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.

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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.
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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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Gemological Article Of The Month

The Hobby Of Loose Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Why would someone go to the trouble of collect loose gemstones? Well for one thing they've been sought for their beauty for many centuries. And like their higher counterpart, natural diamonds their value increases over time. Many people love to find, collect and finish each and every one of the 150 varieties available. This article will look at the hobby of collecting loose gemstones.

The very first step in becoming a gemstone collector the right way is by getting adequate knowledge about them. 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.

The first item to factor in should be the color of the stone. You want the stone to be as close in color as possible to the pure spectrum colors. We are talking about blue, green, yellow, orange, red and violet. The prices of very dark are very pale precious and semi precious stones are less per carat.

How a stone is cut is the second most important factor to look at before a purchase is made. The precision of the cut will determine how much light the stone will reflect. It will fully factor highly in the brilliance of the stone and how much someone will pay for it.

The next factor to consider is the stone's clarity. This is talking about the purity of the gemstone or the absence of internal inclusions, spots, or particles within the crystal. Without a doubt, zero flaws would make the gemstone highly valuable.

You will note that gemstones are categorized according to their size criteria because it is more uniform than carat weight. But two different gemstones may be the same size but have different carat weights that result in different pricing structures. This is due to the difference of specific gravity or relative density and depends on the materials chemical composition and crystal structure type A one carat round brilliant diamond, for example of typical proportions will be approximately 6.5 mm in diameter. A ruby that is the same size will weigh in at 1.55 carats instead.

Although gemstones are normally used for jewelry, they are perfectly good collectibles in their own right. Actually there are many interesting and attractive gems that are too fragile or too large to be used in jewelry. Take each gemstone and Think of it as a mini sculpture or piece of art to be highly treasured for its unique nature and vibrant colors. And unlike some hobbies that require you to pay for your specimens you can actually go hunting for raw gemstones in the field. In the United States in Virginia you can find Amethyst, Garnet, Beryl and Moonstone. And if you travel to Canada you will find rhodonite at various locations in British Columbia or blue spinel from Daillebout, Quebec as well as zircons in Sebastopol and Brudnell Townships in Renfew County, Ontario. Think of collecting gemstones as a great hobby and pastime.

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Mapimi, Durango, Mexico - has produced the very best specimens of fluorescent
adamite as well as nice specimens of hemimorphite and wulfenite. Adamite is
found at other localities around the world but few specimens can compete with
the best specimens of Mapimi. The Ojuela Mine is the primary source of Mapimi
specimens.
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In the Great London Exhibition of 1862, a sapphire weighing 260.37 carats was
purchased by Russian Emperor Alexander II and presented to his wife Empress
Maria Alexandrovna. This rare treasure was described as "unique ... for its
combination of size, color, clarity and extraordinary cut." Today, this
magnificent piece of history is in the Russian Diamond Fund, where it is proudly
shown in Moscow, Russia
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Sapphire is the gem quality form of Corundum. It is second only to Diamond in
hardness. The hardness of coruCrystals and gemstones have been used throughout
the ages to improve various human conditions. The color and mineral composition
lend energy to improving situations from headaches to digestion on a physical
level and love loss or mood imbalances on an emotional level. But these rocks
don�t stop with just the physical or the emotional aspects of our lives.
Crystals and gemstones can help us mentally and spiritually as well. By using
your intention combined with the inherent qualities, color and vibration of the
gemstone, you can transform any situation with determination and focus.
Gemstones are a tool just like you would use a hammer to effectively put a nail
into a wall, gemstones help integrate and align you with the intention that you
have decided to put into your consciousness and make manifest in the world.
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The Latest small loose diamonds News

A is for A-line: Defining the ABCs of fashion - WTOP

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:46:54 GMT

A is for A-line: Defining the ABCs of fashion WTOP, DC - 23 hours ago X: The shape made in an argyle pattern as geometric diamonds are lined up in rows. Yohji Yamamoto: One of the most respected names in Japanese fashion, ...

Rants & Raves 8.21.08: Video Killed The Radio Star... - 411mania.com

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:09:33 GMT

Rants & Raves 8.21.08: Video Killed The Radio Star... 411mania.com, TX - 10 hours ago With the exception of rappers like Kanye West, a hefty amount of rap videos are all about flashing the diamonds, fat wads of cash and a plethora of video ...