Look for our range of stones, crystals and minerals on our Mineral page. Most of the stones on earth contain the minerals quartz, feldspar, mica, calcite or epidote. Many stones are mined to extract minerals from, like gold or diamonds. For stones, we look at the way in which it is formed. Because a stone can consist of several minerals, this classification is not convenient. A mineral consists of 1 chemical composition and is classified according to the way the crystals grow. What is the difference between minerals and stones?Ī mineral exists of 1 solid inorganic substance while a rock consists of several minerals and can also contain organic substances. Of the more than 2.000 known minerals, only 200 are used as gemstones. A gemstone can also consist of several minerals, but a mineral can never consist of more than 1 substance. There are minerals that are not suitable for processing at all. Minerals can also be gemstones, but not all minerals are. Gemstones always have a mineral origin (except amber and jet) and are turned into gems or jewelry by grinding or polishing. The science of minerals is called "mineralogy" where gemology is a branch of mineralogy. What is the difference between minerals and gemstones?īoth minerals as gems have their own science. Other known polymorphs are Kyanite and andalousite (chiastolite) and Diamond and graphite. However, they both form very different crystals. For example, both calcite and aragonite have the same chemical formula (CaCO3). To complicate matters, two different minerals can have the same chemical formula with different crystal structures. However, a crystal can consist of several substances (and therefore also minerals). Popular crystals of 1 mineral are: rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, calcite and ruby.Īs we saw in the description of a mineral, it can only consist of 1 substance. Just like ice crystals (snowflakes) or nanocrystals made by man (not natural). This is an organic substance and therefore cannot be a mineral. This has to do with the fact that not every crystal meets the conditions to be a mineral. We already read that every mineral is automatically a crystal. What is the difference between minerals and crystals? Rarity: how often does this stone occur in nature.Sustainability: how hard is the stone, how does it split and how resistant is the stone to chemical agents.Beauty: how clear is the stone, how does the light refract and what color is the gemstone.Gemology looks at the following properties: Gemstones are stones which are used for jewelry or decorative objects. Metamorphic rock that is formed by the growth of minerals that grow in the rock under pressure or temperature.Sedimentary rock formed by the precipitation or settling of sediment such as sand, gravel or clay.Igneous rock, this is formed by the solidification of magma released by volcanoes.A well-known and popular rock is Lapis Lazuli. So actually a stone always contains several minerals and has a natural origin. We speak of a rock if it is a fixed combination of more than one mineral formation that occurs naturally. Minerals are identified by seven properties: More than 2000 minerals are known and each has its own chemical composition and crystal structure. Furthermore, a mineral always consists of 1 substance. Also, every mineral is automatically a crystal. not man-made) and contains no organic substances. With this we actually say that you speak of a mineral if it occurs naturally (i.e. Minerals are inorganic, naturally occurring substances that have a crystalline structure. Read more about how crystals are formed in our blog: How do crystals form and look for examples of crystals on our crystal page. That means that the atoms are at very precise distances and at very precise angles from each other to form a crystal. To properly understand the differences, let's first look at the definitions.Ī crystal is any solid that has an organized structure. So where exactly is the difference? We're going to try to explain that. However, one does not have to exclude the other and in some cases it can be all four. What is the difference between minerals and gemstones and when is it a regular stone or a crystal? There are differences between gemstones, crystal minerals and ordinary stones.
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