The nine precious gems are part of a cultural, historic jewelry style called the Navaratna (Sanskrit for “nine gems”). Lastly, we have the list of nine precious stones. Now, if we’re discussing the twelve foundation stones in Christianity, they are: ( Fun fact: Most historians believe the idea of birthstones originated from these!) Those in Aaron’s Breastplate are somewhat debated, but generally include: Typically, they’re either the twelve gemstones set on Aaron’s Breastplate (the High Priest’s breastplate in Judaism) or the twelve foundation stones of The New Jerusalem in Christianity (from the Biblical book of Revelations). The oft-mentioned twelve-gem lists come from Judaism and Christianity. Twelve as a number carries spiritual significance in many religions and folklore. In other cases, largely religious references, you may hear about longer lists of precious gems, particularly twelve or nine. Seven Precious StonesĪlong with the original four gems, the three added in this list are pearl, alexandrite, and oriental cat’s eye (cat’s eye chrysoberyl). However, traditional, older lists included more stones. Most hold that the four stones above are the only true precious gemstones. Pictured above: Freshwater pearls Other Precious Gemstone Lists The most “precious” gems can differ among groups or change over time. Similarly, the Pink Star diamond sold for a higher price but lower price-per-carat than the Oppenheimer Blue diamond, which sold for $57.5 million, just under $4 million per carat.Īs you can see, value is tricky! Value is also subjective. You may notice the Blue Belle sapphire had a higher price but a lower price-per-carat than the Rockefeller Emerald. Sapphire: The Blue Belle of Asia at $17.5 million, sold in 2004 ($44k per carat)Įmerald: The Rockefeller Emerald at $5.5 million, sold in 2017 ($305k per carat) Ruby: The Sunrise Ruby at $30.3 million, sold in 2015 ($1.2 million per carat)

However, we can roster the most expensive examples of each precious gem ever sold:ĭiamond: The Pink Star at $71.2 million, sold in 2017 ($1.2 million per carat) These aren’t ordered by price a precious stones list by value would be tricky, as different properties for each gem can mean drastically different prices. Sapphire: Transparent non-red corundum, traditionally blueĮmerald: Transparent to translucent green beryl This is the considered the most definitive precious stones list:ĭiamond: Transparent, pure carbon gem in any color What made them “precious” was oftentimes their perceived powers as healing stones, along with their rarity or monetary value. Throughout history, definitions of precious gems evolved. “Of less commercial value than those described in the foregoing pages, but nevertheless many of them very beautiful”

The epigraph under his Semi-Precious Stones chapter title states: Streeter’s 1898 guide Precious Stones and Gems, Their History, Sources, and Characteristics. “semi-precious” distinction is British jeweler Edwin W. One of the earliest sources mentioning the “precious” vs. But separating “precious” and “semi-precious” stones is fairly modern. References of “precious” stones appear in literature stretching centuries back. In many cases, “precious” gems aren’t even more valuable than “semi-precious” counterparts. There’s no scientific difference between precious and semi-precious gems. What Is the Difference Between Precious & Semi-Precious Stones? precious stones? We’ll be answering that today as we uncover the origin of this distinction and list every precious and semi-precious gemstone! By the end, you’ll be ready to shop for precious or semi-precious gems shrewdly and confidently. The difference between precious and semi-precious gems is mostly manufactured, as it doesn’t always reflect higher value or rarity.

Whether you’re a gem aficionado or a casual jewelry lover, you’ve likely come across the terms “precious” and “semi-precious” when discussing types of gemstones.

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