Have you often wondered what the difference is between precious and semi-precious stones ? Present on many e-commerce sites, well cut and highlighted, precious stones , semi-precious stones , fine stones and other ornamental stones each perfectly fulfill their primary function: that of making us dream. Let's be honest, there are so many extraordinary little pebbles that seem precious to us. It's no wonder that everything gets mixed up in your mind when faced with so many wonders enhanced by catchy descriptions. However, faced with our desire and with an incredible choice of fine stones online: how can we be sure of buying quality pearls and gemstones to make the dream jewel yourself? Let's now discover what the situation is on the ground and what the law says about these distinctions. Then, let's see how to find our way around in terms of quality and what are the possibilities for making beautiful jewelry with gemstone pearls .

Difference between Precious and Semi-precious Stone | In the Field

Whether transparent, translucent, or opaque, these natural wonders have been shaped beneath our feet for millennia. However, they do not all have the same value.

Precious stones

Gemologists classify all natural stones according to their exploitable quantity and therefore according to their rarity. This is why: diamond, emerald, sapphire and ruby ​​are the four most precious stones in the world and recognized as such. Very precious gems worth up to hundreds of thousands of euros due to their rare properties and intended primarily for fine jewelry.

Semi-precious stones

We will come back to this in more detail a little later in this article, because although these stones are used in jewelry, they are not considered semi-precious by the law. This is why they circulate more in commerce under the name of gemstones or ornamental stones. Nevertheless, all these pearls made from stones from natural deposits or originally from organic materials (plant or animal) are of extreme beauty and finesse. Hence their other name of "fine stones".

Gemstones or ornamental stones

Finally, the distinction between precious stone and ornamental stone is due to their greater or lesser presence underground, the ease of exploitation and the purity of the stones themselves as with opalite. However, if the rose quartz stone or the sodalite stone from Brazil are easier to find than precious stones, they are no less extraordinary and often of rare beauty depending on their origin . In this, we can say that all gemstones are exceptional, different and therefore unique and precious.

Important points that determine the preciousness of a stone

In summary, the preciousness of a stone is determined based on:

• of its chemical composition ;
• of its crystalline structure ;
• of its refraction ;
• of its optical characteristics .

Degrees of perfection or imperfection that allow the classification of a mineral or stone and define its value and the rarity associated with it. As such, blue diamonds—after red diamonds—are the most expensive precious stones in the world.

Precious and Semi-precious Stones: What does the Law say?

The article of law that will help us make the distinction is this one: Decree No. 2002-65 of January 14, 2002 relating to the trade of gemstones and pearls . And, it leaves no room for doubt. Because, according to Article 5: " The use of the terms: "semi-precious" and "semi-fine" is prohibited to designate all the materials and products mentioned in Article 1. " That is to say (refer to Article ¹ of this same decree), that this concerns all products of the type:

• gemstones formed in natural deposits;
• synthetic, artificial and imitation gemstones;
• stones made from organic materials of plant or animal origin, traditionally used in jewelry;
• cultured pearls and fine pearls;
• imitation cultured pearls and imitation fine pearls.

And this, "regardless of their origin, their provenance and the use for which the products are intended" .

Did you know?

$57.5 million : That's the price the Oppenheimer Blue Diamond sold for after being auctioned in 2016. A 14.62-carat diamond classified as "fancy vivid blue" due to its exceptionally bright blue color.

$71.2 million : this is the amount of the record auction for the Pink Star diamond , which dethroned the blue diamond on April 4, 2017. Originally a 132.5-carat rough stone, cut with the greatest care and worked for 2 years before becoming the largest diamond in the world in its category (59.60 carats), certified by the GIA (Gemmological Institute of America).

Buy quality pearls and gemstones online

Check all the information on the site

If you can't get to a specialist store, don't just jump on the first website you come across with the most beautiful images. Preferably, choose a French website (in ". FR") and go to the bottom of the page. This is often where the mandatory links are located. Then, make sure that the General Terms and Conditions of Sale ( GTC ), General Terms and Conditions of Use ( GCU ), and Legal Notices are duly completed and go take a look. If in doubt, just one piece of advice: simply resist the temptation.

Buy on an HTTPS site for your security

Also: always buy from a site using HTTPS (and not just "http"). This advice applies to all your online purchases in general, even if it doesn't concern the purchase of gemstones. Indeed, on an HTTPS site: your data will only be visible to you and the site in question and will therefore not be accessible to cybercriminals.

Choose and order your gemstones with complete confidence

They come from all over the world, and on the i-perles.fr website we have selected them for you . So that you can order quality pearls and gemstones with confidence. For this purpose, you will find, in complete transparency, on each product sheet, the details of each stone and batch of loose natural stone pearls . Hence the following mentions such as: " natural gemstone " or " tinted gemstone " or " reconstituted gemstone " if this is the case. Because obviously, it would be impossible to find in nature a gilded hematite in rose gold or yellow gold.

Make beautiful jewelry from gemstone beads

Now that you know how to distinguish between different stones and now that you know the precautions to take before buying beads and gemstones on the internet: all you have to do is take action. And, unless you already have a clear idea of ​​your project, the choices will prove difficult when faced with the multitude of stone beads .

The different shapes of natural pearls

We offer a wide selection of beads crafted from natural gemstones for unique products in a variety of shapes. These beads are perfect for creating wonderful stone jewelry :

• round , faceted round stone beads ;
• rectangular ;
• rounded squares or faceted cubes;
• bicones ;
• cylindrical or polygonal;
• in heishi roundels or in gold-plated slice beads;
• like nuggets ;
• in original shapes ( heart-shaped beads , crosses, clover, flowers or butterflies)...

All these pearls are natural jewelry stones to make completely original gemstone jewelry adapted to your desires.

Fine stone cabochons

Usually round or oval in shape, cabochons can be between 6 mm and up to 25 mm. Oval hematite cabochon or oval amethyst cabochon . Round black agate cabochon or round natural malachite cabochon. : they elegantly adorn earring holders , pendants and necklaces, but also bracelets.

Mineral stone pendants

Just like pearls, gemstone pendants are available in a variety of rocks and shapes, including:

• round, pre-drilled pendants directly into hematite stone ;
• oval moonstone pendants set in 925 silver and gilded in fine gold ;
• rounded pendants with a gold metal hook that adorns the jade stone ;
• flat drop-shaped labradorite pendants set in gold;
• faceted labradorite pebble drop pendants …

Gem connectors of all colors

How can you elegantly and discreetly combine two pieces of gemstone jewelry ? With matching gemstone pieces in a variety of shapes:

• Round or oval gemstone connectors;
• Cylindrical gemstone connectors;
• 925 silver set connectors with gemstone cabochons;
• Rectangular connectors set with vermeil…

Gemstone charms

Jewelry tassels are a must-have for creating costume jewelry . To complete your DIY bracelet, there's nothing like gemstone charms. Small, coordinated or profoundly different elements that will give character to your phone charm , your amazonite necklace or your stainless steel hoop earrings. To do this, find all our stone charms and charms among the worlds of gemstone beads or collections:

1. Pendants and charms
2. Set gemstones, pendants or connectors
3. Connector primers and spacers …

Not to mention the countless possibilities offered by the Rosaire chain collection . Vermilion links, in 925 silver or gilded with fine gold, also dotted with small exceptional gemstones.

Wholesaler of pearls and natural stones

Are you looking for a wholesaler of pearls and natural stones?  A reliable supplier with quality products ? At i-perles.fr , we are a wholesaler of pearls for individuals and we also supply many professionals from different sectors . Our core business: to be a true creative partner to support you in your collections and jewelry creations, to be a wholesaler of pearls and natural stones sensitive to your problems and your success!

At i-perles.fr , all our customers receive the same attention and the same level of listening from our teams to support them in their creative process.

For quotes, orders, delivery times for our pearls and gemstones , or any other questions, the best thing to do is to contact us using our contact form.

Luckily, among our teams there are some gems who will do everything to best meet your expectations .

See you soon for another article and beautiful creations to all.