With the price of sugar nowadays, it's definitely a gemstone. Salt and ice, maybe in the future. I'm gonna share this video to my stoner friends lol

Ice is a naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline, solid. It is craved and used for artwork, so I would classify it as a gemstone. I also think hotdogs and hamburgers are a sub category of sandwich; which is meat, cheese, and/or vegetables held inside some kind of bread.

I just saw that salt geodes can be made. It would be a really cool video idea! I wanna try to make one of my own.

Salt is the only one that comes out of the earth, like gemstones. Sugar is from a plant and has to be refined. Ice is frozen liquid. I have wondered if salt, left in the ground, would eventually harden into a gemstone.

Love how the entire debate reminds so strongly of Diogenes running into Plato's lessons holding a plucked chicken and yelling "Behold a man!", but for gemstones.

I feel like it needs to be environmentally, or at least climatically stable to be a gemstone. so if weather conditions destroy its structure, it’s not a gemstone I would even say selenite is not a gemstone for that reason

I was very surprised by the definitions given for gemstones. I was aware that I don't really know anything about the topic, but I had no idea that durability or rarity would be part of the definition of the category, and with those included it's easy to rule out salt, sugar, and ice. I guess I was imagining a more rigorous checklist of geologic properties or something and it's surprising to me that salt, especially, wouldn't fit the definitions

LOL, this was fun to watch! Thanks for the chuckles. Also, her boots are super cute!

Very lovely video I really enjoyed taking in all the technical information that defines whether they are gemstones or not. I understand both sides and the many definitions are also open ended. 🤩 So it is very fair to consider them gemstones if one wanted to but just as fair to not. Also I loved the open discussion setting in this video, here I can't wait to watch more, thank you guys!🙇✨

Another great video. Really like the open format

After much thought, I think ice might be a gemstone because it has a crystal structure and gets made under special environmental stresses. Yes, Robert, it does melt. however, if the world was frozen over and we as humans were adapted to the frozeness. Then we could hypothetically speaking make jewelry or adornments from the ice. There is a way that they replicate it with snow makers. Right?

I personally think they're gemstones, but I had a lengthy discussion with Chat GPT, and it disagrees. I'll put it below if anybody is interested in what an AI had to say. Me: Are salt, sugar, and ice gemstones? Chat GPT: No, salt, sugar, and ice are not gemstones. Salt is a mineral, while sugar is an organic compound. Ice is a form of water that has frozen into a solid state. Me: Well, why not? Quartz is a mineral and a gemstone. A pearl is an organic compound and a gemstone. Ice is a naturally occurring substance that has a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure, just like every other gemstone. Chat GPT: You make a valid point that some gemstones are minerals, while others are organic compounds. However, not all naturally occurring substances with a crystalline structure and a definite chemical composition are considered gemstones. Gemstones are typically valued for their beauty, rarity, and durability, and are often used in jewelry and decorative objects. While salt, sugar, and ice may have a crystalline structure, they are not typically used in this way and are not considered gemstones. Me: Who exactly says they're not considered gemstones? Every gemstone had to have been used for a first time, so they also would've been considered not typically used at the time. Beauty is subjective for the mostpart, but there are things that are considered gemstones that are not rare or durable, like selenite or fluorite. Chat GPT: You make a good point that the classification of a substance as a gemstone can be somewhat subjective and can change over time. However, current gemological consensus is that salt, sugar, and ice are not considered gemstones. While it's true that gemstones don't necessarily have to be rare or durable to be classified as such, they are typically valued for their beauty and aesthetic appeal. Selenite and fluorite, for example, are both considered gemstones because they are translucent and have a pleasing appearance when cut and polished. In contrast, salt, sugar, and ice are not typically used in jewelry or decorative objects because they are not considered aesthetically pleasing or valuable in the same way as other gemstones. While they do have a crystalline structure and a definite chemical composition, they are not typically cut or polished in the same way as other gemstones. Me: They could be if somebody really wanted to, so if they're used as gemstones, then doesn't that make them gemstones? If somebody put a salt crystal into a necklace, would it not then be a gemstone? Chat GPT: You're right that if someone were to use salt, sugar, or ice in jewelry or decorative objects, they could be considered gemstones in that context. The term "gemstone" is often used to describe any mineral or substance that is used in jewelry or decorative objects, regardless of its inherent value or rarity. However, in the context of gemology and mineralogy, the term "gemstone" typically refers to minerals or substances that are valued for their beauty, rarity, and durability, and are often used in high-end jewelry and other luxury items. While salt, sugar, and ice can certainly be used in jewelry, they are not typically valued or used in this way due to their lack of inherent beauty and rarity. So while it's true that they could be considered gemstones in a broad sense, they are not typically classified as such in the context of gemology and mineralogy.

i feel like stability of the crystal within the scale of earthly surface weather degrees should be added to the definition of gems.

I love these new host.. they don't pander on one's education that much.

As a geologist, this is interesting. Halite is a mineral, and so is ice. They both can be beautiful, fashioned into things that are also beautiful, but can be easily destroyed. Gemstones aren't even always minerals 😂 love seeing the pretty things you gemology people mount in jewelry or whatever though!

On another planet with low surface temperature, like Enceladus, ice could absolutely be considered a gemstone.

Another banger love you guys ❤

Yess! Henson for the win! I bought 2 for my hubs n me and we are never going back! Thanks for the recommendation, Joe!

If I remember correctly, Steuben and Simon Pearce, (east coast companies) are all-American giftware companies that specialize in salt turned into glass-blown crystal products. They use to have daytrip manufacturing or studio tours. I don’t understand salt into mineral products other than Himalayan lamps but it exists… Great video topic 👍👍😊💕

that was a great, fun video

This was a fun conversation!

I've created cool looking crystals by accident once. I left a coffee cup with a little orange juice in the bottom, and it formed square crystals of various sizes. I will try and find the photo I took.

Cool question. I would tend towards no for all three. Only due to the durability issue.

One of my highschool teachers was big into both minerology and astronomy (and geology on celestial bodies that aren't earth). And the technical definition of a mineral changes depending on the celestial body the substance is on. While water is a liquid in most places on earth and is not a mineral as a result, on the moon or mars, it is considered a mineral because it is a solid in those bodies' ambient temperatures.

I found a beautiful piece in the saltlake of the Sahara in Tunesië of about 4 cm in diameter of salt crystals in a cluster. It looks like a gem, and it is lying with my other pieces ❤. Unfortunately I don't know how to upload the picture here, because it is just gorgeous 😍 so to me this is the only one of what you mentioned that I consider a gem❤

My answer would be that it revolves around desirability and wearability in addition to the basic gem descriptions. However, this category would incorporate beads made from wood, bone & metal & feathers, just to add to the dilemma.

I have a big pink salt cutting board, and its become polished in some places 😂

would you do a debate on synthetic gems??

The stability argument is very relative. For our purposes we can argue against the stability of ice, sugar, and salt throughout most of the world. What about in the artic? What about on Pluto? What about gems that we call stable here, but couldn't handle the climate of other planets? This is why defining things is an act of philosophy, which the sciences come out of.

They are. Even if some of these types of crystals doesn't appear naturally, they share all the properties and that's the important thing. The same thing happens with the periodic table of elements, some of them have been discovered in laboratories even lasting less than a second, but still got added to the list of elements.

Our is made of sandstone!! Traditional Pueblo house.

i would say that for me it's an easy answer... simply yes, i mean it checks out with the definitions and that thing about durability will leave out stones that are considered gems like selenite or phosphophylite; although one understands why people can get frustrated considering that if we stick to technicalities we can come to the conclusion that water is technically lava

So, today I learned, that in TES, moonsugar, and potentially stalhrim, could be considered as gems.

Candy Necklaces 😂

Yes they are. Though durability is questionable. First comment? Edit: methane infused ice is stable/solid at room temperature(also flammable).

I wanna say Yes to sugar... but that may be because for halloween I make chocolate and sugar crystal geodes.. I then put small brass hammers and picks with it for folks to break it open, and apart to enjoy it.. lol

❤❤brilliant ❤❤

Salt could be a long shot maybe, but durability is the qualification that excludes all for me. If you have to take your jewelry off bc it might rain, or in the case of ice you can only wear it in a walk in freezer, Antarctica, and requires insulation to keep it on… no.

10:14 lmfao that is fair 13:25 oh no I am having a crisis cuz that is a fantastic point 14:32 yes, that is very true. ice could be a gemstone on like Jupiter as a nobody, I believe definitions are manmade and are meant to be utilitarian to _humans._ we can always declare as many obscure and niche labels, but there's no point if they aren't helpful if we declare salt, sugar, and ice as gemstones (which we totes can), we will need another label for a durable and stable subcategory suitable for jewelry anyway

They are all *crystal* in one way or anyother although extremely perishable I'd say they would be considered some type of gem as long as they hold their form. They would of course be extremely cheap and weird to have as jewelry but I think that doesnt necessarly mean if they can break or melt that they are not at least gemstone leaning more then not

Rhett and Link would be proud.

I have a pendant that is cubic Halite crystals. Everyone that sees it thinks it is a rough gemstone. I store it with dehydrating silica gel. Thought provoking episode.

I have sugar crystals in my collection, therefore, they are a gemstone. Have you seen rock sugar candy? They are beautiful

I think there's reason to include salt, but sugar and ice are a stretch. I think it's reasonable to assume that most people would consider it to be a rock/mineral, whereas ice and sugar aren't viewed the same

I'm just thinking if you can make salt, sugar and ice into polished gems every high-end bartender and cake decorator in the world is gonna be ordering a crate of material. Isomalt does make sugar "gems" but they look like a Ring Pop©. Someone with alot more time than me should come up with a polishing compound for edible gems!

Do kidney stones next!! I’ve made my own stones before, I don’t want to brag or anything.. ❤

It’s a mineral but I thought that a gemstone would have to be stable enough to set into jewelry. Salt dissolves in water.

i have actually seen a pendent with a cut into a stone for it

Ice doesnt feel gem-like, but igloos make it feel like a masonry material for sure

In my opinion sugar is definitely not a gemstone because it doesn't occur naturally in geological form. Ice is more discussable, but ice alone I would say no because of the durability, but in combination with permafrost I would say maybe.. Because permafrost is made of a combination of soil, rocks and sand that are held together by ice. It also has a condition that it has to be frozen for a minimum of 2 years straight. Yes if you put it in other conditions, it loses it's durability pretty quick. But that's also the case with certain caves and minerals. Losing colour is also a form of losing it's durability, keep fluorite in a sunny place and the beautiful blue colour it once had, will be turned to almost white. Salt is also more discussable, with common salt I would tend to say no, but rocksalt (halite) on the other hand, definitely yes. Fun debate! I don't think there is a good answer to this, But it cracked my brain, it still does xD

Are glass vessels for driinking gemstones?

Wow, now there a tasty nuggetoid; sugar is monclinic

Rob is right,, no no no no there not gems

Perhaps salt is Halite that has had extreme pressure for years

BRB gonna go wire wrap some salt

Alright, smarty pants Preston... What about ice?

Mineral is a scientific definition, while gemstone is a practical definition, as people want to wear it without it disintegrating. Ice would be a gemstone to people on europa and salt would be a gemstone to non water based life. It is kind of pushing the boundaries because some gemstones are fragile, like topaz losing color in the sun and ethiopian opal absorbing water.

Snow ❄️🌨️ is deffenetly a crystal

If, it doesn't cut glass, or has a Hardness of under Chert, then no; its not a Gem, that is worth its salts. "Ye are the Salt of the Earth, if the salt has lost it's savor then,,,,,,,, "

this is basically "all gemstones are crystals, but not all crystals are gemstones" also... salt... I GUESS? Like Ruby is an Oxide, and RUST is too but it's... my brain hurts...

adding to the debate...epsom salts, aluminum sulfate , potassium ferricyanide and other chemical compounds that can be grown into crystal...gemstones or not?

Now here’s a question: can crystal meth be classified as an actual, synthetic, crystal?

if ice was a gemstone, concrete would need to qualify as well which I think we can all agree it isn't a gemstone.

I am going to say yes. Just like chickens are dinosaurs.

Salt I say it would be, because there is plenty of gem stones that are soft.

I’d say these “gemstones” have one thing in common, they are edible. So if you can eat it, then it’s not a gemstone

I came for the gemstones and stayed for the hair 😅 Long hair don't care 🎉

all are gemstones

Then all of the chunks of salt I brought back from Israel's Dea Sea is a gemstone? I don't know why I brought some home to CA. What would I call the salt from the Dead Sea in Israel?

There's crystals that become liquid at room temperature just like ice ... are these gemstones ?

Salt, sugar - gemstones? - No and never.

*KIDNEY STONES ARE THEY A GEMSTONE?*

Nin ;-)

What makes it not a gemstone?

Sandstone is hard. It doesnt melt ice only. An be used in the frozen atmosphere. No no no

Salt once was more valuable than gold. Additionally it makes life on earth possible. And it comes from earth like other gemstones. So I would say salt qualifies as a "precious stone". Sugar and Ice not. Sugar reason are all in the video. And Ice is just cold water, it's like asking if steam is a gemstone.

Mineral.. yes, gemstone ... No. Not wearable. Loses on durability. Just wash your hands.

Gemmology is a _budding_ science.

If it's safe for human consumption in large enough quantities, then it shouldnt be considered a gemstone.

I'd say sugar is not a gemstone because you couldn't display it without worrying about attracting ants

what is glass??

I think they are not considered as gemstone, gemstone are use for making jewelry

Is sand a gemstone?

Dude, I'm old enough to be your mom, and MY granparents had refrigerators. Perhaps your great grandparents--

A gem connotes some level of rarity or scarcity. None of them are gemstones.

Katherine discussed ice before.. its not a gem.

Salt isn't durable because it, and sugar, are water soluble.

Salt coulld not be used in real jewelry. It is a crystal, a mineral, but not a gemstone. To be a gemstone it lacks durability.

You don't cut and polish a pearl.

salt is not a gem because you can't eat gems

None of these are gemstones. You can't wear it. Candy isnt a gemstone. The Mohrs scale here people! It's a big NO