How precious stones and gems are distinguished

Precious Stones Distinguished by their Properties. One precious stone is best distinguished from another just as substances of other types are distinguished, that is to say, by their properties. For example, salt and sugar are both white, both are soluble in water, and both are odorless. So far the italicized properties would not serve to distinguish the two substances. But sugar is sweet while salt is salty in taste. Here we have a distinguishing property. Now, just as salt and sugar have properties, so have all precious stones, and while, as was the case with salt and sugar, many precious stones have properties in common, yet each has also some properties which are distinctive, and which can be relied upon as differentiating the particular stone from other stones. In selecting properties for use in distinguishing precious stones, such properties as can be determined by quantity, and set down in numbers, are probably more trustworthy than those that can be observed by mere inspection. Those also which have to do with the behavior of light in passing through the stone are extremely valuable.





It should be noticed that there is a relative importance of Numerical Properties. It is because gem dealers so often rely upon the more obvious sort of property, such as color, that they so frequently make mistakes. There may be several different types of stones of a given color, but each will be found to have its own numerical properties such as density, hardness, refractive power, dispersive power, etc., and it is only by an accurate determination of two or three of these that one can be sure what stone he has in hand. It must next be our task to find exactly what is meant by each of these numerical properties, and how one may determine each with ease and exactness.

About Jewels And Gems

What Are They

Any of several gems, including the diamond, emerald, ruby, and sapphire, that have high economic value because of their rarity or appearance.

The word jewellery is derived from the word jewel, which was anglicised from the Old French "jouel" circa the 13th century. Further tracing leads back to the Latin word "jocale", meaning plaything. Jewellery is one of the oldest forms of body adornment; recently found 100,000 year-old beads made from Nassarius shells are thought to be the oldest known jewellery.




THE CORRESPONDENCE AND ORIGIN


Precious stones such as rubies, topazes, diamonds and sapphires, have been valued and sought after since ancient times. The value and use of these stones by the ancients is also confirmed by many artifacts that have survived through the ages. That these stones are still precious and desired in modern times, can be confirmed by any- one by taking a precious stone in his hand and observing its flaminess and brilhance, its play of color and light, and its hardness and yet delicateness. For the preciousness of these stones is not a result of the value men attribute to them, but is an intrinsic quality from their very creation by the Lord.

It can hardly be believed by anyone in our world that this is the origin of the precious stones in heaven, because he does not know that all things that come into existence in the spiritual world are correspondences, and that all the things that come into existence in the natural world. originate therefrom.





Although during earlier times jewellery was created for practical uses such as wealth storage and pinning clothes together, in recent times it has been used almost exclusively for decoration. The first pieces of jewellery were made from natural materials, such as bone, animal teeth, shell, wood and carved stone. Jewellery was often made for people of high importance to show their status and, in many cases, they were buried with it.