THE MEANING OF TERMS

SEMI-PRECIOUS

Semi-Precious is a class of natural stone, one mined from the earth, that are not classed as a gemstone. Included in the semi-precious category are stones such as garnets, aquamarine, citrine, apatite, and other mineral stones. However, even diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires can be sold as semi-precious grade.

PEARL
A pearl is formed when a small irritant or parasite penetrates and lodges in the mantle tissue of a mollusk. In response, a substance called nacre is secreted, and the creation of a pearl begins. Nacre is a combination of crystalline and organic substances. The nacre builds up in layers, as it surrounds the irritant to protect the mollusk, and after a few years, this build up of nacre forms a pearl.







DIAMOND
Known as one of the hardest substances on earth, diamonds are thought to be billions of years old. The word diamond derives from an ancient Greek word, "adamas", meaning invincible. Arguably the most prized of all crystals, diamonds come in a range of colors: clear, pink, purple, red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and black. Color depends on the kind of impurities present. Blue ones have traces of boron, and yellow diamonds have minute amounts of nitrogen.