Attractive shine and unusual color of black precious, semi-precious and ornamental stones led to their relevance in the field of jewelry and stylish jewelry. Such accessories often attract more attention than exclusive jewelry with large diamonds, iridescent with all the colors of the rainbow. What black stones have been used in jewelry and who will they suit?
Features
Humanity has long been associated with black stones by the action of special energy, magic and otherworldly forces. In the interpretation of some cultural traditions, this color symbolizes sadness, mourning and grief, in the interpretation of other cultures (for example, Japanese) - it personifies the wisdom, the venerable age and life experience.
In the esoteric literature, various magical rites and rituals are described, in which accessories decorated with black gems are used.
It is believed that such attributes from time immemorial were used exclusively by warlocks, sorcerers and witches.
Representatives of modern society, ironically related to superstition, prefer jewelry with dark stones because of their elegance and originality. In combination with precious metals (platinum, white gold, silver) such gems look very elegant and catchy.
There is an opinion that jewelry with dark-colored minerals helps a person to find inner balance, self-confidence.
According to some psychologists, Such jewelry is usually chosen by people seeking to demonstrate their independence from fashion trends to those around them. Such individuals are characterized by concentration on their own inner world, personal beliefs and principles.
Types and their description
In nature, there is a rather impressive species diversity of rocks and minerals of dark shades. From each other, they differ not only in the depth and saturation of color, but also in the features of the design, the degree of transparency, density, hardness. Even the power of brilliance in black stones depends on their variety.
Depending on the structure and surface of the mineral, its brilliance may be glass, matte, wax, metal.
Conventionally, the list of the most famous varieties of black stones can be divided into categories such as:
- precious;
- semi-precious;
- do-it-yourself.
All the rare mineral formations that are characterized by amazing beauty, most often acquired as a result of special treatment, are usually attributed to the first category. The most famous stones in this category are diamonds and corundum (sapphires).
The semiprecious stones, in turn, include popular minerals that are not included in the category of precious gems. Such minerals are not rare, which explains their reasonable cost.
The third category (semi-precious) includes minerals and rocks that are not valuable, but are actively used in the manufacture of jewelry, souvenirs and stone-cutting products. Items made of ornamental stones are characterized not only by their attractive appearance, but also by a very affordable price.
Precious
The list of gems having a black color is not very extensive. This includes fairly well-known types of minerals and rocks, for most of which dark colouration is not characteristic. For this reason, black gems are considered very rare and are found mainly in private collections.
Black Diamond (Carbonado) - a variety of dark diamonds, first discovered in the XVIII century in Brazil. The color palette of these minerals varies from deep gray to dark green shades. A characteristic feature of these stones is amazing strength.
The most expensive are natural black diamonds, which have retained sufficient transparency with their dark colouration and are able to refract light.
Such specimens are extremely rare and are highly valued by collectors. It is noteworthy that modern technologies allow humanity to obtain artificial black diamonds in laboratories. The price of such stones is 15-20% lower than the cost of natural minerals.
Black sapphire - a variety of corundum of a deep dark shade, mined in Australia, India, USA, Tanzania, Thailand. It is curious that, with careful consideration, the color of such stones is not classically black, but dark blue, dark green or dense gray. The unusual color of such sapphires is due to the high content of iron and titanium atoms in their composition. For black sapphires is characterized by intense glossy shine and high strength.
It should be noted that the hardness of these stones is very slightly inferior to the hardness of natural diamonds.
Noble Black Opal - a rather rare translucent mineraloid, valued by jewelers for the amazing play of colors and rainbow colors. This effect, called "opalescence", is peculiar only to noble opals. The rarest types of black opals are mined in the Australian state of New South Wales.
The black mineraloids mined in this state are distinguished by an extraordinary play of colors with modulations from deep gray to deep blue.
Black Pearl - a rare biogenic formation that forms in the shells of marine and individual river mollusks of a certain species. Dark-colored pearls usually have a charcoal, dark silver or dark green color. In jewelry, black pearls are valued for their unusual deep color and beautiful play of light.
It is noteworthy that pearl is not a mineral, but it also includes aragonite.
This mineral is a part of the nacreous layer of the shells of some mollusks, and also participates in the formation of the thinnest layers of pearls.
Semi-precious
Black agate (other names - "coal" or "magic") - a type of quartz, which is characterized by a layered structure and ornaments in the form of stripes. Beautiful matte shine and rich black color caused the wide use of this stone in the manufacture of jewelry, jewelry and stone-cutting products. The main agate deposits are concentrated in the Crimea, Mongolia, India, Georgia, Tajikistan, Brazil, and Uruguay.
This rock is also mined in the Urals and Chukotka.
Black quartz or morion - strong opaque mineral, mined in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, USA, Brazil and many other countries of the world. This breed has the ability to change color when heated. Under the influence of high temperatures, the stone becomes golden yellow or brown.
Black Tourmaline or Sherl - opaque solid mineral with a glass luster, produced mainly in the USA, Brazil, Germany and the UK. The rich black color of the stone is due to the high content of iron atoms. In nature, there are unusual formations of transparent quartz containing needle-like inclusions of black tourmaline in the form of intricate patterns. Such minerals are called tourmaline quartz.
Ornamental
Black jasper (another little-known name is “gagat”) is a popular ornamental stone used in the manufacture of jewelry and stone-cutting products. Possesses attractive velvet gloss and original drawing.The uniformity of the black color of the stone can be diluted with brown, brown-red and other inclusions.
Among the masters, gagat is valued for flexibility, ease of polishing and processing.
Obsidian - rock, which is a mixture of different minerals. These stones are characterized by brittleness, vulnerability to abrasion, mechanical impact. At the same time, obsidians respond well to processing: they are easy to polish, give them the desired shape. Large deposits of this breed are located in Georgia, Turkey, Iceland, Central Asia, and Russia.
Black onyx - medium-strength mineral of spectacular dark color, which is a kind of quartz. It is mined in Russia, India, Brazil, the USA and on the Arabian Peninsula. It is considered one of the most valuable ornamental stones. Black onyx are used in the manufacture of various jewelry and stone-cutting products, decor items and household items.
Hematite - a very common mineral, the color of which can vary from brown-red to metallic black. Characterized by a pronounced matte sheen, giving the stone a special charm. After processing, hematite acquires similarity with black quartz and black jasper, however, it is distinguished from them by a spectacular metallic glow.
The disadvantages of this stone include increased fragility that impedes the processing of the rock.
Application
Most types of black stones are used. in the manufacture of jewelry. They encrust bracelets, rings, earrings, decorate tiaras, pendants, pendants. Some varieties of black stones are used to create blanks for future jewelry. So, from black onyx masters make elements for beads, from black pearls - beads for necklaces and bracelets.
Another direction in which black gems are widely used is manufacture of stone cutting and souvenirs. Such items include vases, ashtrays, figurines, caskets, glasses for pencils, pens, wall panels and other decor items. For the manufacture of such products using a variety of hard, semi-hard and soft ornamental stones.
Some black stones are used because of their prevalence and low jewel value. in industry. For example, black tourmaline is used in the manufacture of parts for automatic sensors, high-frequency valves and other precision instruments. Use it in optics - for the manufacture of filters (polaroids).
Specific dark colored minerals are used. in the decoration of private and public spaces.
So, black jasper and onyx are often used to create a spectacular wall mosaic and flashy mosaic panels.
Who is suitable?
Many jewelry and bijoux with black stones can be considered versatile, since they are able to fit perfectly into both the female and the male image. Such products are equally suitable for progressive youth and for the mature generation.
The determining criteria in the selection of such accessories are their style and features of performance.
Accessories with black stones can successfully complement the style of a manager or representative of a managerial position. In addition, bright and intricate jewelry with stones of dark shades is often chosen by people who are exposed to informal trends and subcultures, such as gothic, punk, and rock.
According to psychologists, products, made in a minimalist strict style, usually prefer people who want to emphasize their independence and integrity. For such personalities conservatism, unshakable views and beliefs are peculiar.
Adult women with black stones made in vintage style will suit women. Accessories, in strict and laconic execution, will organically fit into the casual male image.
Simple and minimalistic jewelery made of silver or white metal, inlaid with black gems will suit young people.
Such accessories able to successfully complement almost any image - as a sports or casual, and evening or business.
Esoteric and magicians recommend using jewelry with black stones to those people who lack confidence in themselves. These accessories contribute to the concentration of attention, strengthening willpower and character. In addition, such jewelry should be worn and people prone to the manifestation of aggression and hot temper. It is believed that the energy of black stones contributes to the harmonization of personality, the attainment of peace of mind and balance.
For more information about black agate, see later in the video.
