| |
| |
|
|
| |
| Gems & Diamonts |
| |
VALUE OF GEMS
Understanding the value of colored stones is vital to a successful purchase, but grading and valuation is not that easy. Indeed, it is a far more subjective process than grading diamonds.
Appreciating the meaning, and the relative importance of the 4C’s, (COLOR, CLARITY, CUTTING, and CARAT) is essential to evaluating the quality and value of colored gemstones. For buyers, COST and CONFIDENCE are additional issues that need to be addressed.
I. Color
Color is the most important factor in determining the value of colored gemstones and most dealers assess the color component of a stone at between 50 – 70% of its value.
In general, a bright, rich, intense, pure, and vivid color is always best. Gemstones should not be too dark or too light. Ideally, they should look good under any light conditions. Color change stones should display a strong change in color between alternative exposure to daylight and incandescent light sources.
It is worth bearing in mind that the color of a stone is always affected by the quality of the light in which it is examined. Daylight varies throughout the day and according to global latitude. Morning and afternoon light have their own specific characteristics and many stones will appear different throughout the day.
Artificial light also affects a stone’s appearance, for example an incandescent light source enhances red tones while a fluorescent lamp brings out the greens and the blues. To help deal with these variations, many dealers use their own light source when they buy. But beware, more unscrupulous dealers may misuse these lighting techniques to inflate prices to unsuspecting buyers or unfairly to deflate prices while bargaining with sellers.
II. Clarity
Clarity in gemstones is always an important consideration, second only to color in importance. Colored stones are almost never as clean as diamonds and they should not be judged by the same criteria.
Important stones like emeralds, rubies and alexandrites are rarely clean. Clarity and transparency are always desirable but color is still of paramount importance.
Gemstones are not created equally, some are clean and some are always included.
III. Cut
The most usual method of fashioning a gem is to cut the surface into a number of flat faces, known as facets. This gives the stone its final shape and "cut". Polishing is the oldest form of fashioning.
Carving produces three-dimensional objects by cutting them from a larger mass of material and engraved images are made by scratching out lines or holes to leave a raises image.
The cut is what gives a gemstone its beauty and brilliance. An ideal cut which reflects all the light in an even pattern without any darkness or windowing is usually preferable. In faceted
Because of their beauty and rarity, gemstones are valuable – especially rare stones with good color and clarity. Well-cut and proportioned stones look better and are easier to sell. As dealers and cutters we frequently re-cut poorly faceted stones, using our experience to select those with color and clarity and then drawing out their hidden potential, while still maximizing final weight and value.
IV. Carat
A carat is a metric unit of weight used in the gemstone industry to describe how much a gemstone weighs. A carat is equal to one fifth of a gram and there are five carats in one gram. Thus when referring to decimal fractions of a carat, a point is equal to .01 (1/100th) of a carat.
Valuable gemstones are generally sold by weight and not by size. Less valuable materials can be cut into standard calibrated sizes commonly used by jewelry designers.
Larger stones are always rarer and per-carat prices will usually be more than equivalent to similar stones in a smaller size. Relationships between per-carat prices and sizes will vary with each specific gemstone group. As a starting point, we use the following guidelines, albeit with great flexibility:
.
V. Cost Like any other commodity, supply and demand determine the prices of gemstones. Fine gems are never available in quantity and demand is always strong with speculative gem dealers buying the best, the biggest and the rarest stones whenever they can.
Supply is unpredictable and even if a deposit can continue to be mined, conflicts over royalties, ownership issues, and political, tribal, or power struggles will restrict or inhibit the production sooner or later.
Supply may be unpredictable, but so too is demand, which can be promoted, or simply be the result of some unforeseen fashion trend due to the popularity of a certain color, or because of the association of a particular stone with some famous personality.
Successful gem buying at a professional level requires years’ of experience. As a hobbyist or collector, gem buying can be fun and profitable. As a buyer or an investor – do your research! Go to jewelry stores, visit websites or checkout some of the online auctions – shop around. Gain knowledge and confidence! |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
