TYPES OF GEMSTONES-ORGANIC

Organic gemstones have their origin either from plants or from animal sources. Like natural Pearls form around foreign bodies that have made their way inside the shells of marine or freshwater shellfish. These marine fish produce a fluid around the foreign body to protect themselves from its attack. This fluid solidifies and the oyster continues to produce the fluid. This way layers after layers are formed around the foreign body and ultimately the pearl is formed. The more time is given, the bigger is the size of Pearl. Moreover the size of foreign body also decides the size of the pearl ultimately. The type of fish can decide about the colour of the Pearls. We find grey, orange, black and white pearls in the market. Cultured Pearls are produced artificially in large fisheries, many in the shallow waters off the seashores. The technique remains the same, except that the foreign body is inserted inside the shellfish. This way mass production of Pearls is done.

Shells, which are regarded as gems, may come from the animals as diverse as snails and turtles, living in the ocean, in fresh water or on land. Coral is made up of the skeletons of tiny marine animals called coral polyps. These animals live in shallow seawater and feed on the seaweed to survive. They live in colonies and when they die, they leave behind their skeletal remains. Over the years they form into a huge coral reef.

Amber is fossilized tree resin, collected from soft sediments or the sea. Jet is fossilized wood, found in some sedimentary rocks.