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Ch. 5: Gem History Properties

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PART II
THE GEMS.
PRECIOUS STONES OE GEMS.
PRecious stones or gems are such minerals as, either from their beauty or other valuable properties, have become the subject of the arts or trade, and are used as ornaments, or employed by jewellers. In order to appreciate more fully such minerals as may possess superior virtue, it is our pres­ent object to consider them in reference to their scientific and practical value.
DIVISION OF GEMS.
Gems are generally classed as follows: 1st, real gems, or jewels ; and 2d, semi-gems, or also precious stones. The first comprise such minerals as combine, within a small space, either vivid or soft and agreeable colors, with a high de­gree of lustre, usually termed fire, as well as hardnes"s; the second possess these characters in a less degree, and occur often semi-transparent or translucent, and in larger formless masses. It is, however, impossible to draw a strict line between them, as the conventional value put upon the one or the other also affects their character ; for very often some, which are generally considered as belonging to the second class, may be valued, for their peculiar prop­erties, much higher than some of the first class.
Ch. 4: Classification of Minerals Page of 515 Ch. 5: Gem History Properties
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