Gemstones and Diamonds Blog - Everything You Need To Know Bigblog: 12/14/08

Friday, December 19, 2008

More Info On Gemstones

Gemological Article Of The Month

How To Start Loose Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Gemology is the science, art and profession of identifying and evaluating rocks known as natural diamonds or loose gemstones. A number of people taken up this profession as a passionate hobby. They become interested in collecting and evaluating loose diamonds or loose gemstones. Some people even begin to travel to different areas to hunt for raw or rough gemstones. Some hobbyists will learn to cut or tumble the gemstones they find. If this hobby interest you read along as we discuss the in and outs of gemstone collecting.

The first thing you need to do is to get yourself some books on gemstones. You want to understand everything there is to know about precious and semiprecious gemstones. The more you learn about each kind of gemstone the wiser will be your purchases. You'll know exactly what to look for in a quality stone.

One of the first things you look at Is gemstone color. Top grade gemstones have pure colors there as close as possible in pureness to the spectral colors of orange, green, yellow, Violet or blue. Gemstone colors that are somewhat muted or too dark can lower the value quite easily.

The cut of your gemstone is one of the most important traits when buying a gemstone. The gemstone must be cut in a way that reflects light back to the viewer. A poor cut will not reflect light consistently over its entire surface. Color saturation, color hue and color tone will always appear inconsistent

A third consideration is the clarity of the gemstone. This means the purity of the stone or the lack of internal inclusions, particles or spots within the crystal. Needless to say, stones with no flaws are hard to find and make your stones very valuable.

Gemstones are often listed according to their size criteria because it is more uniform than carat weight. But different gemstones may have the same size but different carat weights and consequently, different in prices as well. This is due to the difference in relative density or specific gravity and depends on the materials chemical composition and crystal structure type Normally a one carat brilliant round diamond with standard proportions will be approximately 6.5 mm in diameter. A comparable round brilliant ruby of the same size and proportions will weigh in at 1.55 carats.

Collecting gemstones can create an enjoyable hobby and pastime. And there are so many different types in precious and semi precious stones that you can collect. You can start collecting gemstones like Kunzite, Pyrite or Variscite for instance. The varieties are nearly endless. And if money is tight you can go hunting for raw gemstones. For example in Missouri you can hunt for Pearl, Fluorite, Pyrite and Calcite.

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The Logan sapphire is named after Mrs. John Logan who donated the gemstone to
the Smithsonian Institution in 1960. The Logan sapphire is a flawless specimen,
possesses a rich blue color and is the second largest (blue) sapphire known,
weighing 423 carats (84.6 g). The cushion-cut stone is one of the world's most
famous sapphires and is set in a brooch surrounded by 20 round brilliant cut
diamonds weighing in total 16 carats (3.2 g). The Logan sapphire originates from
Sri Lanka, a famous location for sapphires.
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The Crown of Andes emerald was made in an ancient Inca city in 1590, during the
Plague, which missed the city because of its isolation. It was made to thank the
Blessed Mother for saving them from the Plague, and it contains 453 emeralds
from Inca treasures. The Guinness Emerald Crystal is 1759 carats, one of the
largest in the world. It is in the Banco Nazionale de la Republica in Bogot,
Columbia.
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Gemological Article Of The Month

So You Want To Collect Loose Gemstones

By Lee MacRae

Why would someone go to the trouble of collect loose gemstones? Well to begin with they've been sought for their beauty for many centuries. And like their higher counterpart, natural diamonds they can appreciate in value over time. Many in this hobby love to collect and work with the nearly 150 types of gemstones found today. Follow along as we discuss the hobby of loose gemstone collecting.

First off you need to learn all you can on the various gemstones available. This will help you to know what exactly you're looking for and prevent you from making mistakes. This will help you make informed decisions.

First, color is a major part in giving value to a gemstone. The closer a color is to its purer spectral value the more valuable it is. Remember that the spectral colors include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Gemstones colors that are darker or palerthan a pure color diminish the value of the stone.

The cut of a gemstonestone is the second most important value determination to consider before a purchase is made. The precision of cut will determine how much light the gemstone stone will reflect. It will fully factor highly in the brilliance of the stone and how much someone will pay for it.

Next to look at is the aspect of gemstone clarity. Clarity refers to the the internal flaws ( known as inclusions) or the outside blemishes of the gemstone under consideration. Normally large flaws you can usually see with your naked eye with the others needing a 10X magnification.

Next to consider are weight and size. Save for pearls and corals, all gemstones are priced by the carat. One carat equals a 0.2 grams. Be aware however, that weight and size are not the same in gemstones. Density or specific gravity can vary in gemstones. 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.

Though you may find gemstones used a lot in jewelry, they are a great hobby and pastime as well. Actually there are many interesting and attractive gemstones who that are just too big or fragile to be used for jewelry. Look at each loose gemstone and Think of it as a mini sculpture or piece of art to be highly treasured for its beautiful colors and the finish you apply to it. And unlike some hobbies that require you to pay for your specimens you can actually go hunting for raw gemstones in the field. In the US in Colorado you can find Beryl, Aquamarine, Phenacite, Garnet, Amethyst, Agate, Citrine, Pyrite, Rose Quartzcomma

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The Centenary Diamond is a part of the British Crown Jewels and is the
largest modern-cut flawless diamond, at over 273 carats. It was found on July 17
th, 1986, using an electric X-ray recovery system, at the Premier Mine of De
Beers Consolidated Mines.
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Rubies and sapphires are different colored varieties of the mineral corundum.
Now corundum is a fairly common mineral. Second only to diamond in hardness it
has been mined extensively for abrasives. The emery on your emery boards and
sand paper is corundum. Gem quality corundum is quite a bit rarer, consisting of
only a percent or so of all the corundum found. The most common of the gem grade
corundum is blue sapphire. Sapphire comes in every color of the rainbow and the
other colors are rarer than the blues. This may be a bit of a surprise as the
blue ones are so valuable. However, the law of supply and demand comes in here.
Most of the people wanting a sapphire are looking for a deep blue gemstone, not
something yellow or green. Hot pink sapphires and the pinkish orange variety
know as padparasha do demand a high price in the market place. Generally though,
it is the demand for blue gems that fuels the pricing here.
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Sapphire is the gem quality form of Corundum. It is second only to Diamond in
hardness. The hardness of coruCrystals and gemstones have been used throughout
the ages to improve various human conditions. The color and mineral composition
lend energy to improving situations from headaches to digestion on a physical
level and love loss or mood imbalances on an emotional level. But these rocks
don�t stop with just the physical or the emotional aspects of our lives.
Crystals and gemstones can help us mentally and spiritually as well. By using
your intention combined with the inherent qualities, color and vibration of the
gemstone, you can transform any situation with determination and focus.
Gemstones are a tool just like you would use a hammer to effectively put a nail
into a wall, gemstones help integrate and align you with the intention that you
have decided to put into your consciousness and make manifest in the world.
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Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Gemstones Scene Review

Our Featured Gemstone Article

How To Start Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Many people today say 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 various gemstones you can find just about everywhere in the world. This article will look at a number of factors you should understand in starting in this hobby.

The very first step in starting the hobby of collecting gemstones the intelligent way is by acquiring knowledge about them. By taking a look in your local bookstore you can locate all you need to know about the subject that will help you to know exactly what you should do.

Color is a subjective idea but a very important part in evaluating a gemstone. The closer the color of the gemstone is to its pure spectral color the more valuable it is. Traditional spectral colors include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Gemstones colors that are darker or palerthan a pure color are considered a lower value.

Cut is one of the all-important 4Cs and factors highly into the appraisal of not only diamonds but gemstones as well. A precision cut will highlight the pure color of the stone, diminishes its inclusions, and exhibits good overall symmetry and proportion. One excellent way to determine the excellence in its cut is to check if it is able to reflect light on a consistent level throughout its surface. If the gemstone is cut to shallow much of the light will refract out of the gem instead of reflecting internally. That will make the gem seem washed out and windowed.

The clarity in a stone is our next factor. Gemstone clarity relates to a stones relative freedom from inclusions or blemishes. Generally speaking, a clearer stone is definitely worth much more. To determine the flaws not seen with the unaided eye you need a gem microscope or 10X gemstone clarity magnifier. Many hobbyists will get a 10X jewelers were gemstone loup for viewing stamps, coins, beads as well as gems.

You will note that gemstones are categorized according to their size aspect since it is more uniform than carat weight. But two different gemstones may be of the same size but different carat weights and consequently, different in prices as well. This is due to the nature of gemstone difference regarding specific gravity or relative density and depends on the materials chemical composition and crystal structure type Normally a one carat brilliant round diamond with normal proportions is approximately 6.5 mm around. A comparable a brilliant ruby of the same proportions in size will weigh approximately 1.55 carats.

Although gems are frequently used in jewelry, loose gemstones are great for collecting. In fact, there are many attractive and interesting gemstones that are just too big or fragile to be used for jewelry. Look at each loose gemstone and Think of it as a mini sculpture or piece of art to be highly treasured for its beautiful colors and the finish you apply to it. And unlike some hobbies that require you to pay for your specimens you can actually go hunting for raw gemstones in the field. In the United States in Alaska you can find White Quartz and Jade. And if you travel to Canada you will find nephrite jade in the Frances Lake area in the Yukon Territory or pink and dark blueish spinels in Wakefield, Quebec as well as black spinel in Burgess and bathhurst Townships in Ontario. Think of collecting gemstones as a great hobby and pastime.

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When it comes to gemstones, size matters. All else being equal, the bigger the
stone, the more valuable it is. In wholesale gem trading, gems are often priced
per carat. It would make sense therefore that the more carats, the more its
worth. However, it doesn�t stop there. An additional factor in the value is
the rarity of large stones. This means that the larger the stone, the higher
the price per carat. For example, a 1 carat ruby with a nice color and cut
might cost $700. But a 5 carat ruby of similar cut and color will not cost $
3500 (5 X $700); it might cost $10,000. This is because it is very rare to find
a ruby that is 5 carats. The effect that size has on price and value is
determined by how rare large stones are. For example, very large pieces of
amethyst and topaz are relatively easy to find meaning that the price of large
stones is not exponentially higher.
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The Diamond is the birthstone of April and the anniversary gemstone for the 10th
and 60th years of marriage. Diamonds were discovered in India in 500 B.C., and
the name "diamond" comes from the Greek word "Adamas" which means unconquerable
- suggesting the eternity of love. Since ancient Greece, diamonds and diamond
jewelry have been the traditional symbol of love, and the ancients believed they
were hardened dew drops, splinters from the stars or crystallized lightning. A
diamond is the hardest substance known to humankind, and is made of a
crystallized carbon that has unique powers of light reflection. Since diamonds
are composed of a single element, they are the purest of all gemstones.
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Amber is commonly yellow or orange. Some amber has been found with red, green,
blue, violet, and black hues. Amber is known for having inclusions such as
insects, air bubbles, or pine needles from when it is formed. The more unusual
the inclusion, often the more expensive the piece. Amber has a hardness rating
of 2.5.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Gemstones Updates

Our Latest Gemstone Article

How To Start Loose Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Many people today say collecting various loose gemstones or loose diamonds is a favorite pastime. Many people have a great love Of the assorted number of gemstones found worldwide today. This article will discuss a number of things you need to know in starting in this interesting hobby.

To begin with you need to read up on the wide variety of stones available. This knowledge will help you to know the properties of each stone so you buy the right items. Get the answer to questions like how, where and what to buy.

The first criteria you need to evaluate is stone 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 become associated with particular ones. Without a doubt you will recognize sapphire blue, ruby red, jade green, aquamarine, emerald green or turquoise. Gemstones are valued much higher the closer they are to the colors in the spectrum of violet, blue, green,, orange and red. They drop in value the farther they are from the natural color.

Gemstone cut is very important and factors highly into the appraisal of not only diamonds but along with your gemstones. An excellent cut will showcase the natural color of the gemstone, diminishes its inclusions, and highlight the proportions and symmetry of the stone. One way to determine the precision of its cut is to check if it is able to reflect light on a consistent level throughout its surface. If the stone is cut on the shallow side much of the light will refract out of the gem rather than reflecting internally. Gem color appears washed out.

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

You will often find that gemstones are often listed according to their size because it is more uniform than carat weight. But different gemstones may be of the same size but different carat weights and consequently, different in prices as well. This factor comes from the difference of relative density or specific gravity depending upon the materials chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure. A one carat round brilliant diamond, for example with normal proportions is approximately 6.5 mm around. A comparable a brilliant ruby of the same proportions in size will weigh in at 1.55 carats instead.

Collecting gemstones as a hobby can give you an enjoyable pastime and rewarding in the long run. You can start small and don't have to spend a lot of money and yet you can build a very exquisite collection. Many people love to take vacations to go hunting gemstones. For example in Michigan you can find Agate, Chlorastrolite and Hematite. Or ou can take a longer vacation and find opal at Lightning Ridge in NSW, Austalia, topaz in Killiecrankie, Tasmania or check out raw material in the peridot fields in Chudleigh Park, Queensland, Australia.

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In nature, diamonds can also occur in shades of red, pink, blue, green and deep
yellow - These are called "Fancy diamonds". In the United States and around the
world colorless diamonds are graded on an alphabetical scale, introduced by the
Gemological Institute of America (GIA). "Colorless" or "rare white" diamonds are
of color grades D, E and F. Diamonds of color grade D are very rare, and
extremely valuable.
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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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To be classified as a gemstone, a material must possess three qualities: beauty, rarity and durability. Beauty can be measured by the gemstone�s color, clarity and cut. Rarity is determined by the scarcity of the gem�s occurrence in nature or in the marketplace. And durability is based on the hardness, toughness and stability of the gem.
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Why I Like Gemstones

Latest Article On Gemstones

Starting The Hobby Of Gemstone Collecting

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 learn as much as possible 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.

Gemstone cut is an important aspect to consider when you value gemstone. The gemstone must be cut correctly to reflect light properly. A poor cut will be muted or washed out. Color saturation, color hue and color tone will never look consistent.

Our next consideration is the aspect of clarity. Clarity refers to the internal flaws (inclusions) or the external blemishes of a stone being considered. Normally large flaws can easily be seen with the naked eye while others need a 10X magnification.

Another consideration is the duo of weight and size. Because gemstones vary and specific gravity or density. Weight and size are not necessarily equal across the board. If you have a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats a ruby of equal size would weigh 1.20 carats. An Emerald of equal size would be approximately 0.95 carats while an Alexandrite would be about 1.23 carats.

Taking up the hobby of gemstones can be very enjoyable and could be rewarding as well over time. You can take your time and not lay out a lot a cash at the start and yet you can build a very exquisite collection. Many people love to take vacations to go hunting gemstones. Take the example of the US. In Georgia you can find Ruby, Beryl, Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet and Quartz. And if you like to travel farther you can 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 peridot fields in Mortlake in Victoria, Australia.

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The carat weight alone is almost meaningless unless you also consider the cut,
clarity and color of the diamond. A large diamond is not very valuable if it
lacks brilliance, purity and high-grade color. However, since larger stones are
rarer than smaller ones, diamond value rises exponentially with carat weight.
Therefore, a diamond weighing 3.0 carats, will always be worth more than three
1.0 carat stones of the same quality. No two diamonds are exactly alike, and you
must weigh all of the factors - color, cut, clarity and carat weight - when
making your diamond jewelry buying decision.
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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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