Gemstone collecting - Wise men hobby - JewelInfo4u

Why collect Gems

If you are a connoisseur of fine objects, you should try your hand on gemstone collection, simply because they are the statement of alluring beauty and they symbolizes eternity.

Gemstone collection is a kind of hobby that sets you apart from the rest of the crowd. It is an intelligent hobby to pursue. Because it is especially rewarding both aesthetically as well as monetarily. They yield immense value over the years. The whole treasure of your collection can be passed on to the younger generation who will definitely value and appreciate the practical side of your personality. Thus they set up a link to the past. Each of them has a different story to narrate. Even many years latter when you will not be around your future family members, the gems of your collection will tell the alluring stories of the past; how did you collect them, how dearly you loved them and so on.

Then, gems and Jewellery are the most excellent forms of movable wealth. The history is replete with the tales of Russian Tsars or the French Emperors' escaping with volumes of Jewellery hidden in the folds of their clothes.

What is a gemstone?

The first step of becoming a gemstone collector is to acquire knowledge about the gemstones. Knowledge provides the power to explore the more profitable options about the art of gemstone collection. Without the proper knowledge about the gemstones you may make costly mistakes. To make an informed decision you must dwell on such basic questions as to how, where and what to buy?

To begin with, one must know the definition of a gemstone. Among some three thousand minerals, discovered by human endeavors, only fifty among them fall in the category of gemstone. The beautiful stones that are found in nature, rare to find, durable and depict special chemical compositions are called gemstones.

Then, you must learn to distinguish between precious and semi-precious stones. The precious stones are extremely rare, hard, and generally found in nature in small sizes. The diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire...they are the most superior among the precious stones. Opal, amethyst, jade, aquamarine...these are some of the examples of semi- precious stones. While these stones are extremely beautiful and extensively used in Jewellery, they are not so rare and command a lesser price and hence, given the name, semi precious stones.

A beginner's Guide for Value Assessment
As said earlier, gemstone collection is a unique hobby. Unlike the collection of any other items, it is extremely important to be well informed about the value of what he is going to collect. Otherwise there will be no difference between collecting colorful pebbles or collecting valuable gemstones.

Color: Color is a very subjective factor, as beauty and desirability varies from person to person. In general, the closer the color of a gem to its pure spectral color, the more it is valuable. The spectral colors range from pure red to pure violet. While white, black, gray and brown are not regarded as spectral colors, they do affect the overall tone of a stone's color, and, ultimately, its grading and valuation. Generally, the prices of very pale or very dark gemstones are less per carat. The color of a stone should not be so deep that it approaches black... it diminishes its value.

Cut: Cut of the stone is the second important value determinant Factor. It is the cut of the stone that renders the stone, intensity of color and the brilliance, and maximizes its life. In case of diamonds which are the most well formed crystals, the most proportionate cut can produce fifty eight facets. The precision of cut dictates how much light the diamond will reflect or refract and ultimately that determines the degree of the brilliance of the stone. On the other hand there is no such thing as an "ideal cut" associated with the other colored stones. In case of colored stones, cut is aimed at maximizing the carat weight and creating the consistency of color out of the rough crystals.

Clarity: Clarity refers to a stone's purity or absence of internal inclusions like fractures, spots, or any natural particles trapped inside the crystal. An absence of inclusions is rare and more the stone is transparent costlier it is per carat. Though to some extent, natural inclusions are desirable to authenticate their natural origin.

Weight and Size
Barring the two organic stones, coral and pearls, all gemstones are priced by the unit, carat. The greater the weight, the greater the value per carat. But this rule applies only to the stone under 50 carats. However, for some colored stone varieties, too large stones command lesser price. What is considered "large" or "rare" however varies with the stone type.
However, weight and size are not the same thing. The density or specific gravity of the basic mineral finally determines which stone will weigh more. If a diamond weighs 1.00 carats, a ruby or a sapphire with the same size would weigh approximately 1.20 carats. In gemstone industry, the colored stones are also measure by the unit of millimeter.


Testing Equipments
A gemstone collector must possess some basic gem testing equipments. In addition to a certificate from a professional appraiser, you will be able to analyze the quality of your stone yourself if you have those basic instruments with you. With the help of these equipments you will develop an eye for the identification of the gemstones, whether they are synthesized in the laboratory or treated to enhance their color and many such information. Here is a description of some standard testing equipments which are readily available in the market and not very much expensive as well.

Binocular Microscope: Using various illumination techniques this instrument assists to find out inclusions and other features of a gemstone.

Electronic Balance: It calculates the specific gravity of the stone.

Refract meter: It measures refractive index of the stone.

Polaris cope: Analyzes the optic character and ultraviolet fluorescence of the gemstone.

A Methodical Purchase Always Pays off

* As a beginner don't spend a bulk amount. Start with a defined budget that you want or can afford to spend for setting off your collection. Window shopping is a very good way of acquiring knowledge about the comparative prices per carat, for the sizes of the stone you want to buy.

* Whenever you purchase gemstones, make sure you buy them from renowned jewelers along with a certificate from authentic Gemological Institute. The Certificate should mention the date, size, shape and weight of the stone. You can also get your gems appraised by a professional Appraiser from International Society of Appraisers.

* If you choose to order it through websites, be sure to ask for a Condition Report answering such basic questions as the original color and other features of the stone. Because it is not possible to apprehend the actual condition of the stone from the images that appear in the internet. It is commonly advisable to stay off the telesales because most of the gemstone scams originate through such networks.

* A sincere gemstone collector must have the basic tasting equipments at his disposal.

* Always try to buy the loose stones instead of the set ones. Because it is easier to examine the color or clarity of the loose stones. The color also gets subdued in the set stones.

* Try to purchase at a wholesale or a near wholesale price...it will give you more liquidation benefit.

* While in abroad, do not get swayed away by the provocation of the street dealers. It is extremely imprudent to buy Jewellery while traveling because they are outstandingly cheap. If they are cheap beyond belief then you must understand that there are some reason for them to be so cheap.

Lastly, when you plan to buy gemstone Jewellery instead of loose gemstones, you have to consider every aspect of the piece, that is, the metal used in it, the craftsmanship and the time of its production. In case of an antique piece, you should take notice, whether there is any scratch mark, or sign of repairs and refitting and so on and on the basis of these observations the price of the stone can be compromised. The fashion factor is important for the price of the Jewellery. So choose Jewellery with such gemstones which retain their value in future.

Planning
Planning is the precondition of an organized collection. A haphazard collection of different gemstones may speak of your wealth, but definitely they will not reflect your knowledge about them. To start with a systematic collection, you can follow a categorization of the gemstones. For instance, you can start your collection on the theme of color. The birth stone charts also provide a wonderful foundation for gemstone collection. If you are on a Jewellery collection spree, then concentrate on the period pieces. You can start with the Art Deco period and on the foundation of that knowledge you will be able to move on to the Jewellery of other periods.

Care and Protection
A seasoned gemstone collector should first learn how to take care and protect his collection. Probably, the most important part of gemstone collection is its care and protection. To retain their polish, you have to clean them at regular intervals. A keen collector should remember these basic points of gemstone caring and protection.

* It is easy to clean the durable stones like diamond or ruby at home with the help of ultrasonic cleaners. But for the softer stones like emerald or for such fragile stones like tanzanite, the use of ultrasonic cleaners may develop fissures inside. These single crystal gems like sapphire, ruby or diamond can be washed with ammonia water to get an extra sparkle.
* However, ultrasonic cleaner or ammonia is strictly prohibited for the opaque stones like lapis, turquoise, malachite or onyx. Cleaning with a moist cloth is sufficient for them. Always use fresh water for them instead of soap water. Because soap water gets absorbed in these highly porous stones which ultimately work for their fading.
* The organic stones like pearl, coral or amber are also to be cleaned with moist cloth and the contact with such chemicals as perfume or hair spray should be strictly avoided.
* Then, the gemstones must always be kept inside cotton lined boxes and if possible separately to avoid the clash with each other in order to avoid the development of fractures within.

Equally important is getting your precious possession insured against accidents or burglary. Although the money cannot return the sentiment associated with any collection, at least it will be able to patch up some of your monetary losses.

For more information about the art and tricks of gemstone collection, interaction with other like-minded gemstone collector or updated news of gemstone industry you can refer to the following websites.

http://collectors.org/index.asp

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