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A gemstone is the naturally occurring crystalline form
of a mineral, which is desirable for its beauty,
valuable in its rarity and durable enough to be enjoyed
for generations. Their rarity, hardness, and durability
have made gemstones doubly valuable. The natural beauty,
strength, and resilience of gemstones have inspired
beliefs in their supernatural origins and magical
powers, and gemstones that have survived the centuries
have gathered a wealth of history and romance around
them.
 Some minerals are highly
prized because of their exceptional radiance and color.
The main physical properties of gemstones are color,
luster, how light passes through, and hardness. The gem
form of corundum is a ruby, but non-gemstone corundum is
used as an abrasive (emery) in sandpaper.
Gemstones are classified through several ways. They may
be grouped according to chemical composition -- Diamond
is most desirable and considered the ‘king’ of all
gemstones. A
particular gem is made of different quality and quantity
of chemical elements and so the different gems are of
different colour, size and hardness. According to the
ancient books the gems and semi gems are eighty four in
total, but there are some semi gems also classified.
Some of the semi-gems not available now and some are
rare, some are not used in the ornaments and not
valuable in view of astrology also, but we are giving
the details of all.
Only nine gems are named Nav-Ratna nine gems. These
are- Ruby, Pearl, Coral, Emerald, Topaz, diamond, Blue
Sapphire, Zircon and cast Eye. In these nine gems five
are called- Maharatna means the great gems- Ruby, Pearl,
Coral, Emerald, Topaz, diamond, Blue Sapphire, Zircon
and cast Eye. and are called only gems.
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