What Are Natural Stones? Precious, Semi-Precious and Gemstones Explained

JEWELLERY GUIDE: What are Natural Stones? - DNSK Copenhagen

Natural stones are minerals and organic materials formed in nature, such as diamonds, sapphires, amethyst and turquoise. In jewellery, they are often divided into precious and semi-precious stones, while "gemstone" is the general word for any stone cut and polished for jewellery.

Precious vs semi-precious stones

Traditionally, four stones are called precious: diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald. All other natural stones are called semi-precious. The split is historical, not a measure of quality; a fine semi-precious stone can be worth more than a poor precious one.

Type	Examples	Typical traits
Precious stones	Diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald	Rare, hard, high value
Semi-precious stones	Amethyst, topaz, garnet, turquoise	Wide range of colours and prices
Organic gems	Pearls, amber, coral	Formed by living things
Lab-created stones	Cubic zirconia, lab-grown diamond	Made in a lab, consistent and clear

What is a gemstone?

Gemstone is the umbrella term. It covers precious and semi-precious stones, and often organic gems such as pearls.

Natural stones vs cubic zirconia

In DANSK Copenhagen's waterproof jewellery, the sparkle comes from cubic zirconia. It is a lab-made crystal with diamond-like sparkle and consistent clarity, and it is also how we create the colours in our birthstone necklaces. Read what is cubic zirconia? or our page on cubic zirconia, crystals and lab-grown diamonds.

Pearls: a natural material

Pearls are organic gems. Most of our pearls are freshwater pearls, set on waterproof 316L steel. Read what are freshwater pearls?

Birthstones and meaning

Every month has its own birthstone, and many people choose jewellery for that meaning. Find yours in our zodiac and birthstone guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between precious and semi-precious stones?
Diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald are traditionally called precious; all other natural stones are semi-precious. The split is historical, not a quality grade.

Is cubic zirconia a natural stone?
No. Cubic zirconia is a lab-made crystal of zirconium dioxide, cut to sparkle like a diamond.

Are pearls gemstones?
Pearls are organic gems. They form inside molluscs rather than in the ground.

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Scandinavian Minimalist Jewellery Design I Nordic DNA Since 1971 I Dansk Copenhagen

LET US START WITH THE DEFINITIONS

Precious stones are considered to be the rarest and most valuable type of gemstones.

There are only four types of precious stones:

Diamond
Sapphire
Ruby
Emerald.

Precious stones are often used for jewellery due to their beauty and value.

All other stones are therefore called semi-precious stones.

Semi-Precious stones are usually abundant in nature and don't have the same rarity as precious stones, but they can still make beautiful jewelry pieces.

Modern semi-precious gemstones include beryl, chalcedony, agates, onyx, tourmaline, spinel, topaz, turquoise, zircon, amethyst, Alexandrite, cat's eyes, bloodstones, moonstones, and sunstones.

Gemstones refer to any type of stone that is cut and polished into a specific shape for use in jewelry or other decorative uses. This includes both precious and semiprecious stones that have been shaped through a cutting process to enhance their appearance.

Emerald Cluster

Hand-mined ‘gentle giant’ is one of the biggest and rarest precious stones ever seen - It weights over 37 kg!!

IS IT SUSTAINABLE? LAB-CREATED GEMSTONES

Lab-created gemstones have been gaining in popularity over the past few years due to their many advantages. Lab-grown stones are chemically, physically and optically identical to traditional gems mined from the earth, but with fewer imperfections and a much lower price tag.

One of the primary differences between lab-created gems and traditional mined gems is the origin. Lab-created gems are grown in a lab environment, while mined gems come from deep within the earth. Both types of gemstones have the same chemical and optical characteristics, so they look nearly identical to the naked eye.

Lab-created gemstones are a great choice for those looking for sustainable jewelry options. Since mined gems come from deep underground, mining them can take a toll on the environment and put workers' safety at risk in some cases.

On the other hand, lab-grown gems are created in a controlled environment with far less environmental impact and it have a much lighter carbon footprint. And since they’re produced in a controlled laboratory environment, their quality is more consistent than that of mined stones—meaning fewer flaws. Plus, lab-created gemstones tend to be less expensive than traditional mined gems.

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THE SPIRIT OF A FRESHWATER PEARL

Freshwater pearls are known for their beauty and elegance, but they also possess a special spirit of their own. The freshwater pearl is said to symbolize innocence, truth, and spiritual growth. It is believed that when worn, the freshwater pearl can bring an energy of purity and innocence that helps to promote balance and harmony in the wearer's life. Freshwater pearls are also thought to provide protective qualities that help ward off negative energy. By wearing a freshwater pearl, one may find themselves more patient and understanding, as well as more open to new ideas and perspectives.

The spirit of the freshwater pearl has been celebrated for thousands of years in many different cultures around the world. Ancient Greeks believed that pearls had the power to protect against evil spirits and bring good luck, while Chinese folklore tells of how they were once used to produce immortality elixirs for emperors. In India it was believed that wearing pearls could bestow good health, wealth and fortune upon its wearer--all these beliefs still remain alive today!