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Featured Gemological Article

The Hobby Of Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

For many people collecting semi-precious and precious gemstones like loose diamonds or loose gemstones is a passionate hobby. They simply love the beauty and the colors of the wide array of gemstones found worldwide today. Follow along as we examine the things you need to know when starting this gemstone hobby.

The first step in starting the hobby of collecting gemstones the intelligent way is through the power of knowledge. By visiting a local library you'll find numerous books on gemstones that will help you to know exactly what you should do.

Color is a subjective idea but a very important part in giving value to a gemstone. The closer the color of the gemstone is to its purer spectral value the more valuable it is. Remember that the spectral colors are orange, green, yellow, Violet and blue. Colors that tend to be darker or paler are considered a lower value.

Cut is one of the all-important 4Cs and factors into appraisal of diamonds along with gemstones. An excellent cut will highlight the natural color of the gemstone, lessen any inclusions and show off its symmetry and proportions. One excellent way to determine the excellence regarding the cut of the gemstone is how consistently it reflects the light over its entire surface. But if a gem is cut too shallow, much of the light will refract out of the gem instead of reflecting inside. That will make the gem seem washed out and windowed.

Our next consideration is gemstone clarity. Clarity refers to the internal flaws (inclusions) or the external blemishes of the gemstone. Normally large flaws are visible to the naked eye while others require close examination using a 10X magnification.

Next thing to look at is the duo of weight and size. Due to the fact gemstones can vary greatly in density and specific gravity. Weight and size are not necessarily equal across the board. Take the example of a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats and an equal sized ruby would weigh 1.20 carats instead. An equal sized Emerald would be 0.95 carats while an Alexandrite gem stone would came in at 1.23 carats.

Getting involved in collecting gemstones can give you an enjoyable pastime and rewarding in the long run. You don't need to spend a lot of money and yet you can end up with some very beautiful stones. Many people love to set aside vacation or weekend time to go hunting gemstones. Take the example of the United States. In Arizona you can find Agatized wood (Petrified wood), Azur-Malachite, Turquoise, Garnet, Peridot, Jasper and Moissanite Or ou can take a longer vacation and find opal in Coober Pedy, Andamooka or Mintabie in South Australia, topaz in Mt Surprise or O'Briens Creek in Queensland, Australia or hunt the quartz regions in Beechworth and Mooralla in Victoria Australia.

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Learn More About purchasing loose diamonds

Moonstone can be easily scratched. Moonstone is found in Brazil, European Alps,
India, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and USA (Pennsylvania
and Virginia). Sri Lanka has the highest quality moonstones. Moonstone is the
June Modern and Mystical Birthstone
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Amethyst is February's birthstone. It is a dazzling violet gem stone. It is
fabulous in necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and pendants. Often, Amethyst
is thought to be a symbol of security, sincerity, and peace of mind.
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All The Latest News From The purchasing loose diamonds World

Loose Diamonds Retailer Aliya Launches Quality Diamond Website Store - Israel News Agency

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:57:00 GMT
Tel Aviv----December 1…. Aliya Loose Diamonds Ltd. announced today the official launch of its online Web E-commerce loose diamonds and diamond jewelry retail store. AliyaDiamonds ...

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Six brushed silver cubes with one 23kt gold vermeil accent cube. Necklace is 16" long with a sterling toggle clasp. All sterling silver chain and findings.

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My Gemstones Reviews

Gemological Information Article

So You Want To Collect Loose Gemstones

By Lee MacRae

Many people, young and old, say collecting various loose gemstones or loose diamonds is a favorite pastime. Many people have a great love of the wide array of gemstones found around the world today. Follow along as we discuss a number of things you need to know when starting this gemstone hobby.

Right at the beginning, what you need is to get some books from the library or bookstore. You want to know everything there is to know about the subject of gemstones. The more you know about gemstones the better off you'll be. You need to be as informed as possible.

The first criteria you need to evaluate is stone color. Gemstones are the most intensely colored natural material available on earth. Gems have become so synonomous with color, they have even lent their names to specific colors. Everyone knows ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, aquamarine, turquoise, and jade green Gemstones will have a higher value when they are equal in color to the spectral colors of yellow, blue, violet, green, orange and red. They become less valuable when they are lighter or darker than the spectral color.

Cut is one of the all-important 4Cs and factors highly into the appraisal of not only diamonds but you're gemstones as well. A precision cut gemstone highlights the pure color of the stone, diminishes its inclusions, and exhibits good overall symmetry and proportion. One excellent method to determine the precision regarding the cut is how consistently it reflects the light over its entire surface. If the stone is cut on the shallow side most of the light will refract out instead of reflecting internally. Gem color appears washed out.

Another factor to look at is the clarity of the gemstone under consideration. This means the purity of the stone or the absence of internal inclusions, particles or spots within the crystal. Without a doubt, zero flaws would make the gemstone highly valuable.

Next comes weight and size. All gemstones [except for pearls and corals] are priced by the carat. One carat equals a 0.2 grams. Be aware however, that weight and size are not always equal and gemstones. Density or specific gravity can very. Take a diamond that is 1.00 carats in weight and you will find that a similar sized ruby or sapphire weighs 1.20 carats.

Collecting gemstones can be a great hobby. And there is a wide range and variety in precious and semi precious stones that you can collect. You can start collecting gemstones like Alexandrite and other varieties of chrysoberyl, Pyrite or Turquoise and then try others. The opportunities are seemingly endless. And if you like a hands on hobby you can find gemstones for yourself instead of buying. Take the example of the US. In Wyoming you can find Agate (including Moss Agate), Jade, Ruby, Jasper, Bloodstone as well as Star Sapphire.

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Healing stones need to be natural gemstones as free as possible from dyes, bleach, coating, or other enhancements. Such enhancements can interfere or block the effectiveness of the gemstones. Synthetic stones can not be used for healing as they do not contain the earth's energy.
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The final aspect of a gemstone that determines its value is how much you like it
. A gemstone is for your enjoyment. If you think it is beautiful and it makes
you happy or it reminds you of someone you love or something special in your
life, it is very valuable. Gemstones are very old, sometimes millions of years
old: they can be powerful energetically and emotionally so it is important to
choose the gemstones that you feel drawn to and connected to, even if it�s not
so rare or expensive. For example, many people love dark blue sapphires: they
seem deep and mysterious. People with such taste are in luck because the stones
they love are plentifully available!
Gemstones and gemstone jewelry are treasured for their beauty and durability.
There are three types of gemstones: Natural, Synthetic, and Simulant. Natural
gemstones include minerals and organic materials such as emeralds, rubies,
sapphires, amber, coral, fossil, ivory, cultured freshwater pearls and natural
saltwater pearls. Synthetic and Simulant are terms used by the USBM for
laboratory grown gemstones. Others in the gemstones industry may use different
terms to refer to laboratory grown gemstones.
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The Delong Star Ruby is over 100 carats and is now found in the Natural History
Museum in New York. In 1964 the Delong Star Ruby and the Star of India sapphire
were stolen by a gang of 3, including Jack Murphy (or 'Murph the Surf') and were
ransomed from $25,000 and both recovered. The Delong Star was found at a
designated drop off site - a phone booth in Florida.
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Some small loose diamond Stories

UBS and the Diamond Smuggler - Conde Nast Portfolio

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 04:00:37 GMT

UBS and the Diamond Smuggler Conde Nast Portfolio, NY - Sep 22, 2008 So Brad Birkenfeld, a banker at one of the most prestigious institutions in global finance, began jamming his clients’ loose diamonds into a tube of ...

Will Obama's time in red states pay off? - MSNBC Firstread

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:45:00 GMT
After two close elections, eight years of bitter partisanship and confronted by an electoral map best described as a vast sea of red with some blue around the edges, Obama has ...

Harvest report: Activity picks up - St. Helena Star

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:56:41 GMT

Harvest report: Activity picks up St. Helena Star, CA - Oct 7, 2008 He also likes the ripening consistency that is occurring with the small berries and loose clusters. We expect this to be a very busy week. ...

Gemstones Information

Our Latest Gemological Article

Starting The Hobby Of Loose Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Gemology is the science, art and profession of identifying and evaluating gemstones from natural diamonds to loose gemstones. A number of people taken up gemology as a passionate hobby. They collect and evaluate loose gemstones or loose diamonds. Some people even begin to travel to various neghbourhood locations to look for rough gemstones. Some hobbyists will learn to cut or tumble the gemstones they find. If you have an interest in this hobby then read along as we show you the various factors in gemstone collecting.

The first thing you need to do is to get yourself some reading material. You want to understand everything there is to know about precious and semiprecious gemstones. The more you learn about gemstones the wiser will be your purchases. With adequate knowledge you are less likely to be fooled.

First on the list to evaluate is gemstone color. It is a fact that gemstones are the most intensely colored natural material available on earth. 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 will have a higher value when they equal the colors in the spectrum of violet, blue, green,, orange and red. They drop in value when they are lighter or darker than the pure spectral color.

The cut of a gemstonestone is the second most important value determination to look at before buying. The precision of the cut is the factor which determines how much light is reflected by the gemstone. The cut will determine the brilliance of the stone and how much it will be valued.

Gemstone clarity is the next item to consider. When we talk of clarity it relates to the amount of inclusions (trace elements or large particles of other elements or minerals) that a gem has. A flawless gemstone is obviously worth more. To see flaws beyond with the eye can see you need a 10X gemstone loupe (gemstone clarity magnifier) or gem microscope. Most hobbyists will buy a 10X jewelers were gemstone loup for viewing stamps, coins, beads as well as gems.

The next factors to consider our size and weight. Save for pearls and corals, all gemstones are priced by the carat. One carat is the equivalent of 0.2 grams You should know however that weight and size are not always equal and gemstones. The density and specific gravity can differ in stones. Take a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats and you will see that a similar sized ruby or sapphire is 1.20 carats.

Getting involved in collecting gemstones can be very enjoyable and could be rewarding as well over time. You don't need to spend a lot of money and yet you can end up with some very beautiful stones. Many people love to set aside vacation or weekend time to go hunting for raw gemstones. Just in the United States in New Hampshire you can rock hunt for Beryl, Rock Crystal and Garnet. And if you like to travel farther you can find opal in Opalton, Yowah, Queensland, Austalia, topaz in Beechworth, Victoria or hunt the quartz regions in Yellowdine Lake in Western Australia.

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Tips On loose diamond lot

Sapphires do twinkle. This is caused by the smaller, microscopic stones inside
the primary gem that were created at the same time. This twinkling phenomenon is
known as "silk" referring to its silky and silvery qualities. It appears as a
star that seems to be imposed over a silk like background.
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Cleaning gemstones is easy. Simply soak the piece in a bowl of warm, soapy water for several minutes. Then use a soft, non-metallic brush to remove any grime. If you use a jewelry cleanser, make sure it is non-abrasive. Don't use harsh chemical cleaners, and be careful when cleaning the item in the sink because it can end up down the drainpipe. Also, keep in mind that some gemstones may have been treated or enhanced by heating, oiling, irradiation or diffusion. Heated and irradiated stones generally don't require special care when cleaning, but diffused stones could become lighter if scrubbed too hard.
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Harvest report: Rain was non-event - St. Helena Star

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:05:18 GMT

Harvest report: Rain was non-event St. Helena Star, CA - 15 hours ago Diamond Mountain District — Dawnine Dyer, Dyer Vineyards, “What a lovely first rain we had Friday night — quick, heavy and followed immediately by a brisk ...

WEDNESDAY (8th) - San Francisco Guardian

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:31:00 GMT
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