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Starting To Collect Gemstones

By Lee MacRae

Gemology is the art, profession and science 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 items like loose gemstone or natural diamonds. A number of these hobbyists start to travel to different areas close by to hunt for raw or rough gemstones. Some hobbyists will learn to cut or tumble the gemstones they find. If this hobby interest you then read along as we discuss the various aspects of gemstone collecting.

The first step in becoming a gemstone collector the smart way is by acquiring knowledge about them. By taking a look in your local bookstore you can find a number of books to broaden your knowledge and that will help you to know exactly what you should do.

The first item to factor in should be the color of the gemstone. You'll want the gemstone to be as close in color as possible to the pure colors of the spectrum. The spectral colors are violet, orange, yellow, green, blue, and red. In general terms, the prices of very dark are very pale semiprecious and precious stones are lower than the vibrant colors.

The way a stone is cut is the next factor to look at. The precision of the cut determines the amount of light the gemstone stone will reflect. The cut will determine the brilliance of the stone and its final value.

Next up is the aspect of gemstone clarity. The aspect of clarity refers to the internal conclusions or flaws of the gemstone. Normally large flaws can easily be seen with the unaided eye while others require close examination using a 10X magnification.

You will often find that gemstones are often listed according to size because it is 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 gemstone difference of specific gravity depending upon the materials chemical composition and characteristic 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.

Collecting gemstones can create an enjoyable hobby and pastime. And there are so many different types in gemstones you can collect. You can start collecting gemstones like Chrysocolla, Tanzanite and other varieties of zoisite or Zircon for instance. The varieties are nearly endless. And if money is tight you can go gemstone hunting and find the raw materials instead of buying them. Take the example of the United States. In North Carolina you can find Beryl, Aquamarine, Emerald, Almandite Garnet, Rhodolite, and Pyrope Garnet, Diamond, Cyanitecomma

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More Information On loose semi precious gemstones

Peridot is one of the few gemstones which exist only in one color � green. Fine traces of iron account for the green color with a slight golden hue. It is a variety of the mineral olivine and is formed during volcanic eruptions. The amount of iron determines the variation of the color which can range from yellow-green and olive to dark lime-green. The ancient Romans noticed its color did not change in artificial light, so they named the stone �evening emerald�. Currently it is found in the U.S. in Arizona and New Mexico, Burma, Pakistan and China. Peridot ranks 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and is the birthstone for the month of August.
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The Ruspoli Sapphire, also known as the Wooden Spoon-Seller's Sapphire and the
Great Sapphire of Louis XIV, is a 135.8 carat (27.16 g) blue sapphire nearly
without flaw. It possesses only six facets and is known for its distinctive
lozenge shape. The legend of the sapphire's origins begins with its discovery by
a wooden spoon-seller in Bengal. It then came into the hands of Italian Prince
Francesco Maria Ruspoli in the 17th century. By 1691, King Louis XIV possessed
the gemstone and placed it in the French Crown Jewels. It was confiscated by the
revolutionary government during the French Revolution. Today the sapphire
resides in the Paris Museum of Natural History.
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Aquamarine comes in various shades of blue: light, blue-green and dark. The best
quality is see-through. This gemstone has a hardness of 7.5. Clean your
aquamarine jewelry with a soft bristle brush in warm, soapy water. Avoid using a
home ultrasonic machine. Especially with an aquamarine engagement ring, care
should be taken to protect this gem stone from scratches and sharp blows.
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