How to Shop for Colored Gemstone Jewelry

Unlike diamonds, colored gemstones are so varied in price and availability, I wanted to share with you some useful information when shopping for colored gemstone jewelry.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Good overhead incandescent lighting
• White paper background
• Your eyes!

1. 
    
   Pale Amethyst Ring

   Look at the jewelry with the colored gem stones under a jeweler' s incandescent light & against a white background. This is the best way to see the true color of the gemstones. Value of rubies, emeralds, and sapphires is based first and foremost on their color. For example, pale colored amethysts are worth far less than deep purple amethysts.

2. 
    
   Dark Green Emerald Ring- Likely treated

   View the stones face up in their settings. Check for obvious chips on the top surface or "table" of the gem. Next, rock the stones 30 degrees to the left and right to catch any sparkle or brilliance. The more brilliance, the greater the value. Keep in mind, again, color is more important than brilliance. A deep green emerald, slightly cloudy, is worth more than a clear light green emerald.

3. 
    
   Look for Clear Pink Kunzite

   Look for inclusions with your eyes only. Inclusions may appear as dark spots or lines inside the stone. In many cases, inclusions indicate a mined gem as opposed to a synthetic stone. Some of the gems you would expect to see inclusions are emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. Gem stones you would not see inclusions in include aquamarine, blue topaz, blue zircon, clear zircon, green tourmaline, and kunzite.

4. 
    
   Marquise Cut Ruby Ring

   Emeralds, sapphires and rubies, the most valuable of the colored gemstones, are graded numerically with values based on color tone and saturation. Color tone is the overall color of the entire stone. Saturation is the depth of the color in the stone. These two values, determine the value of one gemstone.

5. 
    
   Tanzanite = Heated Brown Zoisite

   Ask your jeweler if the stones have been enhanced with treatments. Jewelers are required to disclose all treatments. Since 200 AD, gemstones were treated to enhance color. Root beer brown zoisite is heat treated to become beautiful blue tanzanite!

6. 
    
   Antique 14KT Gold Sapphire Bracelet

   Ask how durable your gemstones are & if special care is needed in storage & cleaning. Many colored gemstones require special treatment and are worth taking those extra steps to save your investment. Clean your jewelry with mild dish washing liquid and water in a bowl with a soft toothbrush. Never clean jewelry standing over your sink.

Tips & Warnings

• 95% of the blue topaz on the market today are treated
• Avoid inexpensive rubies: there are many showing up in the market that are more glass than gemstone. These stones have very poor durability.
• When someone uses "natural" and "untreated" to describe the gemstone in your ring or bracelet, ask for the written certificate from a reputable lab like GIA.
• Ruby Update- A ban is in effect on any rubies originating from Myanmar. Most rubies end up in Thailand, after being smuggled out of Myanmar.Ask before you buy.
• There are very few "bargain deals" when it comes to purchasing colored gemstones. Buy from a reputable source with a good return policy.

Resources

• Estate Fine Jewelry

[QueenofMisc]

on 2/18/2009 Gemstones are so beautiful. Thanks for the info and this neat article.

[HairCrazy]

on 12/13/2008 Love my colored gems! Thanks!

[Desula]

on 5/26/2008 Thanks for your tips.

[tiffanyrocks]

on 3/26/2008 So much information thanks.I love your web site,so much diversity ,your designer is awesome .Incredible one of a kind pieces .