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The Science of Sparkle
Light, structure and craftsmanship shape a gemstone’s appearance.
Refraction and dispersion
Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through a material. Dispersion separates light into colors. Brilliance is the visible return of light, influenced by cut proportions, polish, setting and illumination.
Hardness is not toughness
The Mohs scale ranks scratch resistance: diamond 10, moissanite approximately 9.25, sapphire 9 and emerald approximately 7.5–8. Toughness describes resistance to breaking or chipping; inclusions, treatments and crystal structure matter too.
Metals and treatments
Gold alloys combine gold with other metals to influence color and strength. Sterling silver is generally 92.5% silver. Gemstone treatments and metal plating affect care needs. Read each listing’s disclosures rather than assuming every piece has the same composition.