Tips to Know Best Quality Gemstones and Accurate Grading System

We all lure over the vibrant colors that the gemstones offers and why not? After all colors have a vibe that none can match.

The blazing colors of gemstones are popular as they make beautiful and antique jewelry but do you know? That gemstone jewelry is gaining more momentum for a different reason. Whether it is a ruby ring or an emerald pendant, women all over the world are loving gemstone jewelry for a good reason.

It’s a well known fact that gemstone have a long standing history and people have been using them for various reasons. From beautiful decorative ornaments to religious symbol, amulets, and good luck charms. Gemstones have gathered a massive fan following.

Someone said it right “All that glitters are not gold” similarly all the stones that have tendency to reflect color are not gemstones. Although, its not too hard to recognize a best quality gemstone, it is easy to be fooled by people selling poor quality gemstone if a person is not well aware.

But don’t you worry! You can be a bit of a gemstone expert too. Just read on further. Here is a well researched blog for the people who take keen interest in gemstones and look forward to buy the best ones.

How to Know about Best Quality Gemstone?

However, every gemstone has its own color and their distinctive character, they all have the similar factors for quality determination. Buying colored gemstones might make you wonder that it’s not easy as you have thought. Even it is more complex than buying a diamond jewelry. Color gemstone also have different quality variant and it’s crucial for you to know how can you determine the best quality of the gemstone.

Unlike diamond, there is no international standard formed by GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and that’s why we use the similar four “C’s” method to get to know the best quality gemstone.

The 4 “C’s” to Know Gemstone Quality -

1. Cut:

   The cut of a gemstone refers to its shape, faceting, symmetry, and proportions.

   People often confuses “Cut” with the shape of a gemstone, while it’s a clear-cut discussion. Shape can be square, triangle, rectangle, marquise, pear or the most popular “round”. While cut can be defined as the facets from various side of a stone. The facets of a gemstone gives them a depth of color as the sharp edges of gemstone reflect more light causing the crystal to sparkle.

   A well-cut gemstone should maximize the reflection and refraction of light, enhancing its overall brilliance and fire.

   The popular cut of gemstone are - cushion cut, brilliant cut, princess cut and radiant cut. Always remember to choose a stone that not only looks beautiful, but it well cut.

2. Clarity:

   Clarity refers to the presence of inclusions and blemishes in a gemstone. The fewer inclusions and blemishes, the higher the clarity grade.

   It is the next essential factor to consider in a gemstone to ensure it’s good quality. And it’s quite easy to determine the clarity of a gemstone. Just look at the transparency of a gemstone, if the gem is clear without inclusions then it is a valuable piece!

   If the gemstone is cloudy, faded, or it has any blemished then it’s better for you to stay away from it and stop yourself buying it. Although, there can be minute inclusions which you might not see with the naked eyes, so you can use a magnifier.

   Gems like sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, are all expected to have minute inclusions. It’s hard to find these gems to find without inclusions and that’s why these gems are more valuable.

   Clarity can instantly effects the gems value. Hence, it’s a major factor to notice while buying the gem.

3. Color:

   The color of a gemstone is an important factor in its overall value. Gemstones with a rare and vibrant hue are typically more valuable than those with a less intense color.

   The more the flamboyant a gemstone is the more will be it’s value. To intensify a gemstone’s color “cut” is also a major factor. All the gemstone available undergo several color enhancement treatment before they get sold in the market. there are different color enhancement treatments for different gemstone for example - dye, oil, high heat, resin infusion, coating and surface treatments, and laser treatments.

   Here are some tips to choose the best color for precious gemstones like Ruby, Emerald, and Sapphire -

   • For Ruby - The high quality ruby is neither dark nor too light. Pigeon’s blood ruby which displays a deep red color is the most valuable one.

   • For Emerald - Look for “saturated green” color if you want to buy the best quality of emerald. The color would range in between medium to slightly dark tone.

   • For Blue Sapphire - The most precious sapphire is “Blue”. With an intense blue color, “Kashmir Sapphires” are the most precious one. Medium to dark tone of blue is what you go for.

4. Carat weight: (Ct)

   Carat weight refers to the weight of a gemstone and is a measure of its size. Larger gemstones are generally more valuable than smaller ones of the same quality.

   But due to different densities of gemstones the size and carat may confuse you. For example one carat ruby and one carat emerald may appear different in sizes. Although, there physical appearance might look bit different, they both can share the same carat weight.

   A carat is equal to 200 milligrams or 1/5 of a gram. Further, it is represented in decimals for instance, .25 Ct, .75 Carat.

   This detailed version of 4 “C’s” would help you understand how to determine quality gemstone while buying them and would prevent you getting fooled by what the market offers. However, you may also take help from your trusted jeweler to identify whether the gemstone you are going to buy is better in quality or not.

   And while buying gemstone online, always check the “Return Policy” first and then about the gemstone IGS certificate.

The Grading System of Gemstone

There is no bar set for grading gemstone, likewise gemstone quality. That’s why jewelers use a particular type of color grading system to rate the intensity of color gems rubies, emeralds, and sapphires etc. This grading system is called ‘A’ grading system.

Grading System of a Gemstone is divided as AAAA, AAA, AA, and A.

• AAAA - Vivid Color.

• AAA - Intense color (may be slightly included).

• AA - Deep color (moderate to slightly included).

• A - Looks opaque, dark color (sometimes heavily included).

Recently, the Gemological Institute of America has introduced a different grading system based on clarity for the better understanding of the buyers. The clarity based gemstone are now classified as Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. The clarity grades are as follows -

• VVS - Very very slightly included

• VS - Very slightly included

• SI1 - Slightly included 1

• SI2 - Slightly included 2

• I1 - Included 1

• I2 - Included 2

• I3 - Included 3

With the help of such clarity grading, the customers get more convenient in knowing about the gemstone quality.

If you are in the market for jewelry online for the highest quality, then you should consider purchasing pieces from Rosec Jewels, we are an IGS certified jewelry company. Buying from us would ensure you that you are buying a piece that is not only stunning to look at, but also made with the finest materials. Also, having a 30-day free return policy further solidifies the confidence you can have in your purchase. With this policy, you have the flexibility to return or exchange your jewelry within 30 days if it does not meet your expectations.