Top 10 Different Types of Gemstones For Beginners

Amber is a gemstone who has a remarkable background. In contrast to other gems made of stone and minerals, amber is made of ancient tree resin. This is a golden rock which people have been seeking to know more about for thousands of years. Knowing about amber would enable individuals to appreciate its beauty and value. What is Amber? When resin contained in trees solidifies after millions of years, it forms amber. The resin entraps insects and leaves, among other tiny items. They give each amber gemstone a unique inclusion. The process of hardening soft resin into solid amber is done by heat and pressure. The majority of amber was developed during the period between 30 and 90 million years ago. This was a period when ancient forests covered large parts of the Earth. It caused the trees to produce sticky resin as a defense against insects and disease. This coating or covering resulted in the amber that we have. How Amber Forms Over Time Resin produced in trees starts as a liquid that drains through broken bark on trees. The resin will harden gradually when exposed to the air. Over millions of years, buried resin is altered by the pressures and chemical interactions with the Earth. The transformation is done in phases. A new resin is introduced in the form of copal, a partially hardened resin. Genuine amber takes a lot longer to be full-grown. It is this long process that makes amber so stable and beautiful. Amber's Physical Properties Color and Appearance Amber has a wide range of colors, with yellow and brown being the primary colors used in gold. Part of amber looks green, red, or even orange. The transparent amber allows light to go through easily, whereas the opaque amber has bubbles or particles. Amber, that is good, it will have a smooth and warm surface. Amber is very bright when it is well-polished in quality. Natural amber usually exhibits flow marks of the resin, which was in liquid form. Hardness and Durability The hardness of amber lies between 2 and 2.5. This gives it softness as compared to the majority of gemstones, yet it is hard enough to be used as jewelry. Any scratches and amber damage can be avoided through careful handling. Amber, being relatively soft, does not break easily during its normal use. Before breaking, the material slightly bends, thus it does not break abruptly. Amber is excellent and can have several years of proper care. Weight and Density Amber is light in weight compared to most other stones of this weight. This light density is due to its organic nature. The amber is hardly noticeable in weight; hence, it is very easy to incorporate into large jewelry designs. Amber would float in saltwater and sink in freshwater. This characteristic can be used to distinguish between the real amber and the glass or plastic imitations. The density test is a simple method for verifying the authenticity of amber. Different Types of Amber Baltic Amber The countries surrounding the Baltic Sea produce Baltic amber. This kind has the most significant level of succinic acid and, therefore, is very stable. Prehistoric insects and plant remains can be found within Baltic amber. The majority of the world's amber is regionally produced in the Baltic. Amber is washed by the storms and collected on the beaches by the amber collectors. This amber originated from the ancient pine forests that once existed in continental Europe to the north. Dominican Amber Dominican amber is produced in the Caribbean in the Dominican Republic. This amber is generally more transparent than Baltic amber. It typically contains tropical insects and flowers that are absent in other types of amber. Dominican amber is a relatively new development compared to Baltic amber, typically 15-40 million years old. The tropical climate gave rise to various types of inclusions. Under certain lighting conditions, this amber exhibits a blue or green hue. Mexican Amber The origin of Mexican amber is Chiapas, Mexico. This amber ranges from yellow to deep, reddish red. Mexican amber contains several rare insects and plants from the primeval forests of Central America. Local artisans have utilised Mexican amber over the centuries. Amber develops in specific layers within the geological formations. The mining is a process that should be delicately done so that no part of the amber is destroyed. Traditional Meanings and Beliefs Ancient Cultures The ancient Greeks named amber electron due to its ability to produce static electricity when rubbed together. Romans considered amber precious and traded it throughout the empire. Amber was attributed with magical properties by many cultures. The Celtic people believed that amber connected the earth to the sun. They used amber in religious ceremonies and for medicinal purposes. Amber amulets were used by warriors as protection in battle. Healing Properties It was the belief of traditional healers that amber was capable of curing numerous illnesses. They believed that the amber could be used to decrease pain and inflammation when in contact with the skin. These claims regarding healing cannot be proved by modern science. Some individuals have worn amber jewelry due to its purported health benefits. Baltic amber is known to contain succinic acid and is believed by some to possess some curative properties. The beliefs are held even in the absence of scientific facts. Spiritual Meaning Amber is regarded by a lot of spiritual traditions as a protective and wise stone. It is believed that amber can clear negative energy from spaces. Some believe amber to be linked to the wisdom of the ancient earth. In some cases, meditation practitioners employ amber to boost the practice. Amber has a warm temperature and is lightweight, making it pleasant to hold during meditation. Such applications are based on individual faith rather than scientific effectiveness. Modern Uses of Amber Jewelry Making Amber also produces beautiful pieces of jewelry which display its natural colors. Amber is flaunted in necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Being lightweight, amber is easy to wear. Jewelry manufacturers often combine amber with metals like silver or gold. This gives the contrast beautiful designs that are interesting to a large number of tastes. The amber jewel suits both informal and formal outfits. Art and Decoration Artists often use amber in their sculptures and ornaments. Amber can be worked into elaborate patterns in significant works of art. This transparency on carved pieces gives rise to attractive effects of light. Amber inlays beautify furniture and artwork. Amber comes in small objects that are shaped into detailed designs in wood or metal. The fine craftsmanship of using the method can be centuries old. Conclusion Amber collecting can be a rewarding hobby. Every composition narrates about ancient forests and primitive life. Amber captivates people all over the world in terms of its beauty and history.

There is gold and there are gemstones. These two precious items have enormous worth when it comes to jewelry production. Ornament businesses seek the most beautiful gemstones to enhance the value of their jewelry items. Not just the gold body of jewelry is enough because consumers want to have beautiful gems on it for a complete package. Therefore, they look for such gemstones, and you can also get some guidelines if you are willing to source them. Types Of Gemstones 1. Emerald The green and greenish-blue gemstone, known as an emerald, is what everyone loves. Before you know about its refined form, here is what you need to know. It is extracted from the beryl mineral, which contains chromium and vanadium. These two elements give this gemstone its symbolic greenish shade. As one of the hardest gemstones, it has secured a significant position in the gemstone industry. Its hardness level is between 7.5 and 8 on Mohs’ scale. Its even green appearance with balanced hue makes it the most expensive type among its other shades. Ancient people, especially those in empires, often adorned themselves with emeralds. It is usually found in Colombia, Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. The Colombian emerald is the most expensive in the jewelry industry due to its purity and rare form. 2. Hemimorphite This sky-blue gemstone, which resembles turquoise, is one of the most captivating gemstones. Although its hardness level is 5, it creates a mesmerizing effect in the white gold or silver jewelry. It is extracted from zinc ore, and zinc silicate gives it this symbolic color. What makes it even more beautiful is the inclusion of white bands in some variations. The jewelry industry uses it in rings and pendants to capture the entire attention of viewers. Pakistan, Congo, China, Mexico, Madagascar, and the United States are the countries that have an abundance of hemimorphite gemstones. 3. Ruby Everyone knows about Ruby, and it hardly needs any introduction. Its rose-red or pigeon-blood-red hue makes it one of the most expensive gemstones in the world. Although there are other shades, such as maroon, burgundy, and purple, the red one is the purest form. This reddish hue makes it an ideal gemstone for premium jewelry, especially when paired with white gold. Another reason why its demand is very high is that it is a very rare gemstone, which makes it as expensive as diamonds sometimes. Not only is their beauty comparable to that of a diamond, but also their hardness level, which is 9. Countries with abundant sources include Thailand, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania. 4. Alexandrite Here comes another rare gemstone: alexandrite. Its color-changing properties, due to its pleochroism, give it green, blue, and purple hues from different angles. Among all the types of gemstones, alexandrite is one of the few with color-changing properties. The jewelry industry looks for these gemstones for their high-end jewelry sets. Since it contains chromium, that element gives it color-changing properties. It appears perfect with white gold or silver jewelry. Besides, its hardness level is 8.5, which makes it one of the hardest gemstones. Russia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Tanzania, and Madagascar are the countries where it is found. 5. Diamond The jewelry industry is incomplete without diamonds, which are not only rare but are also a result of billions of years of volcanic conditions. After all these extreme heating activities take place, this rare gemstone shows up. It is an elite, crystallized form of carbon, found either in a colorless state or with yellowish or brownish shades. Diamonds have a very high luster, and it makes them the most expensive and classic gemstone. There is a symbolic hardness level of 10, the highest among all. Russia has an abundant source of diamonds, followed by Botswana, South Africa, the Congo, and even Canada, which also has sufficient resources. Diamonds suit gold, white gold, and silver jewelry, which is why the entire industry charges the most for them. 6. Sapphire This royal blue gemstone is renowned for its ancient significance, as emperors once owned it. Its different variations are available in the jewelry industry, but royal blue is symbolic. When we examine the most expensive type, nothing can surpass the beauty of the Kashmir blue sapphire. Other shades include yellow, orange, green, and pink, which also hold significant value. The presence of titanium, chromium, and iron creates the color variations in it. Then come white and black sapphires, which have a separate market in the jewelry industry. Similarly, padparadscha sapphire has a peach hue, which is also highly sought after. Even star sapphire is very famous, despite its unusual appearance, unlike other types. Its hardness level on Mohs’ scale is 9, which makes it one of the hardest gemstones. Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Myanmar, and Madagascar are the countries where it can be found. 7. Amethyst Then there is a gemstone with purple and violet hues, making it an excellent choice for some types of jewelry. It becomes the most popular gemstone in the jewelry world when it comes to demand for purple hues.  Additionally, it features a distinctive quartz form, making the jewelry highly attractive. White gold and standard gold jewelry pair excellently with this purple gem. Its hardness level on the Mohs scale is 7, and it can be found in abundant supply in Brazil and Uruguay. Even Zambia has some supply of amethyst gems. 8. Opal Here is a very unusual gemstone with mesmerizing patterns, known as an opal. This gemstone features shimmering patterns in the form of galactic, splash, fire, sparkle, and ocean motifs. Different, captivating shades with both consistency and inconsistency exist in opal. You will find dark and light patterns, along with sub-hues, that extend the variety in the jewelry world. You will find it in cabochon or oval form, unlike most gemstones. Usually, you will find it in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Ethiopia. Its hardness level is low, which is between 5.5 and 6.6. It means it requires more care because of its fragility. 9. Garnet Some gemstones are distinct from others due to their unique characteristics, hues, and the perfect combination with white gold jewelry. The garnet gemstone is one of them, and it exhibits color-changing properties. Almandine and pyrope garnets, featuring black and reddish patterns, are highly renowned. Its hardness level is between 6.5 and 7.5, which is ideal for jewelry, especially when paired with white gold or silver. Besides, its orange hue, also known as spessartite, is also beautiful. Grossular, tsavorite, and andradite are also popular in white gold jewelry. Tanzania, Pakistan, Kenia, Madagascar, and India are the countries where you can find them in abundance. 10 Topaz Some gemstones have vibrant hues, and topaz is one of them. Its sparkling appearance and rare existence make it one of the demanded gemstones. Its golden yellow hue is a precious one for the jewelry industry, and you can also find brown, pink, and blue hues in its variety. The Swiss blue is a very popular variety, known for its excellent clarity. Besides, topaz gemstones have a hardness level of 8 on Mohs’ scale. Very few countries have abundant resources, and Pakistan, Russia, and Brazil are the prime ones. Conclusion These gemstones were not ordered by market worth or beauty. Hopefully, you might have realized how captivating they are, which is why the entire jewelry industry sources them from some countries. Most gemstones have a high hardness level, and this is what makes them different from counterfeit gems. Industrial experts know how to differentiate between the real and fake ones. It requires expertise and special tools to identify the original gemstones during the verification process.

People have been intrigued with amber for several millennia. Not only is this golden-colored gem appreciated for its beauty, but also for its healing qualities and inclusions, as it is an exquisite fossilized tree resin. Amber is in such high demand that the market is flooded with imitations. Fake amber can be easily confused with plastic imitators and synthetic resins. Unless you are sure of what to search for, you may get what seems to be authentic but in reality is just a facade. In this guide, we will take you through the steps of determining real vs. fake amber gemstone so you can have the information you require to make an educated decision when purchasing a piece of jewelry, a collector item, or a healing crystal. What is Special about Amber? You cannot detect a fake without knowing what the real amber is about. Amber is not a mineral, like most gemstones, but is in fact fossilized tree resin, which has been hardened over millions of years. Real amber tends to have inclusions (old insects, plants, small air bubbles, etc.) that cause each piece to be unique. Amber gemstone is also treasured by collectors, jewelers, and crystal hobbyists due to the lightweight feel and spiritual qualities of amber, in addition to its naturally golden glow. It has been in use as an ornament, traditional medicine, and energy healing and therefore much more than a decorative stone in centuries. Why the Fake Amber Exists? The demand for amber has created a target for its counterfeit production. Natural amber may be rare and costly, and thus is typically imitated by manufacturers using plastic, glass, copal (young resin), or synthetic resins. They are also less expensive to manufacture and could deceive unsuspecting customers with their realistic look. This is why knowing how to distinguish between the genuine and the fake amber is a skill that a person who has any interest in the gemstones needs to know. Visual Inspection: First Clues Among the simplest methods of recognizing amber, one can just take a closer look. Authentic amber is often naturally flawed, i.e., it is cloudy, has tiny cracks or inclusions which appear a bit uneven. It also has a tendency to glow under the light warmly, as compared to fake amber that looks too shiny, glassy, or perfect. When you find one that has an insect inside that looks too good-centered, clean, flawless, then it is most likely an artificial piece. Perfection is not often found in nature and real amber is an indication of that. Touch and Temperature Test Amber not only looks different, it feels different. Authentic amber is light and feels warm, whereas artificial ones, e.g. made of glass or plastic, tend to be colder or heavier. When you put a real amber item in your hand, it will soon warm up in a few minutes. You can get a hint by tapping it on your teeth too- real amber is softer and less sharp than glass, which is much harder and produces a different clink. Saltwater Test The saltwater test is a very easy and credible way of testing real amber. In order to achieve this, you should combine one part of salt in two parts of water and put your gemstone in the solution. Pure amber is buoyant, whereas the majority of imitations, like plastic or glass will sink. This is effective since amber is less dense than these materials. Nevertheless, this way is not recommended for applying to jewelry items that have metal settings, as the saltwater would corrode the metal. The Smell Test The smell of amber cannot be reproduced too readily. When a piece of amber is rubbed with the palm of one hand till it becomes warm, it emits a pine-like, resinous odour. Instead, fake amber, including plastic ones, typically smells like some chemical or burned plastic. This can be a bit of practice, but after you become familiar with the true smell, this is a great way of testing real amber versus the fake. UV Light Test Real amber has a beautiful glow when placed under the ultraviolet light, usually of blue or greenish hues. Younger resin, copal, can also fluoresce, but normally with a slightly different and weaker fluorescence. The fake amber, manufactured out of plastics or glass, does not tend to glow at all, or it can have an unnatural bluish shade. A UV lamp is helpful to this test, and can help verify authenticity fast. Hot Needle Test (With Caution) The other standard test is the hot needle test, but this should be conducted with caution as it may also break the stone. You place a needle in the fire and with a light pressure on the gemstone, you see the reaction. The smell of real amber is pine-like resin, whereas plastic imitations smell of strong chemicals. Glass will not permit the needle to enter very easily. This test imparts a mark and is therefore not advised on the finished jewelry, but only on loose stones. Inclusions: Nature vs. Imitation Amber inclusions are one of the most interesting phenomena of amber. Real amber occasionally contains little insects or plant particles, and provides us with a glimpse of prehistoric times. But it is also in these inclusions that most of the fakes are found. In real amber, insects can appear natural and in odd or unnatural positions with little air bubbles around them. In insects in fake amber, they tend to be overly large, have the right position or have exquisite preservation. In the case where the insect appears to be a show, then it is likely to be a hoax. Professional Testing Although home tests are helpful, ascertaining can be done by professional gemologists. With the help of modern equipment, including infrared, microscopic tests, and thermal conductivity experiments, the peculiarities of amber may be determined with total precision. In case you are going to invest in a valuable piece of amber, professional certification can never be taken lightly. The Purchase Tips to Avoid Fake Amber There is no better solution to purchasing a fake amber than to shop intelligently. You should always buy them through reputable suppliers with certificates of authenticity or guarantees. Beware of bargains or deals that is too good to be true because real amber is not usually cheap. Become a believer of what you see with your senses: appearance, weight, smell, and temperature all can give clues. As you practice, it will not take long before you learn to detect fakes. Common Types of Fake Amber Copal, plastic, resin and glass are the most common alternatives of amber. Copal is basically young tree resin and not as valuable as amber, but it can appear similar. Plastic and synthetic resin are produced, which resemble amber, but have no natural energy or smell. Fake glasses are colder, heavier and will not have that warm glow of real amber. Being aware of these alternatives, it is not so difficult to detect what you are looking at. Conclusion Amber is more than a gem: it is a relic of the past, a work of nature, a healing power. Yet, in the existence of numerous counterfeits, the question of how to distinguish the real amber among the fakes is rather topical. With the help of visual inspection, the saltwater test, the smell test, and lighting with UV light, you can be sure of genuine amber. In high-value items, professional certification is reassuring. The surest defense is to purchase items through reputable sellers and to learn about the special qualities of amber. Now you know, you can have the pleasure of real amber and its advantages for years to come.