If you’re a fine jewelry aficionado, you’ve likely heard of precious and semi precious gemstones. But what do they actually mean, and which gems earn the title? Keep reading for a complete guide to precious and semi-precious gemstones, including: pros and cons, which stones are durable enough for engagement rings, which gems to avoid for everyday wear, and the underhyped yet stunning stones that should definitely be on your radar.
Precious vs semi precious gemstones
There are only four precious stones on Earth: diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Everything else is considered semi-precious. But what makes a stone “precious”? Originally, when they were first named, these faceted gems were rarer, more valuable, more durable, and more in-demand than other stones.
Fast forward a few centuries, and the gem game has changed. Discoveries of new gemstones and deposits have blurred these once-clear lines. Take emeralds and aquamarines for example – both stones come from the mineral beryl, yet only emeralds are deemed a precious gem. And some semi-precious stones, like tsavorite garnets and spinels, are actually rarer than their “precious” peers.
Bottom line: labels are just labels – don’t let them limit you. You can find stunning precious and semiprecious stones, so choose what you love and what fits your lifestyle and aesthetic best.