OUR GEMSTONE JEWELRY

FINE STONES :
THE EXPRESSION OF PRECIOUS NATURE IN ITS RAW STATE 

Formerly known as semi-precious stones, to distinguish them from the 4 natural gemstones in the precious stones family (ruby, sapphire, diamond and emerald), fine gemstones were given a new name in 2002, giving them their letters of nobility. Today, however, both terms are still widely used.

Composed of mineral substances (as opposed to organic stones), gemstones are high quality gems. They occur naturally in rocks and magmatic plateaus. Often transparent and crystalline in origin, they come in all shapes, sizes and colors. An infinite number of gemstones exist, including amethyst, tourmaline, tsavorite, labradorite and quartz.

With their rare brilliance and exceptional beauty, they are a major success in jewelry. They are particularly appreciated for the character they bring to jewelry.

Good to know: Only around fifty gemstones are used in jewelry.

Made from 18-carat recycled RJC-Coc (Responsible Jewelry Council Label) gold, min&ral joaillerie creations are all set with 100% natural stones. The stones used to make our jewelry have not undergone any artificial treatment, they have only been cut and polished by human hands.

HOW TO APPRAISE THE VALUE OF FINE STONE JEWELRY?

Fine gemstones are distinguished by their rarity, beauty, perfection, clarity and rich hues.
Here's an overview of the characteristics and properties of these minerals, to help you choose a fine stone of the highest value.

Representing a simple value guide, the 4Cs are a great way to describe the splendor of a fine stone. As such, they form a solid basis when buying gemstones.

Other factors must be taken into account to determine the value of a fine stone.

The color

The color of a natural stone accounts for around 50% of its final value. Carat weight, cut and clarity have a direct influence on the color of a fine stone.

Purity

Most gemstones have a crystalline structure and are composed of crystals. The natural process by which these stones are formed is frequently accompanied by small natural features known as inclusions. Rather than being considered defects, these inclusions are considered natural features, giving the stone its unique character and authenticity. As a result, there may be variations in color from one stone to another. Each geode tells its own story.

Purity is determined by the quantity and arrangement of these inclusions: the smaller they are, the higher the quality of the stone. Degrees of purity are used to distinguish them.

These inclusions do not alter brilliance, and a gem's sparkle has no influence on its value. Inclusions that are considered regular and interesting can increase its value.

Rarity

Fine gems are inherently rare. The rarity of a stone can be defined in 3 different ways: geological, commercial or comparative. Just because a stone is geologically rare doesn't mean it has a higher market value.

Permanence

If handled with care, gemstone jewelry can last a very long time. This depends on the combination of three properties: hardness, stability and resistance.

Carat weight

Size has an impact on the final price of a stone. The larger the gem, the greater its value. Generally speaking, larger gem sizes allow for a better view of hue, optical effects and tonal variations.

FINE STONES: GEMS WITH A THOUSAND AND ONE EFFECTS

Originating in the natural mineral world, some gemstones exhibit special optical effects, which gemologists call "phenomena". Qualified as rare and aesthetic optical properties, these effects are part of the structure of a fine gem and are generally factors in increasing a stone's value. They also allow us to identify them and assess their splendor.

Mineralogical terms are used to describe the different visual aspects of a fine stone when it interacts with light:

Here are a few examples:

The sparkle

A play of light in which a fine stone sparkles when its position in relation to the light source or observer changes. This is the effect found on Druzy stone.

Luster, or the amount of light reflected by the stone's surface.

Adularescence or opalescence

Refers to a shimmering, silvery to bluish-white light effect that glides across the surface of Moonstone. It's what gives this gem a touch of bewitching romance, which you'll find on the gray moonstone Celeste ring.

Irridescence

"Iris" means rainbow in Greek - this term refers to the effect produced when the structure of a fine stone divides light into several spectral colors. As with mother-of-pearl, this iridescence effect modifies colors according to the angle of observation.

Shine

 It refers to the amount of light that reflects within the color of a fine stone.

Adventurinescence

This phenomenon is caused by sparkling metallic inclusions, formed by tiny metallic flakes. This effect can be seen on the Sunset stone set in our Bestouan cord bracelet.

The shimmer

 Also known as the "cat's eye effect", chatoyance is characterized by a single light-reflecting line, like a feline pupil.

FINE STONE AND PRICE

Most collectors, jewelers and lithotherapy enthusiasts believe that a gemstone is less expensive than a precious stone. The price is, in fact, often more affordable, but many gemstones are rarer and can therefore command a higher price than Rubies, Emeralds or Sapphires. The price of a gemstone varies according to its size and the way it has been polished.

MINERALS WITH BENEFICIAL PROPERTIES 

While jewelry and gemstones have always been in the limelight, lithotherapy has also been revealing the full brilliance of these gems for some years now. They are associated with energetic and spiritual virtues and symbolism, and have both physical and mental properties.

Whether rough, polished or cut, the virtues of these stones become apparent when they come into contact with the skin, or simply by holding them close to the body. To benefit from their mineral properties on a daily basis, lithotherapists recommend wearing them around the neck as a pendant, set in a ring or earrings, on the wrist as a bracelet or even in the pocket.

At min&ral joaillerie, our creations are a source of well-being, combining the pleasure of wearing jewelry with the energetic power of natural stones. You'll find comforting stones like Amazonite, or relaxing ones like Chrysoprase, which are said to combat everyday troubles.