When shopping for gemstone jewelry, there is a lot to learn about gemstones.
The
world of gemstones is vast, fascinating, and at times intimidating.
When we are shopping for gemstones, there is a lot to know. Sometimes we
want something beautiful and valuable for ourselves, sometimes we want
to give a special gift to someone else. Whatever the case, we gemstone
shoppers want to make sure that what we are buying is as valuable as we
think it is. This means that we need to learn about the different kinds
of gemstones. We need to learn about gemstone treatments and
imitations/synthetics. And an especially important task is understanding
why pieces of gemstone jewelry can be worth very different amounts even
though they contain the same gemstones by using a gemstone grading
scale.
There are many factors that influence the value of gemstones.
When shopping for gemstones, it is important to understand these
factors. The most common ones are color, clarity, size and cut. We will
also cover enhancements and care of your gemstone. Most of these factors
have an impact on the gemstones, but for some more than others. Each of
the most popular gemstone has several pages of information dedicated to
it. You can compare different gemstones you are interested in and if
you read all the information , you’ll know everything you need to know
to make an educated,informed purchase.
This website is your resource for understanding gemstones
better and for being an empowered shopper of gemstone jewelry. Buying a
gem is also the beginning of a life-long relationship and the price you
pay is a part of the deal. Which,understandably, you don't want to pay
too much. In every variety, especially the more expensive ones, you
should expect to pay more for matched pairs, sets,and special shapes and
cuts.
Color, Hue, Tone and Saturation
The
beautiful color of a gemstone is its most defining characteristic, and
many jewelers consider it to be the most important part of the
evaluation. When deciding upon gemstone color, examine hue, tone, and
saturation.
*Hue
The most valuable gemstones are those that exhibit a pure color and only "slight" hues of other colors in addition to their primary color, as all Gems n Jewels of Jaipur gemstones do. For example, Gems n Jewels of Jaipur sapphires range in hue from "slightly purplish-blue" to "slightly greenish-blue," pink sapphires always range from "pink" to "slightly purplish-pink," and rubies range from "slightly orangish-red" to "slightly purplish-red". With the exception of opals, variation in a gemstone hue will be labeled in the gemstone details in each product detail pages.
*Tone
Tone represents the depth of color, ranging from colorless to black. Gemstone tone is described as "light," "medium-light," "medium," "medium-dark," and "dark." Gems n Jewels of Jaipur offers gemstones with the most sought-after tones. For all of our gemstone jewelry, you'll find any tone variations are written out in the gemstone details.
*Saturation
Saturation, or color purity, refers to the degree to which the gem is free from brown or gray hues. The most desirable gemstones, which show little gray or brown, are often described as having "vivid" or "strong" color saturation. Generally, the levels of color saturation will not be written out in the product details because the gemstones in our jewelry are hand-selected for their vivid colors.
*Hue
The most valuable gemstones are those that exhibit a pure color and only "slight" hues of other colors in addition to their primary color, as all Gems n Jewels of Jaipur gemstones do. For example, Gems n Jewels of Jaipur sapphires range in hue from "slightly purplish-blue" to "slightly greenish-blue," pink sapphires always range from "pink" to "slightly purplish-pink," and rubies range from "slightly orangish-red" to "slightly purplish-red". With the exception of opals, variation in a gemstone hue will be labeled in the gemstone details in each product detail pages.
*Tone
Tone represents the depth of color, ranging from colorless to black. Gemstone tone is described as "light," "medium-light," "medium," "medium-dark," and "dark." Gems n Jewels of Jaipur offers gemstones with the most sought-after tones. For all of our gemstone jewelry, you'll find any tone variations are written out in the gemstone details.
*Saturation
Saturation, or color purity, refers to the degree to which the gem is free from brown or gray hues. The most desirable gemstones, which show little gray or brown, are often described as having "vivid" or "strong" color saturation. Generally, the levels of color saturation will not be written out in the product details because the gemstones in our jewelry are hand-selected for their vivid colors.
Clarity -
Identifying marks and What to look for.
*Identifying Marks
Because gemstones form under unique circumstances, each individual gemstone is comprised of a combination of trace minerals, which create a unique set of identifying marks or inclusions. Inclusions will not necessarily detract from the beauty or desirability of a colored gemstone.
*What to Look For
When considering a colored gemstone's clarity, you should measure your expectations against the standard for that variety of gemstone. Some varieties of colored gemstones, such as most aquamarine, blue topaz, and citrine, have naturally fewer inclusions while other gemstones, such as emerald and ruby, tend to have a higher rate of acceptable inclusions.
Clarity is an important factor in comparing quality colored gemstones. Even opaque opals can have milky inclusions that will affect their iridescence and color play. In general, the best values are available in gemstones that are moderately included. Exceptional gemstones with few or no inclusions (Internally Flawless or IF) are available, but they can command extravagantly higher prices.
Because gemstones form under unique circumstances, each individual gemstone is comprised of a combination of trace minerals, which create a unique set of identifying marks or inclusions. Inclusions will not necessarily detract from the beauty or desirability of a colored gemstone.
*What to Look For
When considering a colored gemstone's clarity, you should measure your expectations against the standard for that variety of gemstone. Some varieties of colored gemstones, such as most aquamarine, blue topaz, and citrine, have naturally fewer inclusions while other gemstones, such as emerald and ruby, tend to have a higher rate of acceptable inclusions.
Clarity is an important factor in comparing quality colored gemstones. Even opaque opals can have milky inclusions that will affect their iridescence and color play. In general, the best values are available in gemstones that are moderately included. Exceptional gemstones with few or no inclusions (Internally Flawless or IF) are available, but they can command extravagantly higher prices.
Size
*Different Densities
The carat weight of a gemstone does not necessarily allow you to accurately envision the size of the gemstone. Different gemstones have different densities (mass per unit volume), so two gems that appear to be the same size may actually have very different weights. For example, a ruby is more dense than a diamond, so a 1-carat ruby will look smaller than a 1-carat diamond.
*Buyer's Tip:
Always request the dimensions of a gemstone to ensure that the majority of the gemstone weight will be visible when set in the setting.
The carat weight of a gemstone does not necessarily allow you to accurately envision the size of the gemstone. Different gemstones have different densities (mass per unit volume), so two gems that appear to be the same size may actually have very different weights. For example, a ruby is more dense than a diamond, so a 1-carat ruby will look smaller than a 1-carat diamond.
*Buyer's Tip:
Always request the dimensions of a gemstone to ensure that the majority of the gemstone weight will be visible when set in the setting.
Cut
Enhancements
Gems
n Jewels of Jaipur do our best to carry Gemstones and Jewelry with no
known enhancements. This said, however, most stones are now enhanced.
Please read the information on acceptable practices.
Gemstone and Pearl Care and Enhancement Overview
| Gemstone | Accepted Enhancements | Gemstone Care |
| Agate | Heated to improve color. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Amber | Heated to improve color and clarity. | Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, perfume, cosmetics, and hairspray. |
| Amethyst | Heated to improve color. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Aquamarine | Heated to improve color and clarity. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Black Diamond | Heated or irradiated to alter color. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Black Onyx | Dyed. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Black Spinel | None. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Blue Topaz | Heated and/or irradiated to alter color. Thermal coated to alter color. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Carnelian | Heated to improve color. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Chalcedony | Dyed. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Citrine | Heated to improve color. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Coral | Coated or impregnated with colorless substances to improve surface uniformity or durability.Bleached or dyed to enhance color. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Diamond | None. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Emerald | Infused to improve clarity and/or color. | Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, perfume, cosmetics, and hairspray. |
| Garnet | None. | Avoid sudden temperature changes. |
| Iolite | None. | Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Kunzite | Heated or irradiated to improve color. | Do not use ultrasonice cleaning. Avoid direct sunlight. |
| Morganite | Heated to improve color and clarity. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Opal | Coated to alter surface consistency and durability. | Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, perfume, cosmetics, and hairspray. |
| Pearl (natural and cultured) | Bleached, dyed, polished and coated. | Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, perfume, cosmetics, and hairspray. |
| Peridot | None. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Tourmaline | Irradiated to improve color. | Do not use ultrasonic cleaning and sudden temperature changes. |
| Rose Quartz | None. | Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Ruby | Heated and/or infused to improve color and clarity. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Sapphire | Heated and/or infused to improve color and clarity. | Basic Gemstone Care. |
| Tanzanite | Heated to alter color and clarity. Infused to alter color and clarity. | Do not use ultrasonic cleaning and sudden temperature changes. |
| Turquoise | Coated or impregnated with colorless substances to improve surface uniformity or durability. | Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid chemicals, perfume, cosmetics, and hairspray. |
| White Agate | None. | Basic Gemstone Care.   |
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