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Thursday, August 21, 2008

Gemstones Updates

Featured Gemstone Article

Starting To Collect Gemstones


By Lee MacRae


Why would anyone collect items like loose gemstones, you ask? Well to begin with they are very beautiful items. And like their more familiar cousin, natural diamonds, they can appreciate in value over time. Many people love to find, collect and finish the wide variety of gemstones available today. Follow along as we discuss the hobby of loose gemstone collecting.


To begin with you'll need the knowledge on the various gemstones available. This knowledge will help you to know what you're buying so you buy the right items. This will help you make informed decisions.


The first criteria you need to evaluate is stone color. Gemstones are the most intensely colored naturally occurring materials you can find. These materials are so related to their color that they've even had their names combined with associated colors. You've no doubt heard about emerald green, ruby red, sapphire blue, jade green, turquoise or aquamarine. Gemstones will have a higher value they closer they are to natural spectral colors of violet, blue, green,, orange and red. They drop in value the farther they are from the natural color.



The cut of the stone is extremely important and is used not only to appraise diamonds but gemstones in general as well. A precision cut will highlight the gemstone's color, diminishes its inclusions, and exhibits good overall symmetry and proportion. One excellent method to determine the precision of the cut of the stone is to consider how well and consistent it reflects light throughout the surface of the stone. If the stone is cut on the shallow side most of this light were refracted away rather than reflecting internally. Gem color appears washed out.


The clarity in a stone is our next factor. When we talk of clarity it relates to a stones relative freedom from inclusions or blemishes. A gemstones that is normally found to be clean is obviously worth more. To determine the flaws not seen with the unaided eye you need a gemstone loupe (gemstone clarity magnifier) or gem microscope. Most hobbyists will get an inexpensive 10X gemstone or jewelers loup for viewing their coins, beads, stamps or in our case gemstones.


You will often find that gemstones are often listed according to their size criteria because it is more uniform than carat weight. But two different gemstones may be of the same size but differ in carat weights and as a result different in prices as well. This is due to gemstone difference of specific gravity depending upon the chemical composition and crystalline structure. Normally a one carat brilliant round diamond of typical proportions will be approximately 6.5 mm in diameter. A comparable round brilliant ruby of the same size and proportions will weigh approximately 1.55 carats.


Though you may find gemstones used a lot in jewelry, they are perfectly good collectibles in their own right. Actually there are many interesting and attractive gems that are just too big or fragile to be used for jewelry. Here's a suggestion -- don't think of a gem as a component of jewelry; think of it as a piece of art, a miniature sculpture to be treasured for its unique nature and vibrant colors. And unlike many hobbies where you have to buy everthing you can find your raw materials through field trips In the US in Maryland you can search for Beryl and Clam Pearl. And if you travel to Canada you will find nephrite jade in Mount Sidney Williams, British Columbia or amazonite (microcline) near Eganville, Onttario and even ammolite from Lethbridge, Alberta. Think of collecting gemstones as a great hobby and pastime.


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Gemstones For Sale



Learn More About loose diamonds for less

Amethyst was thought to protect soldiers in battle, and Crusaders attached them to their rosaries for that protection. Because Amethyst was believed to encourage celibacy and also symbolized piety, Amethyst became very important in the ornamentation of Catholic and other churches in the Middle Ages.
Buy blue marquise loose gemstones today!

Most blue gemstones come in a pastel blue, but some exceptional gems have a
bright blue color. Zircon is also available in green, dark red, violet, yellow,
brown, and orange. Due to its high refractive index and strong dispersion,
zircon has great brilliance and intensive fire. The luster is vitreous to a
brilliant sheen. Although relatively hard (rating 6.5-7.5 on Mohs scale) zircon
is brittle and therefore sensitive to knocks and pressure. The gem has the
tendency to wear along facet edges. Its use in rings should therefore be limited
to protective settings or occasional wear jewelry. Zircon jewelry should be
stored carefully.
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loose diamonds for less Galore

Treasure hunter finds 11th century gold ring with rare black diamond ... - Daily Mail

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:30:00 GMT
Rare find: The stunning 1000 year old gold and black diamond ring was discovered by a treasure hunter A treasure hunter was stunned when he unearthed a beautiful and historic gold ...

Airdrie United 0-0 Dundee: Diamonds goalkeeper sparkles - Scotland on Sunday

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:57:48 GMT

Airdrie United 0-0 Dundee: Diamonds goalkeeper sparkles
Scotland on Sunday, UK - Aug 16, 2008
The Dens keeper then had an anxious moment when he flapped at Matt Hazley's free kick and saw Di Giacomo head the loose ball goalward. ...



The Gemstones Scene Review

Our Latest Gemstone Article

How To Collect Gemstones


By Lee MacRae


Why collect loose gemstones you ask? Well for one thing they've been sought for their beauty for many centuries. And just like natural diamonds they can become extremely valuable over the years. Many hobbyists love to find, collect and finish each and every one of the 150 varieties available. This article will examine the loose gemstones hobby.


The first thing you need to do in becoming a gemstone collector the right way is through the power of knowledge. By taking a look in your local bookstore you can find books on the subject that will let you make wise purchases from the beginning.


To start with, an important aspect in gemstone evaluation is color. It is a fact that gemstones are the most intensely colored natural materials you can find. Gems have become so synonomous with color, they have even lent their names to specific colors. Without a doubt you will recognize sapphire blue, ruby red, jade green, aquamarine, emerald green or turquoise. Gemstones will have a higher value they closer they are to natural spectral colors of orange, green, yellow, violet and blue. They drop in value when they are lighter or darker than the spectral color.


The cut of your gemstone is one of the most important traits in determining gemstone value. The gemstone must be cut with precision to reflect the light properly. A stone that has a poor cut will be muted or washed out. Tone, color saturation, and color hue will always appear inconsistent


The clarity of a gemstone is our next factor. Gemstone clarity relates to a stones relative freedom from inclusions or blemishes. The gemstone without flaws is more valuable. To determine the flaws not seen with the unaided eye you need a gemstone loupe (gemstone clarity magnifier) or gem microscope. Many hobbyists will employ a 10X jewelers were gemstone loup for examining coins, stamps and of course gemstones.


Another consideration is the duo of size and weight. Due to the fact gemstones vary and specific gravity or density. Weight and size are not equal for each and every stone. Take the example of a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats and a sapphire of equal size would weigh 1.20 carats. An equal sized Emerald would be 0.95 carats while an Alexandrite would be about 1.23 carats.


Although gemstones are normally used for jewelry, they are perfectly good collectibles in their own right. In fact, there are many attractive and interesting gemstones that are just too big or fragile to be used for jewelry. Here's a suggestion -- don't think of a gem as a component of jewelry; consider it as a piece of art and value it for its beautiful colors and the finish you apply to it. And in this hobby you don't have to always lay out cash because you can find your raw materials through field trips In the US in Pennsylvania you can find Amethyst, Almandite Garnet and Pyrope Garnet, Beryl, Sunstone and Moonstone. And if you travel to Canada you will find nephrite jade in Dease Lake, British Columbia or labradorite on Tabor Island, as well as black spinel in Burgess and bathhurst Townships in Ontario. Take up a hobby of loose gemstone collecting and enjoy yourself.


Buy loose Amethyst gemstones or 2 carat loose diamonds and also natural diamonds today in our store!

Gemstones For Sale



Hints On loose diamonds for sale

Gemstones may come in and out of fashion, but the new wave of television shopping channels and Internet sales such as Ebay have stimulated a fashion for gemstone items. The popularity of gemstones such as Sapphires, Amethysts, Topaz and Quartz have increased. Opals again have become highly popular with a surge in Opal mining in Australia.
Buy round Citrine loose gemstones today!

The Clarity of a diamond is based on the number, location, size, and type of
inclusions found in the stone. An inclusion is an imperfection or trace mineral
in the stone that is visible under the magnification of a jeweler's loupe. The
fewer inclusions the diamond has; the clearer, more brilliant and more expensive
the diamond will be. A "Flawless" diamond is one that has no inclusions and is
extremely rare and valuable.
You will find affordable loose diamonds

loose diamonds for sale News

EZCORP, Inc. F3Q08 (Qtr End 06/30/08) Earnings Call Transcript - Seeking Alpha

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:44:31 GMT

EZCORP, Inc. F3Q08 (Qtr End 06/30/08) Earnings Call Transcript
Seeking Alpha, NY - Aug 4, 2008
During the current quarter we realized approximately $600000 in proceeds on the sale of loose diamonds compared to $700000 in the prior year quarter. ...


65 Ways To Simplify Your Life - Huffington Post

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:43:39 GMT

65 Ways To Simplify Your Life
Huffington Post, NY - Aug 13, 2008
Easy, three-step plan courtesy of Karen Seimears, All-Pro QB for the three-time Women's Professional Football League champion Dallas Diamonds. 1. ...


Black Onyx Pebble Necklace

Matte black onyx pebbles float on 23kt gold fill chain. Necklace is 16" long. 23kt gold vermeil toggle. 14kt gold fill chain and findings.


purchasing loose diamonds
small loose diamond
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