Semi-precious stones have been treasured for many years and have been used as a form of adornment for as long. A gemstone or as we will refer to them as semi-precious stones are a natural mineral and when these beautiful stones have been cut and polished they are used to create stunning pieces of handmade jewellery. Not all semi-precious stones are strictly gems and they do not all sparkle and shine, natural minerals such as Opals and pearls but neither the less they still come under the heading of semi-precious stones. After these natural stones have been cut and polished they are used set in precious metals to make earrings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces and jewellery sets.

The value of the semi-precious stones will depend on many different factors. One of the determine factors is how rare the stone is, like everything in life the rarer it is the greater its cost. Gemstones like beautiful Rubies and Emeralds are available to us in smaller amounts than Diamonds and this is the reason why they are more expensive. If a stone is in vogue then this may add to its cost as it becomes a piece of semi-precious jewellery that everyone is looking for. The colour, the clarity and the quality of the cut are all factors in the cost of the stone and also its aesthetic nature and if it has both of these the cost will be very high. These stones can be cut and polished into beads and pendants.

Some of the semi-precious stones that we use in the making of handmade jewellery are Turquoise, Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Tigers Eye and Amazonite. These can be used on their own or they can be set into precious metals. The beautiful natural colours of these semi-precious stone can create stunning semi-precious jewellery designs like earrings crafted from Rose Quartz cabochons, Rings set with polished Black Onyx stone, necklaces that have the lovely blue stone of Turquoise set into a unique and original sterling silver setting or a bracelet that has been handcrafted from beads made of Tigers Eye.

A sparkling Diamond is the typical gemstone we think of when we think of a typical gemstone and the value of this determined in different ways than other gemstones. The Diamond has been highly valued more for its physical properties of hardness, its stunning clarity, and beautiful brilliance. Other gemstones like Rubies and Sapphires are judged on different qualities such as their depth of colour but in the case of all these stones the larger the carat then higher the value and this will determine the price of the piece of handmade jewellery they have been set in.

These beautiful stones can be used on their own in a semi-precious jewellery designs or they can be mixed and matched creating unique and original jewellery designs. You will find Ruby rings where large single Rubies have been surrounded by small diamond. Pearl earrings that have diamonds added for sparkle and glamour. It could be a bracelet with a mix of gemstones making a colourful piece of unique handmade jewellery.

The same rule applies to pieces of semi-precious jewellery, the natural stones can be used on their own or they can be used in combinations mixing colours and also shaped and size of beads. Pendants of one stone can be set in the centre of a beads necklace of another stone or a total mix of stones can be used. Adding pearls and crystal beads to the mix can give a totally different look to the piece of handmade jewellery making it unique in design. The possibilities are endless and it will all depend on your personal choice and style.