Gemstones and Jewelry: Classifications and categories

Gems and Jewelery is a vast subject. There are many branches in this industry. One has to know the different categories and sub-categories of Gems and Jewelery industry to know the subject better. No serious efforts are made to classify Gems and Jewelry till date to the best of my knowledge. Hence, this is an attempt to classify Gems and Jewelery industry. Some of these categories are defined here with short descriptions.

Initially we categorize the industry in two parts.

1. Gemstones

2. Jewelry (Jewelry is also spelled as Jewelery in UK and some other countries and as Jewellery in India).

Gemstones: This may be classified as 1. Diamond and 2. Colored Stones.

Diamond: It may be categorized as 1. Solitaires and 2. Small sized Diamonds or Setting Diamonds

Colored Stones may be categorized as:

1. Precious gem stones:

Ruby, Pink-Blue-Yellow-Green-White Sapphires,

Emerald,

Pearl,

Coral,

Hessonite,

Cat's eye, etc are among the precious stones.

2. Semi-Precious gem stones:

Tanzanite, Aquamarine, Garnet, Rhodolite, Citrin, Amethyst, Blue-White-Yellow Topaz, Pink-Green-White Quartz etc are some of the semi precious stones..

Both precious and semi Precious stones are found in cut, cabochons, beads, drops, carvings, figures etc.

Beads are classified as plain and faceted.

Jewellery may be classified as:

1. Plain gold Jewellery

2. Plain silver Jewellery

3. Studded Jewellery

4. Beaded Jewelry

Studded Jewelery may further be classified as:

1. Diamond studded Jewelery in gold

2. Diamond studded Jewelery in silver

3. Color stone studded Jewelery in gold

4. Color stone studded Jewelery (Jewelry)in silver

5. Diamond and Color stone studded Jewelery (Jewelry) in gold

6. Diamond and Color stone studded Jewelery (Jewellery) in silver.

The above-mentioned are classified on the basis of materials used in the respective Jewelery.

There are some other ways of classification e.g. on the basis of art, design, fashion or pattern.

Kundan Meena Jadau Jewelery have two sub categories:

1. Kundan Jadau without Meena

2. Kundan Jadau with Meena

View photo gallery:

There are classifications as per pattern such as:

1. Ganga-Jamuna Jewelery

2. Victorian Jewelery

3. Ethnic jewelery

4. Tribal Jewelery

5. Thewa art Jewelery

Followings are low range Fashion Jewelery:

1. Costume Jewelery

2. Imitation Jewelery

Costume or fashion Jewelry and imitation Jewelry are generally made of Silver, copper, steel and plastic. Normally Jewelers do not use gold in these varieties of Jewelry. They generally use Semi precious stones and imitations in these patterns. Precious stones and diamonds hardly find their place in these kinds of Jewelry.

There can be many other ways by that Gem and Jewelery can be classified or categorized. One may go with ornament types e.g. Ring, Necklace etc.

One may classify as Antique or Modern etc.

I have given here only some basic inputs and idea.You can use your own method of classifying and categorizing gems and Jewelry.