Jewelry Birthstones Wizard
“How to Buy Birthstones Like a Pro” by padre art
How to Buy Birthstones
by: padre art
How to Buy Birthstones Like a Pro
What do you look for when considering each of these factors in purchasing precious stones?
Check the color under more than one light source (fluorescent, incandescent and natural) for vividness and an even distribution throughout the gem.
Some precious stones, Amethyst for instance, have colorless ‘zones’ or layers that can leach the hue intensity from the areas with color. View the gem from the side to reveal any such problems.
Clarity in Birthstones
2) Clarity is always lessened by flaws and inclusions but if they can not be seen without magnification then they will lessen the monetary value without affecting the beauty of the gem.
Inclusions nearer the edge, under the crown (top) facets, are less obvious than those in the center under the table facet.
Even in opaque gems there is a certain clarity of color that will influence the look and value.
Cut - The Gem Buyers Friend
3) Cut is the most revealing factor to the layman concerning the quality of the gem material used to produce the cut gemstones.
This is not the shape of the precious stones, rather, it is how well the gems were ground to the proper shape.
The rule-of-thumb is;
and with the help of a magnifier anyone can check the craftsmanship.
Check your girdle
The widest circumference to a gemstone is called the ‘girdle’. It should have some width to it as a knife-edge girdle will break while the gem is being set in jewelry or during regular wear.
The crown (top) and pavilion (bottom) facets should align along the girdle. This is where you will find mismatched and extra facets as well.
Any flat, shiny spots on the girdle are called ‘naturals’ and indicate the original crystal face. These ‘naturals’ are minor flaws since they can be hidden behind a prong when setting the gemstone.
Two other factors that rely on personal taste, rather than optical properties are Size and Style.
4) The carat weight is what determines the size in birthstones. Choose a size that is appropriate for the intended use, smaller for rings, larger for necklace, pendant and brooch, etc. This is also a major factor in the cost of gems.
The style (shape) of the cut generally has more potential for variety in colorful birthstones than in a diamond. The brilliant cut and step cut (emerald cut) are still popular fashions even where brilliance and dispersion are not as important to the look and appeal of the gem.
How to Buy Birthstones - The Human Factor
When you buy birthstones, diamonds or any other precious stones, the final and most important factor is you.
If a gemstone appeals to you and is something you want, then the other considerations of color, clarity, cut and carat should only help you determine the value of the gem.
Buy birthstones that you like, trust your good taste and enjoy your jewelry. As George F. Kunz, the most eminent gem expert and author of
“The Curious Lore of Precious Stones”,
wrote about the beneficial effect of wearing jewelry on a persons well being,
The author, padre art, has over thirty years experience in designing and crafting jewellery.
- Color in Diamonds
- A detailed introduction to the importance of color in a Diamond
- Color in Diamonds
- Diamond buying guide - The 4 C's
- These basics apply to all precious stones, but to Diamonds in particular
- Diamonds are a girls best friend - Marilyn Monroe
- Marilyn sings while Diamonds and colorful precious gems pass by
- Carat weight in a Diamond
- This applies to Diamonds and other precious stones
- Carat weight in a Diamond
- Cut grading for precious stones
- The quality of a Diamond is partially determined by the cut
- Cut grading for precious stones
- Clarity - what matters in precious stones
- Most gemstones have imperfections, but it isn't always a bad thing
- Clarity - what matters in precious stones
- Fluorescence
- This little-discussed aspect can detract from the quality
- Fluorescence
How to Buy Birthstones
