Gems. Gemstone: A precious or semi-precious stone. - usually a mineral Gem: A cut or polished gemstone. To be a gem a mineral must be: Rare beautiful.
Minerals Modified from a PowerPoint presentation prepared by J. Crelling, Southern Illinois University.
Every year > 25,000 pounds (11.3 metric tons) of new non-fuel minerals must be provided for you, and each person in the US, to make the items that we use.
