Loose Gemstones - Tips on Buying Loose Gemstones

Single loose gemstones can be very expensive especially if they are brilliant, internally flawless, and transparent. Before paying thousands of dollars for a natural stone, you should do some research on the reputation of the company or the individual you are buying the gem from. Stones that are not heat treated to improve or change their color are usually more valuable and expensive. Moonstone, peridot, hematite and some other stones come under this category. Other treatments include diffusion, laser drilling and fracture filling. Similarly, artificial or imitation stones tend to be heavier than their original counterparts. Here are some tips on buying certified and high quality loose gems.

The first point to consider is whether you want to buy artificial or natural stones. Some people prefer synthetic or laboratory-produced stones for a number of reasons. They are either new in the jewelry making business or want to make inexpensive or affordable jewelry articles. People who collect gems usually look for original and rare ones. Artificial stones are made flawless and are usually more brilliant than the original ones. In natural stones you will notice inclusions, scratches and some other flaws. Jewelers try to cover these flaws by using a number of techniques including coatings, dye, heat treatment and irradiation.

Secondly, you should inspect the color and clarity of the gemstones you are about to buy. The color should be even throughout the stone. Brightly colored and vibrant stones are often of superior quality than those showing dull and unexciting color. Color is also one of the characteristics to determine the value of a genuine and certified diamond. Diamonds that come in yellowish tones are of inferior quality than those that are colorless or near to being colorless. High Pressure High Temperature Treatment (HPHT) is a treatment used to produce completely colorless diamonds. HPHT treated diamonds never become yellowish again.

Similarly, different treatments are employed to improve the clarity of gemstones. Higher the number of inclusions in a stone, lower is its clarity. Stones that exhibit very low clarity are not brilliant and show no fire. Similarly, flaws or blemishes on the surface of gems make them appear rough and tarnished. Laser drilling is a technique used to enhance the clarity of stones including diamonds. However, this type of treatment leaves its prints and lowers the value of a natural gem. Cracks or holes are filled by using fracture filling. Again, this treatment makes the stones unevenly colored and consequently their value is decreased.

High quality gemstones are found in perfect shapes and exhibit unmatched brilliance. Opaque stones tend to be less expensive and they are not as beautiful as transparent ones. Stones with a clarity rating of Fl (Flawless) or IF (Internally Flawless) are the most gorgeous. Large or huge stones are reasonably priced and often come with slight inclusions. Clarity of a diamond can be evaluated by inspecting flaws such as tiny spots, cracks, and scratches. Diamonds are cut in such a way as to cover the flaws and to make them more unnoticeable. Keep these points in mind to locate high quality genuine or synthetic stones.

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