Gemstones Updates

Starting The Hobby Of Loose Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Why collect loose gemstones you ask? Well for one thing they are very beautiful items. And like their higher counterpart, natural diamonds they can appreciate in value over time. Many hobbyists love to collect and work with the nearly 150 types of gemstones found today. This article will look at the hobby of collecting loose gemstones.

To begin with your first priority is to get some books from the library or bookstore. You want to learn as much as you possibly can about your new hobby. The more you understand about each kind of gemstone the less likely you are to make a mistake. You need to be as informed as possible.

The first item to take into account is gemstone color. You want the stone that is as close as possible to the pure spectrum colors. We are talking about violet, orange, yellow, green, blue, and red. The prices of very dark are very pale stones are lower than the vibrant colors.

Cut is one of the all-important 4Cs and is used not only to appraise diamonds but gemstones as well. An excellent cut will highlight the pure color of the stone, lessen any inclusions and show off its symmetry and proportions. One excellent method to determine the precision of the cut of the stone is to consider how evenly it reflects light over its entire surface. If the stone is cut on the shallow side much of the light will refract out of the gem instead of reflecting inside the gemstone. The gem appears washed out.

Gemstone clarity is the next item to consider. When we talk of clarity it relates to the absence of flaws or blemishes inside the stone. 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 10X gemstone loupe (gemstone clarity magnifier) or gem microscope. Serious hobbyists will employ an inexpensive 10X gemstone or jewelers loup for viewing stamps, coins, beads as well as gems.

Next thing to look at is the duo of weight and size. Due to their nature gemstones can vary greatly in density and specific gravity. Weight and size are not necessarily equal across the board. If you have a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats an equal sized Sapphire would weigh more than 1.20 carats. An Emerald of equal size would be approximately 0.95 carats while an Alexandrite gemstone would be about 1.23 carats.

Collecting various gemstones can create an enjoyable hobby and pastime. And there is a wide range and variety in precious and semi precious stones that you can collect. You can start collecting gemstones like Kunzite, Opal (Girasol) or Zeolite (Thomsonite) and then try others. The opportunities are seemingly endless. And if you like to save money but love vacations you can find gemstones for yourself instead of buying. For example in Alabama you can find Beryl, blue and yellow; Smoky Quartz and Hematite.

Buy Tourmaline loose gemstones or loose cultured diamonds as well as natural diamonds today in our store!

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Tips About loose diamond lots

In the middle Ages, Bloodstone was attributed special powers as the spots were
thought to be the blood of Jesus Christ. In ancient times, Bloodstone was
thought to be able to stop hemorrhages with the merest touch.
Buy round blue loose gemstones today!

Amethyst is February's birthstone. It is a dazzling violet gem stone. It is
fabulous in necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and pendants. Often, Amethyst
is thought to be a symbol of security, sincerity, and peace of mind.
Buy green Amethyst loose gemstones today!

More loose diamond lots Info

Baseball roundup: Tuesday's action on the diamonds - 660 News

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:02:20 GMT

Baseball roundup: Tuesday's action on the diamonds 660 News, Canada - Aug 19, 2008 At New York, Carlos Delgado hit a go-ahead double off the left-centre fence to end the Mets' 3-for-42 slide with the bases loaded, and New York broke loose ...

Keishi Pearl w/Pink Tourmaline Earrings

Tiny keishi pearls studded with pink tourmaline. Pearls measure about 8-9mm. Earrings measure about 1/2" from base of earwires. 14kt gold-fill earwires and findings.

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