Buying Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off
By Sam Serio
Buying gemstone jewelry can be fun, exciting and confusing. Whether
you’re considering a gift of gemstone jewelry for someone special or as a treat for
yourself, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry. Here’s some
information to help you get the best quality gemstone jewelry for your money, whether
you’re shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store or online.
Gemstones
Natural gemstones are found in nature. Laboratory-created stones, as
the name implies, are made in a laboratory. These stones, which also are referred to as
laboratory-grown, {name of manufacturer} - created, or synthetic, have essentially the
same chemical, physical and visual properties as natural gemstones. Laboratory-created
stones do not have the rarity of naturally colored stones and they are less expensive than
naturally mined stones. By contrast, imitation stones look like natural stones in
appearance only, and may be glass, plastic, or less costly stones. Laboratory-created and
imitation stones should be clearly identified as such.
Gemstones may be measured by weight, size, or both. The basic unit for
weighing gemstones is the carat, which is equal to one-fifth 91/5th) of a gram. Carats are
divided into 100 units, called points. For example, a half-carat gemstone would weigh .50
carats or 50 points. When gemstones are measured by dimensions, the size is expressed in
millimeters (for example, 7x5 millimeters).
Gemstone treatments or enhancements refer to the way some gems are
treated to improve their appearance or durability, or even change their color. Many
gemstones are treated in some way. The effects of some treatments may lessen or change
over time and some treated stones may require special care. Some enhancements also affect
the value of a stone, when measured against a comparable untreated stone.
Jewelers should tell you whether the gemstone you’re considering
has been treated when: the treatment is not permanent; the treated stone requires special
care; or the treatment significantly affects the value of the gemstone.
Some common treatments that you may be told about and their effects
include:
Heating can lighten, darken or change the color of some gems, or
improve a gemstone’s clarity.
Irradiation can add more color to colored diamonds, certain other
gemstones and pearls.
Impregnating some gems with colorless oils, wax or resins makes a
variety of imperfections less visible and can improve the gemstones’ clarity and
appearance.
Fracture filling hides cracks or fractures in gems by injecting
colorless plastic or glass into the cracks and improves the gemstones’ appearance and
durability.
Diffusion treatment adds color to the surface of colorless gems; the
center of the stone remains colorless.
Dyeing adds color and improves color uniformity in some gemstones and
pearls.
Bleaching lightens and whitens some gems, including jade and pearls.
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