Across time and cultures, people have adorned themselves with rare gem materials. These gemstones are precious because they are rare. Because of their rarity, gemstones in which color is naturally occurring are generally the most valuable. Many gemstones are treated or enhanced in some way, such as with heat or safe irradiation, to achieve the beautiful colors or clarity we desire in the sizes we desire. These gems, which are less rare, are also valuable.
Some jewelers make synthetic colored gemstones available.
Synthetic colored gemstones have all the optical, physical and chemical properties of naturally occurring gemstones, but they are created in a laboratory rather than occurring in nature. For some budgets these synthetic materials are an acceptable choice. Durability A gemstone's ability to be fashioned, mounted and worn is a function of how durable it is - a matter of both hardness and toughness. Some gemstones, such as sapphire, ruby and garnet, are well-suited to an active daily life and work well in rings, bracelets or cufflinks. Others, such as emeralds, pearls and opals call for earring or necklace mountings to keep them beautifully displayed but out of harm's way.