Gemstone Information:
Gemstones or gems, also called colored, precious or semi-precious stones, are rare minerals which when cut and polished are used to make jewelry or other adornments.
Following are five importance factors in selecting gemstone jewelry:
Color:
Color of a gemstone is expressed in terms of three characteristics: hue, saturation, and tone. A gemstone's basic color is its hue, and those with purer hues (for emeralds, green; for sapphires, blue; and for rubies, red) are generally considered more valuable. Saturation is a measure of the intensity or purity of a gem's hue; value tends to increase with saturation. The tone of a gemstone is a measurement of its lightness or darkness.
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Clarity:
Not unlike diamonds, most gemstones have inclusions, or tiny mineral flaws which can be detected under magnification or by a trained eye. Inclusions in the stone that penetrate deeply into the gem may cause it to break or crack.
Cut:
The cut of a gemstone must be symmetrical in all directions so that it will appear balanced. If a stone is symmetrical, its facets will reflect light evenly, providing good brilliance.
Size:
A gemstone's weight is usually given in carats but Carat is not an accurate measurement of its size. Different types of stone have different densities (weight per unit of volume). For example, a one-carat sapphire will be smaller than a one-carat emerald, though they have the same weight, because sapphires are more dense than emeralds. A gemstone's dimensions are important for ensuring that the weight will be visible and well proportioned in the setting.
Care:
Storing gemstone jewelry in soft cloth pouch or jewelry cases will ensure minimal wear and tear to the stones. As with all jewelry, normal wear and tear can loosen prongs and settings, so it is a good idea to examine your jewelry prior to wearing them to ensure no loosened pieces exist.
Gemstones are often treated to enhance the color or clarity of the stone. Depending on the type and extent of treatment, they can affect the value of the stone. Some treatments are used widely because the resulting gem is stable, while others are not accepted most commonly because the gem color is unstable and may revert to the original tone.
