Collecting Gemstones
By Lee MacRae
Gemology is the art, profession and science of evaluating and identifying gemstones from loose gemstones to natural diamonds. Many people take up gemology more as a hobby. They become very interested in starting to collect loose diamonds or loose gemstones. A number of these hobbyists start to travel to different areas close by or even taking a trip to other countries to hunt for raw or rough gemstones. Some even tumble or learn to cut their own gemstones. If you have an interest in this hobby then follow along as this article discusses the things you should know to start this hobby.
Right at the beginning, what you need is to get some books from the library or bookstore. You want to know everything there is to know about the subject of gemstones. The more you understand about gemstones the less likely you are to make a mistake. You need to be as informed as possible.
First on your list to consider is stone color. You want the stone that is as close as possible to the pure colors of the spectrum. We are talking about violet, orange, yellow, green, blue, and red. In general terms, the prices of very dark are very pale semiprecious and precious gemstones are lower.
Gemstone cut is very important and is used not only to appraise diamonds along with gemstones. A precision cut will highlight the natural color of the gemstone, diminish any inclusions, and exhibits good overall symmetry and proportion. One way of determining the excellence of gemstone cut is to consider if it is able to reflect light on a consistent level throughout its surface. If the stone is cut on the shallow side much of the light will refract out of the gem rather than reflecting internally. Gem color appears washed out.
Our next consideration is the issue of gemstone clarity. Clarity is the term that refers to the external blemishes or the internal conclusions or flaws of a stone being considered. Normally large flaws you can usually see with your naked eye with others requiring a 10X magnification.
Gemstones are often listed according to size since it is more uniform than carat weight. But two different gemstones may be the same size but different carat weights and consequently, different prices as well. This is due to gemstone difference in specific gravity and depends on the materials chemical composition and crystalline structure. For example, a one carat round diamond of typical proportions will be approximately 6.5 mm in diameter. A comparable round brilliant ruby of the same size and proportions will weigh in at 1.55 carats instead.
Taking up the collecting of loose gemstones can be very rewarding hobby. And there are so many different types when it comes to gemstones. You can start collecting gemstones like Feldspar (moonstone), Tanzanite and other varieties of zoisite or Onyx for example. The varieties are nearly endless. And if you like to save money but love vacations you can go gemstone hunting and find the raw materials instead of buying them. Take the example of the United States. In Alabama you can find Beryl, blue and yellow; Smoky Quartz and Hematite.
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Gemstones For Sale
Tips On loose faceted gemstones
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.
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Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico - produces beautiful specimens of creedite,
calcite, hemimorphite, smithsonite, rhodochrosite and much more. The Potosi Mine
in Santa Eulalia is one of the more productive mines in the area in terms of
collector specimens.
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