i just want to know
2007-12-15 09:55:29 · 5 answers · asked by Jordan W 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
^^^^^ WTF??? Crystals/gems are NOT living organisms ^^^^^
A crystal occurs when the atoms that make it are arranged in a specific way.
Gems, which are usually minerals as well, are made of many interlocking crystals. An emerald is made of green beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) crystals. A ruby is made of red corundum (Al2O3) crystals, etc.
2007-12-15 10:04:40 · answer #1 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A gem is a crystal in most cases. Most crystals are not gems. It's that simple. Gems are just valuable crystals, people like the color and the shape and the beauty of certain types of crystals, so we call them gems. Diamond, ruby, emerald. All crystals. Quartz and calcite, not gems. Some gemstones are not single crystals, but crystal and-or non-crystalline masses, like opal or hematite, but most valuable gems are single crystals. (geomatic about made me ps my pants with her answer I laughed so hard - I guess she was as about as shocked as I was to read some of the other replies).
2007-12-15 11:42:17 · answer #2 · answered by busterwasmycat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Crystals grow. Gems are formed. Crystals are less expensive because they're brittle. Gems are polished from elements. Um... This is tougher to answer than I thought.
2007-12-15 10:01:36 · answer #3 · answered by Juniper McClintock 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Crystals are less expensive usually a brownish yellow color and gems are more expensive and the have color either transparent or solid
2007-12-15 09:58:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
well their both living organisms
crystals are minerals
and gems are like rocks
2007-12-15 10:02:02 · answer #5 · answered by _luke 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋