How are gems different from regular minerals? Gems are softer than regular minerals. Regular minerals are more beautiful than gems. Gems are rarer than regular minerals. Regular minerals are less malleable than gems.

The definition of a gem is "a precious stone, cut and polished for jewelry. They are all minerals. Some highly desirable gemstones may not be suitable for jewelry, yet be very collectible, like sphene. Others, like those in the corundum family, are prized for color and hardness, like emeralds and diamonds. Further, some common minerals, when polished, make beautiful pieces. With all that said, i woukd go with rarer.