Featured Gemological Article
Collecting Gemstones
By Lee MacRae
Gemology is a term referring to the science, art and profession of identifying and evaluating gemstones from loose gemstones to natural diamonds. A number of people taken up this profession as a passionate hobby. They collect and evaluate items like loose gemstone or natural diamonds. A number of these hobbyists start to visit different areas nearby or in some cases other countries to hunt for raw or rough gemstones. Some of them will even tumble or finish off the gemstones themselves. If this hobby interest you read along as we show you the in and outs of gemstone collecting.
To start off right you need to read up on the various gemstones available. This will help you to know what you're buying and prevent you from wasting your money. Get the answer to questions like how, where and what to buy.
Color is a very important part in evaluating a gemstone. The closer the color comes to its purer spectral value the more valuable the stone becomes. Traditional spectral colors are orange, green, yellow, Violet and blue. Colors that tend to be darker or paler tend to be less valued.
The cut of your gemstone is one of the most important traits when evaluating gemstones. The stone has to be cut correctly to reflect light properly. A poor cut will not reflect light in a consistent way. Color tone, saturation, and hue will always look inconsistent.
The clarity in a stone is the next item to consider. Gemstone clarity relates to the amount of inclusions (trace elements or large particles of other elements or minerals) that a gem has. A perfect gemstone is obviously valued highly. To determine the flaws not seen with the unaided eye you need a gemstone loupe (gemstone clarity magnifier) or gem microscope. Serious hobbyists will get a 10X jewelers were gemstone loup for examining coins, stamps and of course gemstones.
Next item to look at is the duo of size and weight. Due to the fact gemstones can vary in density or specific gravity. Weight and size are not necessarily equal across the board. Take the example of a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats and a sapphire of equal size would weigh 1.20 carats. An emerald stone would be about 0.95 carats and an Alexandrite stone would be about 1.23 carats.
Although gems are frequently used in jewelry, they are a great hobby and pastime as well. In fact, there are many attractive and interesting gemstones that are just too big or fragile to be used for jewelry. Take each 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 rhodonite at various locations in British Columbia 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.
Buy loose Chalcedony gemstones or loose diamond lots as well as natural diamonds today in our store!
Gemstones For Sale
Learn More About natural black diamond
During the Middle Ages people believed that the use of topaz strengthened the
mind and prevented sudden death. Some physicians of those times prescribed it as
a remedy for weak vision. It was also used as a method of preventing mental
disorders or curing these disorders altogether.
Buy loose Tahitian pearls today!
The GIA recently released a new cut grading system and it appears they have
finally conquered this beast. Rather than calculating how close a cut came to an
�ideal� set of proportions, the new system is based on how the individual
elements combine to affect the appearance of a diamond. In addition, they were
able to install some flexibility in the system to allow for personal preferences
, with table size being a prime example.
Buy gold Sapphire loose gemstones today!
The Latest natural black diamond News
Outdoor Log: Ice-fishing derby slated for Jan. 25 - Black Hills Pioneer
Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:02:00 GMT
An ice-fishing derby will be at Sheridan Lake on Sunday, Jan. 25. There will be perch and northern pike divisions. The event, sponsored by Black Hills Anglers and the Sheridan Lake ...
Take the Icefields Parkway to Jasper and scenic splendour - Vancouver Sun
Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:04:30 GMT
Take the Icefields Parkway to Jasper and scenic splendour Vancouver Sun, Canada - Soak in the natural mineral waters of the Miette Hot Springs (pc.gc.ca), near Jasper. It's one of the most relaxing spots in the Rockies, which you'll need ... |
natural red diamonds
Gemological Information Article
Starting To Collect Gemstones
By Lee MacRae
Why collect loose gemstones you ask? For many people it's because gemstones are extremely beautiful. And like their higher counterpart, natural diamonds their value increases over time. Many hobbyists love to collect and show case the nearly 150 types of gemstones found today. Read long as we look at the hobby of collecting loose gemstones.
To begin with you need to read up on the wide variety of stones available. This knowledge will help you to know what exactly you're looking for so you buy the right items. This will help you make informed decisions.
First on your list to look at will be the color of the gemstone. You want the stone to be as close in color as possible to the pure spectrum colors. We are talking about violet, orange, yellow, green, blue, and red. In general terms, the prices of very dark are very pale semiprecious and precious gemstones are lower than the vibrant colors.
Cut is one of the all-important 4Cs and factors highly into the appraisal of not only diamonds but along with your gemstones. An excellent cut will showcase the gemstone's color, diminish any inclusions, and highlight the proportions and symmetry of the stone. One way of determining the excellence of its cut is to check how evenly it reflects light throughout the surface of the stone. But if a gem is cut too shallow, most of the light will refract out rather than reflecting inside. Gemstone color will be washed out.
Next up is the aspect of gemstone clarity. The aspect of clarity refers to the external blemishes or the internal conclusions or flaws of a stone being considered. Any large flaws can easily be seen with the unaided eye with others requiring a 10X magnification.
Next up are size and weight. Other than the corals and pearls gemstones are priced by the carat. One carat is the equivalent of 0.2 grams Be aware however, that weight and size are not always equal and gemstones. Density or specific gravity can vary in gemstones. If you have a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats, you will find a Sapphire or ruby of the same size would weigh 1.20 carats.
Collecting various 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 Kunzite, Amethyst (cardinal gem) or Clinohumite for example. The opportunities are seemingly endless. And if you like a hands on hobby you can find gemstones for yourself instead of buying. For example in Nevada you can hunt for Rock Crystal, Citrine, Nevada Turquoise and Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal.
Buy Turquoise loose gemstones along with loose diamonds as well as round natural diamonds today in our store!
Gemstones For Sale
More Information On loose diamonds to buy
Good Grade diamonds: This grade will be generally be a bit darker or lacking in
scintillation. The stone above is dark around its girdle. A stone can also be
downgraded by its pattern, or its weight ratio. I.E. if it weighs more than an
average gem of this diameter, it will be downgraded one step.
Buy pear Tanzanite loose gemstones today!
Moonstone is said to balance yin/yang. In India, moonstone is regarded as a
sacred stone. It is believed to bring good fortune. Legend says that Moonstone
is a highly prized gift for lovers as it arouses tender passion. Moonstone is
the US State Gemstone of Florida and New York.
Buy loose Chrysoberyl gemstones today!
Rutilated Quartz is clear or brown with copper red or golden fibers. These
fibers are mineral inclusions called "Rutilated Quartz" or "Sagenite." It is
popularly known as Venus-hair stone. Rutiles, small needle like crystals, maybe
red, black, or yellow. Golden rutilated quartz is known to be an important
healing stone that cleanses, energizes, and filters negative energy. If you
need to change direction in your life, rutilated quartz is an excellent stone to
use along the way.
Buy loose Sapphire gemstones today!
loose diamonds to buy News
News & Media Photos Videos Google Web Search VindyWheels VindyJobs ... - Vindicator
Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:30:00 GMT
News & Media Photos Videos Google Web Search VindyWheels VindyJobs Classifieds (Searching Vindy.com Photos and Galleries.) News & Media Photos Videos Google Web Search VindyWheels ...
San Diego Jewelry Buyers Publishes Consumer Tips for Selling Loose ... - PR Leap (press release)
Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:01:46 GMT
San Diego Jewelry Buyers Publishes Consumer Tips for Selling Loose ... PR Leap (press release), CA - Another tip included in San Diego Jewelry Buyers’ list for loose diamond sellers is a knowledge building exercise. SDJB advises customers to price a 1.00 ... |
'Twilight': So how did you like it? (Spoiler alert, duh!) - Popwatch
Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:00:00 GMT
i really love the books, and thought the film was a pretty good adaptation. they cast all the characters really well, in particular Jasper,Edward and Alice. But i feel it moved way ...
Labels: diamonds loose diamonds | large loose diamonds | loose dimonds
