GEMSTONES FORMATION MINERAL GEMSTONES -: Gemstones of mineral origin are found in rocks. Rocks are made up of one or more minerals. The formation of these rocks is a continuous and ongoing process. Gem quality minerals within these rocks may be easily accessible at the earth’s surface or they can lie buried deep inside it. Sometimes these gem rock get separated from their host rock due to erosion and are carried long distances by rivers to lakes, sea and shallow areas. The three types of rocks where gemstones are found are: * Igneous rocks- These are rocks, which have solidified from the molten (lava) rocks, which comes from deep beneath the Earth’s surface, these are thrown out from volcanos as lava, volcanic bombs and or ash. Essentially, the slower a rock cools and solidifies, the larger the crystals and therefore the larger size of gemstones in it. e.g.- Quartz, Diamond, Beryls (Emarald, Aqua-marine), all Sapphires, Garnets, Topaz, Zircon, Tourmaline * Sedimentary rocks- – These rocks are formed by accumulation of rock fragments produced by weathering. In time these fragments settle down and harden into rock once again. Sedimentry rocks are normally found in layers and sometimes the gems found here show these layers in them (shown as a feature in decorative stones) e.g. - Jaspar, Opal, Malachite, Ziron * Metamorphic rocks - Metamorphic rocks are either Igneous or Sedimentary, which have changed beneath the earth due to heat and pressure to form new rocks with new minerals in it. During this process gemstones grow within them. e.g. - Jade, Beryls, Spinel, Sapphire, Zircon, Torquoise, lapis lazuli
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 09:01:47 +0000
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