I thought that an article explaining gemstone facts would be very informative for everyone. Since I was a young child, I’ve been fascinated by gemstones. My father used to collect stones of all colours. When my father would give me a black or white gemstone from his collection, I was in awe.

15 years later, and I’m still obsessed. I am a fan of all colors, whether they are green, yellow or pink. There’s more to it than beauty. Amethyst or emerald gemstones have fascinating facts.

It is not difficult to fall in love the world of jewelry. The opposite seems impossible to me. This is not about the usefulness of this field. It’s all about history, self-expression and aesthetics. These tiny bits of Earth are intriguing.

Today I won’t be discussing alexandrite facts but rather the five cardinal gemstones. These gemstones have been prized for centuries. You might find a few notes about other stones like the spiritual meaning of opalite or birthstones. Find out more about the cardinal stones!

Ten Fascinating Facts About Cardinal Gemstones

Let’s get started. We are about to (deeply) dive into the world of 5 Cardinal Gemstones. This is a thrilling adventure where you’ll learn about the beauty of the rocks and the beliefs that surround them.

You’ll learn all about the fascinating facts of gemstones, including their origins and birthstones. Additional documentation is available at the end. Please let us know about your favorite gemstones. I would love to learn more!

1. What are the 5 Cardinal Gemstones?

It would be wise to first break down the 5 Cardinal Gemstones. Wouldn’t it? Since Antiquity, or around the time of Roman Empire, Cardinal Gemstones were in use. Many sources from the past mention some or all these gemstones.

The five traditional gemstones are:

• Diamonds
• Emeralds
• Rubies
• Sapphires
• Amethysts

Many people consider all Cardinal Gemstones except the purple amethyst to be Cardinal Gemstones. It was once one of the most expensive precious stones. It was expensive until deposits began to appear in many parts of the globe, such as Brazil.

 

Diamond

Diamonds are the most popular precious stones. Diamonds have been used as jewelry in historical and archeological records dating back to 1200 BC. The white gem stone is easy to love. The white gem stone is a highly sought after gemstone because it’s rare and one of Earth’s hardest materials.

Diamond prices are also influenced by full transparency. A colorless diamond is prized for its ‘fire.’ The term ‘fire,’ describes a diamond’s ability to disperse the light. The more colorless the stone, the more colorful it will disperse light. Imagine a prism with its multicolor rendering.

De Beers is credited with bringing diamonds to prominence. By the end 19th century, the company was controlled by 90% of the diamond market. It was founded by a single businessman. The world was enthralled when De Beers’ famous marketing campaign “A diamond is forever” launched. De Beers is responsible for the fact that people offer diamonds on engagement rings to this day.

It was not as popular before, despite the fact that diamonds have been prized for centuries. Since the Renaissance, rubies sapphires amethysts and emeralds have all been more expensive than diamonds. Diamonds are one of the most sought-after precious stones today. It is not just their rarity which makes them so attractive. If this were the case, then people would talk about the super-rare and precious alexandrite gemstone more often.

Emerald

The emerald comes from a mineral named beryl. The final color of gemstones is achieved by mixing trace elements into the layers that form. Chromium and vanadium are responsible for the distinctive green colour of emeralds. Beryls have a higher fragility than rubies, sapphires and diamonds. Jewelers developed the large squared “emerald cuts” to protect the emeralds better than any other cut.

The brittle and fragile nature of emeralds leads to the presence of many inclusions. Inclusions are expected in emeralds, regardless of the price.

> Read: Our 10 Favorite Colorful Jewelry Brands

Sapphire

Sapphires are one variety of corundum. Although the name means “blue”, sapphires can be found in a wide range of colors. The sapphire’s blue color comes from the aluminum oxide that is blended with trace elements such as vanadium and chromium. A sapphire’s color can vary depending on how many trace elements are present. It could be orange, yellow or purple. There is no red sapphire, because it would be called ruby.

Ruby

Corundum is another mineral variety that includes rubies. The same as sapphires they are made of the same mineral. Their color comes from chromium, which is a trace element. The more vibrant and saturated the color of a ruby, the more it is worth. Rubies come in a variety of colors, but the most expensive is the “pigeon-red” color. The final value of the ruby is also determined by the clarity, which is a factor that the cut can play.

 

Amethyst

Amethyst, a variety of quartz, is available in varying shades of purple. Many people today consider that the 5 Cardinal Gemstones include all the gemstones except the purple amethyst. It was once one of the most expensive precious stones. It was only until Brazil and other parts of the globe were discovered that large deposits had been found. Amethyst is a beautiful gem, even if it’s not considered one of the “cardinal” gemstones by some.

Gemstones of all kinds share one thing in common: They are all derived from the earth’s core. Geodes are only compressed into gemstones by extreme heat and pressure.

Amethyst is a quartz-based mineral. When it is compressed and subjected to heat and pressurized, it turns purple as trace elements and impurities like iron are incorporated into its formation. Amethyst is a purple gemstone, but secondary colors may appear when you turn it around. You will find more blue and red hues.

3. How can you determine the quality of a gem?

Four factors are used to grade a gem in terms of its quality:

• The Color
• Clarity
• Carat Weight
• The Cut

Color

The color of a gemstone is classified according to three factors: hue, tone, and saturation. The hue is what we can see right away, such as a purple amethyst or a white diamond. The saturation of a color is determined by the intensity and tone of the stone. For example, a darker amethyst or a lighter amethyst.

The more vibrant and saturated a gem is, the more valuable it becomes. The GIA and other gemological associations set standards for color grading.

The color grading of a diamond uses a separate scale that is graded by letters. Transparency is the difference between the letters F and D. A colorless diamond graded D is completely colorless. The color of diamonds G to J is visible when the stone is not set. The color becomes more yellow from H to Z.

Clarity

Clarity is the cleanness and transparency of a gemstone. Clarity is important because the way light passes through and is rendered is an important factor for a gemstone’s value and beauty. Often, however, natural inclusions such as dust, mineral fragments or fractures can compromise the clarity of gemstones. Jewelers must work around inclusions in order to maximize the size of the stone while minimising their appearance.

Cut

The cut of the stone is a major factor in determining the final price. Some cuts like the round brilliant (the round, basic gemstone) have more waste. A higher price is the result. A jeweler’s skill is reflected in the symmetry of their work and how they polish. This also impacts on the final price. You will need to research why some cuts are better than others. Oval cut stones are perfect if you want to make your fingers appear longer. You can use an emerald-cut stone if you want it to appear more impressive.

Carat weight

The carat is a measure of weight, but it’s not widely known. A carat is 200 milligrams, and a kilogram is 5.000 carats. The price of stones with the same weight more than doubles because larger stones are harder to come by. Two 1-carat stones will cost less than two 2-carat stones because smaller gemstones are easier to locate.

4. What are the current sources of the five Cardinal Gemstones?

The sources of new precious stones vary depending on the cardinal gemstones. I will not be discussing amber gemstones here, but rather I’ll show you where all the cardinal gems are mined.

Amethyst is primarily found in Siberia, Sri Lanka and Uruguay. Siberian amethyst, which is bright and clear and the most sought-after in the world can be very expensive.

Since over 40 years, cardinal gemstones such as sapphires and diamonds have been mined in the Old Cardinal Gem Mine of North Carolina. Amethysts garnets and the magical Moonstone are all present in this mine. Rubies are a historical product of Burma, today’s Myanmar, Columbia, Brazil and Afghanistan, among other sources.

The same area as rubies, but with a blue color scheme is where sapphires are found. These include Kashmir, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Columbia and Zambia are the two most important sources for emerald, which proves that South America produces all five of the cardinal gemstones.

Diamonds can be found on all continents. South Africa, Brazil and Russia are the largest sources of diamonds. We often don’t know what a gem mine could look like. I’ve included a photo of a Russian diamond mining in 2021.

5. Spiritual & Health Properties of the 5 Cardinal Gemstones

It is interesting to learn that cardinal gemstones are associated with spiritual and health benefits. It’s not a new trend. Since hundreds of years, people have believed that life stones, gems and minerals can cure and heal.

I won’t talk about the amber stone facts or the spiritual meaning of opalite. This article would take you hours to read, and I don’t want to bore you.

Is spiritual healing possible with crystals?

No scientific evidence exists to support the idea that wearing or possessing a gemstone can heal you physically or mentally. Numerous studies suggest that crystal healers may be benefiting from the placebo effect.

Crystal-based therapies, and other alternative methods of healing the body or the mind are becoming more popular in recent years. You can wonder whether it works if you visit a healer and have them place stones or crystals on the chakra points, or if you own crystals. The only way I can be sure is to test it.

The Spiritual and Health Meanings Of 5 Cardinal Gemstones

During the Greek Empire, it was believed that amethyst kept people from becoming too drunk with alcohol. It is believed that amethyst crystals reduce stress and bring in calm feelings.

Emerald is said to have relaxing and healing properties for the mind. Emerald’s healing properties can be used to treat afflictions of the muscles, lungs or heart. Balance and recovery are also emerald’s properties.

Rubys are a symbol of power and energy. It can improve metabolism and heart and lung vitality.

Sapphires are known for their soothing, blue color. They promote calmness and sound sleep. The blue color of the sapphire is said to promote mental clarity and focus, as color therapy is an important part of crystal healing.

Finally, diamonds are thought to be the key to victory. The diamond is associated with eternal love and devotion. Mary of Burgundy was given the first diamond engagement ring in 1477.

6. How is the Cardinal Gemstones Market today?

Most cardinal gemstones are still admired and coveted today. The world is much bigger than it was when royalty used to travel around the globe. Reports can only show how much each stone is worth.

Diamonds still make up a large part of all gemstone sales and are the most popular choice for engagement rings. Costume and fashion jewelry has become very popular, except for the most important occasions. Due to the increase in jewelry brands and decrease in purchasing power, people tend to purchase less expensive jewelry. It-moments for high-end jewelry include weddings, proposals, and anniversaries.

Read about our 10 favorite chic and elegant jewelry brands

The number of diamonds sold is decreasing, and people are buying more nondiamond stones. In 2019, imports of gem-quality diamonds fell by 8% compared with 2018. This could be attributed to the price. I think people are looking for variety because there are so many choices in brands and gemstones. We like to keep up with the fast-paced world and change things around rather than holding on to one particular precious item.

7. Cardinal Gemstones and History: The Three Most Famous Gemstones

We can’t possibly count all the famous cardinal stones. The five types of gemstones mentioned in this article are those that have been made famous throughout history. Their color can differ from the standard. Over the years, a pink, blue, or yellow gemstone has been extremely popular.

Hope Diamond

The Hope Diamond, or one of the Hope Diamonds, is arguably the most famous gem in history. The Hope Diamond is a beautiful blue diamond that was named after Thomas Hope, a famous banker. It dates back many centuries. This diamond was originally mined in India and then cut into pieces before being sold to French King Louis XIV.

Gemstone facts: The Hope Diamond remains a large piece of cardinal stone. A heavy, single-piece gem is rarer than a lot of smaller stones. Its 45.5-carat mass is in line with its $250 million insurance value.

Koh-i-Noor Diamond

The Koh-i-Noor also originated in India, and it traveled through the Indian courts until the British Empire accepted it. The size and quality of this jewel make it one the most beautiful in the world. The Queen of England owns it and today, it is part of her Crown Jewels. With a weight of 105 carats, it is one the world’s largest jewels.

Cullinan Diamond

The Cullinan diamond was mined in Africa. It was also a large stone when it was mined – the weight was reported as 3,106 carats. It is still the largest diamond found to date. Experts also believe it’s only a small part of a larger diamond that is still out there. The Cullinan diamond was later cut into more than 100 pieces. The nine largest pieces of the Cullinan Diamond are now owned by the Royal Family of England. The largest of these is the Star of Africa, also known as the Cullinan I.

8. Why We Love Cardinal Gemstones

Five Cardinal Gemstones and seven semi-precious gemstones complete the year. If you have never heard of black or pink gemstones, they are both birthstones. List can be divided into:

• The deep red garnet gemstone for January
• February: The purple amethyst Cardinal gemstone
• March: pale blue aquamarine gemstone
• April: The translucent diamond cardinal gemstone
• May: vivid green cardinal emerald gemstone
• June: The creamy pearl gemstone
• July: The vivid red ruby cardinal gem
• August: The green peridot gem
• September: deep blue sapphire cardinal gem (also available in pink, green or purple).
• October: The iridescent gemstone opal (although I do not recommend opal facts at this time, you should explore the history and background to this incredible gemstone).
• The bright blue topaz gemstone is the November gemstone
• Some include the black gemstone onyx as a December birthstone, while others list the purple-blue tanzanite.

It is always nice to feel like you ‘belong.’ Even though there is no scientific basis for the birthstone’s purpose. Even with something as small as a birthstone. Some months may have as many as four birthstones. As an example, June contains pearl, beryl onyx and agat.