Table of Contents
How can I test my gemstone at home?
Hold a cut stone to the sun, table toward your eye. if you can see straight through it, it is a form of glass, because glass reflects light, while gem material refracts light. Weigh it: Diamonds weigh more than cubic zirconia. Does it have flaws or inclusions?
How do you evaluate gemstones?
One proposed way of judging a gemstone is to examine its “three c’s”: cut, clarity, and color. Even with accepted standards, the cut would still be a subjective grading, because it involves the aesthetics of the stone, like its shape or the style of its cut.
What does AAA grade mean for gemstones?
AAA – “AAA” grade is assigned to a gemstone that is considered to “being near perfect.” Though these stones do show some variation in colour, they are clean, well cut and polished. AAA quality gemstones are the most sought out precious stones, for the cut is perfect and the colour is vibrant.
What is a genuine gemstone?
What is a Genuine Gemstone? A genuine gemstone is real, but it is treated in some way to enhance its cut or appearance. Needless to say, these are also referred to as “enhanced” or “treated” stones. Why do stones get treated? Many times natural stones have discoloration, cracks and/or inclusions.
What is the first step in identifying a gemstone?
Step 1 – Basic Observation: Color, Transparency, and Specific Gravity
- Color: Hue, Tone, Saturation. The easiest clue for separating and identifying gemstones is color.
- Hue. First, note your gemstone’s basic overall body color (or “hue”) by viewing it as a whole.
- Tone.
- Saturation.
- Transparency and Specific Gravity.
Is there an app to identify stones?
1. Geology Toolkit. Geology Toolkit is a popular rock identification app which allows geologists to examine and explore minerals and rocks features under microscope or hand-specimen properties.
How are stones graded?
Gemstone Grading System While there is no universal grading system, many gemstone beads are graded based on their quality, color, cut, and clarity (somewhat similar to how diamonds are graded). Gemstone grading is assigned by letter. AAA is the highest grade while D is the lowest.
What does AAAA mean in gemstones?
Natural AAAA gemstones are the top 10\% of gemstones in terms of quality. They are rich green, moderately to slightly included and exhibits high brilliance. They are comparable to that used by the top 5th Avenue or Rodeo Drive Jewelers.
How do I identify my rock?
Can you identify my rock or mineral?
- Your state geological survey.
- A natural science museum.
- A college or university with a geology department.
- A rockshop.
- Members of a local Gem & Mineral club or Rockhunting club (many hobbyists are experts at identification)
- Vendors at a Gem & Mineral show.
What is the best grade of gemstone?
AAA
While there is no universal grading system, many gemstone beads are graded based on their quality, color, cut, and clarity (somewhat similar to how diamonds are graded). Gemstone grading is assigned by letter. AAA is the highest grade while D is the lowest.
How can you tell if a gemstone is real or fake?
Also, fake gemstones tend to sparkle and shine better than real gemstones, because real natural stones have been worn down through the environment. Another easy way to quickly determine whether a gem in real or not by how much the gemstone weighs. Normally, synthetic stones are going to be denser than real stones and therefore should be heavier.
What to look out for when buying gemstones?
Watch out for imitations. An imitation stone is a material that looks like a real gemstone upon first glance in spite of the fact that it is made of a completely different material. These stones can be natural or artificial, but there are a few good techniques used to spot them either way.
How do you test the hardness of a gemstone?
Use the various substances provided in a hardness kit to scratch the surface of the gemstone. If the stone can be scratched, it is softer than the substance you scratched it with. If the stone cannot be scratched, it is harder than the substance. To test streak, drag the stone across a ceramic plate.
Why are gemstones measured differently than diamonds?
They’re used to carats and carat sizes and can easily relate to them. But, when it comes to gemstones they have no clue. The biggest reason why gemstones are measured differently than diamonds are quite simple: They don’t weight the same. More accurately, their specific gravity is different.