When comparing the hardness, specific gravity, refractive index, durability and fluorescence, the crystals are different from the gems. One thing that has to be noted is that different gems have different properties as different crystals having different properties. When comparing the colour between gems and crystals, the gems come in various colours like red, green and blue. The crystals also come in colours according to the transmission of light through them. A gem can be a crystal whereas a crystal will not always be a gem.
Gems can be mineral based such as ruby or diamond and organic based such as amber. One thing that has to be noted is that different gems have different properties like different crystals having different properties. Difference Between Crystal and Gem. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. Link HERE for tickets and info. Sign In My Account. Crystals vs. Gemstones - what are the differences?
The Answer… A gem is a rare mineral. Classification Systems The way we classify both gems and crystals varies, though a gem that is crystalline will occur and fall into both categories. Gems are then typically cut to size after their value is determined Crystals, on the other hand, are usually classified by their shape.
Heather Beaudoin November 14, Comment. Examples include; Sapphire, diamond, emerald, and ruby. The Branwyn Labradorite Ring. Unlike its sister stone, crystals are pure substances whose atoms, molecules and ions are arranged in such an ordered pattern that they extend in three dimensions.
This is what gives them their truly unique structure. The creation of this crystal structure is formed by what is termed as crystallisation or solidification. To get a little scientific, crystallisation refers to the way that the atoms gather to make this tightly connected structure, often happening when a solid separates from a liquid or a gas.
Crystals are most commonly categorised by their shapes. These include hexagonal, cubic, orthorhombic, tetragonal, rhombohedral and monoclinic. The confusing part, and where everyone gets stuck, is that a gemstone can be a crystal, but a crystal cannot be a gemstone. These are still rare and valuable and are still considered gemstones. These include amber, jet, and pearls, which are all organic-based gemstones. Some rock-based gemstones, such as lapis lazuli and opal, are also non-crystalline.
It would also be incorrect to refer to a crystal as a gemstone. You probably already know that the table salt and sugar in your pantry are crystals. Even without having stepped into a gemology class, it is obvious to many that salt, sugar, or even ice crystals cannot be gemstones. They are organic, unstable in certain environmental conditions, too common and lack valuable minerals and the aesthetic charm.
To further deepen your understanding, here are more differences between gemstones and crystals. Traditionally, gemstones were classified as precious or semiprecious, depending on their value and rarity.
Only four have a slot in the precious category: diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald. However, this mode of classification is slowly becoming outdated as the price of diamonds keeps dropping.
Some semiprecious gemstones such as garnets are today more highly-priced than their precious counterparts. But these, too, have a lot of exceptions. The most comprehensive classification of gemstones is by their chemical composition and molecular structure. Some gemstones have an identical molecular arrangement but unique chemical makeup and vice versa. Crystals , on the other hand, are classified according to their shape.
It is the specific molecular formation of a crystal that determines its shape.
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