Gemstone Buying Guide

Buying a gemstone can be an intimidating experience, especially for the uninitiated. You need to trust not only your own judgment but that of the dealer from whom you are purchasing.

When setting a value on a gemstone, many factors must be considered. Some of these are tangible—such as weight—while others are not—such as color. Gemstones may be accompanied by a laboratory report listing the color, cut, clarity and weight. The lab report may also include a comment about treatments or origin.

Gems such as ruby or sapphire can receive a premium in the market if they are believed to be from a particular country (origin). In lieu of an independent identification and/or grading report, some sellers offer guarantees.

Consumers must balance their budgets with their desires. A smaller gem of higher quality will cost as much or more than a larger gem of lower quality.

Natural gemstones are generally more valuable than those that are synthetic, because nature produces fewer of the former. Before purchasing a gem, it is a good idea for buyers to research the gem thoroughly: we recommend Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) Gem Encyclopedia , which is an online, unbiased source for gemstone information.

The website link is https://www.gia.edu/gem-encyclopedia and provides an in-depth, and easily understood facts about most popular gems.