Importance of Cut and Polish in Gemstones

Cut is one of the all-important 4Cs and is used not only to appraise diamonds but gemstones in general as well. Gemstones are often cut with regard to their size alone. But beautifully cut gemstones take their color into consideration as well.

If you are shopping for faceted gemstones, one way of determining the excellence of its cut is to check if it is able to reflect light on a consistent level throughout its surface. Look for symmetrical rather than asymmetrical cuts as well. Lastly, be reminded that cut is different from shape.

Polish is simply adding the final touches to a gemstone. A well-polished gemstone is one with evenly smooth gloss and with no visible scratches on its surface.

What about carats? Bigger is not always better. Understanding how gemstones are weighed and measured if a very important factor when purchasing an antique engagement ring or even a vintage engagement ring.

Although bigger seems better and more expensive, it is not always so in the world of jewelry. In fact, size is not even synonymous with carat weight and you need to keep that in mind when shopping for gemstones and antique jewelry.

Carat Weight versus Size

Diamonds and colored gemstones alike are evaluated and appraised according to the 4Cs which are made up by cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Carat weight is much different from size and definitely more important than the latter. Also, take note that carat is different from karat, which is the measurement unit used for gold. Carat weight uses the abbreviation ct and ct TW for carat total weight.

In the past, carob seeds were traditionally used to measure a gemstones weight because of its uniform shape and size. In 1913, however, the jewelry industry managed to set universal standards for measurement and the carat weight system was born.

One carat is always equivalent to one-fifth or twenty percent of one gram. One carat is made up of one hundred points. As a gemstones weight goes up, so does its value or price per carat.

The way carat weight is discussed is occasionally a cause for confusion. Remember that a gemstone with .005 ct may be called a half point gemstone. A .25 ct gemstone could be called a quarter carat while a .50 carat gemstone may be referred to as a half carat or fifty points.

Gemstones are often listed according to their size because it is more uniform than carat weight. Two different gemstones may have the same size but different carat weights and consequently, different prices as well.

Understanding the principles and values of a gemstone can only ensure a perfect sale and the knowledge that you really do know what you are purchasing when it comes to gemstones.

Common Gemstone Categories

Gemstones come in a variety of categories, and understanding them is an essential start to increasing your consumer knowledge about stones. Because stones are so unique depending on how they’re formed, their chemical composition and their basic structure, they’re divided into broad categories. In this article, we’ll cover each one with a brief, but informative, overview.

Beryl: Beryl stones were historically used by warriors to protect them against foes in battle. These beautiful and clear gemstones are known for their brilliance and clarity (except in the emerald variety). The beryl is similar to chrysoberyl and quartz, but is an essentially transparent stone imbued with distinctive hues and tones.

Chrysoberyl: The chrysoberyl family of gemstones is interesting because its three variants (alexandrite, chrysoberyl and cat’s eye) are all chemically alike but have distinctly different optical characteristics and actually look nothing alike. Chrysoberyl stones typically come from Russia and Sri Lanka, though cat’s eye can also be found in China and Brazil.

Corundum: Corundum gemstones are typically composed of aluminum oxide and other trace minerals. As the second hardest category of gemstone, corundum stones are known for their versatility and durability. Rubies and sapphires, two of the world’s most popular gemstones, are both corundum.

Diamonds: Because of their unique characteristics, diamonds are their own category of gemstone. They are known as the hardest naturally occurring substance and are prized for their brilliance, translucency, and fiery color. At a base level, diamonds are created from carbon crystals that have been fused together under intense heat and pressure.

Feldspar: With a base material that’s tectonic, feldspar is remarkably unique. Typically found in areas with a high occurrence of earthquakes, feldspar is created by the heat and pressure present in these regions.

Jade: Though similar to beryl, jade is a unique category of gemstone known for its soft pliability and silky texture. Jade stones are typically composed of magnesium and calcium elements.

Organic Gemstones: Organic types of gemstones include amber and pearls. These are gems created not from mineral sources, but rather natural ones. For example, amber comes from the sap of trees while pearls are created from oysters in the sea. Organic gemstones are typically replicated using high-quality plastic rather than synthesized crystals.

Quartz: As the most common type of mineral in the world, quartz is typically used for scientific purposes, as a base gem or in costume jewelry. However, there are valuable quartz stones, including citrines, amethysts, onyx and carnelians. Colored quartz or flawless quartz can often command a high price on the jewelry market.

Tsavorite

Whilst many gem-lovers have indulged themselves in the joy of owning Diamonds, Ruby, Emerald and Sapphires, many have not yet discovered equally rare and fine gems such as Tsavorite. Still relatively unknown to the gem-buying public, stones like Tsavorite present a unique and exciting opportunity as due to the fact they are little known, their prices are still relatively low compared with the “big 4”. This will not always be the case as the charms of this beautiful gemstone is quickly becoming known to jewelers the world over who are marketing it to their clients creating a pull effect through the market which will eventually push up prices.

Tsavorite is such exciting gem for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is a gemologically superior gemstone with very high brilliance, life, hardness, is extremely rare and most important, is very beautiful. In terms of its gemological properties: Its Refractive Index is very high at 1.74 (Ruby and Sapphire are 1.76) which means that it bends light to a high degree and as such, has excellent light return and hence brilliance. This is aided by its high Hardness on the Mohs scale (a rating of 7.5) which means it takes a good polish which leads to excellent luster. Its Dispersion Rating is double that of its green rival, Emerald, meaning that it is a much more firey gem. In terms of rarity, there is only 1 commercial source in the whole world – in East Africa.

When looking to buy a Tsavorite, it is important you consider the 4C’s just as if you were buying a Diamond. The first, and most important of these is Color. Obviously if the color is not fine, the stone will not be beautiful and it will lose its “raison d’etre”. So look for a deep color saturation with a pure green (minimal yellow modifier is important-yellow is the bane of Tsavorite). The saturation of the color must be vivid. When buying online, this can be a confusing prospect as there are so many sellers all proclaiming their stones to be the finest and all the colors seem different. I suggest you use the resources at the bottom of this article to get a better idea of how color grades are constituted.

Second is Clarity. Many online sellers try to ignore or downplay this factor. The truth is that the majority of Tsavorite contains quite heavy inclusions and the majority of online sellers are peddling this material. The prices for Tsavorite that is moderately included is very different from those that are very slightly included or clean so keep this in mind. Fine stones should be almost loupeclean or loupeclean.

Thirdly, consider the quality of the cut, including symmetry, faceting and proportions. Fine stones are well proportioned, have proper facet junctions and good symmetry. The cut is instrumental in creating brilliance and badly cut stones lack brilliance and hence beauty to don’t overlook this.

Carat Weight – this is the fourth “C” and is important with this gem type as Tsavorite does not come in large sizes generally speaking. The vast majority of Tsavorites are well below a carat and fine stones of 2 carats are considered very rare. This means that the per carat price increases quicker with Tsavorite than most stones as large Tsavorites as relatively so much rarer. A very fine 4 carat can retail as high as $8000 per carat.

In summary, Tsavorite is a very exciting, beautiful gemstone with a bright future. Those gem enthusiasts that invest in a fine large piece now will be well placed to see the value of their investment rise in the near future as demand for the stone increases as consumers become more knowledgeable.

Gemstone Home Decor

Gemstone is a name that can be applied to any of a number of semi precious natural stone materials. These materials form naturally, usually in caves, and are harvested by humans to be used in jewelry, home furnishings, and several architectural applications. A material is termed to be “gemstone” due to its attractiveness, and rarity, and so the stones which attain this label are generally valuable and beautiful.

Gemstone is used to manufacture a wide variety of decorative and functional products for the home. These are generally formal, high end products, which are intended to elevate the decorative style of a space. Common gemstone products include desk clocks, drink coasters, book ends, and paper weights. Gemstone candle holders are also very popular, due to the ability of the crystalline structure to refract the light from the candle into a million tiny translucent caverns.

Gemstone home décor products are most popular in new age and metaphysical spaces. Often practitioners of yoga, reiki, and gemstone therapies will decorate their offices with these products. Many people even believe gemstones to have a very particular effect on the energy in a space, and there are several fields of study that examine and claim to be able to use these effects to help people.

Another popular setting for gemstone decorative products is in a rustic, natural home. The erratic chaos of the crystalline materials will blend in well with the savage nature of such a space.

Other popular setting for gemstone home décor products include executive offices, romantic settings such as the bedroom, and anywhere where the light from the sun or a fixture can cast an interesting glow on the pieces.

Pearls-The June Gemstone

Pearls are the birthstone for June, and are also the gemstone for the astrological signs cancer and gemini. the pearl is considered the gemstone for modesty and purity.

This may be part of the reason that it is also the classic gemstone worn by many brides and also members of the wedding party.

Cultured Pearls

Most pearls that are sold today are cultured pearls. These are no less the genuine thing than those designated as natural pearls. Few natural pearls are in existence today and they are very costly. Most natural pearls find their way to special collectors and the ultra rich because of their cost.

A natural pearl is one created by nature and is a random act. When an irritant enters an oyster or mollusk it’s natural reaction is to cover it with nacre and that is how a natural pearl is formed, through a random act of nature.

Pearls formed by purely natural means are often odd shaped and not saleable for the purpose of creating jewelry, and then there is the problem of finding them.

In the nineteen hundreds a method was perfected for creating cultured pearls. Instead of waiting for nature to take it’s course, man devised a method for introducing an irritant into the oyster or mollusk so it would begin it’s job of creating a pearl.

From the introduction of the irritant, the oyster takes over and does what it has known to do for thousands of years. The process is no different. It is basically farming.

Those who farm cultured pearls provide the oyster or mollusk with the best environment which helps to produce more pearls and ones that have a better chance of being more uniform and acceptable to the marketplace for the making of jewelry.

This process has taken a natural gem which was once so costly that in ancient times the price of one fine pearl could finance a war, and brought it into a price range that makes it available to most anyone who is gainfully employed.

Pearls are a distinctive gem in that they are the only one that is created by a living organism and the only gem that needs no cutting. They are also distinctive for their luminescent quality.

Pearls are a wonderful choice for jewelry and can provide many occasions for wear and display. A pearl necklace or earrings are appropriate for both formal and casual occasions and will look just as appropriate when worn with a formal gown as they will when worn with a casual skirt and sweater.

They are a very good choice for wear with a wedding gown as they display their luminescent beauty without overplaying. Since a wedding gown will only be worn once, it should not be outdone by the accompanying accessories. Pearls are a very good choice.