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How to Rate & Purchase Gems

Purchasing gemstones requires doing research in order to get the best possible quality for the price you pay. Learning how to judge gemstones is important in making comparisons between dealers. If possible getting an unbiased opinion also helps in making decisions on purchasing gemstones. In rating and purchasing gemstones it is always better to evaluate the stones in person so that you are able to ask questions and make the most informed decision possible. When going to a dealer, there are a few components that you ask and evaluate before making that purchase.

Instructions

- 1
  Evaluate the color of the gemstone, an important factor. Colors that are bright and intense tend to be the most valuable. Gemstones should not be too dark or too light. Personal preference should be considered as more popular colored gemstones are higher priced.
- 2
  Examine the clarity of the gemstone. Clarity refers to the transparency of the stone. In colored gemstones, it may be difficult to judge how clear it should be. Stones that are not cleaned are Amethyst, Topaz and Citrine.
- 3
  Ask the dealer about the cut of the gemstone. Look at the dimensions of the gemstone. Look at the depths of cuts as the deeper the cut the more the gemstone will sparkle. An ideal cut usually reflect the light in all corners of the gemstone so that there are no dark areas.
- 4
  Measure the carat of the gemstone. Carats are the metric unit used to measure gemstones. It will affect the weight of the stone and most definitely will affect the pricing of the stone. 1 carat is equal to 1/5 of a gram to give you an idea in weight. Larger stones are the rarest, so will be priced higher.
- 5
  Ask the jewelry dealer if the gemstone has had any prior treatment. Jewelry dealers can treat gemstones through various methods in order to boost sales. Some treatments to ask about include coating, dyeing, heat treatment and irradiation.

Rocks & Minerals