Gemstone 7 Things To Know Before Buying
Before buying a gemstone it is legitimate to know these criteria and in a spirit of total transparency you will find below the answers to your questions.
- The meaning of 4C
The 4 Cs of stones are the criteria used to assess their quality and value. These criteria are:
Carat: This is the weight of the gem measured in carats. One carat equals 0.2 grams. The heavier the stone, the higher its value.
Clarity: The clarity of a gem refers to the presence or absence of inclusions and cracks in the stone. The clearer the stone, the fewer inclusions and the more valuable it will be.
Color: Color is an important criterion for gem such as diamonds, rubies and emeralds. The more colorful the stone, the more valuable it will be. Intensely colored gems are the most sought after.
Cut: Cut refers to how the stone is cut and polished. A good cut will bring out the shine and color of the stone, making it more valuable.
- Clarity Criteria
Clarity criteria for stone depend on the type of gem being considered. However, in general, criteria for clarity include the following:
Absence of Inclusions: A gem with high clarity is generally free of inclusions, which are internal impurities or flaws in the stone. Inclusions can affect the transparency and brilliance of the stone, and therefore reduce its value.
Absence of cracks: Cracks or fractures can also affect the clarity of the stone and reduce its value.
Uniformity of Clarity: The clarity of the stone should be uniform across its surface, with no cloudier or darker areas.
Brilliance: A gems must be shiny and reflect light evenly to be considered high quality.
In general we use these terms in the world of gemology:
- Specific to a magnifying glass: no visible inclusions under a 10x magnifying glass
- Clean to the eye: no inclusions visible to the naked eye
- Visible inclusions: inclusions visible to the naked eye
- Transparent: the light passes through without dispersion
- Translucent: the light passes through with dispersion
- Opaque: the light does not pass through
Clarity criteria also vary depending on the type of gem. For example, for diamonds, the clarity criteria can range from category IF (Internally Flawless, i.e. without visible inclusions even under a magnifying glass) to category I (Included, with inclusions visible under naked eye).
For emeralds, inclusions are often considered part of the stone and can even add to its value.
- Color Criteria
The color criteria of a gem depend on the gem in question. However, there are a few common things one can look for:
Tint: The tint is the base color of the gem. It can vary depending on the amount and type of chemical elements present in the stone. For example, sapphires can be blue, pink, yellow or green, while emeralds are usually green.
Saturation: Saturation refers to the purity or intensity of color. Saturated gems have a more vivid color, while less saturated stones may appear duller. The most valuable gems often have an intense and even saturation.
Tone: Tone refers to the depth of color of the gem. Gems can be light, medium or dark. Midtone gems are usually the most sought after, as they have a vivid color and high brilliance.
Clarity: The clarity of the gem can also affect its color. Gems with inclusions may appear duller or less saturated. The most valuable gems are usually those with few or no visible inclusions.
It is important to note that different color criteria may be more or less important depending on the gem in question.
For example, for diamonds, color is often considered one of the most important criteria, while for emeralds, clarity may be more important.
- Treatments
Gem processing is a common practice in the jewelry and jewelry industry. Common treatments include heating, diffusion, and radiation. This makes it possible to embellish the beauty of these stones that God has generously offered to us.
Here are some criteria for treating a gem:
Heating: Heating is one of the most common treatments for gem, and it can be used to enhance their color, clarity, and saturation. Heating can also remove visible inclusions and cracks.
Diffusion: Diffusion is a treatment that involves the introduction of chemicals into the surface of the gem to enhance its color. This treatment is often used on sapphires to create more colorful and vibrant stones.
Radiation: Radiation treatment is used to enhance the color of gem, especially diamonds, topazes and tourmalines.
In general, it is important to know the treatment of a stone before buying or selling it, as this can affect its value. The most common treatments can reduce the value of the stone, while natural, untreated stones are usually the most valuable.
However, be aware that the vast majority of Rubies and Sapphires intended for jewelery are heated, and therefore treated. Total transparency means that the customer is objectively informed before buying.
On our site all our stones are real and natural and when they are treated they are clearly displayed on the description.
- Synthetic or Imitations
A synthetic stone is a man-made gem that mimics the physical, optical and chemical properties of natural gemstones.
These stones are created in the laboratory using high-tech processes that involve the growth of crystals from base materials. Synthetic stones are often cheaper than natural stones, because their production is controlled and their supply is more stable.
There are several types of synthetic stones available in the market. For example :
Cubic Zirconia: This is a lab-created synthetic stone that closely resembles diamond in terms of appearance. It is often used as a cheaper alternative to diamond.
Moissanite: This is a lab-created synthetic stone that looks similar to diamond, but is shinier and more colorful.
Synthetic corundum: This is a lab-created synthetic stone that can be used to create rubies and sapphires.
Synthetic Glass: This is a lab-made material that can mimic the appearance of various gemstones, such as emerald and amethyst.
It is important to note that synthetic stones must be identified as such when selling, as they have a different value from natural stones.
Synthetic stones are not fakes, but rather man-made gems with properties similar to those of natural stones.
Imitation gems are stones or materials that are manufactured to imitate the appearance of natural gems without possessing their physical, optical or chemical properties.
Unlike synthetic stones, imitations do not seek to copy the properties of the gem, only its appearance. Here are some examples of imitation gems:
Glass: Glass is often used to mimic the look of gems such as emerald, amethyst, and sapphire. Glass has a similar appearance to gems, but it does not have the same physical, optical or chemical properties.
Milky: Milky is an opaque material that can be used to mimic the look of gems such as opal and moonstone. Milky has a similar appearance to gems, but it does not have the same optical properties.
Plastic: Plastic is an inexpensive material that can be used to mimic the look of gems such as diamonds and sapphires. Plastic has a similar appearance to gems, but is easily recognizable due to its different physical and optical properties.
Doublet and triplet: Doublet and triplet are materials that combine a thin layer of natural gem with a less expensive material to create an imitation stone. These imitations are similar in appearance to the natural gem, but they can be easily recognized due to their layered structure.
It is important to note that imitation gemstones are not real gems and are often sold at a very low price compared to natural gems, but also be aware that a gem that is too beautiful and too perfect should appeal to you.
It is therefore important to be aware of what you are buying and to check the authenticity of the stone before making a major purchase or a money-back guarantee (minimum 14 days) to allow you time to do the checks.
To deepen your research, do not hesitate to consult other sections on information about precious stones.
