How to Weigh a Faceted Gem
More than 50 varieties of minerals, including opals, amethysts and sapphires cam be made into faceted gems along with their more expensive cousins like diamonds and emeralds. Gemstones like these are cut and polished into shapes made up of flat surfaces called facets that catch and reflect light. The standard weight measure for gems is the carat. Because most faceted gems are very small you have to be very precise when you weigh a faceted gem, but it's not at all difficult. Unless you have a jeweler's scale you will need a calculator to convert grams to carat weight.
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Instructions
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Familiarize yourself with the carat weight system used to measure gems. A carat is equal to 1/5 gram (200 milligrams). Another comparison is that they are about 142 carats in one ounce.
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Use a precision scale that is accurate to 1 milligram or better (a good chemistry lab scale is ideal). Make sure the surface of the scale is clean and dry. Faceted gems, especially diamonds and other expensive varieties, are so small that even a tiny bit of dirt or drop of water weights enough to give you an inaccurate reading.
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Convert the weight in grams to carat weight by multiplying the weight in grams by 5. For example, if you weigh a faceted gem and get a reading of 0.15 grams (150 milligrams) multiply this by 5 to find the carat weight (in this example the gem weighs 3/4 carat).
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Tips & Warnings
Size is a major consideration in determining the value of a faceted gem, but you also need to take into account the color, clarity, and other factors. A good appraisal requires a jeweler's expertise.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by Joffer
