Diamonds are popular gemstones surrounded by popular misconceptions. We'll tell you how they became so prized and debunk some of those diamond myths, too.
Gemstone is a market term. There is no division scientifically between a gem and a mineral.
Minerals form in specific geological settings as a result of temperature, pressure, and the composition of the materials reacting. On the surface of the Earth, we tend to mostly have low temperatures and low pressures. Most minerals are made of only 8 elements, one of which is carbon.
“Gemstone quality” is based on whether or not a mineral can be attractive when faceted. Most minerals do not pass this aesthetic.
To say that a mineral is common or rare is extremely dependent on context. Garnet, for instance, could be the gem that is targeted, or could be waste material that is an annoyance. Most diamond mines throw away massive amounts of garnet.
So, the statement in the title needs a lot of caveats.
Thanks for this post. People don’t understand about geology and context, I find. I would love to see more of your commentary in the Perseverance rover and Curiosity rover communities, although I do remember seeing you there in the past. My mineralogy is still rather basic, all told, and with the exotic lithologies Perseverance is uncovering (well, by Martian standards - granite and serpentine, yet!), your participation would be most welcome.
Seems to be a lack of mineralogists here.
Gemstone is a market term. There is no division scientifically between a gem and a mineral.
Minerals form in specific geological settings as a result of temperature, pressure, and the composition of the materials reacting. On the surface of the Earth, we tend to mostly have low temperatures and low pressures. Most minerals are made of only 8 elements, one of which is carbon.
“Gemstone quality” is based on whether or not a mineral can be attractive when faceted. Most minerals do not pass this aesthetic.
To say that a mineral is common or rare is extremely dependent on context. Garnet, for instance, could be the gem that is targeted, or could be waste material that is an annoyance. Most diamond mines throw away massive amounts of garnet.
So, the statement in the title needs a lot of caveats.
Thanks for this post. People don’t understand about geology and context, I find. I would love to see more of your commentary in the Perseverance rover and Curiosity rover communities, although I do remember seeing you there in the past. My mineralogy is still rather basic, all told, and with the exotic lithologies Perseverance is uncovering (well, by Martian standards - granite and serpentine, yet!), your participation would be most welcome.
That’s a facetted statement.
Looked up garnet, that’s really pretty.