Many people encounter the terms “crystals” and “gemstones” and often use them interchangeably, leading to some confusion. This article will explore these concepts to differentiate between them and explain how they are related.
Understanding Crystals
A crystal is a solid material where the atoms, molecules, or ions are arranged in a highly ordered, repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions. This regular arrangement forms a crystal lattice, which gives crystals their characteristic geometric shapes and flat faces. These structures develop naturally as materials solidify from a fluid or gas, or precipitate from a solution. The internal atomic order defines a substance as crystalline, regardless of its external appearance.
Minerals like quartz, halite (table salt), and snowflakes are all examples of naturally occurring crystals. The specific conditions during their growth, such as temperature, pressure, and the availability of constituent elements, influence the final size and shape of the crystal.
Defining Gemstones
A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments. While most gemstones are minerals, some organic materials, such as amber (fossilized tree resin) and pearl (formed by mollusks), are also considered gemstones. The primary criteria for a material to be classified as a gemstone include its beauty, rarity, and durability.
The process of transforming a raw mineral into a gemstone involves human intervention. This includes cutting the material to enhance its optical properties and polishing its surfaces to achieve a brilliant luster. The value of a gemstone is often determined by factors like its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Historically, gemstones have been prized across cultures for their aesthetic appeal.
How They Relate
The relationship between crystals and gemstones is one of inclusion, where many gemstones are indeed crystals, but not all crystals qualify as gemstones. A crystal refers to a natural solid with an ordered atomic structure, forming specific geometric shapes. A gemstone, however, is a material, often a crystal, that has been selected, cut, and polished for its beauty, rarity, and durability, primarily for use in jewelry. This distinction highlights the role of human selection and modification in defining a gemstone.
For instance, a raw diamond, as it is mined from the Earth, is a naturally occurring crystal with a cubic atomic structure. It only becomes a gemstone once it has been expertly cut and polished into a brilliant form suitable for a ring or necklace. Similarly, a large, naturally formed quartz crystal is a crystal, but only a clear, well-formed piece of quartz that has been faceted and polished might be considered a gemstone, such as amethyst or citrine. The human element of transforming and valuing the material for adornment is what distinguishes a gemstone from a raw crystal.
Materials like common table salt (halite) or a snowflake are perfect examples of crystals, exhibiting precise atomic arrangements and geometric forms. However, these are not considered gemstones because they lack the necessary beauty, rarity, or durability for use in jewelry. The vast majority of well-known gemstones, including rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, are indeed naturally occurring mineral crystals that have undergone this transformation.
Clearing Up Common Beliefs
The interchangeable use of “crystals” and “gemstones” in everyday language often stems from the fact that many valuable gemstones are, in their natural state, crystals. People might refer to a faceted amethyst as a “crystal” because they recognize its underlying crystalline structure, even though it has been modified into a gemstone. This informal usage blurs the technical distinction between the natural scientific classification and the human-defined category for adornment.
For example, practices like “crystal healing” typically involve various polished or raw mineral specimens, many of which are also considered gemstones, such as rose quartz or clear quartz. In this context, the term “crystal” emphasizes the material’s natural formation and perceived energetic properties rather than its use in jewelry. This highlights that while the terms have precise scientific and commercial definitions, their popular usage often overlaps due to shared origins and aesthetic appeal.