Gemstones Updates

Latest Gemological Article

The Hobby Of Loose Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Many people today say collecting loose gemstones or loose diamonds is their favorite hobby. They simply love the beauty and the colors of the wide array of gemstones found worldwide today. This article will discuss a number of things you need to know in starting in this interesting hobby.

The first step in beginning this hobby the smart way is by acquiring knowledge about them. By taking a quick trip to the library or local bookstore you can locate all you need to know about the subject that will let you make wise purchases from the beginning.

To start with, an important aspect in gemstone evaluation is color. Gemstones are the most intensely colored natural materials you can find. 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 become higher in value the closer they come to the natural spectral colors of violet, blue, green,, orange and red. They are valued much less the more they deviate from the spectral color.

The cut of the stone is extremely important and factors highly into the appraisal of not only diamonds but gemstones as well. A precision cut gemstone showcases the natural color of the gemstone, lessen any inclusions and exhibits good overall symmetry and proportion. One excellent method to determine the precision of the cut is to look at how well it reflects light on a consistent basis over the stones complete surface. If the gemstone is cut to shallow much of the light will refract out of the gem rather than reflecting internally. That will make the gem seem washed out and windowed.

Next to look at is the aspect of clarity. Clarity is the term that refers to internal flaws (inclusions) or the external blemishes of a stone being considered. Any large flaws can easily be seen with the naked eye while others need a 10X magnification.

Next comes size and weight. All gemstones [except for pearls and corals] are priced by the unit, carat. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams. You should know however that weight and size are not the same in gemstones. Density or specific gravity can very. Take a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats and you will see that a similar sized ruby or sapphire is 1.20 carats.

Collecting gemstones as a hobby can become an enjoyable pastime and also 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 loved to spend weekends to go hunting for raw gemstones. Just in the United States in New Mexico you'll find Turquoise, Garnet, Peridot, Rock Crystal and Obsidian And if you like to travel farther you can find opal in Coober Pedy, Andamooka or Mintabie in South Australia, topaz in Beechworth, Victoria or hunt the quartz regions in Beechworth and Mooralla in Victoria Australia.

Buy pear Tourmaline loose gemstones along with a loose diamond lot as well as natural diamonds today in our store!

Gemstones For Sale

More Info On natural fancy diamonds

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. To be called amethyst, it must be the
purple form of quartz although it can display a wide range of purple shades
including purple, lilac and mauve. The most valuable amethyst is a deep purple.
Amethyst is found in geodes and alluvial deposits all over the world and occurs
in both crystalline or massive forms. It is a 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
Buy heart Ruby loose gemstones today!

Mary Pickford was never shown on film wearing more jewelry than a string of
pearls to preserve her image of innocence, but in real life she preferred very
large rubies and star sapphires. She owned both the 60-carat Star of Bombay and
the 200-carat Star of India. And she was not shy about wearing them both at the
same time
Buy suare princess cut natural diamonds today!

In geological terms gem quality sapphire is rarer than diamond. Sapphire is the
term for Aluminum Oxide (corundum). This durable material is the second hardest
natural substance and is found in a broad range of colours. Ruby is red or pink
corundum, all other colours are called sapphire. Blue is the traditional colour
but sapphire can also be clear, green, yellow, gold, purple, peach, colour
change or a mix of colours (sometimes called parti, rainbow or bi-colored).
Buy oval Tourmaline loose gemstones today!

More natural fancy diamonds Information

Go for an edgier look with superb diamond pendants at Liali - AME Info

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:45:00 GMT
Artful layering - the look of the season - is achieved when complementary pendants, not exactly the same, are worn together. Hanging haphazardly, they look just right. As the look ...

Jennifer Garner is Queen of The Kingdom - Daily Blabber

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:40:00 GMT
I don't know what it is about Jennifer Garner that I like so much. Maybe it's her girl-next-door quality or because I so loved her in 13 Going on 30 (especially the scene with the ...

loose diamond chips