Why I Like Gemstones

Our Latest Gemstone Article

Starting To Collect Gemstones

By Lee MacRae

For many people collecting semi-precious and precious gemstones like loose diamonds or loose gemstones is a passionate hobby. They simply love the beauty and the colors of the wide array of gemstones you can find just about everywhere in the world. Read long as we discuss a number of things you need to know in starting in this interesting hobby.

The very first step in starting the hobby of collecting gemstones the wise way is by getting adequate knowledge about them. By taking a look in your local bookstore you'll find numerous books on gemstones that will help you to know exactly what you should do.

Number one to look at is the color of the gem. Gemstones at the top of the ladder have pure colors there as close as possible to the exact spectral color of red, orange, yellow, green, blue or violet. Gemstone colors that are muted or on the dark side can lower the value quite easily.

The cut of a gemstonestone is the next factor to consider before buying. How precise the cut is will determine how much light the gemstone stone will reflect. The cut will determine the brilliance of the stone and how much someone will pay for it.

A third consideration is the clarity of the gemstone. This refers to the purity of the gemstone or the lack of internal inclusions, internal particles or spots within the crystal structure. Obviously, stones with a lack of flaws are hard to find and make your stones very valuable.

Another consideration is the duo of weight and size. Because gemstones can vary greatly in density and specific gravity. Weight and size are not equal for each and every stone. Take the example of a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats and an equal sized Sapphire would weigh more than 1.20 carats. An Emerald of equal size would be approximately 0.95 carats while an Alexandrite gemstone would be about 1.23 carats.

Collecting gemstones as a hobby can become an enjoyable pastime and rewarding in the long run. It doesn't have to be very expensive and yet you can build a very exquisite collection. Many people loved to spend weekends to go hunting gemstones. Take the example of the United States. In New Jersey you can find Smoky Quartz, Agate, Pearl and Prehnite. Or ou can take a longer vacation and find opal in Opalton, Yowah, Queensland, Austalia, topaz in Killiecrankie, Tasmania or check out the quartz regions in Mt Hope or Inverell, New South Wales.

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The Logan sapphire is named after Mrs. John Logan who donated the gemstone to
the Smithsonian Institution in 1960. The Logan sapphire is a flawless specimen,
possesses a rich blue color and is the second largest (blue) sapphire known,
weighing 423 carats (84.6 g). The cushion-cut stone is one of the world's most
famous sapphires and is set in a brooch surrounded by 20 round brilliant cut
diamonds weighing in total 16 carats (3.2 g). The Logan sapphire originates from
Sri Lanka, a famous location for sapphires.
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Clarity refers to the amount of �inclusions� or impurities there are in a stone.
If you can see through the stone with an unobstructed view of the bottom facets
called the pavilion), it is a clear stone. Inclusions are usually another
mineral that has been trapped inside the crystal as it was forming. Clarity is
also affected by internal cracks. Generally speaking, the clearer the stone, the
more valuable it is.
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The northern and north-western parts of Pakistan are shrouded by the three world
-famous ranges called Hindukush, Himalaya, and Karakorum. In these mountains
have been found nearly all the minerals Pakistan currently offers to the world
market, including aquamarine, topaz, peridot, ruby, emerald, amethyst, morganite
, zoisite, spinel, sphene, and tourmaline.
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Information On Gemstones

Latest Gemological Article

Collecting Gemstones

By Lee MacRae

Why would anyone collect items like loose gemstones, you ask? Well to begin with they've been sought for their beauty for many centuries. And just like natural diamonds they can appreciate in value over time. Many hobbyists love to find, collect and finish each and every one of the 150 varieties available. Read long as we look at the hobby of collecting loose gemstones.

The very first step in beginning this hobby the smart way is through the power of knowledge. By visiting a local library you can locate all you need to know about the subject that will let you make wise purchases from the beginning.

Color is a subjective idea but a very important part in evaluating a gemstone. The closer a color is to its purer spectral value the more valuable the stone becomes. Traditionally, these specter colors include violent, blue, green,, orange and red. Colors that are paler or darker diminish the value of the stone.

The cut of a stone is the next factor to look at before buying. The precision of the cut determines the amount of light is reflected by the gemstone. It will ultimately ultimately determine the stones brilliance and how much someone will pay for it.

Next up is the aspect of clarity. The aspect of clarity refers to the external blemishes or the internal conclusions or flaws of the gemstone. Larger flaws can easily be seen with the naked eye while others need a 10X magnification.

Next on the agenda is the duo of size and weight. Because gemstones can vary in density or specific gravity. Weight and size are not equal for each and every stone. If a diamond of a certain size weighs 1.00 carats then an equal sized Sapphire would weigh more than 1.20 carats. An equal sized Emerald would be 0.95 carats while an Alexandrite gem stone would came in at 1.23 carats.

Collecting gemstones can create an enjoyable hobby and pastime. And there are so many different types in precious and semi precious stones that you can collect. You can start collecting gemstones like Olivine (Peridot), Topaz or Onyx and then try others. The choice and beauty and variety is almost endless. And if money is tight you can find gemstones for yourself instead of buying. Take the example of the United States. In Pennsylvania you can find Amethyst, Almandite Garnet and Pyrope Garnet, Beryl, Sunstone and Moonstone.

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Synthetic gemstones are �real� gemstones in that their mineral composition is
exactly the same as those in nature. The only difference is that they are made
by humans in a short amount of time versus by nature over hundreds of thousands
of years. Created stones are always less valuable than natural stones because
they are less rare. Generally, created stones are only available for more
expensive gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. One
example of a widely accepted created gemstone is the cultured pearl: very
prevalent even in the most elite jewelry.
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A semiprecious stone is defined as: "Any gemstones other than a precious stone, or any gemstone of lower commercial value than a precious stone; specifically, a mineral that is less than 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness. A gemstone may also be regarded as semiprecious because of its comparative abundance, inferior brilliance, or unfamiliarity to the public, or owing to the whims of fashion. This arbitrary classification is misleading, as it does not recognize, for example, that a ruby of poor quality may be far less costly than a fine specimen of jadeite."
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Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:00:02 GMT

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Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:01:00 GMT
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The Best Information On Gemstones

How To Collect Gemstones

By Lee MacRae

Why collect loose gemstones you ask? Well for one thing they are very beautiful items. And like their higher counterpart, natural diamonds they can become extremely valuable over the years. 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.

The first thing you need to do in starting the hobby of collecting gemstones the proper way is by getting adequate knowledge about them. By visiting a local library you'll find numerous books on gemstones that will prevent you from making mistakes at the start.

Color is a subjective idea but a very important part in evaluating a gemstone. The closer a color is to its purer spectral value the more valuable it is. Traditionally, these specter colors are yellow, blue, Violet, green, orange and red. Gemstones colors that are paler or darker tend to be less valued.

The cut of your gemstone is an important factor to consider when you value gemstone. The gemstone must be cut correctly to reflect light properly. A gemstone with an improper cut will not reflect the light consistently. Color saturation, hue and tone will always appear inconsistent

The clarity in a stone is an important consideration. Clarity refers to the amount of inclusions (trace elements or large particles of other elements or minerals) that a gem has. A perfect gemstone is definitely worth much more. To examine flaws not seen with the naked eye you need a gem microscope or 10X gemstone clarity magnifier. Serious hobbyists will get an inexpensive 10X gemstone or jewelers loup for viewing their coins, beads, stamps or in our case gemstones.

Gemstones are often categorized according to their size criteria since it is more uniform than carat weight. But different gemstones may be of the same size but different carat weights and consequently, different in prices as well. This is due to gemstone difference of specific gravity or relative density depending upon the chemical composition and crystalline structure. Normally a one carat brilliant round diamond of typical proportions will be approximately 6.5 mm in diameter. A comparable round brilliant ruby of the same size and proportions will weigh in at 1.55 carats instead.

Though you may find gemstones used a lot in jewelry, they are a great hobby and pastime as well. In fact, there are many attractive and interesting gems that are just too big or fragile to be used for jewelry. Look at each stone and think of it as a piece of art, a miniature sculpture to be treasured for its unusual nature and for the craftsmanship of the artisan who shaped it. And unlike many hobbies where you have to buy everthing you can actually go hunting for raw gemstones in the field. In the United States in Michigan you can find Agate, Chlorastrolite and Hematite. And in Canada you can find nephrite jade in Mount Sidney Williams, British Columbia or amethyst near Thunder Bay, Ontario along with ammolite from Lethbridge, Alberta. Think of gemstone collecting for the great hobby it is.

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Authentic emeralds are very expensive, and not available to the casual collector
. However, with today.s technology scientists can make lab-created emeralds that
can be sold at affordable prices on the open market. They are made by exposing
thin slices of natural beryl to a chemical mixture that is akin to an authentic
emerald. The mixture is one of pure filtered water and acids. Then it is put
under intense heat in saline solution. Then the stone slices cool until crystal
forms and it reaches a gem like thickness. When this process is complete it can
be cut and processed like a gem.
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For opals, do not use a commercial cleaner or an ultrasonic cleaner. Clean an opal using mild, warm sudsy water (1 part to 1 part) and be gentle. Rinse in clear, warm water and gently pat dry. Since opals have a high-moisture content, you need to keep them hydrated by storing them with a moistened cotton ball.
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The Centenary Diamond is a part of the British Crown Jewels and is the
largest modern-cut flawless diamond, at over 273 carats. It was found on July 17
th, 1986, using an electric X-ray recovery system, at the Premier Mine of De
Beers Consolidated Mines.
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All The Latest News From The natural red diamond World

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Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:01:00 GMT
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Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:00:02 GMT

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Our Latest Gemological Article

How To Start Loose Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Why would someone go to the trouble of collect loose gemstones? Well to begin with they are very beautiful items. And like their higher counterpart, natural diamonds they can become extremely valuable over the years. Many in this hobby love to find, collect and finish the nearly 150 types of gemstones found today. This article will discuss the hobby of loose gemstone collecting.

The first step in starting the hobby of collecting gemstones the proper way is by acquiring knowledge about them. By taking a quick trip to the library or local bookstore you can find books on the subject that will make you an informed buyer.

To start with, an important aspect in gemstone evaluation is color. Gemstones are the most intensely colored natural material available on earth. Gemstones are so related to color that they've even become associated with particular ones. You've no doubt heard about emerald green, ruby red, sapphire blue, jade green, turquoise or aquamarine. Gemstones are valued much higher when they equal the colors in the spectrum of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. They drop in value the farther they deviate from the natural color.

Cut is one of the all-important 4Cs and is used not only to appraise diamonds but gemstones as well. A precision cut gemstone highlights the natural color of the gemstone, lessen any inclusions and exhibits good overall symmetry and proportion. One way to determine the precision of the cut is to consider how well it reflects light on a consistent basis over the stones complete surface. If the stone is cut on the shallow side most of this light were refracted away rather than reflecting internally. Gem color appears washed out.

Another factor to consider is the stone's clarity. This means the gemstones purity or the absence of internal inclusions, spots, or particles inside the crystal. Needless to say, stones with no flaws would make the gemstone highly valuable.

Next comes size and weight. Save for pearls and corals, all gemstones are priced by the unit, carat. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams. However you should know weight and size are not the same in gemstones. The density and specific gravity can differ in stones. Take a diamond that is 1.00 carats in weight and you will find that a similar sized sapphire or ruby would weigh 1.20 carats.

Although gems are frequently used in jewelry, loose gemstones are great for collecting. In fact, there are many attractive and interesting gemstones that are too fragile or too large to be used in 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 in this hobby you don't have to always lay out cash because you can find your raw materials through field trips In the US in Missouri you can hunt for Pearl, Fluorite, Pyrite and Calcite. And in Canada you can hunt for opal in the Okanagan, British Columbia or amazonite (microcline) near Eganville, Onttario and even hessonite garnet in Asbestos, Quebec. Think of collecting gemstones as a great hobby and pastime.

Buy round Amethyst loose gemstones along with loose diamonds as well as marquise natural diamonds today in our store!

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More Information On small loose diamonds

The Hixon Ruby Crystal is a 196.10-carat gem that was donated to the Natural
History Museum of Los Angeles in 1978 by Frederick C. Hixon. It is considered to
be one of the most perfect large ruby crystals in the world.
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Fluorite is said to possess stabilizing energies and the ability to strengthen the effect of other stones. It is used to increase psychic awareness and universal understanding when placed over the third eye chakra during meditation.Other attributes include improving consciousness, strengthening analytical ability, encouraging and maintaining good health. Blue fluorite is said to sharpen communication skills; green eliminates bad vibrations and purple enhances clairvoyance.
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Rose Quartz is found in Brazil, Madagascar, Scotland, Spain, and USA (Colorado,
Connecticut, Maine, and New York). Rose Quartz is the anniversary gemstone for
the 2nd year of marriage. Though not meant to replace traditional medical
treatment, Rose Quartz is used to balance ones emotions and open the heart. The
star effect seen in some Rose Quartz cabochans and beads happen when rutile
inclusions are present. Wiccans supposedly use Rose Quartz for forgiveness. Rose
Quartz is the US State Gemstone of South Dakota.
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