Crystals and gemstones are one of the most fascinating and exciting objects that people continue to adore and explore of their essences. Even before the recorded history, the use of these objects was seen in mankind. Up today, people collect crystals and gemstones. Not only to enjoy the preciousness and value integrated into jewels in a box but for healing and self-improvement purposes as well.

The mystical nature that these commodities hold is precious to the mankind and is seldom questioned. However, its very own nature is hard to determine. People base the history, value, and wisdom of the gemstones to their combination of utility and beauty. Subsequently, the precious characteristics that they possess motivate men and women to create artistic works out of them so that jewelry pieces will be enjoyed by them, whether for embellishment or any other use.

Many kinds of gems and crystals are in abundance. The civilization is aware, so that jewels created out of them remain the most utilized from the beginning up to this era. The oldest inhabitants of this earth have a strong historical record how people back from that era indicated how powerful their general acceptance and love for precious metals and stones.

Fashion nowadays continues to evolve, keeping forward and contemporary, but nevertheless suggesting penchant for these commodities will never wade, and even made stronger. Only how they are made will be seen with change, but not their use to the consumers. Also, the market may continue to experience ups and downs, and cause value of gems and crystals to diminish and increase, however their storing value will remain in the years to come.

The value of the gems and crystals is primarily based on the durability, beauty, and rarity. For many centuries, these unique properties are criteria well established that people continue to use up to this date. The colors of each gemstone is also identifying characteristic used to asses the richness and pureness of the object. Another gem property is the specific gravity, typically measured by heavy liquids.

Gem testing is done by a gemologist. They identify precious stones and crystals nondestructively. This means that a limited manner of testing available is for physical and optical measurements, without the chemical analysis and scratching methods for they can destruct the value and beauty of the object. Often features are visibly characteristic of specific gems that sole visual identification can be accurately carried on with certainty.

Although color is a property, it is not a reliable testing manner for it can be always misleading. However, color identification can help the gemologist narrow down possible choices. Widely used tool for this activity is the binocular microscopic, as well as hot needle for turquoise and amber testing, solvents for removal of dyes and coatings, simple magnet, and dilute acids.

The art of cutting gem is called lapidary. It is a hobby that is becoming the fastest around the world. In America alone, ten thousands of hobby magazines feature this hobby. Also, you can find numerous books published covering on all lapidary craft aspects, from setting the gems into handmade jewelry to grinding cabochons. It is no wonder crystals and gemstones continue to become the most fascinated and followed interest of the people. Even semi-precious stones and synthetic stones were largely patronized by different people attesting to the fact that human kind will always place these commodities in a special place of their life.