Your desire to own or wear a coloured gemstone is not new or unique. Gems have held fascination – sometimes even a legendary power – for people from all cultures.
The mystery and romance of gemstones goes back as far as we can trace, to those ancient days when people coveted these beautiful stones as charms or amulets to ward off evil. Later, as life became more sophisticated, the rarity and beauty of gems established as the ultimate status symbol.
Today, the pride of possessing a rare and beautiful Gemstone is as great as ever. There is, however, one major difference – at one time, only the very wealthy or the very powerful could hope to own a Gemstone. Now, thanks to discoveries of the rich mining and alluvial sources, no one needs to be a millionaire to afford a Gemstone.
Most simply stated, the majority of Gemstones are minerals, (except – Pearls and Coral are of animal origin; Jet and Amber are vegetable). These minerals have been crystallized as a result of high temperatures and pressures exerted by nature on the elements that form the earth’s crust.
Of more than 3,000 minerals found on earth, only a small percentage qualify as Gemstones due to their beauty, durability, colour and rarity. The most sought-after are transparent Gems, drops of pure colour cut from a single crystal, which were once divided into precious and semi-precious categories.
Each person has his or her own reason for buying, owning or wearing a coloured Gemstone. There are, however, several basic and valid reasons that make Gemstones desirable possessions.
There are several factors that determine the value of a Gemstone.
Colour:The strength and purity of a Gemstone’s colour is of prime importance. There is no established right or wrong colour, and there are literally thousands of shades of red, blue and green. Therefore, you should make your selection according to your own personal taste.
Clarity: While the clarity of a Gemstone is an important feature, it is equally important to remember that completely flawless Gemstones are very rate. Inclusions are inherent to practically every Gemstone and are nature’s way of adding variety and individuality to a Gemstone. Even the most expensive contain some inclusions.
Carat weight: The size or weight of a Gemstone also affects its value. Remember, 1.00 ct of gem weight equates to one fifth of a gram.
The variety of colours and qualities of valuable Gemstones is almost limitless. Some of the most popular ones have been allocated to months of the year, bringing all people born in their months under the protection of that stones.
Buying a Gemstone is your investment in lasting beauty. Treat it accordingly. A Gemstone’s durability means it can last for generations – but it must be handled with care. Here are some easy guidelines for taking care of your Gemstones.
