WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GEMS AND DIAMONDS?

Diamonds and Gems are both valuable but very different. Both are used in jewelry and are valuable. The term gemstone is the overarching category that both diamonds and gems fall under. The simple definition of a gemstone is a piece of crystal found naturally in the environment, then cut and polished to be used to make jewelry and other beautiful adornments. The category of gemstones is broken down into two subcategories precious gemstones (Diamonds) and semi-precious gemstones (Gems). To answer the question, we need to dive further into what each is specifically.

As mentioned, diamonds are categorized as a precious gemstone, and the precious gemstone category also includes Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires. Semi-precious gemstones include Amethyst, Beryl, Garnet, Lapis, Lazuli, Topaz, Tourmaline, Zircon, Turquoise, and more.

Teva Diamonds specializes in diamonds; however, it helps to familiarize yourself with each. The Geological Institute of America (GIA) completely describes the differences down to the last detail. (click here)

DURABILITY

The durability of a gemstone is important, especially if it will be used in jewelry. Hands down the diamond is the most durable simply because it is the hardest natural substance on earth. Very few gems come even close to it in terms of hardness. The Emerald is the least durable of the primary precious gemstones, with Sapphire and Ruby falling in between.

Color, Clarity, and Carat

Diamonds are graded by the 4C’s whereas gems are more concerned with 3 of the four.

Color – Gem’s hue. Normally, clear, medium-tone, intense, and saturated primary colors are the most preferred color. When the shades are added in, the choice of color becomes enormous.
Clarity – Very few gems are flawless; thus, they can have the appearance of inclusions. Inclusions are imperfections within the gem, and the more there are the less valuable.
Carat – Carat is the weight of the gemstone. Size and density significantly affect this rating for value.

As you look further into diamonds and gems, feel free to reach out to our experts and learn why diamonds make the most sense. (877)683-3426