Gemstone Education
What Gemstones Are?
Gemstones are the minerals that have been chosen to make jewelry because of their beauty, adornments in cut, and polished form. There can be expectations to this definition but there are also some rocks that are considered as gemstones, but they are not minerals in their existence.
Gemstones have been around from ancient times and have been used to mark important events and achievements.
Mark of Beauty
Gemstones have been considered a mark of beauty as well. The real value of a gemstone is defined by its natural tone and color.
Mostly some gemstones are treated in standard practices to improve their colorations, which is also a standard practice in the jewelry industry. The highest value that is ever given to a gemstone is based on its intense, highly full hue with a medium tone in almost each stone kind. Some of the famous and our best-selling gemstones are sapphire, ruby, and emerald.
Buying a Gemstone
Buying a gemstone is always a tricky part, that’s why we are going to provide you with a short but comprehensive guide that will help you buy gemstones and avoid forgery. A gemstone is always characterized by five factors: its color, clarity, cut, size, and enhancements. Let’s get them into consideration one by one:
Color
In any industry especially the jewelry industry, the highest quality of a gemstone is recognized by the purity of its hue, depth of tone, and color saturation. The best value always lies in a gemstone’s color which reflects the other color but is not too dark or light that they are being mistaken by another color. Some gemstones including the ones here at DJP Jewelers have been treated to enhance their colors, usually by heating.
Clarity:
All gemstones contain inclusions (An inclusion is basically a material that is trapped inside another mineral while that is in mineral form). Even the ones that are highly-priced have some tiny/minor inclusion is them. The best value is found in the ones that are slightly included, including the one here in DJP’s jewelry. Gemstones are sometimes treated with colorless oils, wax, or resin to minimize surface-reaching inclusions.
Cut:
There is no ideal cut for gemstones to configure their maximum brilliance. But the highest quality gemstone cut is always the one that represents most of its color, exposes fewer inclusions, and displays much of its weight when set in the jewelry.
Size:
Like the cut of a gemstone, there is no standard weight gauge for gemstone size, but the carat weight is usually used to measure its size.
Enhancement:
Many of the gemstones in the market have been treated to enhance their appearance. Gemstones that have not been treated, exhibit desirable color and clarity which commands exhibit extravagant prices. Some enhancement treatments are universal and permanent and require no special care, like heat treatment. Other treatments are common and may require more or less special care to avoid damage, such as infusion of colorless oil, wax, or resin to improve clarity.
Most Common Gemstones
Sapphire:
Sapphires are formed of a mineral called Corundum, the crystalline form of aluminum oxide. When you think of sapphires, you will likely think of blue. However, sapphires are found in a range of colors.
Pure sapphires are white, but in titanium and iron traces, they acquire a soft blue color. Sapphires ranging from yellow and green to purple.
Sapphires are known as the gemstones of wisdom, truth, and justice. Sapphire is the birthstone for September.
Royal gem
The world’s most famous sapphire engagement ring is previously owned by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and currently worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Ruby:
Ruby is considered as a stone that is Overwhelmed with emotion. Rubies are formed of a mineral called Corundum which is the crystalline form of aluminum oxide.
It’s the mineral that forms sapphires, however, only when the mineral is colored red. Due to the presence of chromium as an impurity in the stone, it is considered a ruby.
As a result, rubies are scarce and very valuable gemstones. A variety of the corundum family, ruby is famous for its deep red hue and vibrant glow.
The bright red ruby can be paired with any gold color: white, rose, yellow, gold, and platinum. Bearing the color of love and desire, ruby is the ideal romantic gift for a woman in love.
Ruby is the birthstone for July and the gem of the fifteenth and fortieth wedding anniversaries.
Emerald:
Emeralds are formed of a mineral called beryl. Pure beryl is completely clear. Impurities determine the coloring of beryl with the gemstone; however, only when the impurity is chromium is the grass green beryl called emerald formed.
As a result, emeralds are very rare and very valuable gemstones. Emerald is the precious stone that symbolizes renewal and hope.
It is also known for its intense green shade and an evident depth of color that very few gems possess.
Emerald is the birthstone for May and the gem of the twentieth and thirty-fifth wedding anniversaries.
Interest for royalty:
The rich green stone has been a gem of attraction for royalty in the past centuries. The famous Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, had a soft spot for lush emeralds and loved wearing them.
Ideal Cut:
The precious stone often has intricate inclusions called “Jardin” (the French term for the garden), making cutting the gemstone more challenging.
Gem cutters have hence developed a unique emerald cut, which gives the stone a rectangular or square shape.