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We have all heard of precious stones and semiprecious stones, but what exactly is the difference? What constitutes a semiprecious stone as opposed to a precious stone? Though there are only four gems considered “precious stones” (emerald, diamond, ruby and sapphire) there is another category reserved for the rest of our favorite gems.

Value is what determines a gemstone’s category. The term “semiprecious gemstone” is used to describe any gemstones which are valued for their beauty but don’t fall into the “precious gemstone” category. Included in this semiprecious category are amethyst, garnet, opal, peridot, rose quartz and many more.

This isn’t to say that semiprecious stones are always more affordable. Many semiprecious stones are quite expensive and quite valuable. For instance, there is a rare gemstone called brazilianite, a gemstone which is very highly valued yet not considered a precious stone. Though brazilianite is quite rare and very highly valued, it just doesn’t make its way into the precious category with the world’s fab four.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and certainly many people prefer a particular semiprecious stone over one of the four precious stones any day. Here on Bidz.com, we feature gorgeous pieces of jewelry that include both precious and semiprecious stones. Take your pick and keep your eyes peeled for your favorite stone! Good luck, bidders!

Where would you guess brazilianite to originate from? You got it. Brazil! Bravo!

This mineral can typically be found in yellow-green varieties, but can also be found in colorless varieties. It is considered a precious stone and is very popular among collectors.

Brazilianite is one of those stones which develops in the common crystal shape: prismatic and spherical. Interestingly, though this mineral is known to be found in only one small region of Brazil, the deposit has yielded many crystals, a large percentage of which are not only large but perfectly bounded.

The mineral is not often used in fine jewelry. Because of the rarity of this mineral, most crystals find their ways into private collections and museums where they boast their crystal structures and brilliant coloring to the interested passersby and enthusiast.