The Gemstones Review

Featured Gemstone Article

The Hobby Of Loose Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Gemology is the art, profession and science of evaluating and identifying rocks known as natural diamonds or loose gemstones. A number of people taken up gemology as a hobby. They collect and evaluate loose gemstones or loose diamonds. A number of these hobbyists start to visit various locations close by to look for raw gemstones. Some of them will even tumble or finish off the gemstones themselves. If this hobby interest you read along as we show you the things you should know to start this hobby.

First off you need to read up on each of the gemstones out there. This will help you to know what you're buying and prevent you from wasting your money. Without the proper knowledge you can make costly mistakes.

One of the first things you look at is the color of the gem. Top grade gemstones have pure colors there as close as possible to the exact spectral color of violent, blue, green,, orange or red. Muted gemstone colors or are too dark lowers the value per carat.

Stone cut is the second most important value determination to take a look at. How precise the cut is is the factor which determines how much light is reflected by the gemstone. The cut will determine the brilliance of the stone and its final value.

The clarity in a stone is an important consideration. When we talk of clarity it relates to the amount of inclusions (trace elements or large particles of other elements or minerals) that a gem has. Generally speaking, a clearer stone is obviously valued highly. To see flaws beyond with the eye can see you need a 10X gemstone loupe (gemstone clarity magnifier) or gem microscope. Most hobbyists will get a 10X jewelers were gemstone loup for viewing stamps, coins, beads as well as gems.

Next up are weight and size. Other than the corals and pearls gemstones are priced by the carat. One carat equals a 0.2 grams. Be aware however, that weight and size are not the same in gemstones. The density and specific gravity can differ in stones. Take a diamond that is 1.00 carats in weight and you will find that a similar sized sapphire or ruby would weigh 1.20 carats.

Though you may find gemstones used a lot in jewelry, loose gemstones are great for collecting. In fact, there are many attractive and interesting gems that are too fragile or too large to be used in jewelry. Look at each stone and consider it as a piece of art and value it for its unusual nature and for the craftsmanship of the artisan who shaped it. And in this hobby you don't have to always lay out cash because you can find your raw materials through field trips In the US in Idaho you'll find Garnet, Opal, Agate, Obsidian and Sapphire. And in Canada you can hunt for nephrite jade in the Frances Lake area in the Yukon Territory or labradorite on the adjacent islands and coastal area of Labrador along with zircons in Sebastopol and Brudnell Townships in Renfew County, Ontario. Think of gemstone collecting for the great hobby it is.

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Hints About loose diamond lots

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!

In ancient times, it was thought that agate protected the wearer from all
dangers and gave the wearer courage. Legend has it that Wearing Agate cures
insomnia and brings refreshing dreams.
Buy blue Agate loose gemstones today!

Turquoise, one of the oldest stones, is green-blue in color. It was mined in
Sinai over 6,000 years ago. The word turquoise means "Turkish stone" because it
came to Europe by way of Turkey. Turquoise is one of the oldest protection
amulets. Turquoise is said to promote wholeness, piece of mind, self expression,
loyalty, and creativity.
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