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A variety of minerals is used to make jewelry or other adornments and is called as gem stones.  Most gemstones are hard minerals, but some soft minerals, rocks or various organic materials like pearl or ivory etc. are also used in jewelry because of their luster or other physical properties that have aesthetic value.

The traditional classification of gemstones, which goes back to the ancient Greeks, begins with a distinction between precious and semi-precious. In modern use the precious stones are diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald, with all other gemstones being semi-precious. This distinction reflects the rarity of the respective stones in ancient times, as well as their quality with respect to their color, translucency and hardness. All are translucent with fine color in their purest forms.   Diamond is the most precious gem and also hardest amongst all gem minerals. Until 16th century India was the only producer in diamonds. And all famous diamonds like Kohinoor, Hope, Regent, Sancy were produced in India and are currently known to be pride of various museums or nations.

Chemical composition of various minerals is different. For example, diamonds are made of carbon (C) and ruby, sapphire of aluminum oxide, amethyst and agate of silicon oxide etc. Inclusions are one of the most important factors when it comes to gem valuation. An inclusion is any material that is trapped inside a mineral during its formation. The analysis of atmospheric gas bubbles as inclusions is an important tool in the study of climate change. In many gemstones inclusions affect the clarity of the gem, diminishing the value. In some gems, however, such as star sapphires, the inclusion actually increases the value of the gem.

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