WHAT IS GEM
A gemstone or gem (also called a precious or semi-precious stone, or jewel) is a piece of attractive mineral, which—when cut and polished—is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However, certain rocks, (such as lapis lazuli) and organic materials (such as amber or jet) are not minerals, but are still used for jewelry, and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well. Most gemstones are hard, but some soft minerals are used in jewelry because of their luster or other physical properties that have aesthetic value. Rarity is another characteristic that lends value to a gemstone.
GEMSTONES FOUND IN SRI LANKA
ALEXANDRITE
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PINK SAPPHIRE
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ALEXANDRITE CAT’S EYE
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PROPE GARNET
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ALMANDINE GARNET
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RHODOLITE GARNET
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AMETHYST
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RUBY
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AQUAMARINE
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SPESSARTITE GARNET
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BERYL
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SPINEL
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BLUE SAPPHIRE
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STAR RUBY
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CHRYSOBERYL
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STAR SAPPHIRE
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CHRYSOBERYL CAT’S EYE
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TOURMALINE
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CITRENE
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YELLOW SAPPHIRE
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ORANGE SAPPHIRE
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TOPAZ
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PATHPRAJA SAPPHIRE
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ZIRCON
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Gems can be found in many varieties to which they are classified. There are several families when it comes to gemstones. For example, the corundum family of gems, this contains gems ranging from the red colored rubies and to sapphires of other colors.
Gems are also categorized into Precious and Semi-Precious stones. Precious stones are namely Diamonds, Members of the Corundum family, Emerald, etc. Garnets, Spinals, Zircon are considered to be Semi-Precious stones.
In Sri Lanka we can find gems including Blue, Pink, Yellow, Purple Sapphires. Star Sapphires.
Gems are also categorized into Precious and Semi-Precious stones. Precious stones are namely Diamonds, Members of the Corundum family, Emerald, etc. Garnets, Spinals, Zircon are considered to be Semi-Precious stones.
In Sri Lanka we can find gems including Blue, Pink, Yellow, Purple Sapphires. Star Sapphires.
Name Hardness
Diamond ........... .10.0
Sapphire..............9.0
Ruby
Alexandrite......... 8.5
Chrysoberyl
Spinal ................8.0
Topaz
Tourmaline.......... 7.5
Emerald...............7.0
Garnet.................6.5
Moonstone...........6.0
Glass...................5.0
Coral...................3.0
Gold....................2.5
Amber.................2.0
Talc ...................................1.0
Diamond - Hardness -10.0
Blue Sapphire - Hardness -9.0
Ruby- Hardness -9.0
Alexandrite - Hardness - 8.5
Chrysoberyl - Hardness -8.5
Topaz - Hardness -8.
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Tourmaline - Hardness - 7.50
Emerald - Hardness - 7.0
Garnet - Hardness - 6.5
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