Gemstones

Gemstones are special stones found in the Earth. They are rare, hard, and very pretty. People cut and polish them to make them shine. Then they are used in rings, necklaces, and crowns. Diamonds, rubies, and emeralds are all famous gemstones.

Where They Come From

Most gemstones form deep inside the Earth. Heat and pressure help the crystals grow over millions of years. Miners dig them out of the ground. Then workers cut and polish them to show off their colors. Each cut face is called a facet, and facets help the gem sparkle.

Rows of smooth, shiny, polished gemstones in many bright colors.
Rows of smooth, shiny, polished gemstones in many bright colors. (Original uploader was Arpingstone / Wikimedia Commons)

Famous Gems

Diamonds are the hardest of all gemstones. Rubies are deep red and very rare. Sapphires are often blue but can be other colors too. Emeralds are a bright green. Pearls come from oysters, not from the ground, but they are still called gems.

Fun Facts

  • A diamond can only be cut or scratched by another diamond.
  • The biggest diamond ever found weighed more than a pound.
  • Rubies and sapphires are actually the same mineral in different colors.

Did You Know?

Most of the world's diamonds are used in tools and machines, not in jewelry, because they are so hard they can cut anything.