Sunday, August 03, 2008

More Info On Gemstones

Gemstone Scene Article

So You Want To Collect Gemstones


By Lee MacRae


Why would anyone collect items like loose gemstones, you ask? For many people it's because gemstones are extremely beautiful. And like their more familiar cousin, natural diamonds, they can become extremely valuable over the years. Many in this hobby love to collect and work with each and every one of the 150 varieties available. Follow along as we examine the loose gemstones hobby.


The first thing you need to do is to visit the library and get some books. You want to learn as much as possible about the subject of gemstones. The more you understand about gemstones the less likely you are to make a mistake. You will know exactly what to look for.


The first item to look at should be the color of the stone. You'll want the stone to be as close in color as possible to the pure colors of the spectrum. This means red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The prices of very dark are very pale semiprecious and precious stones are lower.



The cut of the stone is extremely important and is used not only to appraise diamonds but gemstones as well. A precision cut will highlight the gemstone's color, diminish any inclusions, and exhibits good overall symmetry and proportion. One way of determining the excellence of its cut is to check how well and consistent it reflects light throughout its surface. If the gemstone is cut to shallow most of the light will refract out instead of reflecting internally. That will make the gem seem washed out and windowed.


The clarity in a stone is the next item to consider. Gemstone clarity relates to the absence of flaws or blemishes inside the stone. A perfect gemstone is obviously worth more. To examine flaws not seen with the naked eye you need a gem microscope or gemstone clarity magnifier. Serious hobbyists will employ a 10X jewelers were gemstone loup for viewing stamps, coins, beads as well as gems.


Next to consider are weight and size. Except for corals and pearls, all gemstones are priced by the carat. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams. Be aware 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 weighs 1.20 carats.


Though you may find gemstones used a lot in jewelry, loose gemstones are great for collecting. In fact, there are many attractive and interesting gems that are just too big or fragile to be used for jewelry. Look at each loose gemstone and consider it as a piece of art and value it for its unique nature and vibrant colors. And unlike many hobbies where you have to buy everthing you can use vacation time to actually hunt for raw gemstones in stead of buying. In the US in New Mexico you'll find Turquoise, Garnet, Peridot, Rock Crystal and Obsidian And in Canada you can hunt for opal in the Okanagan, British Columbia or Tourmaline from Chatham Twonship, Quebec along with Ammolite, a rare gemstone found only in southern Alberta. Think of collecting gemstones as a great hobby and pastime.


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Gemstones For Sale



Tips About wholesale loose diamonds

American Golden Topaz, a 172-faceted topaz weighing 22,892.5 carats (4.5785 kg),
is the largest cut yellow topaz in the world, and one of the largest faceted
gems of any type in the world. Originating from Minas Gerais, Brazil, it was cut
by Leon Agee over a period of two years from an 11.8 kg (26 lb avdp) stream-
rounded cobble. It was purchased by Rockhound Hobbyists of America and presented
to the Smithsonian Institution in 1988 and is displayed in the National Museum
of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Buy natural colored diamonds today!

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.
Buy round synthetic loose diamonds today!

The Andamooka Opal is a famous opal which was presented to Queen Elizabeth II in
the 1950s on the occasion of her first visit to Australia. It was discovered in
Andamooka, South Australia, an historic opal mining town. The opal was cut and
polished by John Altmann to a weight of 203 carats (40.6 g). It displays a
magnificent array of reds, blues, and greens and was set with diamonds into an
18 carat (75%) palladium necklet
Buy round natural diamonds today!

Some wholesale loose diamonds Stories

Hammered Marquise Earrings w/ Vermeil Disc

Dainty hand hammered sterling silver discs with pink tourmaline accents. All sterling silver earwires and components. Earrings measure 3/8" (about 9.5mm). Also available in larger sizes and 23kt gold vermeil.

Vermeil Tiny Tear Earrings

Brushed silver coated in 23kt gold. Earrings are about 1/2" long. 14kt gold fill earwires and findings.

Vermeil Flat Briolette Earrings

23kt gold vermeil brushed briolette earrings. 14kt gold fill earwires. Matching necklace available. Also available in sterling silver.


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