Be
Mine...Bejeweled...Beware. Advice for Buying Gemstone Jewelry
Gemstones can be naturally mined,
laboratory-created or total imitation. Natural gemstones (like rubies,
sapphires, diamonds), as the name implies, were made by Mother Nature. Stones
created in a lab can look identical to stones mined from the earth since they
have essentially the same chemical, physical and visual properties as natural
gemstones. The major difference is the cost. Laboratory-created stones do not
have the rarity or uniqueness of naturally colored stones and, consequently, are
much less expensive than naturally mined stones. Because these synthetic stones
look similar to the real stones, they must be identified (labeled) as being
lab-created. In contrast, imitation stones look like natural stones in
appearance only, and may be glass, plastic, or less costly stones.
Gemstones can be measured by weight, size or both. The basic unit for weighing
gemstones is the carat (with a C), which is equal to one-fifth of a gram. Carats
are divided into 100 smaller units, called points. For example, a half-carat
gemstone would weigh .50 carats or 50 points. When gemstones are measured by
dimensions, the size is expressed in millimeters (for example, 7x5 mm.). Many
gemstones are treated in some manner to improve their appearance or durability,
or even change their color. Jewelers should tell you whether the gemstone you
are considering has been treated since it may affect its value or require some
special care.
Diamonds, the proverbial girls' best friend, are valued on four basic criteria:
color, clarity, cut, and carat. The color of a diamond is usually "graded" on a
scale. However, scales are not uniform: a "D" may be the best color on one
scale, but not for another. Clarity refers to the presence or absence of
internal flaws, called inclusions, which occur naturally within the stone, or to
external blemishes, such as scratches or chips. A diamond can be described as
"flawless" only if it has no visible surface or internal imperfections when
viewed under a 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader. Make sure you
know how a particular scale and grade represent the color or clarity of the
diamond you are considering. Cut refers not only to the shape of the diamond,
but also to size, angle, uniformity and polish of the facets (faces of the
stone). Carat weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a carat,
as described above.
Imitation diamonds, such as cubic zirconia, resemble diamonds in appearance but
are much less costly since they are made in a laboratory. Other synthetics such
as lab-created moissanite, also resemble diamonds and may not be detected by the
instruments used to identify cubic zirconia. Ask your jeweler if he has the
latest testing equipment to distinguish between real diamonds and lab-created
stones.
Natural or "real" pearls are made by oysters and other mollusks. Cultured pearls
are also grown by mollusks, but with human assistance: that is, an irritant
introduced into the shells causes a pearl to grow. Imitation pearls are
completely man-made using glass, plastic or organic materials. Because natural
pearls are very rare, most pearls used in jewelry are either cultured or
imitation. Cultured pearls, because they are produced by mollusks, are usually
more expensive that imitation pearls. A pearl's value is largely based on size,
usually state in millimeters, and the quality of its nacre coating, which gives
it luster. Jewelers should tell you whether a pearl is imitation or cultured.
Some black, bronze, gold purple, blue and orange pearls, whether natural or
cultured, occur that way in nature. Some, however, are dyed through various
processes and jewelers should tell you whether the colored pearls are naturally
colored, dyed or irradiated.
When you're in the market for a piece of jewelry for yourself or someone you
love, shop around. Whether it is online, in catalogs or at a traditional store
make comparisons. Compare quality, price, and service. Ask about refund and
return policies before you buy. Check for the appropriate markings on metal
jewelry. And make sure you get a sales receipt containing any information you
relied on when making your purchase.
Best wishes for an enjoyable and rewarding shopping experience!
About the author:
Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High
in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc.,
an Internet business dedicated to providing valuable and accurate information
and resources on a variety of topics. For a treasure chest full of additional
information about jewelry please visit
http://www.jewelryjaunt.com/
We accept credit cards through paypal. 
