About the Standard Classification of Precious and Semiprecious Stones

There seems to be a considerable difference of opinion among writers on the subject of gems as to those stones which should be classed as precious and those which should be classed as semi-precious. The more scientific writers, from their inclination to treat the matter from the view-point of the mineralogist, appear to be little influenced in their classifications by the inexorable law of demand and supply, or the fickleness of fashion and popular favour. This book, being for the many, will present a classification of the principal gems as handled at the period of its publication by the jewelry trade in America, and classified according to present standards of popularity, or what the authors believe to be such. The arrangement of the scale of popularity is based upon personal experience and observation, and upon the opinions of leading American business concerns engaged in the business of importing and dealing in precious and semi-precious stones, as expressed in replies to letters of inquiry asking for lists of gems classified according to their respective values and the present demand for them. The great divergence of opinion, after the precious stones were set apart, was very interesting. The lists in question were evidently prepared after careful consideration; with most of them there went expressions of doubt as to the propriety or correctness of the arrangement.

Following my nomination of the five precious stones, the semi-precious stones are divided into four classes, the arrangement within each class being alphabetical, because there appears to be no basis upon which it would seem justifiable to give some of these minor gems precedence over others. A number of stones clearly only semi-precious, but which are only occasionally seen by jewellers, are briefly covered in one chapter.

The quintet of gems herein designated as precious stones are accepted as such by all authorities without dissent, with the exception that the pearl is omitted by some devoted scientific mineralogists, because it is not an original mineral. Some writers increase the number of precious stones, as, for instance, Mr. W. R. Cattelle, who includes Oriental cat's-eye, opal, turquoise, alexandrite, and spinel; the last, in trade parlance, being the Balas ruby, and this stone, to the general public, is a ruby.

My classification is as follows:

THE PRECIOUS STONES

Diamond Emerald Pearl Ruby Sapphire Corundum

SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES

CLASS I

Alexandrite

Amethyst (Siberian)

Aquamarine

Chrysolite (Olivine and Peridot)

Kunzite (Spodumene or Triphane)

Opal (Precious or Noble--of gem quality)

Oriental Cat's-Eye (Cymophane, a variety of Chrysoberyl)

Topaz (Brazilian)

Turquoise

CLASS II

Beryl

Chrysoberyl

Chrysoprase

Coral

Garnet (Carbuncle, when cut en cabochon)

Jade

Tourmaline

CLASS III

Hyacinth Moonstone

Jacinth Zircon

Jargoon

CLASS IV

Agate Labradorite

Amazonite Lapiz-lazuli

Aventurine Malachite

Azurite Onyx