Gemstones Information

Our Featured Gemstone Writer

How To Collect Gemstones

By Lee MacRae

Gemology is a term referring to the art, profession and science of evaluating and identifying gemstones from natural diamonds to loose gemstones. Many people take up gemology more as a hobby. They become interested in collecting loose diamonds or loose gemstones. Some people even begin to visit various locations close by to look for raw gemstones. Some even tumble or learn to cut their own gemstones. If this hobby interest you then read along as this article discusses the things you should know to start this hobby.

At the very beginning you'll need the knowledge on the wide variety of stones available. You'll find it very helpful to know what you're buying so you buy the right items. This will help you make informed decisions.

To start with, an important aspect in gemstone evaluation is color. It is a fact that gemstones are the most intensely colored naturally occurring materials you can find. These materials are so related to their color that they've even had their names combined with associated colors. You've no doubt heard about emerald green, ruby red, sapphire blue, jade green, turquoise or aquamarine. Gemstones are valued much higher when they equal the colors in the spectrum of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. They are valued much less the farther they are from the natural color.

The cut of your gemstone is one of the most important traits in determining gemstone value. The cut has to be done with precision to reflect the light properly. A stone that has a poor cut will never be able to reflect light consistently. Color saturation, color hue and color tone will never be consistent.

Another factor to look at is the clarity of the gemstone. This means the purity of the gemstone or the lack of internal inclusions, spots, or particles within the crystal structure. Obviously, stones with a lack of flaws will make a gemstone very valuable.

Gemstones are often categorized according to their size aspect because it is more uniform than carat weight. But different gemstones may be of the same size but different carat weights and consequently, different prices as well. This is due to the difference in specific gravity and depends on the materials chemical composition and crystal structure type For example, a one carat round diamond with normal proportions is approximately 6.5 mm around. A ruby that is the same size will weigh approximately 1.55 carats.

Collecting various gemstones can be a great hobby. And there are so many different types in precious and semi precious stones that you can collect. You could try collecting Malachite, Tanzanite and other varieties of zoisite or Zeolite (Thomsonite) for example. The opportunities are seemingly endless. And if you like a hands on hobby you can find gemstones for yourself instead of buying. Just in the United States in Michigan you can find Agate, Chlorastrolite and Hematite.

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Gemstones For Sale

Hints On loose ruby gemstones

The stunning 167.97-carat Mackay Emerald was mined in Muzo, Columbia. The
largest cut emerald in the National Gem Collection, it is set in an Art Deco
diamond and platinum necklace designed by Cartier Inc. In 1931, Clarence H.
Mackay presented the necklace as a wedding gift to his wife, Anna Case, a prima
donna of the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1909 to 1920. The piece was
donated to the Smithsonian Institute by Mrs. Anna Case Mackay in 1984.
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A style of cut found in gemstone jewelry are cabochons. Cabochon cuts are widely
used for gemstones that are 1) of lower clarity and therefore will not reflect
much light. And/or 2) are of exceptional color and/or 3) are opaque in nature (
such as opal or onyx) and or 4) have special optical properties or inclusions
that are best displayed in cabochons (e.g. cat�s eye or star ruby) 5) are too
soft to be cut in facets (moonstone, opal)
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Brushed vermeil square earrings, measuring approximately 1/2'' on 14kt gold-fill earwires. Matching necklace available.


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