I am trying to get Folksy to remove the term ‘semi precious’ from their necklace listing option criteria and replace it with ‘genuine gemstone’ or ‘gemstone’. This term is no longer being used with the u.k, European and American jewellery industry. I have even found on the world wide web that buyers should be weary of buying jewellery from people still using the term ‘semi precious’!
The NAJ (NationalAssociation of Jewellers) Gemstone classification:
"Until relatively recently, coloured gemstones were divided into precious and semi-precious categories. However, as some ‘semi-precious’ stones are scarce and expensive (there is nothing ‘half-precious about them!), this distinction has been abandoned in favour of simply describing them as gemstones. That said, some gemstones do command much higher prices than others. If you are buying significant emeralds, rubies or sapphires, it is sensible to get a gemstone identification report from a gemmological laboratory to identify any fake stones and determine their quality. The report will also identify any treatments which may have been applied to the gemstone.
The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) considers the terms “precious” and “semi-precious” to be outdated and inaccurate. They prefer to categorize gemstones based on criteria like rarity, cut, and color, rather than assigning a “precious” or “semi-precious” label. This is because the terms imply that certain stones are inherently more valuable, which isn’t always true.
On the BBC 1 21st April ‘Antiques Road Show’ a qualified jewellery specialist actually stated on air that the term “semi precious” is no longer used to describe a gemstone’. For those with i player you can watch it for yourself!
I think those of us whom wish to be regarded as professional jewellery makers and not hobbyists having a go at earning extra cash would like to be seen by the general public as professional jewellery crafters using the correct, current terminology within the industry.
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The option to select “gemstone” is already there.
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They must have just added it. Admin said they would look into it, but they still haven’t removed ‘semi precious’, which is not no longer recognised as a term to be used within the jewellery industry, therefore it shouldn’t be an option allowed by Folksy. By continuing with it means i will no longer be on the same level playing field as everyone else on Folksy who still have ‘semi precious’ against their products. I am in the process of removing the term from my listings, consequently my work is no longer showing up on a ‘semi precious’ search.
I looked at my listings and have been using “gemstone” for quite a few years. So not that new.
If the jewellery industry are just now deciding it is no longer a relevant term, it will take the public a couple of decades to no longer think in terms or precious and semi-precious, so I expect some will still use the term in searches.
I haven’t personally heard anything about this change in terminology, it is still widely used in the jewellery industry.
Edit just did a search on Ganoksin and see it was a change the GIA were trying to introduce as long ago as 2008.
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I belong to the National Association of Jewellers and they are accepted as the U.K’s and European top Association within the jewellery industry, including providing professional recognised gemstone qualifications for the trade. I have contacted them for clarification. Yes, some of the general public will still use the term semi precious but if it isn’t an option on the Folksy search facility they will refine their search to what they are looking for.
Sorry, you are correct. Gemstone is an option for necklaces but not for bracelets and earrings.
I will still use both terms as I see fit for my jewellery, always have, always will unless I’m told I’m breaking a law, for over 30 years I have used the same two suppliers both UK both very well known, have their own gemologist, I shan’t be changing anytime soon.
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Thats your prerogative.
I am following guidance from world wide recognised bodies within the jewellery industry.
‘While the terms “precious” and “semi-precious” are commonly used to classify gemstones, it’s important to understand that they are not legally defined in the UK and are more of a descriptive and marketing practice. In the UK, there are no legal restrictions on using these terms, but it’s crucial to understand that they are not universally accepted and can be misleading’.
I think most jewellery makers would rather follow what is now regarded as accepted practice. I was not implying you were wrong or doing anything illegal!
Rather than splitting hairs about whether semi precious or gemstone is the correct terminology i’m more concerned about the increasing number of imitation stones that are being used but not labelled as such. (I suspect they bought purchased in good faith but their supplier didn’t declare them as imitation). Definitely wouldn’t want to see a category called ‘genuine gemstones’ set up only to then have it filled with fake ‘stones’.
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Someone somewhere is always trying to fix what isn’t broken lol, there are thousands of different gems with large value differences, what would be better is to upgrade the status of some of those stones from semi-precious to precious, as there will always be low value stones on the market that won’t make the semi-precious grade, and down grading a gem from semi precious isn’t a good idea either in my view.
We certainly need precious, semi-precious, gemstone, tumble stone is a gemstone that’s been tumbled so why not 
in all the jewellery departments, so we can make the choice.
As for genuine that could cause issues, as Sasha said.
As long as we have options available and tags to use then we should all be happy and customers who use either term will find what they are looking for.
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I’m sure that the differences are totally clear to jewellery makers and it’s very important to classify accurately so you do not mislead … but do buyers know the difference? I might search for 'opal or ‘garnet’ but I’ve no idea how these would be classified.It would be interesting to know whether buyers who are searching for things use the categories differently from sellers who are describing things.
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No idea Helen, as you say buyers and makers probably think differently, as an oldie there has always been precious and semi-precious but if I was from a different (younger) generation I may think differently and just say type in ruby, so trying to find what people search for could be a long interesting trial lol.
That’s why I think it’s easier to leave the terms alone, just make them available to all jewellery departments, and then make good use of the tags, that way sellers can choose what they want to list under and buyers should be able to find what they want, all-round pleaser lol
I quite agree with you. I get very angry when i see items incorrectly listed. This is another reason why semi-precious should be removed.
I only purchase gemstones from supplier’s registered with the NAJ and have been tested by qualified gemstone gemologists. If i list an item as ruby, they are rubies, not ruby coloured glass for example.
Apparently, the term ‘precious’ is also not been used.
The gem industry is a mine field to navigate. My aim is to list my items accurately so as not to miss lead the general public.
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Certain gemstones are now more valuable than the traditional big four. Take a bi-coloured tourmaline, green tourmaline and Tsaverite garnet for example. This applies to purchasing all grades of gemstone strands. Some strands i have purchased are in the hundreds of pounds each!
As a top seller for jewellery you have proved my point if you are only using the term ‘gemstone’.
I only found out about the change when i had some of my jewellery items professionally appraised by ‘Safeguard’ a subsidiary of the ‘The Birmingham Assay Office’. I was also flabagasted at their true value. Fare more than listed in my Folksy shop!
As an older person myself i have always been educated to use both terminologies, so it’s something i am also trying to get to grips with. The world’s going mad, but i can understand why the industry has decided to stop using the terms.
