How To Start Loose Gemstone Collecting
By Lee MacRae
The term gemology refers to the science, art and profession of identifying and evaluating gemstones from loose gemstones to natural diamonds. A number of people taken up this profession as a passionate hobby. They become interested in collecting items like loose gemstone or natural diamonds. You'll even find some that like to travel to different areas close by to look for raw gemstones. Some of them will even tumble or finish off the gemstones themselves. If this hobby interest you read along as we reveal the various factors in gemstone collecting.
To start off right you need to learn all you can on each of the gemstones out there. You'll find it very helpful to know the properties of each stone so you buy the right items. Get the answer to questions like how, where and what to buy.
The first criteria you need to evaluate is stone color. Without a doubt, gemstones are the most intensely colored naturally occurring materials you can find. Gems have become so synonomous with color, they've even had their names combined with associated colors. Everyone knows ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, aquamarine, turquoise, and jade green Gemstones will have a higher value the closer they are to the colors in the spectrum of orange, green, yellow, violet and blue. They are valued much less the more they deviate from the spectral color.
Gemstone cut is an important factor to consider when evaluating gemstones. The stone has to be cut with precision to reflect the light properly. A gemstone with the poor cut will never be able to reflect light consistently. Color saturation, color hue and color tone will always look inconsistent.
Next up is gemstone 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 unaided eye with the others needing a 10X magnification.
The next factors to consider our weight and size. All gemstones [except for pearls and corals] are valued by the unit called the carat. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams. You should know however that weight and size are not always equal and 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 ruby or sapphire weighs 1.20 carats.
Collecting gemstones as a hobby can be very enjoyable and rewarding in the long run. It doesn't have to be very expensive and yet you can buy some very beautiful items. Many people love to set aside vacation or weekend time to go hunting for raw gemstones. Take the example of the US. In Oregon you'll find Agate, Obsidian, Hydrolite and Sunstone. And if you like to travel farther you can find opal in Coober Pedy, Andamooka or Mintabie in South Australia, topaz in Mt Surprise or O'Briens Creek in Queensland, Australia or check out the quartz regions in Mt Hope or Inverell, New South Wales.
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Cleaning gemstones is easy. Simply soak the piece in a bowl of warm, soapy water for several minutes. Then use a soft, non-metallic brush to remove any grime. If you use a jewelry cleanser, make sure it is non-abrasive. Don't use harsh chemical cleaners, and be careful when cleaning the item in the sink because it can end up down the drainpipe. Also, keep in mind that some gemstones may have been treated or enhanced by heating, oiling, irradiation or diffusion. Heated and irradiated stones generally don't require special care when cleaning, but diffused stones could become lighter if scrubbed too hard.
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Carnelian was said to bring luck, protection and comfort in the 1700's. In the
1800's, Carnelian was said to help those who needed courage to speak. Mohammed,
Napoleon I, and Napoleon III wore carnelian.
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