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.

Jewelry and Gemstone Care & Cleaning Tips

Diamond earrings, emerald rings, ruby bracelets, sapphire pendants; no doubt about it everybody loves beautiful gem stone jewelry. Gemstones are quite literally hard as rock, buy they can be damaged from careless handling and negligence. Here are some tips for keeping your gems and jewelry looking fabulous for years to come.

1. Remember, even the hardest gemstone variety can be vulnerable to breakage if it has inclusions that weaken the crystal structure. Exercise common sense: if you have a ring set with a softer gem variety or an included stone, take it off before strenuous exercise. Even the hardest gem of them all, diamond, can shatter in two with a single well-placed blow. Never remove rings by pulling on the stone: that habit may result in a loose, then lost, gem.

2. Most importantly, store each piece of gemstone jewelry separately so that harder stones don’t scratch softer ones. Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in. Gems can scratch the finish on your gold, silver or platinum if you throw your jewelry in a heap in a drawer or jewelry box.

3. Rings in particular tend to collect dust and soap behind the gem, particularly if you wear them all the time. You need to clean them regularly to let the light in so your gems can shine. To clean transparent crystalline gemstones, simply soak them in water with a touch of gentle dish soap. Use a bowl of water rather than the sink to eliminate the risk of anything going down the drain. If necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub behind the stone. Rinse the soap off and pat dry with a lint-free cloth (you want to make sure threads won’t catch on the prongs) For diamond, ruby or sapphire, a touch of ammonia in the rinse water won’t hurt a bit and can add extra sparkle (for platinum and gold only, not silver!). Think twice before putting gems in an ultrasonic cleaner. Diamonds and rubies and sapphires will be fine but many other gems many not be, in particular emerald, opal, pearls, peridot: when in doubt, leave it out.

4. Organic gems like pearls, coral, and amber should only be wiped clean with moist cloth. Due to their organic nature, these gems are both soft and porous. Be careful about chemicals in hairspray, cosmetics, or perfume: they can, over time, damage pearls in particular. Opals also require special care. Never use an ultrasonic, never use ammonia, and avoid heat and strong light.

5. Opaque gemstones like lapis lazuli, turquoise, malachite, require special care because they are rocks, not crystals of a single mineral like transparent gems. There gem materials should just be wiped clean gently with a moist cloth. These gemstones can be porous and may absorb chemicals, even soap, and they may build up inside the stone and discolor it. Never use and ultrasonic cleaner and never use ammonia or any chemical solution.

A little care and common sense can add life, luster and longevity to your precious jewelry and gems. Protect your investment by following the above guidelines.

Strategies for Success in the Exciting and Lucrative Home-Based Business of Jewelry & Gemstones

The business of jewelry is one of the most fun, exciting and profitable businesses that exist. The demand for jewelry by consumers is unrelenting and consistently growing. Like any other business worth pursuing by a new- comer; the jewelry business requires research, ongoing education, focus and persistence. Fear not,the rewards for this effort can be well-worth the investment of time and energy making jewelry one of the best home-based business opportunities available.

Finding your Niche

The world of jewelry is vast and can be overwhelming. It is imperative that the prospective jewelry entrepreneur narrow down to a specific area in which to concentrate there marketing efforts. In other words, you must avoid the temptation to spread-out in several directions. Rather, you should become an expert, a specialist. The ideal is to find a niche within a niche. Stake your claim and mine that pocket deep and hard. For example, sterling silver cat jewelry ,14 KT. gold Celtic jewelry, wire -wrapped birthstone jewelry etc.

Selecting your Approach

After the budding jewelry entrepeneur has settled on their niche, they must decide which business model makes the most sense to them. The following represent five basic strategies that one might follow:

1. Buy wholesale-sell retail- Remember, you make your profit by buying well. Any Search Engine will reveal countless wholesale sources, move steadily forward. Do your research. Not all wholesalers are equal. In fact, many so-called wholesalers are not really wholesalers at all and prey on the unsophisticated. Applied knowledge is key here.

2. Import directly from manufacturer and sell wholesale. This strategy is not the best for beginners, but if you have ties and are comfortable with a country like India, Thailand, Mexico and others. This can be a lucrative approach. Start small and learn the ropes before you grow.

3. Become an affiliate for an existing web-based jewelry company. This strategy is excellent for beginners, as it requires no inventory and you use the company's web-site. Also, they handle the product fulfillment and shipping. This is a great, low-risk way to get started.

4. Join a jewelry MLM- There are some advantages here and some individuals enjoy this type of marketing, again, do your due-diligence before you jump-in.

5. Make and sell your own jewelry- If you have the talent and the time, this path can be very rewarding. One tip, unless you want to be a starving artist; find out what type of handcrafted jewelry consumers will actually buy and produce jewelry for that market.

Marketing and Selling Jewelry

Once you have identified your niche and selected your approach, you need to explore marketing and selling for profit. Here are some suggestions for how and where to sell jewelry.

1. Special Events- Craft shows, wine festivals, Celtic festivals, street fairs etc. In the beginning, concentrate on low-cost booth fees i.e. under $100 until you gain experience.

2. Home parties- Low overhead. These can be a goldmine if you work them well. Referrals are the key to success.

3. Ebay- an easy, low-cost way to sell jewelry on the internet.

4. Your own website.

A. Ebay or yahoo store- both are excellent because of there built-in shopping audience and credibility.

B. Buy and fix-up a previously owned website-Many websites are For Sale by Owner on ebay.

The jewelry business can be a wonderful full or part-time home-based business. Use this article as a basis for your education. Learn everything you can about your chosen niche, study marketing and develop your selling skills. Keep a positive attitude and success will certainly follow.

How to Buy Gemstones on the Internet

6 Rules for Avoiding Ripoffs and Finding a Great Stone at a Good Price 

Are there great bargains in gemstones on the internet, as many people claim? Or it as risky as the tourist who buys gems on the street in Bangkok, hoping to sell them at a profit back home, only to find out he's bought worthless glass? 

The simple answer is that some buyers of gemstones on the internet do get ripped off, or at the very least, get less than they paid for. But at the same time, experienced buyers routinely find excellent buys – perhaps not the fantastic bargains that some claim, but choice and value that far exceed what they can find in retail outlets where             
they live. 

So what do you need to know to buy gemstone online? Do you need to be a gemologist in order to tell the fake stones from the real? What about all the gem treatments that people talk about -- heating and "cooking" of gems? How can you tell whether a gem has been treated? Or does it really matter? 

Here are 6 rules that will help you become a successful buyer. Follow them faithfully and your chances of finding excellent values in gemstones online will be as good as the experienced buyers who had to learn the hard way. 

1. Know why you’re buying 

There are 3 main reasons why people buy gemstones – because they are collectors, or because they are investors, or because they want a lovely stone to set in a piece of jewelry. 

If you’re an investor, you want a gemstone that will appreciate in value so you can sell it for a profit later. Our advice: don’t even think about buying an investment-grade gemstone on the internet. The stones that appreciate most are rare stones, and rare stones are expensive (we're talking tens of thousands of dollars). Find reputable dealers near your home and establish a business relationship. Insist on lab certifications to protect your investment. And good luck. As much as we love gemstones, we think we'll stick with mutual funds for our retirement. 

If you’re a collector, you might want to buy stones on the internet. There are many reasons to collect gems, just like collecting cars or stamps. A collector might aim for breadth in his collection, and try to collect samples of all the different varieties of gemstones. Or he might focus on one gem and collect sapphires from all the different regions where they're mined (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Madagascar, Tanzania, etc.). The possibilities are endless. 

The collector usually has a shopping list, so the internet is a very good way for him to locate items for his collection from many different dealers. Of course if he is looking for very rare items, he becomes more like the gem investor – as soon there are very large amounts of money on the line, the rules change. Then he's better off dealing in person with dealers near his home. 

Finally, we have the most typical buyer – someone who is looking for a very nice stone to have set in a custom piece of jewelry. This includes craftspeople who are making jewelry, either for their friends or as a small business. If you're willing to spend a little time, you can find a tremendous choice of gems and many excellents values online. But you need have some idea of what you want. If you don't make a list of requirements you'll be overwhelmed by the variety of gemstones, colors and shapes. You need to focus on specific gems and educate yourself about the specific kind of stone you want to buy. 

2. Know what you want 

So what do you want this gemstone for? A ring? A pendant? Earrings? It's an important question because some gemstones are suitable for some "applications" but not for others. Every gemstone has a hardness rating (on a scale of 1 to 10). Some stones are very hard (like diamond, ruby and sapphire) and some are quite soft (like opal, sphene and fluorite). Softer stones are not suitable for rings, because rings typically take a lot of knocks and scrapes. But softer stones are fine for pendants or pins or earrings, where they are less likely to be damaged. 

Next, think about your preference for gem type, color, shape and size. If you have your heart set on a sapphire, that makes your search easier. But if you know only that you want a brilliant red-orange stone for a pendant, you want to narrow your search to a group of gems, such as citrine, fire opal and garnet. 

Finally, decide how much you’re willing to spend. Attractive natural gems come in all price ranges, from $5 to thousands. You're not going to find a nice sapphire or ruby for $5, but you can find many beautiful stones in the garnet and quartz families, for example, for very affordable prices (under $25). 

The key to a successful buy is getting the best possible stone for the best price. It's all about value. 

But it's not just about buying the best possible sapphire, for example, that you can buy for $300. The fact is, the sapphire that meets that description might not be the right thing for you at all. The best sapphire for $300, based on gemological critieria, might be only 1/4 of a carat! But you may be looking for a stone of at least 1 carat for a ring. So it's a question of what you can find that meets all your criteria. The gemological critieria are actually only one factor in this buying decision. You need to buy the best stone for you. 

3. Know who you're buying from 

Five years ago it was hard to find online gemstone dealers. Now there are thousands of them. Who can you trust? Who has the best prices? Who ships reliably? Who has a fair return policy? 

These days there are many online gemstone companies who are honest and reliable and sell quality product. If they're not, they don't stay in business very long. Negative information travels fast in the global internet village and good companies guard their reputation as much as they do their bottom line. So selecting a reputable company is extremely important. Check the search engines for negative comments on companies you're considering – if their customers have been unhappy, you'll find plenty of references. 

Here's a short list of what to look for: 

* Does the dealer provide his company name, physical address, phone, fax and email? Don't deal with someone who tries to hide his identity. 

* Has the dealer has been in business for at least a few years? Bad companies rarely survive that long. 

* Is the dealer committed to customer satisfaction? Some dealers just want to make a sale, but real businesses want you as a long term customer. It's usually easy to tell the difference. 

* Does the dealer provides photos and descriptions for each individual stone? Some dealers have stock photos and descriptions and can't be bothered to photograph every stone. Don't buy a stone without detailed information of that specific stone. 

* Is the dealer forthcoming with information about gem treatments? An honest dealer will disclose all treatments. Does he provide lots of reference information so you can educate yourself about the gems he has for sale? 

4. Use a safe payment method 

Pay for online purchases with a payment method that offers you some consumer protection, such as a credit card or PayPal. Do not ever pay by money order or wire transfer or any method that leaves you no recourse if you are unhappy with your purchase. 

5. If you can't return it, don't buy it 

Your best protection in any purchase is your ability to return the item for a full refund. Buying a gemstone on the basis of a photograph and a description is not foolproof, and if you're not completely delighted with what you've bought, return it. If the dealer doesn't have a "no questions asked" return policy, buy from someone else. If the dealer stands behind his product, he's unlikely to be trying to pull any fast ones on you. His money-back guarantee mean he's very confident that you'll be happy with your purchase. Beware of unreasonable restocking fees -- anything over 5% is not really a money-back guarantee. 

6. Understand the economics of the gems business 

Use your economic common sense. The gemstone business is just like any other business – people buy material, they add value to it, and then they find a way to reach the market. If the seller buys a lot of material, he gets it at a lower price. If the goods have to pass through many hands before they reach the consumer, then those goods are going to be more expensive. If the dealer has a lot of expenses – high labor costs, a big marketing budget -- you're the one paying for it. Companies become successful when they are committed to their business and have many happy customers. 

So what does all this wisdom mean for you? I can sum it up for you in this way: 

* Buy close to the source. If you're buying on the internet, your supplier is never further away than 3 days or so by air courier. So cut out the middlemen whenever possible. 

* Buy from suppliers who have a significant stock – it means they are volume buyers and have lower costs. 

* Buy from a vendor who is committed to the online business. Check to see if new content is added regularily to his website, and if the gem stock is current. Don't buy a gem unless the vendor can guarantee that the specific stone is in his stock. 

OK, so you’re still a little worried, right? What about all those ripoffs? What about the fake stones and the heat treatments and all the technical stuff that gemologists go on about? 

A large part of your problem is solved by choosing a reputable dealer. Reputable dealers don't sell fake stones. As a business strategy, it's simply stupid and risky. No one wants to put his whole business at risk for the sake of a little extra profit. Do be aware that there is a market for synthetic (i.e, lab-created) stones. In the case of a sapphire, for example, this is a not a fake stone – it's real corundum, the same stuff as a genuine sapphire – but it's not a "natural" stone. A dealer selling such a stone will always label it as "synthetic". 

As far as gem treatments are concerned, assume that the gems you are buying are treated, with heat or irradiation or chemicals or a combination. For the most part, these treatments are permanent and do not affect the physical integrity of the stone. It's a fact of the gem business today that most gems are routinely treated to improve color. It's the reason why there are affordable gemstones at all in the market. If you’re buying a $10,000 ruby that the seller claims is untreated, then you need to get a lab certification on that gem before you pay that kind of money. We don't recommend buying $10,000 rubies online. But when you’re buying a very nice sapphire for $300, you can be fairly sure that it's a treated stone. What matters is that you find it beautiful, and that you're delighted with the the final result. 

Fixing A Chip In Your Gemstone

When people tell me that they have a nice four ct. aquamarine stone ring, they tell me that they just noticed that the stone was chipped and do jewelry shops actually repair stones? This is a good question and one that lots of people have to deal with. I want to say first that I am glad you have an aquamarine! This makes me smile in a sentimental and special way. Why? Well, with so much blue topaz on the market today, the wonderful aquamarine has almost faded in the public eyes. 

Unfortunately, many do not even know about this much more valuable and beautiful gemstone. In years past, the aquamarine "was" the stone of choice for those special shades of blue nature makes. Aquamarine is a superior stone in all aspects to the irradiated blue topaz, a stone not naturally the rich blues in nature. 

First of all, most jewelry shops do not have the capability to recut chipped gemstones. Some of this depends on the cut of the stone to start with, whether a cabochon, round top, like an opal or onyx might be cut, or faceted as with diamonds, rubies and other stones with little faces, the facets, on the surface. The person who cuts gemstones does the work called "lapidary" or stone cutting. This work requires the cutting and polishing equipment needed for gemstones. Almost all stones must be worked with tools the jeweler simply does not use for working metals. 

Stones are much harder than metals and require special and sometimes very specialized machines to work the gem, whether in cutting a gem from a piece of rough material from the earth or in repairing a chip in a stone already cut. While many folks do cut and polish cabochons, rounded tops without facets, the number greatly lessens when looking for those who do facet cutting. The equipment is very different since each individual facet is cut one at a time, through different grades of cutting from rough abrasives to the final polish. 

What Do Most Jewelers Do? When a chipped stone needs repair, the jeweler generally sends the stone to a lapidary craftsperson. This usually means sending the stone to a company where the work may be done. Sometimes, the jeweler might have a local connection to either a professional or amateur, some are the best going, for the repair work. The cabochon work is easy and more locals can do this work. For faceted gems, having a local cutter is not common and most stones are shipped to a factory offering the service. 

The middle of the stone, between the top, crown, and the bottom, pavilion, is called the girdle of the gem. If the chip is here, repair is relatively simple for a small chip and will not affect the rest of the stone in a noticeable way. If the chip is higher on the stone, say on or between a couple of the facets on the crown, the repair is more difficult. Why? Look at the at your aquamarine, and you will see the faces line up and meet each other. To repair a chip on one of the higher facets will mean cutting and polishing the stone down deep enough to remove the chip. 

This will change the face where the cutting is done and the facets will not line up as before. To do the job properly, often the entire top, crown, of the stone will need to be re-cut. This means all facets are re-cut and polished so all line up as before. This is done to prevent one large repaired face from messing up the arrangement and standing out easily to the eye. 

How the repair is done depends on the location of the chip and whether the stone is faceted or a cabochon cut. Then, where and how well the work is done depends on the contacts the jeweler has. To find a jeweler with in-house lapidary service is a rare find, indeed. 

Be sure to ask if the work is done in-house or sent to a cutter. Ask for an estimate before having the work done. Ask if the repair will change the over dimensions, width and length, of the stone since that will affect how it fits back into your jewelry mounting. Ask if the cutter can give you at least an idea of how much stone must be cut away to do the repair. I do know how it is done and what is needed to make a stone look right when repairing a chip. This is not easy work to do. 

Cleaning and Caring for Gemstones

Colored gemstones are much more delicate than diamonds and need special care and careful cleaning. Regular gentle cleaning is recommended instead of the harsh cleaning required to remove a heavy soil build up. Proper storage is also important in caring for your valuables.

Diamonds are used for drilling. They can withstand high temperatures and then a fast cool down in water. Many gemstones would crack or shatter with such extreme temperature changes. Emerald, opal, amethyst and turquoise are some of the gemstones that should be kept away from heat such as a sunny windowsill. When taking a trip to the beach, delicate gemstones should be left at home. Enjoying the sand and then jumping into the surf may be too extreme temperature changes for these gemstones.
Even perfume and lotions may harm turquoise and malachite. Ammonia, caustics and abrasives should never be used on gemstones. Chlorine in swimming pool water may cause pitting in some colored stones. Gemstones may also be damaged by fingernail polish remover.

Ultra sonic cleaners should not be used on a regular basis. Agitation of the machine will remove dirt and also dislodge loose stones from their settings. Some liquid cleaners used may be harmful to the gemstones.

The safest recommended cleaning is to wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap. Then, dry with a soft cloth. The sink drain should always be closed or covered when rinsing any jewelry. With proper care and regular cleaning gemstones should not need any harsh cleaners. Inspection by a jeweler is recommended at least once a year. The jeweler will check for loose stones, worn prongs or any other problems that may arise.

After cleaning, gemstones and all jewelry should be kept in safe place. Protection from damage and theft should be considered when storing jewelry. That jewelry box on the dresser is probably the first place a burglar might look. A safe or hideaway would be better for valuable jewelry and use the fancy jewelry box for costume jewelry. Heirloom pieces seldom worn should be kept in a safe deposit box.

Jewelry boxes with individual compartments or a felt-lined box or tray is recommended for storing precious gems and other jewelry. Rings and other jewelry items with delicate gemstones are safest when stored separately in jewelry bags or pouches. Stones bumping together may get scratched or otherwise damaged. The time you spend caring for your jewels is well worth the time and effort.

When shopping for gold and diamonds, the name to remember is www.normasfinejewelry.com. Norma’s has many beautiful jewelry items at 40% to 60% less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price every day. If you are shopping for jewelry, be sure to see the 100s of choices at Norma’s. There is no need to wait for a sale or fight the Mall traffic. Norma welcomes you and every order will receive her personal attention.