My Gemstones Reviews

Featured Gemological Article

How To Start Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Gemology is a term referring to the profession, science, and even art of evaluating and identifying gemstones from loose gemstones to natural diamonds. Many people take up gemology more as a hobby. They become interested in collecting loose gemstones or loose diamonds. Some people even begin to travel to different areas to look for rough gemstones. Some of them will even tumble or finish off the gemstones themselves. If this sounds like a hobby you would like to get involved in follow along as we show you the various factors in gemstone collecting.

At the very beginning you need to learn all you can on each of the gemstones out there. This will help you to know what you're buying so you buy the right items. Without the proper knowledge you can make costly mistakes.

First on the list to evaluate is gemstone color. Gemstones are the most intensely colored naturally occurring materials you can find. Gems have become so synonomous with color, they have even lent their names to specific colors. Without a doubt you will recognize sapphire blue, ruby red, jade green, aquamarine, emerald green or turquoise. Gemstones become higher in value they closer they are to natural spectral colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. They drop in value the farther they are from the pure natural color.

How the gemstone has been cut is the second most important factor to look at. The preciseness of the cut is the factor that determines the amount of light the stone will reflect. It will ultimately determine the brilliance of the stone and how much someone will pay for it.

Another factor to look at is the clarity. This refers to the purity of the gemstone with no internal conclusions, particles or spots within the crystal. Needless to say, stones with no flaws would make the gemstone highly valuable.

Next to consider are weight and size. Except for corals and pearls, all gemstones are valued by the unit called the carat. One carat equals a 0.2 grams. You should know however that weight and size are not the same in gemstones. The density and specific gravity can differ in stones. Take a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats and you will see that a similar sized ruby or sapphire is 1.20 carats.

Taking up the collecting of loose gemstones can create an enjoyable hobby and pastime. And there is a wide range and variety in gemstones you can collect. You could try collecting Alexandrite and other varieties of chrysoberyl, Spinel or Variscite and then try others. The opportunities are seemingly endless. And if money is tight you can go hunting for raw gemstones. Take the example of the United States. In New Jersey you can find Smoky Quartz, Agate, Pearl and Prehnite.

Buy loose Ruby gemstones or pear loose diamonds and also natural diamonds today in our store!

Gemstones For Sale

Learn More About small loose diamonds

Tourmalines consist of ten mineral species and only three of them are considered
to be gems. They are part of a crystal system that produces long prisms of a
columnar shape. They range from slender to thick densities, and appear in
triangular cross-sections. Tourmaline has a three-sided prism which is unique in
the world of gems. There is a large range of colors among the tourmaline family
of stones. According to ancient Egyptian lore the tourmaline made a long journey
from the center of the earth and on its way it passed over a rainbow and
absorbed and the colors. Collectors still refer to it as the "gemstone of the
rainbow". The colors range from red to green and blue to yellow, and very often
sport multiple hues. Some colors change when exposed to artificial light.
Tourmaline also has unusual electrical qualitities. It collects fine dust when
it is subjected to artificial light sources. Each tourmaline has a different
appearance, and consequently there is one that suits each individual buyer. For
this reason the ancients claimed that it had magical powers. They said it
promoted long-lasting love and friendship.
Buy rutilated quartz loose gemstones today!

The Peruvian opal is said to aid sleeping and calming down the mind. It is a
blue opal that is quite rare and can only be found in the Andes Mountains in
Peru. It has a Caribbean color to it, and is considered the national gemstone of
Peru. Charlatans have taken to pushing dyed blue opals onto the market. Experts
say that if the blue color of the stone appears to be uneven then it is probably
a dyed stone and not a valid opal.
Buy loose Lapis gemstones today!

Some small loose diamonds Stories

'24' Recap: The Bloodshed Begins - Entertainment Weekly

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:03:32 GMT

'24' Recap: The Bloodshed Begins Entertainment Weekly - 7 hours ago Dubaku tells Nichols that Emerson's team ''is now a loose end. Tie it off.'' Besides, he'd rather keep his diamonds. (Dubaku=cold" as ice. ...

Sparkle & shine - Columbia Daily Tribune

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:43:59 GMT

Sparkle & shine Columbia Daily Tribune, MO - Jan 25, 2009 Diamonds are tough, but that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. The edges can chip, and without regular care, they can come loose and fall out of their ...