Collecting Loose Gemstones
By Lee MacRae
Gemology is the profession, science, and even art of evaluating and identifying gemstones from natural diamonds to loose gemstones. A number of people taken up this profession as a hobby. They become interested in collecting and evaluating loose gemstones or loose diamonds. You'll even find some that like to travel to different areas close by or to other countries to hunt for raw or rough gemstones. Some hobbyists will learn to cut or tumble the gemstones they find. If this hobby interest you then follow along as we discuss the various aspects of gemstone collecting.
The very first step in beginning this hobby the proper way is through the power of knowledge. 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.
The chief thing you need to consider will be gemstone color. You'll want the gemstone to be as close in color as possible to the pure colors of the spectrum. This means blue, green, yellow, orange, red and violet. The prices for very pale or very dark semiprecious and precious stones are less per carat.
Cut is one of the all-important 4Cs and is used not only to appraise diamonds but along with your gemstones. A good cut showcases the pure color of the stone, diminishes its inclusions, and highlight the proportions and symmetry of the stone. One way of determining the excellence of the cut is to consider if it is able to reflect light on a consistent level over its entire surface. But if a gem is cut too shallow, most of this light were refracted away rather than reflecting inside the stone. The gem appears washed out.
Another factor to look at is the gemstone's clarity. This means the purity of the stone with no internal conclusions, spots, or particles within the crystal. Obviously, stones with a lack of flaws are hard to find and make your stones very valuable.
Next to consider are size and weight. Save for pearls and corals, all gemstones are priced by the carat. One carat is the equivalent of 0.2 grams Be aware however, that weight and size are not the same in gemstones. Density or specific gravity can vary in gemstones. If you have a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats, you will find a similar sized ruby or sapphire is 1.20 carats.
Collecting gemstones as a hobby can give you an enjoyable pastime and could be rewarding as well over time. You can start small and don't have to spend a lot of money and yet you can build a very exquisite collection. Many people love to take vacations to go hunting gemstones. For example in Missouri you can hunt for Pearl, Fluorite, Pyrite and Calcite. 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 round Alexandrite loose gemstones as well as a loose diamond lot and natural fancy diamonds today in our store!
Gemstones For Sale
Hints On natural color diamond
aventurine cabochonAventurine is a translucent to opaque variety of
microcrystalline quartz. Small inclusions of shiny minerals give the stone a
sparkling effect known as aventurescence. Aventurine ranges in color from green,
peach, brown, blue and a creamy green. Mohs hardness is 6.5. (Pronounced: ah-ven
-shur-ine)
Buy loose oval ruby gemstones today!
Even within the same type of gem, not all gemstones are equal. There is a huge variance that can result in one stone being graded gem quality and its similar 'cousin' being labeled industrial quality.
Buy Red Beryl loose gemstones today!
More natural color diamond Info
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Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:48:19 -0700
Sterling silver organic disc ring. Hand textured and finished. Available in whole and half sizes 6 through 9.
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Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:48:19 -0700
Brushed 23kt gold vermeil tiny square post earrings, measuring approximately 1/4''. Also available in brushed sterling silver. Matching necklace available.
Sundance to Offer Testing on Israeli Exchange - IDEX Online
Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:14:09 GMT
Sundance to Offer Testing on Israeli Exchange IDEX Online, Israel - Through processing, Sundance Diamonds is able to improve the color and value of low-color higher clarity - VS and above - diamonds. Natural brown and cape ... |
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