How To Start Gemstone Collecting
By Lee MacRae
Why collect loose gemstones you ask? For many people it's because they've been sought for their beauty for many centuries. And like their higher counterpart, natural diamonds they can appreciate in value over time. Many hobbyists love to collect and work with the nearly 150 types of gemstones found today. Follow along as we examine the loose gemstones hobby.
To begin with your first priority is to get some books from the library or bookstore. You want to know as much as you possibly can about your new hobby. The more you understand about each kind of gemstone the better off you'll be. You need to be as informed as possible.
The chief thing you need to consider is stone color. You want the stone that is as close as possible to the pure spectrum colors. We are talking about violet, orange, yellow, green, blue, and red. The prices of very dark are very pale stones are lower than the vibrant colors.
Cut is one of the all-important 4Cs and factors into appraisal of diamonds but gemstones as well. An excellent cut will highlight the pure color of the stone, lessen any inclusions and show off its symmetry and proportions. One excellent method to determine the precision of its cut is to check how evenly it reflects light over its entire surface. If the stone is cut on the shallow side much of the light will refract out of the gem instead of reflecting inside the gemstone. That will make the gem seem washed out and windowed.
Gemstone clarity is our next factor. When we talk of clarity it relates to the absence of flaws or blemishes inside the stone. A gemstones that is normally found to be clean is obviously worth more. To determine the flaws not seen with the unaided eye requires a gemstone loupe or gemstone microscope. Serious hobbyists will employ an inexpensive 10X gemstone or jewelers loup for viewing stamps, coins, beads as well as gems.
Next on the agenda is the duo of weight and size. Due to their nature gemstones can vary greatly in density and specific gravity. Size and weight are not necessarily equal from stone to stone. If you have a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats an equal sized Sapphire would weigh more than 1.20 carats. An emerald stone would be about 0.95 carats and an Alexandrite gem stone would came in at 1.23 carats.
Getting involved in collecting gemstones 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 love to take vacations to go hunting gemstones. Take the example of the US. In Virginia you can find Amethyst, Garnet, Beryl and Moonstone. Or ou can take a longer vacation and find opal in Opalton, Yowah, Queensland, Austalia, topaz in Beechworth, Victoria or check out the quartz regions in Cloncurry in Queensland, Australia.
Buy oval Zircon loose gemstones as well as loose cultured diamonds as well as natural fancy colored diamonds today in our store!
Gemstones For Sale
Tips About loose faceted gemstones
Carnelian is a wonderful orange stone. It is used for great beads, cabochons and
cameos. Try some carnelian jewelry for nice orange accents to your wardrobe.
Carnelian is usually ranges from bright orange to reddish orange. The shades of
red are due to iron oxide. Carnelian has a hardness rating of 7.
Buy Citrine loose gemstones today!
The Ruspoli Sapphire, also known as the Wooden Spoon-Seller's Sapphire and the
Great Sapphire of Louis XIV, is a 135.8 carat (27.16 g) blue sapphire nearly
without flaw. It possesses only six facets and is known for its distinctive
lozenge shape. The legend of the sapphire's origins begins with its discovery by
a wooden spoon-seller in Bengal. It then came into the hands of Italian Prince
Francesco Maria Ruspoli in the 17th century. By 1691, King Louis XIV possessed
the gemstone and placed it in the French Crown Jewels. It was confiscated by the
revolutionary government during the French Revolution. Today the sapphire
resides in the Paris Museum of Natural History.
Buy natural diamonds today!
The Latest loose faceted gemstones News
Double Tiny Disc Earring: Brushed/ms (e-tdb2-ms)
Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:14:36 -0700
Sterling silver and vermeil brushed double disc earring, measuring approximately 3/4'', sterling silver earwire.
Open Rectangle Earring:White Pearl/gg (e-cts2-wp-gg)
Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:14:36 -0700
Brushed 23kt gold vermeil open rectangle earring, measuring 1/2'', with white pearl rondelle accent. 14kt gold-fill earwires. Please select rondelle stone color: garnet, pink tourmaline, citrine, peridot, hessionite, white pearl, black onyx, white quartz, black pearl, carnelian, blue topaz, mystic topaz, apatite, green apatite, dark apatite, london blue etc.
VISTA: New craft adds sparkle to gem-lovers life - North County Times
Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:14:53 GMT
VISTA: New craft adds sparkle to gem-lovers life North County Times, CA - The event will feature free gem identification, demonstrations, exhibits and games, as well as a marketplace with 14 dealers selling gems, fossils, faceted ... |
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