Difference Between Crystal and Gem

Crystal vs Gem

Gem is a rare mineral that is highly priced. Gems are beautiful stones that are used in making jewelry. Crystals are pure substances that have molecules arranged in a regular geometric pattern.

A gem can be a crystal whereas a crystal will not always be a gem.

Gems can have mineral bases such as ruby or diamond and an organic base such as amber.

Crystals are solids that have atoms, ions and molecules fixed in a regular order, which extend in three dimensions. Crystals can also be defined as objects that have well-defined geometric shapes.

Gem is also known as gemstone that can be prescious or semi precious that is cut and polished to be used in jewelry. The precious gems include diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald and all other gems are considered to be semi-precious.

Gems can be classified according to the chemical composition gemstone and the crystal structure. Crystals are mainly classified as cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic and rhombohedral.

When comparing the value of crystals and gems, the latter ones are priced more. Almost everything related to minerals can be termed as crystals as they have specific properties. When comparing the hardness, specific gravity, refractive index, durability and fluorescence, the crystals are different from the gems. One thing that has to be noted is that different gems have different properties as different crystals having different properties.

When comparing the colour between gems and crystals, the gems come in various colours like red, green and blue. The crystals also come in colours according to the transmission of light through them.

Summary

1. A gem can be a crystal whereas a crystal will not always be a gem.

2. Gems can be mineral based such as ruby or diamond and organic based such as amber.

3. Crystals are solids that have atoms, ions and molecules fixed in a regular order, which extend in three dimensions.

4. Gem is also known as gemstone that can be prescious or semi precious that is cut and polished to be used in jewelry.

5. Gems can be classified according to the chemical composition gemstone and the crystal structure. Crystals are mainly classified as cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic and rhombohedral.

6. When comparing the value of crystals and gems, the latter ones are priced more.

7. One thing that has to be noted is that different gems have different properties like different crystals having different properties.

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