Archive for May, 2009

How To Examine Gemstone Colors When Selecting A Gemstone Jewelry

Friday, May 15th, 2009

Author: Gen Wright

There are a number of important factors that you need to take into consideration when shopping for and comparing gemstones. It is important to analyze color, cut, clarity and carat weight and each factor affects the quality and price of the each individual stone. While each factor is important, you need to analyze and judge the color first and foremost. It is important for you to be as informed as possible before investing in a gemstone. Making sure your gem is quality and worth the money is very important if you want to be happy with your investment.

There is a plethora of color options when it comes to gemstones but it is best to analyze and find the one with the best primary color. This is the first step when analyzing a stone. The primary color can only be determined through comparison of stones and careful examination but is often the most important thing to identify with when shopping for a gemstone. Some of the colors are very difficult to determine but you need to do the best you can in order to find the best stone.

When analyzing emeralds you want to find the green color that is as close to Nature as you can find. This is the comparison used when classifying the green within emeralds. When rubies are in question, you want to identify and find the gemstones that are the purest form of red. However, most rubies you find will contain a slight purple or orange discoloration and it’s very difficult to find a completely and true red colored ruby. No matter what you are looking for, you should try and avoid any gemstone with a gray or brown colored hue evident within the color. Sapphires are quite possibly the most unique gemstone when it comes to judging or determining the color involved with the stone. Just as emeralds are used to define the color green, sapphires are used to determine and set the comparison color of blue. However, sapphires can be found in every color except for red.

The depth of gemstone color is also extremely important when analyzing color. Each gemstone can vary from a very black color to an almost completely clear depth. It is best to find a depth that is in the middle range. Completely black gemstones are worth a lot less and very unspectacular, just as the clear gemstones are. Finding the perfect medium depth is very important if you want a stunning and valuable gemstone.

If you are beginning a search for the perfect gemstone, you should begin by looking at the color. There are other important aspects that you should judge a gemstone by, but it is often color that can determine the overall quality or value of each individual gemstone. Cut and clarity especially are dependent upon the initial colors and hues of the original stone. Many jewelers and gemstone experts will inform you that color is the single most important aspect of determining a gemstones price, value and overall beauty.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/how-to-examine-gemstone-colors-when-selecting-a-gemstone-jewelry-801946.html

About the Author:

Shop at Livapo.com for sapphire, ruby, topaz, garnet and other colored gemstone jewelry.

Estimating Carat Weight And Effect Of Carat Weight On Gemstone Price

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Author: Gen Wright

The carat is a unit of measuring the weight of a gemstone. One carat equals 0.2 grams, or 0.007 ounces (avoirdupois). 5-carats makes 1 gram, 10-carats makes 2 grams and so forth, and 141.7 carats makes 1 ounce. The carat weight is measured in points or fractions. 100 points makes 1 carat. Explaining with the help of an example, if you buy .50 carats gemstone, then it equals to 50 points or I/2 carat. Ideally speaking carat weight has major affect on the price of the gemstone. There are certain specifications to follow in the carat weight measurement as well. For instance, 1/4-carat total weight may be 0.21 to 0.29 carats; 1/3-carat total weight may be 0.30 to 0.36 carats; 1/2-carat total weight may be 0.45 to 0.59 carats etc.

The best and easiest way to estimate the carat weight of the gemstone is through a gem scale. The scale is marked in carat and grams respectively. Another simple way to measure the carat weight is the postage scale. The scale gives the readings in ounces. Convert the ounces to grams. One ounce has 28.4 grams. After you have converted them into grams, multiply the figure by 5 and you get the estimate in carat weight. Carat weight also holds direct relation with the diameter and the depth of the gemstone. The bigger the carat size of a gemstone, the greater will be its depth and diameter, which will eventually reveal a price estimate for that particular gemstone.

Color, cut and clarity of the gemstone also plays a very crucial role in ascertaining its price and value. A 0.42-carat gemstone with refined color and clarity may cost more than a 0.62-carat diamond having lower color and clarity. However, if you have a gemstone, which is of 0.76-carat, and another gemstone of 0.58-carat, and both have the same clarity and color, the 0.76-carat gemstone will be more expensive. Note that there are other factors that go beyond the carat weight estimation when it comes to estimating gem stone price. If a gemstone of 0.65-carat with a crack in it is compared with a .34-carat gemstone that is greatly refined, then, obviously, the .34-carat gemstone will cost more when compared to the 0.65-carat gemstone.

You need to check that the gemstone has no cracks. It is because cracks also reduce the prices of even the most precious of a gemstone. Try to purchase the evenly shaped gemstones, which have a proper symmetry. If you are not so sure about how to find a crack on the gemstone, try to take the expert’s advice. A slight change in the symmetry will definitely result in reduced price value. These are all possible factors that affect the price of the gemstones.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/estimating-carat-weight-and-effect-of-carat-weight-on-gemstone-price-798472.html

About the Author:

Shop at Livapo.com for sapphire, ruby, topaz, garnet and other colored gemstone jewelry.