Stones? Gems? Rocks? What’s the difference ... Gem(stone): A precious or semiprecious stone, especially when cut and polished or engraved. Rock: The solid mineral material forming part of ...

Uncut gems often look fairly ordinary–like rocks. It's only when they are cut and polished that they obtain ... allowing beryl to form semiprecious stones such as aquamarine.

HIGASHIOSAKA, Osaka -- From rocks to starfish and other organisms ... known as "thin sections," polished to a thickness of just 0.02-0.03 millimeters. This exceptional artisanship has earned ...