The Gemstones Review

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How To Start Loose Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

The term gemology refers to the profession, science, and even art of evaluating and identifying gemstones from loose gemstones to natural diamonds. A number of people taken up gemology as a hobby. They become interested in collecting and evaluating loose diamonds or loose gemstones. You'll even find some that like to travel to different areas close by to look for rough gemstones. Some even tumble or learn to cut their own gemstones. If you have an interest in this hobby then follow along as we discuss the in and outs of gemstone collecting.

The first step in starting the hobby of collecting gemstones 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 make you an informed buyer.

First, color is a major part in giving value to a gemstone. The closer the color comes to its pure spectral color the more highly prized it is. Traditional spectral colors include violent, blue, green,, orange and red. Colors that are paler or darker are considered a lower value.

Cut is one of the all-important 4Cs and is used not only to appraise diamonds but gemstones as well. A precision cut gemstone showcases the natural color of the gemstone, lessen any inclusions and show off its symmetry and proportions. One excellent method to determine the precision of its cut is to check how consistent and well, it reflects the light over its entire surface. But if a gem is cut too shallow, most of the light will refract out instead of reflecting inside. That will make the gem seem washed out and windowed.

Gemstone clarity is our next factor. Clarity refers to the amount of inclusions (trace elements or large particles of other elements or minerals) that a gem has. A flawless gemstone is obviously valued highly. To see flaws beyond with the eye can see requires a 10X gemstone loupe or gemstone microscope. Many hobbyists will use a jewelers diamond gemstone loupe 10X for viewing their coins, beads, stamps or in our case gemstones.

You will often find that gemstones are often listed according to their size aspect because of being more uniform than carat weight. But two different gemstones may be of the same size but different carat weights and consequently, different prices as well. This is due to the difference of relative density or specific gravity depending upon the chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure. Normally a one carat brilliant round diamond of typical proportions will be approximately 6.5 mm in diameter. A ruby that is the same size will weigh in at 1.55 carats instead.

Taking up the hobby of gemstones can be very enjoyable and could be rewarding as well over time. You can take your time and not lay out a lot a cash at the start and yet you can end up with some very beautiful stones. Many people love to set aside vacation or weekend time to go hunting gemstones. For example in Wyoming you can find Agate (including Moss Agate), Jade, Ruby, Jasper, Bloodstone as well as Star Sapphire. Or ou can take a longer vacation and find opal in Opalton, Yowah, Queensland, Austalia, topaz in Torrington, New South Wales, Australia or hunt in the garnet fields in Fullarton River in Queensland, Australia.

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Hints On loose emerald gemstones

Topaz is a beautiful light blue or yellow stone. Yellow Topaz is November's
birthstone while blue topaz is December's birthstone. It is much less expensive
than aquamarine. It looks beautiful in rings, bracelets, necklaces, and pendants
.
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Charcas, San Luis Potosi in Mexico is world reknown for it's Danburite the large
clear crystals are easily found on the mineral markets. Topaz is also found here
and can be quite nice. A variety of grossular known as "Raspberry Garnet" is
found in Coahuila and another garnet gem found in Mexico is andradite which
forms iridescent green gemstones. Another green gem is olivine and it is mined
in the Chavira peridot-olivine mines in Chihuahua.
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