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Sunday, August 03, 2008

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Latest Article On Gemstones

The Hobby Of Loose Gemstone Collecting


By Lee MacRae


The term gemology refers to the art, profession and science of evaluating and identifying gemstones from natural diamonds to 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 in pureness to the spectral colors 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 consider before a purchase is made. 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 unlike many hobbies where you have to buy everthing you can find your raw materials through field trips In the US in Missouri you can hunt for Pearl, Fluorite, Pyrite and Calcite. 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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Gemstones For Sale



More Information On natural fancy colored diamond

Bloodstone is an inexpensive earthstone. It is often used for bolo ties,
pendants and bead necklaces. Bloodstone (also called Heliotrope) is dark green
with red spots (resulting from Iron Oxides). It has a hardness of 7.
Buy blue loose gemstones today!

Amber can be easily scratched as it is very soft. Store amber jewelry separately
to avoid it being scratched by other pieces of jewelry. Amber has been imitated
by glass, plastic, synthetic resin and other natural resins. Amber is commonly
heated in oil to remove cloudiness. Green amber is usually heated-treated yellow
amber.
Buy Alexandrite loose gemstones today!

natural fancy colored diamond Galore

Keishi Pearl w/Pink Tourmaline Earrings

Tiny keishi pearls studded with pink tourmaline. Pearls measure about 8-9mm. Earrings measure about 1/2" from base of earwires. 14kt gold-fill earwires and findings.

A New Look At Colored Diamond Fluorescence - Diamonds.net

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:21:22 GMT

A New Look At Colored Diamond Fluorescence
Diamonds.net, NY - Jul 22, 2008
Specifically, these researchers examined fluorescence trends of natural fancy-colored diamonds using a new portable fluorescence spectrometer. ...


Vermeil Disc Drop Earrings with Sterling Accent

Graduated hand linked brushed sterling silver and 23kt gold vermeil discs. All sterling silver or 23kt gold vermeil components. 14kt goldfill earwires. Earrings hang approximately 1.5" from base of earwires.

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The Best Information On Gemstones

How To Collect Loose Gemstones


By Lee MacRae


Why would anyone collect items like loose gemstones, you ask? Well to begin with they are very beautiful items. And like their more familiar cousin, natural diamonds, they can become extremely valuable over the years. Many in this hobby love to find, collect and finish the wide variety of gemstones available today. Follow along as we examine the loose gemstones hobby.


To start off right you'll need the knowledge on the various gemstones available. You'll find it very helpful to know the properties of each stone and prevent you from wasting your money. Without the proper knowledge you can make costly mistakes.


First on the list to evaluate is gemstone color. Gemstones are the most intensely colored natural materials you can find. Gems have become so synonomous with color, they've even become associated with particular ones. Everyone knows ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, aquamarine, turquoise, and jade green Gemstones will have a higher value the closer they are to the colors in the spectrum of violet, blue, green,, orange and red. They drop in value when they are lighter or darker than the spectral color.


How a stone is cut is the next factor to look at before a purchase. The precision of the cut will determine how much light the gemstone stone will reflect. It will fully determine the brilliance of the stone and how much someone will pay for it.


Another factor to look at is the clarity. This is talking about the purity of the gemstone or the absence of internal inclusions, spots, or particles within the crystal structure. Without a doubt, zero flaws would make the gemstone highly valuable.


Next to consider are weight and size. All gemstones [except for pearls and corals] are priced by the unit, carat. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams. Be aware however, that size and weight and gemstones are not the same. 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 Sapphire or ruby of the same size would weigh 1.20 carats.


Taking up the collecting of loose gemstones can create an enjoyable hobby and pastime. And there is such a variety in gemstones you can collect. You can start collecting gemstones like Agate, Sugilite Zircon for example. The choice and beauty and variety is almost endless. And if you like to save money but love vacations you can go hunting for raw gemstones. Take the example of the United States. In Utah You can find Topaz, Garnet, Petrified Wood, Jasper and Obsidian.


Buy round Zircon loose gemstones along with whole sale loose diamonds and also natural fancy colored diamonds today in our store!

Gemstones For Sale



Tips On quality loose diamonds

Emerald is said to effectively reduce skin reddening in an instant. According to
Ayurvedic wisdom, eczema results from overheated liver. This is true especially
in the case of children. Emerald has properties that are capable of cooling down
the liver and reduce the symptoms of itching.
Find great loose diamonds online in our store!

Aquamarine gemstones are found in Brazil, India, Nigeria, Russia, Pakistan and
the United States. Aquamarine is the March Modern Birthstone. For the 16th and
19th year of marriage, Aquamarine is the anniversary gemstone. Besides being
used for anniversary jewelry, used as an aquamarine engagement ring is very
affordable and fairly traditional.
Buy pear Aquamarine loose gemstones today!

E.W. Streeter, in his book Precious Stones and Gems (1892), describes a number
of fine sapphires. One of these was in the collection of the Mus�e au Jardin des
Plantes, in Paris, and weighed 133.06 carats. The same stone was also described
by Sourindro Mohun Tagore in his classic, Mani-M�l� (1879, 1881), referring to
it as the Wooden Spoon-Seller�s Sapphire, in reference to the poor man who is
said to have found it in Bengal, India. Streeter said it was without flaw. This
is undoubtedly the same stone that resides today in Paris's Museum of Natural
History, for it is of a distinctive lozenge shape and possesses only six facets,
appearing like a huge sapphire rhomb. It is indeed nearly "without flaw,"
containing only one small feather and crystal inclusion, and is possibly of
Burmese or Sri Lankan origin. According to the museum's H.J. Schubnel, the
sapphire actually weighs 135.80 carats. In the museum it is known as the Ruspoli
Sapphire. During the 17th century, a Roman prince named Ruspoli sold this
sapphire to a salesman, who in turn, sold it to King Louis XIV sometime before
1691. At that time it was the third most prominent gem in the French Crown
Jewels.
Buy natural black diamonds today!

quality loose diamonds Stories

Fighting spirit saves the day for Diamonds - Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:12:03 GMT

Fighting spirit saves the day for Diamonds
Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser, UK - Jul 30, 2008
The three goals we scored were of a high quality.” Defensively, the Diamonds were all over the shop in the first half. Unable to deal with high crosses, ...


REVIEW: Country music that won a host of new fans - Yourcanterbury.co.uk

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:06:48 GMT

REVIEW: Country music that won a host of new fans
Yourcanterbury.co.uk, UK - Jul 29, 2008
by Jane Connolly Once again Maverick has come up with two diamonds of country music, in the form of Elizabeth Cook and Cherryholmes. ...