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Stone
A stone is a piece of compacted mineral. Stone has many and varied uses and comes in many forms and types.
There are thousands of different types of stones, crystals, minerals and fossils. Stone is continuously being formed and destroyed.
Historically and even today, stones are attributed by many to have mystical powers such as healing. Examples of stone would be limestone, sandstone and basalt
lapidary
Lapidary is the act of cutting, shaping and polishing stone. Stone tumbling is a form of lapidary. Stone tumbling is carried out by
putting a number of smaller semiprecious stones or crystals into a stone tumbler, along with some grit. The mixture is then tumbled
for a period of days or weeks and the stones then come out looking polished.
minerals
A mineral is a naturally occurring non organic substance with a defined chemical formula that has been formed by geological activity.
Therefore, minerals are the basic constituent of all rocks, stones and crystals.
crystals
A crystal is a solidified mineral that has been geologically formed into a specific and regular atomic structure known as crystalline.
Examples of crystals would be amethyst, quartz, diamond and sugar.Most gemstones are in fact crystal
What is the difference between semi precious stones and precious stones ?
The fundamental difference between a semi precious stone and a precious stone is how much people have to pay for them.
Historically, precious stones such as diamond and rubies were very difficult to obtain and their aquisition became a status symbol.
Thus their price increased, which increased their desirability and enhanced status even further.
Stone Jewellery, Stone Jewelry - Why buy it?
The truth is that stone jewellery can look absolutely stunning. You don't actually need precious or semi precious stones to have beautiful jewellery. There are many beautiful stones that can be tumbled, cut or ground from rough rock into striking jewellery. Rose quartz, mahogonay obsidian snowflake obsidian, onyx, jasper, moonstone, agate to name but a few types of stone that can look stunning on a necklace of bracelet.
Lapidary - Cutting facets in precious stones?
Whilst the art of lapidary for cutting facets into precious stones is a very skilled craft, the arts of stone tumbling and cabouchon cutting (cutting and grinding rough rough) is a craft open to beginners.
You can start Stone Tumbling for less than £50 or $100.
You can buy a stone tumbler for under $100. You can find your own stones down at a beach, in your garden - just buy a bag of rough gravel and look closely.
It is amazing how once you start to tumble your first stones , every piece of rough rock on the ground becomes interesting. You will find yourself picking up and examining stones wherever you are , and keeping loads in your pockets too.
Once you have started down the stone tumbling trail you will begin to appreciate that all stones are different. You will find youself becoming interested in geology and you will start to read up on different types of stones!
Beware - The Stone Tumbling and Lapidary bug will get you!!! and within a couple of years you will have chosen your holiday destination on the types of rocks you want to see. You will have made some stone jewellery and you will have given someone some tumbled stones for a present!! - Just wait and see.....
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