2026/02/21 15:08
A Journey into the World of Gemstones
Mineral Study Experience
Recently, I had the precious opportunity to visit the laboratory of gemologist Dr. Ahi Ahmadi.
For many years, gemstones have been my companions.
While working with them, I have carried quiet questions in my heart about their origins and mysteries.
Being able to ask those questions directly and hear the answers deepened my love for the stones even more.
It also made me feel a renewed sense of gratitude for the jewelry I create and wear every day.
Today, I would like to share what I learned with you.
I hope that those who enjoy my jewelry, and those who feel drawn to gemstones, will discover a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary story each stone carries.
How Old Are Gemstones?
The oldest known mineral on Earth is zircon.
It has been dated to approximately 4.2 billion years ago.
One of the oldest emeralds discovered was formed about 3.8 billion years ago in South Africa.
In comparison, the famous Colombian emeralds are about 30 million years old — relatively young in geological time.
（An emerald born within a mineral vein）
Q: Where did a 3.8-billion-year-old emerald come from?
A:
It originated in ancient tectonic plate regions of Africa. Magma activity pushed basalt upward, and through metamorphic processes — where magma interacted with surrounding rocks — emerald crystals formed.
Q: How are gemstones born?
A:
Every gemstone begins with a nucleus — a tiny core.
From that nucleus, it grows outward, layer by layer, much like the rings of a tree.
The age of a gemstone cannot be measured by its size.
Through advanced scientific analysis — studying trace elements, inclusions, geological activity, and origin — researchers can determine when it was formed.
（A machine that analyzes the composition of gemstones）
𓂃𓂂𓏸
My Reflection
From the chemical reactions of invisible elements, the core of a gemstone is born.
Minerals and gemstones, formed over spans of time longer than the many lifetimes we could ever live, remind me that they are truly miracles of the Earth.
The Life and “Death” of Minerals
One idea that deeply stayed with me was this:
In the mineral world, crystals that grow quickly often “die” first.
For example, amethyst begins growing from the wall of a cavity within rock.
Later, agate may form, and over time, crystals cool slowly and grow into single crystals before eventually becoming part of a larger crystal mass.
Crystals that grow rapidly can become buried or stop developing, while slower-growing crystals may continue to grow larger and survive longer.
Growth depends on supply.
If mineral components continue to be provided, the crystal grows.
If the supply stops, growth stops.
It felt almost like listening to a story about life itself.
Q: If humans continue mining gemstones, could they eventually disappear?
A:
The Earth itself is made of rock and minerals, so they will not disappear entirely.
However, the specific environments where gemstones form are extremely rare.
Gemstones grow in pockets — cavities formed when magma rises slowly in gas- and fluid-rich environments.
Today, magma rising in such conditions is far less common.
The deeper underground we go, the lower the probability of gemstone formation.
Diamonds, for example, exist abundantly at depths below 150 km.
They are brought to the surface by kimberlite magma during volcanic eruptions — rising faster than a bullet train — allowing humans to mine them.
（A ruby with a high iron content）
（A high-quality ruby born in marble）
Q: Can gemstones become extinct, like living species?
A:
Yes. Some minerals have already gone extinct.
Some exist in quantities as small as 0.00001% of Earth’s crust.
Even though researchers discover around 100 new minerals every year, that does not mean they will become gemstones.
That is why we should treasure the gemstones already discovered.
They are unique opportunities created over billions of years.
Unlike synthetic stones, natural gemstones are the result of geological processes spanning 3 billion years or more.
Each carries its own Earth story and intrinsic value.
The Miracle of Double-Terminated Quartz
Quartz normally grows from a rock wall inside a cavity.
A double-terminated quartz crystal forms when a single crystal detaches from the cavity wall or crystal mass during growth, and then continues to grow freely as mineral components continue to be supplied.
Because it is no longer attached to a wall, it develops natural termination points on both ends.
That is why double-terminated quartz crystals are so rare and special.
𓂃𓂂𓏸
My Reflection
I have worked with many double-terminated quartz crystals in my jewelry.
Their rarity, beauty, energy, and value have always attracted me.
But now, knowing their geological story, they feel even more extraordinary.
The Aqua Aura pendant currently in the store features double-terminated quartz, and I feel inspired to create new works as April approaches.
A Discovery That Moved the Doctor
Q: What was the most moving discovery in your career?
A:
Discovering cobalt spinel in Vietnam.
Cobalt spinel forms only in extremely limited environments.
After visiting the mine four times, I finally discovered a beautiful cobalt spinel crystal at about 1,200 meters underground, within marble host rock.
It is said to be one of the most beautiful cobalt spinels on Earth.
（Aragonite crystals under a microscope）
Q: Does your family also love gemstones?
A:
My wife loves them very much.
She is a linguist at Kyoto University and comes to analyze gemstones here twice a week.
How did you feel reading this journey into the world of gemstones?
Learning that every gemstone grows from a nucleus made me reflect on human growth.
Perhaps that is why gemstones resonate so deeply with our hearts.
Because they are miracles of the Earth, they carry a quiet power.
When I write the jewelry messages that accompany my pieces, I feel as if I am translating the language of the Earth itself.
If you ever encounter a gemstone that draws your heart,
I hope you will imagine the long geological story it carries.
If you feel inspired, I would love to know which part of this article resonated with you.
Please send me a message on Instagram.
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I hope this article deepens your connection with the stones you have, and inspires you to discover new ones.
I would be happy if it becomes a starting point for you to enjoy gemstones even more.✧
AQUARYLIS
Jewelry artist Angel Ray
