Hobbies And Interests
Beryl
Emeralds are the most famous members of the beryl family of crystals. These minerals are green in color and range from transparent to translucent. They can be found in Afghanistan, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Madagascar, Pakistan and Zambia. According to Judith Crowe, author of "The Jeweler's Directory of Gemstones," emeralds are among the most difficult of the precious stones to cut because the larger crystals can be very brittle from fluid inclusions. This is one of the reasons why cut and polished emeralds are incredibly valuable.
Corundum
Corundum is an aluminum oxide mineral. Rubies are a type of corundum known for their beautiful deep red coloration, and they are the hardest and toughest gems in the world after the diamond. They are mined in Afghanistan, Burma, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and Thailand. Rubies have been adored for centuries and even enjoy prominent mention in the Bible. Formed by intense heat and pressure, these fiery red-colored stones were once thought to originate from an undying internal flame. Sapphires are another type of corundum known for their deep blue color, although they occur naturally in various colors. According to Walter Shumann, author of "Gemstones of the World," corundum is still highly sought after by gem enthusiasts and investors in hard assets.
Diamonds
The most precious of all the gemstones is of course, the diamond. Diamonds are formed by incredible heat and pressure over millions or perhaps hundreds of millions of years. They are the hardest substance on Earth and are composed of carbon, the same element that is the basis for all life. Most natural diamonds are brilliantly clear because very few elements can cause impurities in diamonds. Though very rare, diamonds naturally occur in many colors, such as blue, yellow, brown, green, purple, pink, orange and red.