Everyone is talking about how to choose diamonds, but how well-equipped are you at picking other stones that equal a diamond’s beauty and allure? That’s why we at CaratLane.com invite you for a quick tour on the basics of picking out the right gems.
As with diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds must be chosen on the merits of the four C’s.
Colour: Pick up a stone and wipe it with a soft cloth before holding it under fluorescent light. Whatever the stone, the colour should flow smoothly through it, without darkening or greying – signs that the stone you’re holding has less worth. In Rubies look for a traffic-light red, in Sapphires for a clear blue, yellow, green, pink or orange that’s neither too light nor too dark, and in Emeralds, look for a bluish or light green.
Cut: Rubies, emeralds and Sapphires come more in ovals and cushions (square or rectangular) than round, heart or emerald cuts. Round stones are higher in value as they require greater precision while cutting. Pear, heart and marquise-shaped can also be valuable depending on the stones origins, depth of colour and clarity. Avoid shallow or overly deep stones when making your choice.
Clarity: Fine silk running through rubies can actually enhance its value! This rule applies especially with star rubies, but be careful that inclusions aren’t so many that they de-saturate the colour. In Sapphires, you need to watch out for internal flaws called “feathers” which can over time, work on the stone from within making it brittle. Steer clear of emeralds that are less than semi-transparent or opaque.
Carat-weight: Always ask for the carat-weight of the stone: jewellers generally tend to state total weight – which includes the setting. A good rule of thumb is to multiply the price-per carat of a particular stone by the carat weight to determine exactly what the total cost of the stone should be.
Origin: Additionally, for rubies and sapphires, the place of its origins determines its value. The pure red corundum of Myanmar (Burma) is the most prized, and is the stone against which all other rubies are judged. Rubies from Thailand, Cambodia, Africa, Vietnam and China are also valued highly. Sapphires’ origins are ranked as: Kashmir, Mogok (Burma), Ceylon and then everywhere else. However, remember that pedigree is not all that’s important – quality is.
Perfection in Pearls
Pearls follow different standards to be valued against. The simplest of the various rules to follow while choosing your pearls are:
Colour – pearls come in all shades, from pinkish lavender to black. Colour does not affect the value of the pearl, so go ahead and choose shades that flatter your skin tone.
Shape – Round shaped pearls are usually the preferred choice, but those who like it a little unique can go in for baroque or off-round shapes.
Surface – while no pearl is totally perfect, the lesser the imperfections on the surface, the higher the value of your gem.
Lustre or sheen refers to the mirror like quality of the pearl. Pearls with good surfaces typically have better lustre and stand out when worn.
Size is all important in pearls. In fact, many believe that you have to earn the right to wear bigger pearls! A good rule of thumb is to choose pearls 7mm and larger for adult women and keep anything smaller reserved for young girls and teenagers.
Now that you’re a guru of all gemstones, what’s stopping you? Happy shopping!
