Diamonds & Gemstones Information Blog
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Gemstones Updates

Our Latest Gemological Article

So You Want To Collect Gemstones


By Lee MacRae


Why would anyone collect items like loose gemstones, you ask? For many people it's because they are very beautiful items. And just like natural diamonds they can appreciate in value over time. Many people love to collect and show case the wide variety of gemstones available today. Follow along as we look at the hobby of collecting loose gemstones.


The first thing you need to do in becoming a gemstone collector the right way is by getting adequate knowledge about them. By taking a quick trip to the library or local bookstore you can locate all you need to know about the subject that will help you to know exactly what you should do.


Color is a very important part in the value of the stone. The closer a color is to its pure spectral color the more valuable it is. Traditional spectral colors are yellow, blue, Violet, green, orange and red. Colors that tend to be paler or darker than the pure color tend to be less valued.


Gemstone cut is an important factor to consider in evaluating gemstones. The cut has to be done correctly to reflect light properly. A gemstone with an improper cut will be muted or washed out. The color hue, color tone and saturation will always appear inconsistent


A third consideration is the clarity of the gemstone. This is talking about the purity of the stone or the absence of internal inclusions, spots, or particles within the crystal structure. Needless to say, stones with no flaws are hard to find and make your stones very valuable.


Another consideration is the duo of size and weight. Due to the fact gemstones can vary greatly in density and specific gravity. Size and weight are not necessarily equal from stone to stone. Take the example of a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats and an equal sized Sapphire would weigh more than 1.20 carats. An emerald stone would be about 0.95 carats and an Alexandrite stone would be about 1.23 carats.


Though you may find gemstones used a lot in jewelry, they are a great hobby and pastime as well. In fact, there are many attractive and interesting gemstones that are just too big or fragile to be used for jewelry. Look at each stone and think of it as a piece of art, a miniature sculpture to be treasured for its unusual nature and for the craftsmanship of the artisan who shaped it. And unlike some hobbies that require you to pay for your specimens you can actually go hunting for raw gemstones in the field. In the United States in Missouri you can hunt for Pearl, Fluorite, Pyrite and Calcite. And if you travel to Canada you will find nephrite jade in Mount Ogden, British Columbia or labradorite on Tabor Island, and even iolite from Manitouwadge, Ontario. Think of gemstone collecting for the great hobby it is.


Buy pear Tourmaline loose gemstones as well as pear loose diamonds and also radiant natural diamonds today in our store!

Gemstones For Sale



More Information On natural blue diamonds

Alexandrite is mined around the world in Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Russia,
Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Alexandrite is considered a good omen in Russia.
Buy crazy lace Agate loose gemstones today!

The northern and north-western parts of Pakistan are shrouded by the three world
-famous ranges called Hindukush, Himalaya, and Karakorum. In these mountains
have been found nearly all the minerals Pakistan currently offers to the world
market, including aquamarine, topaz, peridot, ruby, emerald, amethyst, morganite
, zoisite, spinel, sphene, and tourmaline.
Buy fancy loose diamonds today!

The Andamooka Opal is a famous opal which was presented to Queen Elizabeth II in
the 1950s on the occasion of her first visit to Australia. It was discovered in
Andamooka, South Australia, an historic opal mining town. The opal was cut and
polished by John Altmann to a weight of 203 carats (40.6 g). It displays a
magnificent array of reds, blues, and greens and was set with diamonds into an
18 carat (75%) palladium necklet
Buy round natural diamonds today!

natural blue diamonds News

Three Disc Earring with Amethyst and Citrine

Brushed sterling and 23kt gold vermeil discs with amethyst accents. Faceted citrine briolettes. All sterling silver or 23kt gold vermeil components. 14kt gold fill earwires. Earrings hang approximately 1.5" from base of earwires.

Keishi Pearl w/Pink Tourmaline Earrings

Tiny keishi pearls studded with pink tourmaline. Pearls measure about 8-9mm. Earrings measure about 1/2" from base of earwires. 14kt gold-fill earwires and findings.

The New Diamond Age - Wired

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:09:00 GMT
Aron Weingarten brings the yellow diamond up to the stainless steel jeweler's loupe he holds against his eye. We are in Antwerp, Belgium, in Weingarten's marbled and gilded living ...


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More Information On The Gemstones Scene

Latest Gemological Article

Starting The Hobby Of Loose Gemstone Collecting


By Lee MacRae


Why collect loose gemstones you ask? Well for one thing they are very beautiful items. 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. This article will look at the hobby of collecting loose gemstones.


To begin with your first priority is to get some books from the library or bookstore. You want to learn as much as you possibly can about your new hobby. The more you understand about each kind of gemstone the less likely you are to make a mistake. You need to be as informed as possible.


The first item to take into account is gemstone 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 is used not only to appraise 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 the cut of the stone is to consider 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. The gem appears washed out.


Gemstone clarity is the next item to consider. 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 you need a 10X gemstone loupe (gemstone clarity magnifier) or gem microscope. Serious hobbyists will employ an inexpensive 10X gemstone or jewelers loup for viewing stamps, coins, beads as well as gems.


Next thing to look at is the duo of weight and size. Due to their nature gemstones can vary greatly in density and specific gravity. Weight and size are not necessarily equal across the board. If you have a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats an equal sized Sapphire would weigh more than 1.20 carats. An Emerald of equal size would be approximately 0.95 carats while an Alexandrite gemstone would be about 1.23 carats.


Collecting various gemstones can create an enjoyable hobby and pastime. And there is a wide range and variety in precious and semi precious stones that you can collect. You can start collecting gemstones like Kunzite, Opal (Girasol) or Zeolite (Thomsonite) and then try others. The opportunities are seemingly endless. And if you like to save money but love vacations you can find gemstones for yourself instead of buying. For example in Alabama you can find Beryl, blue and yellow; Smoky Quartz and Hematite.


Buy Tourmaline loose gemstones or loose cultured diamonds as well as natural diamonds today in our store!

Gemstones For Sale



Tips On loose aquamarine gemstones

Agate is a type of Chalcedony. It is an uncommon stone. Agate is a great ston
to buy if you want "something different". There are several types of agate.
Common ones are: blue lace agate, fire agate, moss agate, tree agate and
petrified wood. One will often see these in agate cabochons or agate beads. I've
seen agate pendants, necklaces and bolo ties that look stunning.
Buy loose gemstones today!

Aquamarine is often used to (hopefully) experience boundless love and mercy. It
is said to help ease depression and grief. Aquamarine is said to re-awaken love
in long-married couples and signify the making of new friends. Legend has it
that to wear aquamarine in earrings would bring love and affection. Aquamarine
represents of honesty, beauty and loyalty. The name "aquamarine" means sea water
. The official US State Gemstone of Colorado is aquamarine.
Buy round Aquamarine loose gemstones today!

The Latest loose aquamarine gemstones News

Keishi Pearl w/Pink Tourmaline Earrings

Tiny keishi pearls studded with pink tourmaline. Pearls measure about 8-9mm. Earrings measure about 1/2" from base of earwires. 14kt gold-fill earwires and findings.

Seven Cube Sterling and Vermeil Necklace

Six brushed silver cubes with one 23kt gold vermeil accent cube. Necklace is 16" long with a sterling toggle clasp. All sterling silver chain and findings.

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