# Gemstones > Stones for jewelry are a material of natural origin, used to accent and complement the design of the piece. - Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/gemstones-in-jewelry/ - Language: en - Published: 2023-07-06 - Updated: 2023-07-26 - Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/piedras-joyeria/ - Author: Sandra Sánchez - Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/) --- ## Stones for jewelry In jewelry, a stone refers to a material, generally of natural origin, used as an [adornment](https://www.711grados.com/en/adornment/) or decoration on a piece of jewelry. ![Mohs hardness scale from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond), with the emerald range](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/mohs.en.svg "Mohs hardness scale") Stones can be: - Precious - Semi-precious - Artificial They can be cut in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit different jewelry designs. ## Precious stones Precious stones are natural, rare and durable materials, valued for their beauty and rarity. ![Classification of jewelry stones: precious (mineral and organic), semi-precious and synthetic](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/gem-groups.en.svg "Groups of stones in jewelry") A precious stone, also known as a **gem**, is a rock, mineral, crystal or petrified material that has rare and valuable characteristics, which makes it attractive for use in jewelry, ornamentation and collecting. These stones are valued for their beauty, color, brilliance, rarity and hardness, and are often cut and polished to bring out their sparkle and faceting. Precious stones can be classified into two main categories: ### Mineral precious stones These precious stones form through natural geological processes and are mineral in composition. Examples include diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. ### Organic precious stones These are precious stones formed from organic matter. Pearls, amber and coral are examples of organic precious stones. The value of a precious stone is determined by several factors, such as its rarity, purity, size, color, transparency and clarity. Gemologists are experts who evaluate and classify precious stones using international standards to guarantee their authenticity and quality. It is important to point out that the valuation and the status of “precious stone” can vary according to cultures and periods. Some stones that were historically considered semi-precious have now been classified as precious because of their rarity and demand in today's market. ### List of precious stones - [Diamond](https://www.711grados.com/en/diamond/) - Ruby - Emerald - Sapphire - Amethyst - Aquamarine - Topaz - Garnet - Tanzanite - Pearl - Turquoise - Jade - Opal - Hematite - Quartz (amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, smoky quartz, among others) - Lapis lazuli - Aquamarine - Morganite - Ametrine - Rhodonite - Agate - Kyanite - Sphalerite - Sphene - Labradorite - Malachite - Moonstone - Onyx - Tiger's eye - Malachite - Carnelian - Kyanite - Zircon - Chrysoberyl - Hessonite - Iolite - Lapis lazuli - Malachite - Tourmaline - Peridot ## Semi-precious stones A semi-precious stone, also known as a semi-precious gem, is a term used to describe certain minerals, stones, crystals and materials that have aesthetic value and are used in jewelry and ornaments, but that do not belong to the group of traditional “precious stones” such as diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald. The term “semi-precious” originated historically to distinguish between **more common and less valuable** stones and the rarer and more valuable precious stones. However, it is important to note that this distinction has no precise scientific basis and has been the subject of debate in the gem and jewelry industry. ### List of semi-precious stones - Amethyst - Aquamarine - Citrine - Rose quartz - Smoky quartz - Turquoise - Jade - Opal - Rhodonite - Agate - Chrysocolla - Lapis lazuli - Amazonite - Tiger's eye - Labradorite - Malachite - Moonstone - Onyx - Chrysoprase - Carnelian - Kyanite - Zircon - Chrysoberyl - Hessonite (grossular) - Iolite - Larimar - Mookaite - Sunstone - Rainbow moonstone - Rutile ## Artificial stones Artificial stones, also known as synthetic gems or lab-created gems, are stones produced through scientific and technological processes rather than forming naturally in the earth. These synthetic gems have properties and appearances similar to their natural counterparts and are widely used in jewelry and other applications. ### List of common artificial stones - **Cubic zirconia (CZ)**: A synthetic stone that imitates diamond and is used as a more affordable alternative. - **Moissanite**: A lab-created stone that also looks very much like diamond and is valued for its brilliance and hardness. - **Faceted glass**: Although it is not technically a stone, glass is often cut and used to imitate gems in jewelry and accessories. - **Synthetic diamond**: Created in laboratories using high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) techniques or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). - **Synthetic ruby**: Lab-created rubies have characteristics similar to natural rubies and are used in jewelry. - **Synthetic sapphire**: Like synthetic rubies, synthetic sapphires are also produced for use in jewelry. - **Synthetic emerald**: Synthetic emeralds are also made to imitate natural emeralds in jewelry. - **Synthetic turquoise**: Lab-created turquoise is used as an alternative to natural turquoise in jewelry and other products. - **Synthetic alexandrite**: It imitates the natural gemstone alexandrite and is produced in laboratories. - **Synthetic corundum**: It can be used to imitate natural rubies or sapphires in jewelry. It is important to bear in mind that, although these stones are synthetic and created in laboratories, **some of them can be very valuable** and prized in the market because of their quality and resemblance to natural stones. It is also essential that buyers are properly informed about the nature of the gems they are buying. ## Use of stones in jewelry Stones can be used in a variety of pieces of jewelry, such as [rings](https://www.711grados.com/en/ring/), earrings, necklaces and bracelets. They can be the focal point of a piece of jewelry or can be used to accent and complement the overall design. Stones can be cut in a variety of shapes, such as round, oval, square and many more, and can be set in a variety of metals, such as [gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/), [silver](https://www.711grados.com/en/silver/) and [platinum](https://www.711grados.com/en/platinum/).