The Gemstones Review

Our Latest Gemological Article

How To Start Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Gemology is a term referring to the profession, science, and even art of evaluating and identifying gemstones from loose gemstones to natural diamonds. Many people take up gemology more as a hobby. They become interested in collecting loose gemstones or loose diamonds. Some people even begin to travel to different areas to look for rough gemstones. Some of them will even tumble or finish off the gemstones themselves. If this sounds like a hobby you would like to get involved in follow along as we show you the various factors in gemstone collecting.

At the very beginning you need to learn all you can on each of the gemstones out there. This will help you to know what you're buying so you buy the right items. Without the proper knowledge you can make costly mistakes.

First on the list to evaluate is gemstone color. Gemstones are the most intensely colored naturally occurring materials you can find. Gems have become so synonomous with color, they have even lent their names to specific colors. Without a doubt you will recognize sapphire blue, ruby red, jade green, aquamarine, emerald green or turquoise. Gemstones become higher in value they closer they are to natural spectral colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. They drop in value the farther they are from the pure natural color.

How the gemstone has been cut is the second most important factor to look at. The preciseness of the cut is the factor that determines the amount of light the stone will reflect. It will ultimately determine the brilliance of the stone and how much someone will pay for it.

Another factor to look at is the clarity. This refers to the purity of the gemstone with no internal conclusions, particles or spots within the crystal. Needless to say, stones with no flaws would make the gemstone highly valuable.

Next to consider are weight and size. Except for corals and pearls, all gemstones are valued by the unit called the carat. One carat equals a 0.2 grams. You should know however that weight and size are not the same in 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.

Taking up the collecting of loose gemstones can create an enjoyable hobby and pastime. And there is a wide range and variety in gemstones you can collect. You could try collecting Alexandrite and other varieties of chrysoberyl, Spinel or Variscite and then try others. The opportunities are seemingly endless. And if money is tight you can go hunting for raw gemstones. Take the example of the United States. In New Jersey you can find Smoky Quartz, Agate, Pearl and Prehnite.

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More Info On natural pink diamonds

There are many other common types of treatment to enhance the beauty of colored gemstones. Emeralds are often oiled and waxed to protect them and to hide fine lines that naturally occur in the stone. Some sapphires have their blue color enhanced using diffusion, a chemical process. Certain stones are treated with radiation, again mimicking the processes of nature. All these practices are standard in the jewelry industry; in fact, enhancement is so common that good quality unenhanced stones often come with a certificate stating that fact.
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The best chrysoprase is found in Australia (Queensland). Other places include:
Austria, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Russia, and USA (California). Chrysoprase is
used for spiritual protection. Chrysoprase was said said to be a "Victory Stone.
" In the 1800's, Chrysoprase was said to help thieves become invisible.
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Some natural pink diamonds Stories

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A 21-year-old University of Idaho senior was found shot to death early today in his Moscow apartment. David Robert Boss, a history major and Boise native, was found dead by a ...

Dianor Resources Inc.: 121 Purple Diamonds Confirmed in Surface ... - Market Wire (press release)

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:31:34 GMT

Dianor Resources Inc.: 121 Purple Diamonds Confirmed in Surface ... Market Wire (press release) - 6 hours ago They ranged from brown (38%), purple (10%), grey (10%), yellow (10%), green (7%), amber (2%) and pink (1%). Natural fancy coloured diamonds are very rare ...

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