The Rock Cycle. Where Do Precious and Semi-Precious Gemstones Come From?

Eternal Tools Color Wheel

Rocks and minerals are in a constant state of change, referred to as the Rock Cycle. Heat, pressure, water and erosion slowly change them over time. They are mined from the earth, lakes, rivers, and rock formations on the sides of mountains. Almost all gems are formed below the Earth's surface. The largest producers are Brazil, parts of Asia, and several countries in East Africa.

Raw Emerald

Some stones are brought to the surface through mining and some are brought to the surface through the earth's natural process of faulting, and volcanism. Research shows meteorites, pieces of rock or metal that fall to earth from outer space, are where precious metals come from. 

Raw amazonite on Wiccan Leanings.

Spiritualists believe each gemstone has it's own healing property.

Raw Rubies

Gemstones are referred to as precious and semi-precious stones. They are pieces of mineral that are cut and polished to form a shape. Most stones are cut, polished and drilled for usage as jewelry. Precious stones are diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, because of their rareness. All other gemstones being semi-precious. Gemstones are classified by their color, translucency and hardness.

Gem Cutting and shaping Bespoke Gems.

If you have a dremel you can drill your own hole through a stone. If you are going to attempt to drill your own holes you may want to start out by drilling through pebbles. Here is a great tutorial blog that covers drilling holes in pebble stones. 

Raw Citrine post earrings from Anthropologie.

Raw diamond ring by Todd Reed. 

Some designers choose to work with raw gemstones, in the form in which they are found. These are two beautiful examples of using raw stones - the citrine earrings from Anthropologie and raw diamonds by Todd Reed.

The stones themselves have little value, but are often used in jewelry for their beauty. The value of the stone comes from the workmanship done to shape the stone and the color's desirability. We teach students here at Sheffield how to make beautiful settings for their semi precious stones. 

Are you interested in taking a great jewelry design course and learning more about how to make your own jewelry or get started professionally in this creative field? Sheffield School began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

 

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

 

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Decorating Trend: Embellish Everyday Objects with Precious Stones

We're seeing the strong trend in everyday objects to guild the lily by adding a jewelry element. Today's design must be both beautiful and functional. Take a spatula, for instance. We could have a boring, traditional stick of wood with a white rubber spreading tip affixed to the end, or we could add color and interesting materials like bamboo or steel or resin to really make the object pop and distinguish it from the ordinary.

UK artist Damien Hirst's diamond-encrusted skull, 2007, helped start the trend

Enter the jewelry effect. We're seeing precious and semi-precious stones added to art, like Damien Hirst's diamond skull (above), and everyday objects to greatly increase both their bling and price tag. Click on each photograph for more info on the be-jeweled items.

Vertu: diamond-covered model is costliest cell phone in the world

The Natural Sapphire Company: $700,000 for its white gold and sapphire-encrusted iPad caseIndia's Nano Car: the cheapest car in the world has a gold, silver, semi-precious stone edition

HYLA Vacuum: $21,900 model boasting 32,000 Swarovski crystals

Dussault jeans: $10,000 denims boast gold, diamond, ruby wallet chains

Explore the Sheffield School, New York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.