If you try to remember where you have seen gemstones, you probably recall seeing them on earrings, bracelets, necklaces, engagement rings, among other pieces of jewelry. Gems are mainly used for beautification due to their attractive physical appearance.
Due to the high value of gems, investors have found them to be profitable elements of trade. Many business people are moving from antiques and artwork to invest in gems. However, buying and selling gemstones is challenging as identifying original gemstones is not easy. The identification process is overwhelming and confusing for investors and buyers. Understanding such challenges, this website is here to help you identify gems.
Looking at Gemstones
Although many people invest in tools that analyze the properties of gems, you can successfully distinguish between a real and a fake gemstone. Just by looking at gems, you will discover a lot. With lights and the lustre, you can accurately and successfully examine them. Highlighted below are aspects that can help to identify original gemstones:
- Colour
If you are presented with several stones and are required to identify original gems, the first element that should help categorize the stones is colour. Through colours, you can eliminate stones that do not match the physical properties of gemstones you want. For instance, a ruby is red while the emerald is green. Since various types of gems vary in colour, you should research more about the colours of gemstones. If you are into both the gemstone business and games, you can visit Unibet sites to check out promotions at Unibet and the games they offer.
- Tone of Gems
Colour alone may not help to differentiate gems. The tone of them can help identify the type and differentiate between real and counterfeit gemstones. For example, you can check if the gemstone is dark, light or even medium. In the GIA wheel, you will find seven different light levels. If you place a gem in a light level that matches its natural colour, you can quickly tell a real gem.
- Saturation
The level of saturation will also help to identify a gem and classify it. Note the intensity of the gemstone colour and determine if it is vivid or flat. For instance, a stone with a warm colour is normally flat. Moreover, you should note that as stones become darker, the saturation of colours increases. The best gems are highly saturated.
- Weight
You can weigh a gemstone to tell if it is real or fake. Although many people use scales to compare the weight of gemstones and their sizes accurately, you can use your hand to feel the weight. For instance, a sapphire gemstone of five point five millimetres weighs one carat.
- Lustre
Lustre can also be used to categorize gemstones. Shining light on a gemstone will help to classify the stones. Gemstones shin differently, and light is used to show how they shine. For instance, some gems have oily, vitreous, silky adamantine and waxy shinning features. Nonetheless, other gemstones do not shine at all.
- Check the Streak of the Rock
When you come across a rough gemstone, you should be able to tell the type or whether it is a real or a fake gem. By rubbing the stone across a ceramic tile or other unglazed material, you can distinguish between various gemstones. The powder colour a gemstone leaves behind is the streak that will help to classify the stone.
Bottom Line
Before you invest in precious gemstones, you should learn to identify various types of gemstones. The value of various stones differs. Thus, to avoid overpaying, it is essential to know the properties of different gemstones. Go through this post to understand how you can identify them.