Gemstones are usually natural minerals that are formed in a complex way in the earth's crust. Hence, one of the attributes of recognizing a stone as a gemstone is its rare occurrence in nature. 

Although nowadays synthetic (artificial) stones are a significant "competition" to natural stones. Synthetic stones are actually not much cheaper than natural stones - the saving is about 20-40%

In this article, let's look at natural gemstones and make our own top 10 based on their popularity and value in jewelry.

Moonstone - 10 th place

Moonstone is a representative of potassium and calcium spars (minerals), which is quite highly valued by collectors and jewelers around the world. It is mined mainly in Sri Lanka, also mined in Russia (the Urals and the vicinity of Baikal). Moonstones usually have a bluish-milky color with iridescence, but there are also varieties: yellow and black stones. It is not customary to cut these stones, as the stone will lose its attractiveness and uniqueness.

Moonstone has a so-called feminine energy and is suitable mainly for women. However, it is also chosen by representatives of creative professions, regardless of gender.

Topaz - 9 th place

Topaz is a stone that is quite difficult to describe because of its diverse range of colors: from colorless minerals to polychrome crystals that combine several shades at once. Apparently, this is what attracted jewelers. In addition, topaz is one of the hardest stones, yielding to diamond and several other stones. Also, its resistance to chemical attack makes topaz a smart choice not only in terms of aesthetics, but also in terms of practice: it is easier to keep clean.

Despite finding solid crystals weighing more than 50 kg, the value of topaz in various color shades is highly prized by jewelers around the world.

Garnet - 8 th place

Garnet are stones of deep red hue, not unlike many semi-precious stones in their properties. The stone got its name because of the resemblance of their classic version to the grains of the fruit. Garnet perfectly complements any jewelry: rings, earrings, pendants, various accessories and souvenirs. Appreciated since ancient times and attract the depth of its red color.

Opal - 7 th place

Opal is the so-called amorphous silica, which for a long time was considered extremely valuable, especially among European monarchs, whose crowns were decorated with opal. However, some time later a number of large opal deposits were discovered in Australia, where more than 97% of opals are currently mined. Because of this, the value of opal has significantly decreased and nowadays opal is even called a "democratic stone".

In terms of color, opals come in a variety of saturated colors - fire, blue, with iridescence and even almost black.

In jewelry, opal is often not used in its entirety: a cut is made and attached to a less valuable platform.

Pearls - 6 th place

Pearls are the most expensive and at the same time popular gemstone of organic origin.

There are different types of pearls: purely natural organic sea pearls; sea pearls created by shells but by replanting a foreign body and river natural pearls (resembles grains of rice with inherent lumps).

The most expensive pearls are natural sea pearls, the least valuable are river pearls.

The peculiarity of pearls is the fact that this stone is not processed at all. Pearls can be of different shapes (a perfect spherical shape is quite rare), different colors (from white to black, including pink shades and yellowish shades).

Alexandrite - 5 th place

Alexandrite is the "youngest" stone, whose properties were only described in 1842. It was initially mistaken for emerald of low purity, but alexandrite later showed slightly different physical characteristics (it was harder than emerald). An additional property of alexandrite was its color feature: the stone changes color depending on light and illumination, and this applies to a very wide range of colors - from blue and green shades to red and violet colors.

Sapphire - 4 th place

Alexandrite is the "youngest" stone, whose properties were only described in 1842. It was initially mistaken for emerald of low purity, but alexandrite later showed slightly different physical characteristics (it was harder than emerald). An additional property of alexandrite was its color feature: the stone changes color depending on light and illumination, and this applies to a very wide range of colors - from blue and green shades to red and violet colors.

Ruby - 3 th place

Ruby is the closest relative of sapphire, also corundum (crystalline aluminum oxide), but ruby has a deep red color. This hue is provided by impurities of chromium. The cost of the stone depends on the brightness of the color - the more saturated it is, the more expensive the stone is. Also influences its purity and size. Ruby is one of the main gemstones with a rich history. Jewelry using rubies is described in the Bible, found in the most ancient excavations and are still considered the most powerful talismans.

Mostly rubies are mined in Myanmar and various African countries. But some specimens are found in the Russian Federation, although they are not purposefully mined.

Emerald - 2 th place

Emerald is a well-known stone of green color, and the greener the shade is, the more expensive the stone itself. Emeralds can easily compete in value with diamonds of similar weight. However, emeralds have a significant disadvantage - the stone is very fragile and prone to cracking. This may have an impact on its value.

Emeralds are mined mainly in Colombia, but Brazilian, Afghan and Zambian stones are also valued.

Diamond - 1 th place

Probably expectedly, the first place goes to the diamond. A cut diamond is called a brilliant, and strangely enough, diamond is a very close relative of graphite. It is not without reason that it is the most expensive and famous gemstone: none of its competitors can boast such a play of light, refraction, and all sorts of physical characteristics.

The most valuable, naturally, is the purest mineral. However, nowadays, due to its rarity, a diamond of yellow color is gaining high value. Also a blue hue or a pink hue can raise the value to the sky.