Guidelines for Buying Gemstones
The colors of the rainbow caught forever in glittering jewels that take your breath away. Colored gemstones can rival diamonds for their beauty but how are they valued?
Even though sapphires, rubies and emeralds differ in color and weight for example, there is a consistency in how they are valued. And that includes lesser known gemstones like tourmaline, alexandrite, peridots, and garnets as well. The four characteristics that determine value in a colored gemstones are color, clarity, cut, and carats, but the most important is color, color, and more color.
The intensity of the color and the closer it comes to the true spectral color means the stone has more value. Emeralds should be a pure green, rubies the reddest red, and sapphires a deep rich blue. As the color varies from the spectral ideal, the value declines. For example: Burmese rubies have the best color. Rubies that are a lighter red, reddish orange, or with a touch of brown or a bit of blue aren't nearly as valuable.
Color is measured in intensity or saturation, in other words the vividness of the color. It also reflects the hue, or how close the color approximates the pure spectral color; tone which is how light or dark ie., how much black or white is in the color; and finally the distribution of the color or how even the color is across and within the stone.
The other factors of clarity, cut, and carats are not as important to the value of a stone that has the best color and inversely have a greater impact on the value of a stone that is not as pure a color.
Clarity is the absence of internal flaws that can be seen with a magnification of 10. Most colored gemstones naturally have inclusions or flaws. A prime example are emeralds which very rarely don't have flaws. The lighter the color of the stone the more visible the flaws become, while the darker the color of the stone the less obvious. The type of flaw and where it occurs in the stone affects its value as well.
Cut is the way a stone is faceted to bring out the best characteristics of that particular stone for its type. The cut brings out the color, fire, and brilliance of the stone, not sacrificing one for the other. Unlike diamonds colored gemstones can also be presented as a smooth rounded surface known as cabochon cut. Cabochon cut sapphires and rubies often reflect a star and are known as star sapphires and star rubies.
Carat is the weight of the stone, not how big it is. Different types of gemstones have different weights when cut to the same size. The density of rubies is greater than the density of emeralds so a one carat ruby will be smaller than a one carat identically cut emerald. Stones can be cut to look bigger as well. Some gemstones are more readily available in larger weights such as amethysts or tourmalines, that say emeralds. For example: An 18 carat tourmaline will have a lesser value per carat than a 5 carat alexandrite because large tourmaline stones are more common than large alexandrite stones.
Genuine?
The technology surrounding the gemstone industry has been advancing at earth shattering speed, with the list of gemstone suppliers growing rapidly. In the last 50 years, improved mining technology, newly developed treatments, the synthesis of gemstones and more wealth among gemstone buyers has made the gemstones market almost unrecognizable. For people shopping for gemstones, it can be intimidating and confusing to understand what they are buying. It turns out, it is not so simple as "real" or "fake": there is a continuum of possibilities. The list of suppliers above have been proven over the years as reputable sources of gemstones, gold and diamonds.
Untreated: Gemstones with this label are the "purest" kind. These gemstones have not been manipulated by humans in any way (except for being cut and polished). In some gemstone categories, treatments are so common that it is close to impossible to find an "untreated" one and they can be very expensive. They are expensive because being untreated implies that they were of good clarity and color naturally: such gemstones are very rare.
Natural: Natural is a term that usually means "not man made". This label is used for any gemstone that has come from the earth. Generally speaking, it does not necessarily mean it is "untreated". Many gemstones can be called "natural" and still have gone through some kind of treatment to modify their appearance.
Genuine or "real": These terms are used to assure us that the gemstone we are about to buy has all the mineralogy (physical, optical and chemical properties) of the gemstone it claims to be. It is important to know that being genuine does not necessarily mean it is natural, and it certainly does not mean it's untreated. For example, a man made sapphire is still a "genuine" sapphire because it is the same substance. Any piece of blue corundum, no matter its origin, is a real blue sapphire.
Treated (Permanent treatment): The most common treatments among gemstones are usually permanent treatments. These are used to improve the appearance of the gemstone, usually its clarity and/or color. A permanent treatment is one that will not fade or wear off with time. Permanent treatments are more accepted than non-permanent treatments and these gemstones will be more valuable than those with non permanent treatments. The most common permanent treatment is heat treatment, but treatments vary significantly depending on the stone.
Treated (non-permanent treatment): Non-permanent treatments are less accepted and less valuable than permanent ones. This is because the attractive qualities that the treatment provides to the gemstone will not last forever. An example of a common non-permanent treatment is dying. Most dyed colors will eventually fade. In some gemstone categories, these treatments are even considered deceptive.
Synthetic or "created": Gemstones that are given these labels are "genuine" gems that have been made by humans in laboratories. Not all gemstones can be made synthetically. Many gemstones that can be made synthetically are not because the costs of creating them are not much lower than the costs of finding them naturally. Commonly created gemstones include sapphire, ruby and spinel. In the case of pearls, this process is so accepted that it the norm, rather than the exception.
Imitation or "fake": In the final category on this continuum are substances that pretend to be something they are not. For example, a jewelry maker can put a cut piece of blue glass in a ring and call it "imitation blue topaz". In the case of "fake" stones, the value of the jewelry or the gemstone is not at all affected by what it is pretending to be. Such gems should only be bought for personal enjoyment or for fun, with the understanding that it is not something of great value.
Before buying a gemstone, it is important to research the possible treatments, synthetics and imitations beforehand and to ask the seller the right questions so that you know what you're getting.
Finding Gemstones
A lot of people these days purchase gemstones for a lot of different reasons. It can be for personal and physical adornment, or it can be purely for business reasons, or you simply want to give it to someone as a gift. If you are looking to find the right gemstones, you have come to the right place. This list of places to buy gemstones will make it easier for you. The list of gemstone suppliers above will make the process easier and safe.
Thousands of gemstones are being sold both in both the online and offline market local and physical stores. Gemstones are available in different yet beautiful and attractive colors. Because of this, many people do not hesitate to purchase gemstones regardless of the price.
Finding just the right gemstone for you may take some time especially if this is your first time to purchase one. Ensure that the seller is reputable. All suppliers on this site are safe to buy from, providing guarantees and certificates of authenticity.
You get to check the actual appearance of the stones. If there are several jewelry stores in your area, you can shop around first and canvas. You can compare the gemstones in terms of price and quality. The good thing about gemstones is that you can wear them in any occasion, whether in formal or casual occasions. It all depends on the cut and beauty of the stone.
If you have a difficulty finding the right gemstone locally, you can try shopping online. Beware though that some of the pictures of the gemstones are deceiving and once you receive the package, you might be dismayed by the appearance. When shopping in online jewelry stores, you have to find reputable retailers or sellers.
You can also check on customer testimonials to make sure that the customers are satisfied with the seller or retail gemstone items. You should also look into the shipping arrangements especially if the store is from a foreign country.
There are many gemstones sold all over the world, most genuine, but there are many fakes around. Either you have to know a great deal of information about them, or you have to use a trustworthy dealer.
Some of the popular gemstones include diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire, topaz, and lots of others. You simply have to decide which one you are going to purchase. If you have enough money, you can even buy different kinds of gemstone jewelries and have your own collection.
Finding the right gemstones is so easy nowadays because you have two alternatives shopping locally and through the Internet.
