Did you know that sometimes certain gemstones are more valuable than same quality diamonds?
Even in the days of ancient culture around the world, a fine Emerald was considered higher in value even compared to the world’s hardest substance, a high quality diamond of the equal weight in carats. Emeralds are rare gemstones treasured for their hue, the color saturation of the stone. An Emerald’s saturation level is transparency and the purity of green color, level of other hues throughout the stone. An Emerald’s tone is ranked according to its characteristics of color from light to dark. Unlike diamonds, the Emerald is not considered less valuable for any inclusions present in the gemstone, especially if they enhance the interest quality of the stone. Diamond are rated differently from other precious gems, using color, cut. clarity and Carat weight – the 4 “C’s”.
Trends in sensational engagement rings this year include precious gems like Emeralds, Sapphires, and highly saturated deep Red Rubies, over diamonds, even colored diamonds. These high-quality gemstones are rarer than diamonds of equal rank, and often far more expensive. Nearly colorless diamonds are like a droplet of pure water, absolutely absent of any color. These quality diamonds sell for approximately $10,000 per Carat. One of the rarest gemstones in the world, Bixbite, is also known as red beryl or Red Emerald. The Wah Wah Mountains of Utah has the only site called the Violet Claim. This claim produces the only form of Bixbite that can be cut into faceted gemstones. The deep red hue is coveted for its Ruby-like color depth. Currently selling for upwards of $10,000 per Carat.
Painite gemstones, still only 1,000 crystals known to exist, this incredibly rare gemstone was only discovered in 1950, so it is a relatively new gemstone. The deep orange-red to brownish-red colors make this a highly sought-after gem. Current pricing begins at $60,000 per Carat. Myanmar, once known as the country of Burma, has the only mines in the world, the distribution of these gems has been strictly guarded in the past.
Grandiderite, when translucent in quality, possesses a characteristic of changing color when viewed at different angles. These gemstones can appear completely colorless from one angle, and change from green-blue to deep green from other angles. It is a little-known fact that the only resource for Grandiderite is in Madagascar, a country known for its many isolated rare animal species found nowhere else on the planet. Currently selling for $20,000 per Carat.
The most beautiful and desired Alexandrite gemstones are fascinating because they change in appearance in different types of lighting. Natural light brings out the green hues while artificial lights bring out distinctive oranges and purple-reds. The colors of these gemstones also vary when viewed from different angles. Current prices begin at $10,000 per Carat.
What is the difference between unprocessed gemstones and processed ones? Which has more value?
Of course natural gemstones have more value, and man-made or processed stones are less rare and have less value. When synthetic gemstones are processed in a laboratory, they often have flaws that go unnoticed until a gemologist picks up hidden problems while evaluating them. One lab that heats their synthetic gems to 1300ºF for 50 minutes while pressurizing nitrogen within the heated furnace found they could alter the gemstone colors. Unfortunately, only after shipping them out to market did they find the process created a “coffee-stain” like flaw under the stones’ surface.
Why are some wedding bands safer to wear than others?
Most precious metals used for making fine jewelry wedding bands can be crushed. Only Tungsten and Titanium have the metal character that shatters under huge pressure. These wedding rings are ideally designed to be worn in factory settings. Where most companies require employees to remove their wedding bands, because when crushed the finger must be amputated because of loss of blood supply, with metals like Titanium, wedding bands are shattered, to prevent permanent damage to fingers when caught up in machinery.
