How to spot an authentic jewelry store

There are so many jewelry stores and almost every store has the same pieces of jewelry. It's almost impossible for an amateur buyer to determine if the store sells authentic jewelry or not. Some stores trick their buyers into buying fake jewelry, so here are some helpful tips in spotting an authentic jewelry store.

Watch for the papers

Authentic jewelry comes with a price for a reason. They are genuine and some are even rare. So if you were to buy a real diamond ring, don't buy it without the essential papers. These authentic pieces of jewelry come with a product registration card and signed certificate of authenticity. Carefully read the papers given to you and look for signs that they are the real thing. Things to watch out for are the signature, stamp, and the quality of the papers given to you.

If the store fails to give you these papers, they might be selling fake or imitation jewelry.

Beware of online stores or eBay

Don't be fooled by the sweet words given to you by online stores or eBay sellers. What they say may be what you might not get. Sure, there really are honest sellers on the Internet, but its tough to take on the risk by buying something you're not sure of. Talking to someone who has bought off the Internet would be a good gauge to finding out if the seller or online store is honest.

Be observant

The appearance of a jewelry store tells a lot about what it has inside. Observation is the key. Look for a security guard in front of the store if it's not inside a mall. The personnel should be well-trained and know what they're talking about. Then look at the pieces of jewelry with a critical eye.

Also determine if the shop is associated with any well-respected organization in the area.

Price relative to the make

Not all pieces of jewelry fetch a high price. Of course, it depends on what its make is or how many carats the diamond has. So if a store is selling a 1-carat diamond for a low price, be suspicious.

Finding authentic jewelry stores may be a big challenge for an amateur, so asking around or consulting a professional jewelry maker will help a lot. There are a lot of shady tactics and strategies in selling someone fake jewelry, so watch out. Don't be lured by words or sweet-nothings, but certainly watch out for these tips in finding an authentic jewelry store.

A Charming Beauty

Among the many beautiful stones, emeralds are but one of the most attractive gemstones. It possesses the most intense green color you will ever see. For centuries only the wealthy had this priceless gift. The rare pure green emerald is more valuable than most of the diamonds. But there are some varieties of emerald which can have yellowish or bluish colors.

The name emerald is from the Greek word smaragdos, the name been given among the number of unique stones. In the Zodiac signs, this is the birthstone that has been assigned to Taurus. It is even used as the anniversary gemstone for marriage, because it symbolizes kindness, faith and purity.

Emeralds are known to have a healing ability. Although it isn't directly a replacement for the traditional medical treatment, emerald was used for emotional and physical healing. The refreshing green color quality of emerald can cure eye problems; it is even a good amulet for eye troubles.

Moreover, when emeralds are worn around the neck and fingers of children it can prevent them from having convulsions. Emeralds help patients with ailments of the spine, and it helps fight neurological and mental disorders. It can even be an antidote for most poisons and eases wounds associated with poisons.

Emeralds are believed to have some mystical powers. Some people say that it can drive away evil spirits. Having an emerald with you can make you a man of wisdom, for it is said to bring wisdom to those who have or wear it. The ancients believed that it was a good amulet for those who wanted to have good fortune.

Lastly, emeralds are popularly known to be a symbol of faith and love. It can even discover false friends, because it actually changes color in their presence. As for love, when the emerald fades, that means that love weakens so better check the color.

To achieve a lasting beautiful emerald gemstone, care and treatment is needed. To clean the stone, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe it. Use oil when treating it, never use ultrasonic cleaner, because it can remove the oil that is being used during treatments. Lastly, never soak it in hot water, the color of the stone easily changes when it is strongly heated.

When buying your precious emerald, consult a professional retail jeweler to make sure that you will get the real one. A professional knows about details of the emerald, it is very confusing sometimes to compare a true emerald from a synthetic one.

Understanding How Gemstones are Weighed and Measured

Although bigger seems better and more expensive, it's not always so in the world of jewelry. In fact, size isn't even synonymous with carat weight and you need to keep that in mind when shopping for gemstones.

Carat Weight versus Size

Diamonds and colored gemstones alike are evaluated and appraised according to the 4C’s which are made up by cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Carat weight is very much different from size and definitely more important than the latter. Also, take note that carat is different from karat, which is the measurement unit used for gold. Carat weight uses the abbreviation ct and ct TW for carat total weight.

In the past, carob seeds were traditionally used to measure a gemstones weight because of its uniform shape and size. In 1913, however, the jewelry industry managed to set universal standards for measurement and the carat weight system was born.

Now, one carat is always equivalent to one-fifth or twenty percent of one gram. One carat is made up of one hundred points. As a gemstones weight goes up, so does its value or price per carat.

The way carat weight is discussed is occasionally a cause for confusion. Remember that a gemstone with .005 ct may be called a half point gemstone. A .25 ct gemstone could be called a quarter carat while a .50 carat gemstone may be referred to as a half carat or fifty points.

Gemstones are often listed according to their size because it is more uniform than carat weight. Two different gemstones may have the same size but different carat weights and consequently, different prices as well.

Factors Affecting Gemstone Carat Weight

Gemstone Material A 1 carat ruby is smaller than a 1 carat emerald. This is mainly due to the gemstones specific gravity. A gemstones denseness level can make it carry greater weight even though it has a smaller size than other gemstones with the same carat weight. While carat weight is very much important for traditional and much-prized gemstones, it tends to lose its significance when it comes to common gemstones with high supplies like blue topaz, citrine, and amethyst. Amethyst, in fact, used to be classified as one of the precious stones but its price went down when loads of shipment arrived from Brazil in the 19th century.

Gem Shape or Cut The shape and cut can occasionally affect the carat weight. While most jewelry designers cut gemstones with size and carat weight in mind, others place more importance on its aesthetic value and may therefore reduce carat weight and size in favor of improved looks. The same can be said for shape as well.

Table Diameter The table diameter is often considered important only for measuring or evaluating the brilliance of a given gemstone, but what few people realize is that it can affect the gemstones carat weight as well.

Similar to gem cut and shape, if the table diameter is shaped in such a way to maximize its window-like characteristics, carat weight might be consequently sacrificed.

Today, studies show that a lot of gemstones sold on the market are cut to take commercial concerns into consideration. Many of these gemstones report loss in weight of just 10% or lower. Some are even cut to the extent of making them appear bigger as well.

Girdle Thickness The girdle is the dividing line between a gemstones pavilion and crown or its bottom and top facets. Ideally speaking, girdles must be extremely thin and preferably visible only to the naked eye like a light line. Thick girdles not only reduce brilliance and light yield but negatively affect the gemstones color as well. Girdles are often referred to as edges and they are graded as any of the following: very thin, thin, medium, thick, thick, and very thick. Thin girdles look better, but they're lighter in weight and easier to chip.

Crown Height The crown of a gemstone refers to its upper area and positioned on top of the girdle. Acceptable crown height for gemstones is between 11.0 to 16.2% of the girdle diameter. Greater crown height often means greater carat weight.

Pavilion Bulge The pavilion is the bottom portion of a faceted gemstone. Greater bulge usually means heavier carat weight.

Culet Size This is the facet at a gemstones tip. Like the girdle, culets are better invisible to the naked eye. It may be sharp or pointed.

Categories of Gemstones

There are many different types of gemstones, and knowing the different categories can help a collector or enthusiast expand his repertoire greatly. Some precious gemstones are so unique in chemical composition and crystalline structure that they fall into their own categories, while others can be collectively lumped into one. Here are the major types of precious and semi precious gemstones:

Diamond - diamond is it's own type of gemstone, and is well known for being the hardest naturally occurring substance known to man. Diamonds are primarily high-carbon crystals that were fused under extremes of pressure and heat.

Diamonds themselves aren't especially rare, with thousands being mined throughout the world every year; however, large diamonds of high quality are extremely rare, and it is these which are well known for setting the standards of diamond gemstones as the world's most precious stone.

Corundum - this is the second hardest type of gemstone, and is primarily defined as being composed of aluminum oxide and various trace minerals. The trace minerals create different types of corundum, and perhaps the two most well known examples of this type of stone are rubies and sapphires. Rough corundum isn't used as a gemstone, but is used as an industrial strength abrasive element due to it's tough nature.

Chrysoberyl - this is the third hardest gemstone, and while it uses aluminum oxide as a base element like corundums, it has high quantities of beryllium mixed in with it. Appearance wise, chrysoberyls often come in a green to yellow shade, though their appearance is best known for having the tendency to actually change color somewhat under different types of lighting. Cat's eye and alexandrite are two common chrysoberyls used in jewelry.

Quartz - this is actually one of the most common types of mineral in the world and comes in a wide variety of colors. It's main tendency is to form in hexagonal shapes and it makes an excellent prism if unflawed.

The main reason quartz can still be categorized as a valuable gemstone is that, while it IS easy to find quartz stones, finding a large, perfect, and unflawed quartz crystal of jewelry quality is extremely rare. Some examples of quartz gems commonly used in jewelry are onyx, amethysts, citrines, and carnelians.

Beryl - this is a stone well known for it's beauty and has elements in common with both chrysoberyl and quartz. It's basic chemical composition is similar to chrysoberyl, with beryllium and aluminum prevalent but mixed in with other trace elements. It's basic crystalline structure, on the other hand, is closer to quartz, being hexagonal in nature.

At it's simplest, beryl is actually transparent, while it's other colored variants include emeralds and aquamarines. It can come in yellow and red shades as well, and these are referred to as "red" or "yellow" emeralds.

Jade - this is one type of gemstone originally lumped into the same category as beryl. The main reasons for this are because both can be mined in similar places and they possess similar textures, opacity, and appearance (just different colors).

Later on, chemical analysis showed that the elements which made up the different forms of precious jade, namely nephrite and jadeite, were different from beryl completely, thus earning jade it's own category among gemstone collectors. Jade based stones are often composed of calcium and magnesium elements.

Feldspar - this is a unique type of gemstone whose base material is tectonic in nature. It is often found in areas of high geographic instability like earthquake faults and volcanic chains. Feldspar's basic chemical composition is made up of very common elements found deep inside the earth's crust.

What makes it valuable as a gemstone is the same factor that makes a diamond much more valuable than a lump of coal that would normally contain the same elements as diamond. That is, with sufficient heat and pressure applied, the tectonic elements fuse together to make a rare red gemstone known as feldspar.

Organic Gemstones - the most famous examples of this are pearls and amber. Basically, organic gemstones are ones which occur naturally in organic sources as opposed to mineral sources. Pearls are formed from oysters, while amber is a yellow stone formed from fossilized tree sap. While not gemstones per se, organic gemstones are still used heavily in jewelry so are included in this list.

Tips When Aiming to Buy Rough Diamonds

Diamonds are women's best friends. The most important jewelry and accessories almost always have diamonds as gemstones. Diamonds are known as the hardest substance on the planet. They can't always be cut and broken down easily. Diamonds are used to cut other diamonds.

Aside from that property, diamonds are considered as among the most important elegant substances on earth. The substance isn't an element because it isn't pure, but it is known to be a product of the pressure applied to carbon. Diamonds aren't easily found in mines and it is very rare that explorers and miners are fortunate enough to find diamond mines.

Rough diamonds are diamonds in their unaltered state. Rough diamonds are literally rough because they aren't yet cut and smoothed for jewelry purposes. Jewelers and designers strive to secure and acquire diamonds in their rough state. That is because they will cut the substance according to their design plan. They then shape the rough diamond according to the design and fit the stone to the jewelry they choose.

Jewelers aren't the only people who regular buy rough diamonds. You could also strive to attempt to acquire such items. If you are aiming to customize your diamond jewelry according to your designs and preferred shapes, then, it is high time you buy rough diamonds. Here are some practical tips that will help you when buying rough diamonds on the market.

- Make sure to do transactions with accredited and popular sellers. Rough diamonds are still expensive even if they aren't yet cut and shaped. Thus, expect to shoulder a significant investment on the purchase transaction. You should stay away from suspicious and unreliable sources because you might end up buying fake diamonds.

- Secure experts' advice. If you can take an expert with you while doing the transaction, the better. Experts can easily tell whether the product is genuine or whether the price tag is practical and appropriate.

- Make the legal and necessary actions to ensure that your rough diamond won't be replaced or altered when you bring it to a jeweler for customization.

Rough diamonds aren't yet shaped and smoothed but they have the potential to be pricey. Rough diamonds are good buys because they are cheaper and are more practical. You can do whatever you like with these diamonds.

The Popularity of Purple Gemstones

Purple gemstones are among the most popular gemstones. There are many other colors of gemstones like gray, green, orange, pink, red, blue, aqua, black, white, yellow and brown but purple gemstones are still among the most preferred worldwide. The elegance of purple-colored gemstones can be one of the reasons why such items are valuable.

Good shapes and materials used for gemstones are further accentuated by the purple color. Thus, it not only looks elegant but expensive. It also looks bright, vibrant and very much interesting. No wonder, purple gemstones on the market are premium priced.

Aside from its elegant look, purple gemstones are symbolic. For one, such colored items are symbolic of power. High-profile people and government authorities appropriately wear purple gemstones at any occasion to make their authority and power seen and observed.

Purple is also symbolic of the spiritual goals of a person. Thus, religious people almost always prefer to buy and wear purple gemstones. Such colors are also indicative and symbolic of respect, passion, leadership and most importantly, wealth.

Aesthetically, purple gemstones are pacifying in nature. The color when exhibited in gemstones can be truly calming and refreshing. In the past, purple gemstones were dominantly worn by military commanders and emperors. The gemstones have also been symbolic of success, independence, psychic abilities and wisdom. In ancient continental Europe, purple gemstones used to symbolize royalty.

There are also popular beliefs and superstitions that make buying and acquiring purple gemstones rampant and popular. Societies all over the world have regarded gemstones as items that help boost and strengthen the wearer's generosity while at the same time helping bolster inner strength and creativity. The gemstones are also said to be effective talismans in boosting and accelerating wisdom and creative talents.

Across the market, purple gemstones are almost always expensive. Gemstones are generally premium priced, but purple ones are priced even higher. The strong demand for them may be among the reasons why prices of the products always remain high, aside of course from the basic general characteristics and overall value of the gemstones.

If you are wanting to buy purple gemstones, the time is now. Be prepared to allocate a significant amount of investment so that the purchase would be completed and done right away. Gemstones generally are breath-taking. Purple ones are truly fascinating and alluring.

The Awesome Benefits of Magnetic Jewelries

The spectacular array of jewelry is pleasant to man's eye and adding to this awe are magnetic jewelry. Magnetic jewelry are just the same bracelets, necklaces, lariats and earrings; manufacturers only add protective and durable magnets for a strong hold and style. With their classic styles and reasonable prices, magnetic jewelry are really great gifts for anyone!

Dynomighty.com of New York is just one of the sites which offer unique magnetic jewelry. A magnetic olive ring has three individual arches lock; each with four color spacers. The magnets and adjustable lock allow to adjust the size of the ring. The necklace has no strings or individual links but magnets; this can be rearranged and redesigned as pleased. Bracelets can also be worn easily. It is bound with a magnet which creates a durable yet smooth band.

Magnetic golf bracelets and certain hematite magnetic jewelry are common nowadays. Most women are looking to acquire one of these. Its very elegant yet affordable and many of these jewelry serve many purposes. A magnetic bracelet wrap can be worn not only as a bracelet but as a simple necklace as well.

The magnetic jewelry are quite glamorous when accentuated to the body but the most beneficial use is for health purposes. Not only common people certify the health benefits of magnetic jewelries, even Sharon Stone, Paris Hilton, Ethan Hawke and Cathy Shulman stresses that magnetic jewelry can bring a difference to ones life! Magnetic jewelry are good alternatives to complex medications if you like to gain more energy or if you want relief from migraine, arthritis, insomnia, back pain, mild depression or mild pain.

It has also been said that when you wear magnetic insoles or necklaces, you also improve your body's bio-magnetic systems; which lets your body function more efficiently. Our body has a natural healing capability and this can be enhanced when magnetic jewelry is used. As an example, when a woman wears a bracelet on her left wrist, this will energize her whole body since it increases the ability of human blood to carry more endorphins, nutrients and oxygen.

The good thing about using magnetic jewelry for health reasons is that it has no side effects. United States Food and Drug Administration has actually recommended the use of electromagnetic devices since 1978 for pain relief and other illnesses. You can use your earrings, necklaces or bracelets hand in hand with your medicines to better ease your condition.

Buying magnetic jewelry is just buying high fashioned or costumed made jewelry; only with a bonus! You are not only wearing chic jewelries but you are also healing yourself. Quite a good investment nowadays that people turn to be too practical when purchases are being done. So buy your magnetic jewelry and liven up your lives!

Spotting a good gemstone

Jade, a generic term for nephrite and jadeite gemstones is regarded as a fascinating gemstone for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. Asian countries regard jade as a valuable antique. Jade is said to have symbolic beauty and energy since it balances creativity and mental agility in gemstone therapy. Many people want jade for various reasons because of its uniqueness as well as its impressive history where even the Aztecs and ancient Egyptians regard jade as a symbolic item. Here are some guidelines in spotting a good jade.

Select the people you buy jade from

Since jade is a really rare and wanted gemstone, many people have created ways of making fakes or imitation jades. Finding a good genuine jade might cost a lot and consume a lot of time. In buying jade gemstones, only trust reputable sellers or dealers and collectors. Never buy from shady stores in the area or resorting to online stores which can be doubted most of the time. Having a critical eye to look for a good jade gemstone will be a necessary weapon in hunting for these beauties.

Determining the value of the jade

Generally, a jade gemstones value depends on the intensity of the color, transparency, clarity, and its texture. Connoisseurs differentiate the shades of green in seven main qualities, from light shades of apple green to the darker shades of green.

Different countries regard a specific color more valuable among jade gemstones based from their culture. USA and Europe regard spinach green and apple green colors of jade the most valuable. Meanwhile, far eastern countries prefer jade in colors of sheer white or yellow with a trace of pink. Generally, the hint of lavender or fine violet in jade is the most popular color. However the rarest of jade gemstones in color are the imperial green which has extraordinary depth. This color of jade gemstone fetches the highest price.

It all depends on the collector or buyer

For those collectors who don't just fancy buying jade gemstones, advice on what to buy will be futile. Everyone has their own tastes and preference on what color or shape to buy. However for those enthusiasts who enjoy the beauty of jade, they have a wide variety of designs to choose from, especially since modern chic designs have sprouted.

Nevertheless, anyone will enjoy a jade gemstone, no matter its color, shape, or texture, since it is a beauty no one can deny.

Some Tips In Digging In For Fine Gemstone Jewelries

Fine gemstone jewelry always is a wonderful possession, just to look at it sparkle or dazzle on your skin. The beauty of designs can be so breathtaking; you could just stare at it for hours. However, are you sure that what you're buying is a real fine gemstone jewelry, even if it sparkles and shines? Did you really make a smart buy on your jewelry?

An amateur buyer wouldn't notice the quality of the gemstone jewelry he/she bought. Oftentimes, we are dazzled by the appearance rather than the details of its make or design. Our money should ultimately go to the finest gemstone jewelry for it to will dazzle and sparkle after decades. Here are some tips on digging for fine gemstone jewelry.

Don't buy just anywhere, buy from the BEST

As I've said, we shouldn't be taken in just by appearance. We should rather look into the intricacy of its make. To be able to spot this, you should buy from a recommended dealer or a reputable store. Asking around of friends and colleagues will help you buy fine gemstone jewelry.

The sign of a good jeweler is someone who can guide you into picking the best gemstone. The jeweler should be a trained professional knowledgeable about the quality of what they are selling. Also ask if the jeweler provides other services that will be necessary for the future.

Big no-no to discounts

Its been proven that people shop in stores where there are discounts, but never be lured by jewelry stores posing discounts. A 50% discount or more on valuable gemstone jewelry is just so unbelievable it couldn't be true. Stores use the discount strategy to get buyers to flock into their store. This means that most of them just put up the discount sign without anything actually being discounted. A good way to avoid being trapped in these discount stores is to canvass for prices in other stores to compare and contrast the price range.

Look for the papers and the marks

When buying, ask for the signed certificate of authenticity or the quality mark or the karat mark. These quality marks show on gold and sterling silver jewelry. If the quality mark is there, it means that the federal law requires a U.S. trademark on it. When the jeweler can't provide you the quality mark or the signed certificate of authenticity, don't buy anything there.

Fine gemstone jewelry can be fully enjoyed if it's genuine and in top-notch quality. The sparkles will surely last for a long time and could be further enjoyed by the next generation.

Rejuvenating the lost sparkle

Women should realize that wearing those shining crystals every single day leads to the loss of the crystal's glint. So now we must face the reality that, most women prefer Swarovski crystal jewelry because they are known for having only the best quality. As you are searching for the ideal jewelry for you, it is normal to be lured by the eye-catching glint of a Swarovski crystal.

But you ought to be informed that wearing these beautiful crystals most of the time tends to make them appear to be monotonous, which deviates from the same sparkle that it had the day you brought it home. On the net you will be able to find several tips on how to find the most attractive jewelry of them all; however there are only a handful of tips on how to maintain the brilliance of those treasures.

Damaging factors

Unknown to most of us, what snatches the beauty of our treasures are basically those things that we put on to nurture ourselves. To remind you, those include lotions, hairsprays, make-up and sometimes the oil from our own skin that might rest on the face of our treasure might just dampen the brightness of our Swarovski crystal jewelry which is the very reason for its exclusivity.

Keeping the beauty

Moving on to the good news, you won't really need to spend too much in maintaining these treasures, because the things that you need in maintaining its brilliance might be already be available in your homes or it could be easily bought from a nearby grocery store.

Of if you have babies, then you are one step higher than the ones who don't because you have those baby wipes at your home. This is the first option for you to take in cleaning your treasure. You only need to wipe or roll back and forth till the crystal gets cleaned.

The next option is to make a solution of rubbing alcohol, water and dish soap. This is probably the easiest option, aside from the fact that it will guarantee your crystals to be free from any kind of abrasions as you remove the hairsprays and oils that have stuck to it.

After knowing those options to clean your treasures, you won't ever need to worry about your crystals losing their original glint.

Quick Guide to Popular and Precious Gemstones

Alexandrite - this is a beautiful gemstone named after a Russian czar. The gemstone is a basic crysoberyl type, and is best noted for it's color changing properties depending on the shade of light it is exposed to. Alexandrite shifts between greenish to blue, to purple and even crimson hues. It is this very color-changing property that makes it one of the most valuable gemstones around.

Amber - formed from fossilized tree sap, amber is best known for it's soft yellow golden hue, which is distinctly different from other yellow-colored gem stones because it diffuses light into a much softer shade of gold than other yellow gemstones, which tend to intensify and sparkle instead. The fact that it is fossilized liquid makes finding unflawed pieces with no bubbles or cracks in the gemstone much rarer and more valuable.

Amethyst - the most famous type of purple gemstone, amethyst's color is a very light shade of purple that captures light inside the gem's facets. The color of amethyst is often semi-transparent as opposed to other purple gemstones which are darker and more opaque. It is this crystalline clarity and beauty which makes amethysts sought after by certain collectors.

Chalcedony - also known as agate, chalcedony is a form of quartz crystal which is composed of several different strains of quartz fused together in parallel layers. This tends to make the gems multi-colored, and the effect is like looking at a rainbow if the different layers of quartz are of varied colors and types. Quartz mines which hold different deposits of quartz types are ideal places to dig for this, and it is the rarest form of quartz gemstone around.

Diamond - composed mostly of superheated and compressed carbon, diamond is the hardest known substance in nature, and it's basic color once polished and cut is completely transparent. Diamonds are perhaps the most famous and valuable of the different types of gemstones because of its pure clarity and the enduring quality of the gemstones. Much romanticism surrounds diamonds because of these features and they are most sought after for wedding rings as a symbol of love's eternity.

Emerald - this is the most well known type of green colored gem stone. They are beryllium-based in chemical composition, sharing this element with several equally well known gemstones like rubies and sapphires. An emerald's shade of green is unique and quite a few ancient civilizations regard this as a holy or mythic stone. More often than not, emerald gemstones are cut into simple square or circular shapes, with few variations.

Garnet - this is a stone whose basic color is red. The most famous red gemstone remains the ruby, yet the garnet's distinguishing factor is that it's shade of red actually approaches crimson. For this reason, some people refer to it as a "bloodstone". A very rare type of garnet however is the "fire garnet", whose color is a brighter orange instead of a deep crimson. This is more expensive than regular garnets.

Jadeite - this is a form of jade that is rarer than the more common form, nephrite. While both are green colored, jadeite is semi transparent, making it more closely resemble "regular" gemstones than it's cousin nephrite. The purity of jadeite is higher than nephrite, and it's crystal density is higher, but it tends to naturally form in smaller pieces as a result and is much harder to work with than nephrite, which can be carved like stone.

Lapis Lazuli - this is a relatively soft type of gemstone which can be carved into a variety of shapes. What makes this particular gemstone unique is that it's color is a deep night-sky blue, but the gemstones are always flecked with small fool's-gold (pyrite) traces which gives the gem the appearance of a night sky dotted with golden stars.

Moonstone - this gemstone's fame comes mostly from it's mysticism and it's decidedly "feminine" gearing. As gemstones go, it's actual worth isn't very high, but it remains popular nonetheless. Moonstones are opaque, white-silver stones that under moonlight appear exactly the same shade as the moon in the sky. Naturally, this feature is what gave rise to it's historic popularity.

Nephrite - when people refer to jade, they often mean nephrite. This material is a bright opaque green, and it's physical quality compared to another form of jade, jadeite, is softer and more malleable. Large pieces of nephrite are easier to find than jadeite, and aside from jewelry this gemstone occurs naturally in pieces large enough to carve into small figurines and statues. Smaller pieces are carved into entire pieces of jewelry like bracelets and brooches.

Opal - these are completely opaque quartz crystals which, like chalcedony, displays a multitude of colors at the same time. The biggest difference between the two is that chalcedony's color patterns are often set parallel to each other, and chalcedony stones themselves are semi transparent. Opals are completely opaque, and the splash of colors are random and haphazard throughout the surface of the gem.

Pearl - these are organic gems which naturally occur in oysters. They are often rendered in an opaque whitish sheen that refracts light, making small rainbows play across the surface of a well-cut and polished pearl. Tons of myths surround pearls, and being reaped from the sea they figure prominently in almost every sea-faring culture's stories. Especially pirates. I don't know why, but pirates ALWAYS hoard them in stories. Go figure...

Peridot - this gemstone is perhaps best known for only one thing: simplicity. Unlike other gemstones, which can come in quite a variety of colors, peridots are uniformly a green-gold shade. Period. They are silicate-based gemstones, and traces of iron in the gems give it a gold hue. There are NO variations of opacity, color traces, or shade variations in peridots no matter what part of the world they come from.

Ruby - along with the emerald and sapphire, this red stone is one of the oldest and most famous types of gemstone for collectors. It's shade of red is actually rather bright and the stone itself is semi transparent instead of opaque. It is a type of gemstone called corundum, and is second only to the diamond in toughness among the world's gemstones. Next to diamond, it is also perhaps the most expensive type of gemstone around.

Sapphire - like the ruby, this is a corundum type of gem, making it much harder and more enduring than other types of gems. Traditionally sapphires are best known for being a vivid crystalline blue in color, though what few people know is that sapphires can come in a variety of colors including green, yellow, and orange. The real definition behind this is that corundums will almost always be RUBIES if they're red, and sapphires if they're any other color. Strange logic there, but that's how it's defined by a lot of gem collectors.

Turquoise - this stone can easily be likened to nephrite for two things: one, it's considerably softer than other gemstones, making it easier to work with, and two, it is opaque. Turquoise come in shades of sky blue with just a hint of green, and while it technically a stone the colors actually come from metals in the mineral - namely copper and iron traces. These metallic traces are the main reason for the stone's opacity and malleability.

Topaz - this gemstone is an aluminum silicate based gemstone and is primarily a rich yellow gold in color. The stone is semi transparent and is one of the harder and more enduring gemstones around. If the ruby "defines" red, the sapphire "defines" blue, and the emerald "defines" green for other gemstones, the topaz is the gemstone that sets the standards followed by other yellow colored gemstones.

Knowing the Different Cuts for Gemstones

When grading and appraising gemstones, cut may not be as influential as the other C's like color, clarity, and carat weight, but it is definitely an influencing factor when it comes to the gemstones overall beauty. To properly evaluate the cut of a given gemstone, you must not only study its face-up view or the surface or top view but study it from all other angles as well. An excellent cut can reduce loss on carat weight but enhance its looks to breathtaking proportions at the same time.

Common Cuts Used on Gemstones

Brilliant Cuts A brilliant-cut gemstone usually has three flat polished surfaces per facet. They are positioned in such a way to radiate the best light from the gemstone. Gemstone cutters also make sure that the angles will enhance the brilliance of the gemstone. Brilliant cuts are mostly used for diamonds and transparent gemstones.

Some facets will have one or more shapes like stars, hearts, kites, and lozenges. Variations of the brilliant cut include the naivet‚ or boat-shaped marquise, per-shaped pendeloque, and oval shape. Oval shapes are suitable for gemstones with lower carat weight because they can make them appear bigger.

The most popular variation of all is the full-cut round brilliant. It has fifty-eight facets, presently the greatest count for brilliant cut gemstones. The single brilliant cut, on the other hand, has seventeen to eighteen facets. For gemstones used in earrings and pendants, the briolette variation is mostly used to provide it with circular cross-section teardrop shapes. Brilliant cuts with triangular dimensions are called trilliants while square brilliant cuts are also known as princess cuts.

Step Cuts Another popular cut for a gemstone is the step or trap cut. Step cuts are best used for colored gemstones because they possess four-sided table facets and girdles as well as parallel quadrilateral facets. The term step cut was used because this gemstone cut bears similarities with a staircase. Step cuts have fewer facets than brilliant cuts.

One well-known variation of a step cut is the baguette. It is rectangular in shape but with square corners. Emerald cuts are also quite popular. Its name was derived from its consistent use with emeralds. Emerald cuts remove the corners and form an octagonal shape. Clipping off the corners protect delicate gemstones like emeralds and facilitate setting of gemstones at the same time. Other popular variations for step cuts are window, table, radiant, and oval.

The best advantage of step cuts is its ability to enhance a gemstones color, making the color richer and appearing to have originated straight form the belly of the gemstone.

Mixed Cuts Mixed cuts for gemstones are mostly combinations of brilliant and step cuts. The crown or top portion of a gemstone will resemble a brilliant cut while the pavilion or bottom portion of a gemstone will receive a step cut. At times, the two cuts will appear side by side. Mixed cuts are also characterized by their rounded outlines. Many transparent gemstones like rubies and sapphires are often cut this way. Gemstones with mixed cuts are also commonly set in prongs.

Variations for mixed cuts include but are not limited to cushion, zircut, pear or teardrop, and oval.

Cabochon Cuts A gemstone with a cabochon cut will appear rounded on top and flat on the bottom. At times, gemstones will only appear in this cut. Height of a gemstones dome with a cabochon cut varies. The name is derived from the French term used for bald heads. Cabochon cuts are simplest to make, and that's why you'll often see them used on affordable gemstones and those that will not benefit from faceting.

Fancy Cuts Any other cut besides those mentioned above is usually referred to as fancy. A checkerboard cut, for instance, will have a combination of a large table facet on top and a mixed cut. A rose cut will have a round girdle outline, flat base, dome-shaped crown, and facets of a brilliant cut.

When judging the cut of a gemstone, start by evaluating it face up. See if the gemstone shows uniform color distribution and radiates light in the best possible way. Gemstones cut with large windows are unappealing. Lastly, recheck all other angles and determine if the cut took both carat weight and looks into consideration.