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JEWELRY NEWS NEWSLETTER FROM MRS. GOTTROCKS
MINERALS AS GEMSTONES
Most people don't think about the fact that gemstones are really minerals. So why don't we wear more minerals as gemstones? There are many beautiful minerals which would make spectacular jewelry - any trip to a gem show or hours spent watching tv shopping channels will show you just how many there are.
But be very careful when buying these minerals to use as jewelry. There are factors in addition to beauty to consider, including repairability (how will it take heat?), durability when setting (will pressure cause fractures?) and wearability (does it chip, flake or crack easily?). You'll find if you study the MOHs scale of hardness that many of these are very fragile, and while they certainly can be worn as jewelry, they take extra care. The softer, less durable or hard stones are probably better worn as earrings and pendants, than as rings which take more of a beating during a normal day.
Here's a great website to familiarize yourself with the wonderful world of gemstones as minerals:
