Page 120 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Gemstones SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Elements p.90
▸ ▸ Metals p.162
Gemstones are minerals that can be cut and polished ▸ ▸ Money p.169
to make jewels. They are often set in pieces of jewelry, ▸ ▸ Precious metals
such as rings, brooches, and even crowns. Many gemstones, p.199

such as rubies, are brightly colored. Others, such as ▸ ▸ Gold pp.200–201
diamonds, are usually colorless. ▸ ▸ Rocks and
minerals p.214

Cutting gemstones
Gemstones are found Jewelry
as minerals. To become Gems are often set
sparkly jewels, they must in precious metals,
such as gold and silver.
be cut into shape. Very They are used to
sharp tools are used to Cut ruby make brooches,
carefully cut the stone into earrings, and other
pieces of jewelry.
exactly the right shape.
Uncut ruby

Red opal Some gemstones,
such as types of
diamond, are worth
Hessonite garnet Pink ruby The small a lot of money.
sides made
by cutting are

Purple amethyst called facets. Blue diamond

Red ruby Blue sapphire
Spessartine garnet Smithsonite

Garnet Sugilite

Lolite Turquoise

This rectangular
shape is called Emerald
Different colors a step cut.
The colors of gemstones
are often caused by Topaz
substances in minerals Diamonds
known as impurities. are made entirely from
Sapphires and rubies are carbon squeezed Unusual
both types of a mineral under enormous shapes, such Tourmaline
as this heart,
called corundum, with pressure deep are called The sparkliest
impurities that make within the Earth. fancy cuts. gems have the
most facets.
them blue or red.

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