Collecting Prescious And Semi-Prescious Gemstones
By Lee MacRae
The term gemology refers to the science, art and profession of identifying and evaluating gemstones from natural diamonds to loose gemstones. Many people take up gemology as a hobby. They become interested in collecting loose gemstones or loose diamonds. A number of these hobbyists start to visit various local locations to hunt for raw or rough gemstones. Some hobbyists will learn to cut or tumble the gemstones they find. If this sounds like a hobby you would like to get involved in follow along as we reveal the various factors in gemstone collecting.
The first thing you need to do in beginning this hobby the intelligent way is through the power of knowledge. By taking a quick trip to the library or local bookstore you can find everything you need to know that will help you to know exactly what you should do.
To start with, an important aspect in gemstone evaluation is color. It is a fact that 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. Everyone knows ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, aquamarine, turquoise, and jade green Gemstones are valued much higher when they are equal in color to the spectral colors of violet, blue, green,, orange and red. They drop in value the farther they deviate from the pure natural color.
Gemstone cut is an important aspect to consider in determining gemstone value. The stone has to be cut in a way that reflects light back to the viewer. A stone that has a poor cut will not reflect light consistently over its entire surface. Color saturation, hue and tone will never look consistent.
The clarity of a gemstone is an important consideration. Clarity refers to a stones relative freedom from inclusions or blemishes. The gemstone without flaws is definitely worth much more. To examine flaws not seen with the naked eye you need a gem microscope or 10X gemstone clarity magnifier. Many hobbyists will employ a jewelers diamond gemstone loupe 10X for examining coins, stamps and of course gemstones.
Next on the agenda is the duo of weight and size. Due to the fact gemstones vary and specific gravity or density. Size and weight are not necessarily equal from stone to stone. Take the example of a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats and a sapphire of equal size would weigh 1.20 carats. An equal sized Emerald would be 0.95 carats while an Alexandrite gemstone would be about 1.23 carats.
Getting involved in collecting gemstones can become an enjoyable pastime and could be rewarding as well over time. You don't need to spend a lot of money and yet you can build a very exquisite collection. Many people love to set aside vacation or weekend time to go hunting gemstones. Take the example of the United States. In Wyoming you can find Agate (including Moss Agate), Jade, Ruby, Jasper, Bloodstone as well as Star Sapphire. Or you can take the time to travel and 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.
Buy loose Garnet gemstones or a loose diamond lot as well as natural purple diamonds today in our store!
Gemstones For Sale
Tips On loose semi precious gemstones
Malachite is always coated with a protective polish. This polish will wash off.
Imitation malachite has very regular black or white banding. Malachite is found
most everywhere. However, the most important mine is in Zaire. Malachite is the
anniversary gemstone for the 13th year of marriage.
Buy loose Aventurine gemstones today!
The Peruvian opal is said to aid sleeping and calming down the mind. It is a
blue opal that is quite rare and can only be found in the Andes Mountains in
Peru. It has a Caribbean color to it, and is considered the national gemstone of
Peru. Charlatans have taken to pushing dyed blue opals onto the market. Experts
say that if the blue color of the stone appears to be uneven then it is probably
a dyed stone and not a valid opal.
Buy loose Lapis gemstones today!
loose semi precious gemstones Stories
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