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Gems can come from either mineral deposits or organic mater.
Most gems are rock/mineral and can be found in primary and secondary deposits or alluvial deposits.
An alluvial deposit is the bottom of river/creek bed, by where the gem has been separated from its
original deposit and washed into the water ways.
Organic type gems include pearls, amber, coral and jet.
The creation of rock type gems happens in one of three basic ways.
One through sedimentary origins. (i.e. drying out of inland water ways etc..)
Two through molten formation (i.e. crystal growth as lava cools)
Three through being cooked up from other types of rocks
(i.e. as happens under great pressure from mountains forming, molten invasions into old rock etc...)
The organic gems are created differently.
Pearls are grown within oysters/mullocks.
Amber is fossilized sap from prehistoric trees.
Coral is created by polyps excreting limestone material over periods of time.
Jet is fossilized wood from prehistoric trees.
A gem stone is an example of a rock/organic of high enough grade or quality to be considered a gem.
For instance, lots of mined diamonds are not gem quality, but are considered industrial grade and used as
saw tips etc..
This is true of all gems, they must be of high enough quality to be considered a gem stone.
Gems are primarily used for jewelry.
As such their desirability and value is determined by fashion.
It is fair to assume different trends will effect the gem stone markets as tastes change.
Probably the most important factor affecting gem trends is technical enhancements/advancements.
Better gem cutting, different gem processing techniques are all changing which gems are currently in vogue.
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