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Buying guide

Buying guide

Contents

  • What to look for when buying – an overview
    • The 4 C’s for gemstone quality
    • Natural vs. synthetic gems
    • Independent certification
    • Price depending on the type of gemstone
    • Color determines value
    • Purity – inclusion-free or with star effect?
  • Buying guidelines
    • Value, cost and quality

Online shopping is the norm today, as it is the least complicated way to buy anything. Especially when buying gems, it is however, difficult to judge the quality of your purchase from a distance. Although most providers usually have a good return policy, you would rather save yourself the trouble of sending back the items.

Ultimately, only an independent certificate provides real assurance of quality and authenticity. This is like an identity card, which among other details, states the origin, authenticity, and quality of the gemstone. If you want to buy precious gems, you should look for a certificate from an independent and renowned gemological institute, both at the jeweler and online.

Jewelry, geodes or watches - Find out what to look for when buying gemstones
Jewelry, geodes or watches – find out what to look for when buying gemstones

What to look for when buying – an overview

Here is an overview of what to look for when buying a gemstone. Click on the link to go to the relevant section:

  • The four C’s (carat, color, clarity and cut)
  • Natural or synthetic?
  • Independent Certificate
  • Price depending on the type of gemstone
  • Value depending on the color
  • Purity and special inclusions
  • The quality of the cut

The 4 C’s for gemstone quality

Carat

Color

Cut

Clarity

These are the main features used to assess the quality of a stone. In addition, factors such as the rarity and uniqueness of the gems influence their prices. Find more quality features here.


Natural vs. synthetic gems

How do you recognize a real (natural) gem and how do you distinguish it from a synthetic gem?

Continue reading

Beware of bargains!

Be careful of bargains! If you have seen a beautiful piece of jewelry for an unbelievable price, it may be a synthetic gemstone. While this may have benefits, you should be able to verify that the price quoted is reasonable.

Usually, when you see Zirconia in the product description and it will be jewelry made with a synthetic gemstone. A gem imitation can be created in almost every imaginable color. Most popular, however, are the translucent varieties that resembles a Diamond. In our guide, synthetic gemstones you will find detailed information on this topic.

It is also important to mention that many real gems are artificially processed to enhance their look, for example, a heat treatment is used to intensify the color of the stone.

But it is not always beneficial to make synthetic gemstones. Gemstones, such as Rhodonite, are cheaper than making their artificial equivalent. For other types of gemstones, however, their artificial production is clearly worthwhile. The production of synthetic stones is constantly improving and can result in quite high quality.


Independent certification

When you buy high-value and multi-carat jewelry, we recommended your gemstone come with an attached, independent certificate of authenticity. This is the only way you can be guaranteed the genuineness and quality of the gemstone.

Trustworthy institutions for certification are:

  • GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
  • HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant)
  • IGI (International Gemological Institute)
  • EGL (European Gemological Laboratories)
Continue reading

While the first three organisations above are extremely strict in their evaluation, EGL prefers giving a slightly better quality rating. Nevertheless, you can always be sure of the genuineness of the gem if a certificate is issued by these institutions.

If you want to buy quality gems online, you should look for an independent certificate!

Basically, as you would in an actual jeweler’s shop, it is best to request an independent certificate from a reputable independent organization when you are buying gems. Also remember to keep your receipt!

A certificate has the following advantages:

  • Authenticity is verified (the certificate serves as a gemstone ID)
  • In case of theft, it is possible to prove the value of your gem for an insurance claim
  • Proves the higher value of a gemstone bought on sale

Edelsteine und Werkzeuge auf der Tabelle Mineraloge Edelsteine kaufen

Price depending on the type of gemstone

The type of gemstone plays a crucial role in the price. The rarity and occurrence of the gem is particularly decisive for the price.

Continue reading
  • Examples of high-quality gems: Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Tsavorite, Garnet, Spinel, Alexandrite, and Tanzanite
  • Examples of inexpensive gems: Amethyst, Citrine, Ametrine, Blue Topaz and many of the more common red Garnets

Here you will find:

  • Inexpensive gems
  • High quality gems

For high-quality gems, which may even serve as an investment, you should definitely secure an independent certificate!

However, if you’re looking for less expensive gems, you can either buy gems that are less rare, or synthetic gemstones.


Color determines value

Color is an important criterion for colored gemstones. The color of the gemstone depends on the type of mineral.

Basically, the more intense the color of the stone, the more valuable it is. However, this may vary from one type of gem to another.

Good to know! If a gem color is currently in fashion, the price of such gems increases.

Learn more about gemstone color

Currently (2020), the popular color is “Lush Lava “.

Lush Lava
Aqua Menthe
Phantom Blue
Living Coral
Fiesta
Sweet Lilac
Jester Red
Turmeric
Pink Peacock

Purity – inclusion-free or with star effect?

As a rule, the less impurities (inclusions) and damage the gem presents, the more precious it is. Sometimes, however, the inclusions make a gem unique.

Continue reading

Gems such as Sapphires and Rubies, with a star-like inclusion are extremely coveted and valuable. In this case, due to tiny hollow channels or crystal deposits result in the characteristic star effect.

More about purity and inclusions


Buying guidelines

Whether a necklace for a birthday, a set of cufflinks for a friend, or an Amber necklace for the baby – gems are found in numerous forms, colors and shapes. However, there is much to consider when buying gems. For example, the purity, the size and of course the nature of the gemstone are essential things to note before you purchase.

Especially when buying gemstones online, checking the quality features can be difficult. How do you recognize a trusted seller? Is the price reasonable or overpriced? Is the bargain possibly a synthetic stone? Above, you will find all the information you need to buy gems.

If you want to buy jewelry, caressers and pendants of a specific gemstone, you can buy the corresponding stone in our list from A to Z.

Stones in a specific color, you will also find here.


Value, cost and quality

In the case of jewelry, decorative items or sets, the complementary materials used also play a decisive role in the value of the product.

In our guide about quality features, value and cost of gems find out everything you need to know about each category. We go into detail on some basic concepts of gemology, such as color, carat, cut, clarity, rarity, and Mohs hardness.

If you’re planning on investing in a high value natural stone, you’ll want to find out, first of all, whether it is an authentic or synthetic stone. Many manufacturers or vendors present obscure, confusing, or misleading information about their products. There are some good reasons to buy fake gemstones, however, the buyer should always be aware of whether it is an imitation or real gemstone.

Is the price overpriced or reasonable?
Is the gem overpriced or reasonable?

Above, you will find out what factors affect the quality and value of a gem or jewel, what you should look out for when buying, and which gemological instruments are required in determining gemstone value.


 

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