Crystal And Gemstone Differences

I realised that people call gemstones crystals and crystals gemstones which is not a terrible thing. No one is going to feel offended if you choose to use the two phrases interchangeably but there's a huge discrepancy between the two words.

I used to not care about using the two terms erroneously until the day crystallography made it clear that it’s far different from gemology. Again, it isn't bad to use the two terms since they at some point imply the same thing and differ completely at another. But, if you like plopping things in their proper places (organised) or you just need to know the disparity between the two terms then today's article is for you.

 

Crystal structure system 

What is the difference between a gemstone and a crystal?

A gemstone is a highly precious, rare and high-quality mineral that meets the qualities of being referred to as a gemstone. While, on the other hand, a crystal is a pure material that grows in a geometric pattern contour due to its molecules occurring in a particular arranged manner.

By now you should be convinced that there's more to it than just this difference, you're not wrong. Occasionally, a gem can be crystallized in nature but the chances of crystals being gems are so slim. For instance, an emerald crystal has all the integrity of being a gem but a sugar crystal has none.

Gemstones are natural rocks but crystals aren't necessarily rocks. Furthermore, the sugar crystal is the best example to fit this explanation.

Sugar crystals

Gemstones are made of organic matter and minerals while crystals consist of atoms that specify their shape. Although, a crystalline gemstone should be called any of the two terms, either a gemstone or a crystal.

Crystals are categorized by their shape cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal, etc. Things like structure, chemical composition, trace minerals and others do classify gemstones. Nevertheless, unless you're on a professional mission or in an environment that requires you to behave professionally, no one is going to cuss you for using the two terminologies the way you want.

 

 

What is the difference between crystal structure and crystal system?

Crystal structure array

According to crystallography, crystal structure is the analyzation of atoms, ions or molecules arranged in a crystalline manner that transpires from the inherent nature which later creates symmetric patterns.

A crystal system is a type of class of crystals, space, and lattices which can be further assessed depending on their atomic structure and lattice. There're seven types of crystal systems in crystallography namely:

•        Triclinic

•        Monoclinic

•        Orthorhombic

•        Trigonal System

•        Hexagonal System

•        Tetragonal System

•        Cubic System

 

Hexagonal system structure 

Crystal System FAQs

 

What determines the shape of crystals?

Crystal geometry shape 

Crystal shapes are determined by several practical factors like the size and length of their surfaces which can also be named "faces". You can tell a crystal by just glancing at how long or large it is. Well, not every person can, but if you know it's easy.

Angles and sides between a crystal are also other helpful methods of determining a crystal's shape. These are what makeup geometry that is afterwards given a name according to what the crystal looks like, for instance, crystals centred on cubes consist of cubic/isometric crystal groups.

 

Why is crystal structure important?

Distinguishing crystals of identical looks such as emeralds from tsavorites would be extremely hard without the assistance of crystal structure. It makes the work susceptible by understanding the elements that a mineral has and how they are amassed together. The crystal structure is the answer that can shut down a debate in seconds.

 

What is the difference between crystal minerals and rocks?

Minerals are inorganic substances that form naturally with systematic structure, chemical composition, physical properties, and crystal shape that are significantly different. On the other hand, a rock is a substance that is composed of many unidentified minerals. In other words, every known gem began as a rock before it became identified and given a name.

 

What is the difference between liquid crystals and water crystals?

A liquid crystal is an organic liquid with physical properties that are similar to a real crystal in formation but with loosely decreed molecular arrays much like a normal crystalline lattice and the anisotropic refraction of light. An example of liquid crystallise is soap.

Alternatively, water crystals are small polymers with absorbent ability that can clench water and other liquids for long intervals of time. Water crystals are about the size of a sugar crystal and they are made of long comparable repeating shackles of molecules. These kinds of crystals are very useful, especially in gardens.