Nine Points To Ponder Before Buying Gemstone Jewelry

1. Many types of gemstones are treated. In the marketplace,

there are two types of gemstones, those that are completely natural and those that have been treated or enhanced. Any gem may be treated, 95% of all rubies, sapphires and emeralds are enhanced. Prices for untreated gems of similar quality are usually higher. A competent jeweler should be able to tell you which of the stones on offer have been treated and put it in writing. If it is a substantial purchase and want an untreated gem insist on an independent laboratory grading report.

2. If you are seeking a quality colored gemstone it is usually best to buy the stone loose then choose a setting. Manufactured jewelry requires uniformity in quality, size and weight. Most jewelry is produced in multiples. Stones must also be uniform to fit pre-made settings. Fine gemstones are rare and do not come in standardized sizes and shapes.

3. Colorless diamonds under ten carats are not rare. Diamonds under five carats are normally available in more or less standard sizes and shapes.

4. 18k is the aristocrat of gold. Most jewelry in the U. S. is 14k.

Jewelers will sometimes claim that’s because 18k is too soft. This is simply not true. 18k may be a hard and durable as 14k depending upon the alloy. Goldsmiths favor 18k because it develops a lovely buttery patina with age.

5. Cut is the first C in diamond grading. If you are shopping for a diamond you will hear about the 4 C’s’ Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight. Not all are of equal importance. Cut is the first C. Diamonds are all about brilliance, proper proportions are what deliver that sparkle. When buying a round diamond insist on a ideal Cut with a certificate from either the Gemological Institute of America (GIA-GTL) or The American Gem Society (AGS).

6. If you are considering platinum, keep in mind: Platinum is 40% denser than pure gold, meaning that an equal amount of platinum will weigh twice as much as the gold ring you see on the jeweler’s shelf. Today, platinum costs about twice the price of gold and requires much more time to finish. Expect to pay as much as twice the price of a comparable gold piece.

7. Platinum is the best choice for your solitaire diamond. Diamond color is all about the elimination of yellow. Diamond is graded on a scale from D to Z. D color is totally colorless, Z is noticeably yellow. Yellow settings add back the yellow that you paid to get rid of. Platinum is more durable than gold and your best choice for those tiny little prongs that hold your engagement gem.

8. Burmese rubies, Ceylon Sapphires and Columbian emeralds just to name a few examples, are often touted as the best of the best. This can be a snare and a delusion. Gems from these areas have developed reputations based on the quality of the finest from the geographic area. Does that mean that all Ceylon sapphires are better than Madagascar gems? Here lies the snare. A given sapphire from Madagascar might be exceptionally fine whereas a given stone from Ceylon might be better off used as aquarium gravel. Gems are all about beauty. Either the gem on offer is beautiful or it not. Geographic origin should be a secondary consideration.

9. Handmade is often better made. If you are contemplating an important purchase you should consider a handmade setting. Handmade means that the setting is fabricated around the gem directly from gold. Like a custom suit, in the hands of a skilled goldsmith, a handmade setting can bring out the best in the gemstone.