unloved; alone. alone.

September - SapphireSeptember - Sapphire

A maiden born when A maiden born when autumn leavesautumn leavesAre rustling in September's Are rustling in September's breeze,breeze,A Sapphire on her brow A Sapphire on her brow should bind;should bind;To bring her joy and peace To bring her joy and peace of mind. of mind.

October - OpalOctober - Opal

October's child is born for October's child is born for woe,woe,And life's vicissitudes must And life's vicissitudes must know,know,But lay an opal on her But lay an opal on her breast,breast,And hope will lull those And hope will lull those woes to rest. woes to rest.

October - TourmalineOctober - Tourmaline

November - TopazNovember - Topaz

Who first comes to this Who first comes to this world belowworld belowIn dreary November's fog In dreary November's fog and snow,and snow,Should prize the topaz Should prize the topaz amber hue,amber hue,Emblem of friends and Emblem of friends and lovers true. lovers true.

November - CitrineNovember - Citrine

December - TurquoiseDecember - Turquoise

If cold December gave you If cold December gave you birthbirthThe month of snow and ice The month of snow and ice and mirthand mirthPlace on your hand a Place on your hand a turquoise blue;turquoise blue;Success will bless whate'er Success will bless whate'er you do. you do.

December – Blue TopazDecember – Blue Topaz