Crystal and gemstone jewelry has long been used for healing practices and spiritual growth. From green crystal necklaces to help move on from heartbreak, or citrine earrings for abundance – crystals have long been believed to foster well-being and positivity in individuals’ lives.

However, not all crystals qualify as gemstones and not all gems contain crystallization; understanding this distinction will greatly impact their value.

Symbolism

Crystals and gemstones possess many metaphysical properties and meanings, each gemstone having its own vibrational frequency to promote personal development and emotional healing.

Some stones, like peridot, may be considered both crystals and gems, although the distinction should be noted that crystals are ordered solid formations while gems fall into more specific categories and typically feature regular geometric patterns.

Citrine is known as a stone of manifestation, aiding wealth and abundance while simultaneously calming and centering the mind. Amethyst with its soothing purple hue is often used during meditation practices to reduce stress and increase clarity while selenite can deepen meditation sessions further by deepening them further and connecting you to higher realms.

Color

Gemstone colors can be described using hue, tone and saturation – these components help identify their location on a color wheel while tonality describes its degree of lightness or darkness and saturation measures its intensity.

sapphires have long captured our collective imaginations. This September birthstone comes in many hues, from blue, yellow and orange to pink; even some varieties display natural asterism with six-rayed stars visible within.

The garnet family of minerals offers gems in an abundance of colors, from fiery red pyrope and vivid orange spessartine, to rare intense green ludlamite. Gemstones like paraiba tourmaline and padparadscha sapphire are especially prized due to their beauty, healing properties and rarity; while most gemstones look stunning under natural lighting conditions. Some appear differently under artificial lighting conditions.

Shape

Crystal and gemstone jewelry has long been popular with those who believe it carries healing properties and energy-balancing frequencies, especially clear crystal stones like quartz. Their diamond-like appearance creates an alluring appeal and this may explain their widespread popularity among those who believe crystal jewelry provides healing properties or helps balance energy frequencies.

Citrine, amethyst, smoky quartz and hematite are some of the most sought-after crystals. Believed to help amplify desires, manifest wealth and create abundant living, these crystals also remove negative energies while grounding oneself and relieving negative emotions. Also referred to as master manifestation stones these crystals energize and focus one’s focus.

Black tourmaline, often considered a protection stone, helps dispel negative energies while increasing one’s strength and instilling self-discipline. Morganite, an exquisite pink-to-peach variety of beryl that opens one’s heart through love and compassion is another crystal to consider when selecting crystals as part of one’s jewelry arsenal.

Treatments

Some gemstones undergo treatments to enhance their appearance, such as coating with paint to alter colors or being exposed to intense radiation or heating in order to produce new hues – processes often seen with opals, tourmaline and zircon.

Gems may be treated with a thin-film surface coating to enhance durability. Such coatings are easily identified by experienced gemologists and don’t compromise the integrity of the stone itself.

Other treatments are more subtle. For instance, stones such as turquoise may be treated with dye injection to enhance their color. Many gems are also stabilized to shield them from oils that seep into cracks within their structure from skin oils; this treatment is often utilized on porous gemstones like ammolite and turquoise; stabilization may also be employed on opals and pearls.

Value

Crystals and gemstones have long been associated with spiritual healing, positive energy, and protection. Their intrinsic value extends far beyond its material worth – which explains why so many people enjoy wearing them as jewelry.

Rare crystals and gems command higher prices, while clarity plays a crucial role in their valuation – eye-clean gems tending to fetch the highest returns.

Gemstone prices fluctuate based on market demand; therefore, it is crucial that you purchase them from a reputable online vendor who maintains a wide inventory and showcases high-quality 360deg photos of every piece, along with value charts so that you can track market prices over time for specific gemstones.