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Categories BEAD PENDANTS INTARSIA CABOCHONS/BEAD SUITES OR SETS XL COLLECTOR CABOCHONS Apache Gold Arizona Pietersite Australian Moss Agate Azurite-Malachite Blue Bubble Chalcedony Blue Lace Agate Brazilian Piranha Agate Bruneau Jasper Cacoxenite Candy Opal Cherry Creek Jasper Chevron Amethyst Chrysocolla-Malachite Cobalto Calcite (Pink Drusy) Coyamito Agate Crazy Lace Agate Crown of Silver Psilomelane Deschutes Jasper Dinosaur Bone Drusy Agate (AKA Druse or Druzy) Drusy Chrysocolla Flame Agate Fossil Coral Graveyard Plume Agate Kyanite Laguna Agate Magnetite & Pyrite Mahogany Obsidian Maw Sit Sit Medicine Bow Agate Montana Agate Mookaite Jasper Morrisonite and Carracite Native Copper Nipomo Agate Noreena Jasper Ocean Jasper Other Specialty Cabochons Owyhee Jasper Petrified Palm Wood (Indonesia) Petrified Palm Wood (Louisiana) Poppy Jasper Prehnite Red Agate Psuedomorph Rhodochrosite Ricolite Royal Imperial Jasper Rutilated Quartz Sagenitic Agate Serpentine Sonora Sunset (Chrysocolla Cuprite) Tiger Eye Turquoise Tuxedo Agate Uvarovite Garnet Wave Dolomite Web Serpentine White Plume Agate Willow Creek Jasper

Gems, Gemstones, Jewels

Gems, Gemstones, Jewels, Cabochons Gems, Gemstones, and Jewels are not scientific terms. They are used to describe beautiful stones suitable for cutting, polishing, and setting in jewelry. Usually gems, gemstones, and jewels are natural materials: mineral, or rock (which is a conglomeration of several minerals), or organic (such as Amber or Coral). The cutting of gems, gemstones, and jewels is usually divided into two groups. Transparent gems (sometimes referred to as precious stones) are generally faceted. Faceting is the art of cutting faces, or planes at angles in a stone. All other stones are usually classified as cabochons. Cabochons are actually domed gemstones with a smooth surface and a flat or slightly domed bottom. However, the cutting of cabochons has blossomed lately into lots of shapes and styles: carved or fancy cut gems, sculpted or crystal topped gemstones, and 3 dimensional jewels.

The words gems and gemstones are interchangeable. In fact gems was not gemstones shortened! The earliest usage of "gemstone" in written English was about the year 1000, and its spelling only vaguely resembles the present day word "gemstone." At that time it was spelled "ymstanas." Then for many years, the word was spelled "imstone." It was not until the year 1883 that the word was spelled as it is today: "gem-stone." I am not sure when the hyphen was omitted. The word "gem" comes from the Middle French "gemme" which derived from the Latin word "gemma" meaning gem.

Jewels is a more old-fashion term. Everyone knows of the Crown Jewels (which refers to the regalia or adornments the sovereign wears or carries), or the Family Jewels (not the slang version!). The word "jewel" actually appeared around 1250 in England and the word came from the Old French "jouel", which came from the Latin "jocale" which actually means plaything. Jewels can be interchangeable with gems, but it actually usually means items of personal adornment, and its reference often includes the item of jewelry that includes gems or gemstones.

There are literally hundreds of varieties of gemstones. If you included all the variations, such as of agates and jaspers, there are probably thousands of varieties of gems. Since ancient times gems have intriqued man. Historically gems were reserved for the wealthy, but with the advent of what is sometimes referred to as semi-precious gemstones, gems and jewelry are now available to people on almost any budget.
At BarlowsGems we have a large assortment of gemstone cabochons to fit any budget. We specilize in rare and unique designer cabochons and try to bring them to you at the best possible prices. We travel the world looking for striking patterns and bright colors. We personally orientate each cabochon to get the best possible pattern. Each designer cabochon is hand cut and polished. Please check out the designer cabochons we have by exploring our store. You can click on a material type to the left or you can search for specific shapes or colors. Make sure to search for the singular (triangle instead of triangles) for your most complete selection!