Where can I find resources to learn about crystals and gemstones?

Question by justinbustin16: Where can I find resources to learn about crystals and gemstones?
Are there any good and specific sites I can go to, to learn about crystals, rocks and gemstones? I am trying to analyze them and research them. Every time I look for sites about Crystals, Rocks and Gemstones, I always end up in an online store that sells crystals. Can anybody give me some good sites that tell you about Gemstones, Crystals and Rocks?

Best answer:

Answer by m pav
Look in Wikipedia under Crystal or Gemstone not gemstones (thats a rock group) Below is some basic info the look-up will give you what your looking for.
Crystals-
In chemistry and mineralogy, a crystal is a solid in which the constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are packed in a regularly ordered, repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions.

The word crystal originates from the Greek word “Krystallos” meaning clear ice, as it was thought to be an especially solid form of water.[citation needed] The word once referred particularly to quartz, or “rock crystal”.

Most metals encountered in everyday life are polycrystals.[citation needed] Crystals are often symmetrically intergrown to form crystal twins.
Gemstone-
A gemstone, gem or also called precious or semi-precious stone is a highly attractive and valuable piece of mineral, which — when cut and polished — is used in jewelry or other adornments.[1] However certain rocks, (such as lapis-lazuli) and organic materials (such as amber or jet) are strictly speaking not minerals, but are still applied in jewelry and adornments, and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well. Some minerals that are too soft to be generally applied in jewelry may still be considered gemstones because of their remarkable color, lustre or other physical properties that have aesthetic value. Rarity is another characteristic that lends value to a gemstone.[wikipedia]

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