GEMSTONES SHOPPING TIPS

Buy expensive gemstones from a company or individual you trust, especially if the gems are labeled natural. Ask for verification from a respected laboratory before paying top dollar for any gem.

Shopping for a natural gemstone is a lot easier if it's a color you're after and not a specific stone. Gemstones that aren't usually treated include garnets, peridot, hematite, alexandrite and moonstone.

Read as much as you can about gemstones and jewelry, then study ads carefully to compare prices. Ask for details on all components, not just the gemstones. Go shopping so that you can compare jewelry and gemstones side-by-side.

Well now, since wearing of an astro gemstone is more related to faith & fear one always has the doubt about what he is wearing or buying. Reading & understanding this page below will give you great base to understand how to buy an astro gemstone.

After consulting a right gem therapist or astrologer one would know what gemstone they are suppose to wear, the question that arises after that is from where to buy the gemstone, what is the quality, what is the price, what are the types & so on, before understanding how to understand the quality of gemstone one should know from where to buy.

People often take it for granted the jewelers are the right place to buy a gem or the astrologer himself will be the right guide, this is because of their background, however these are the worst places to buy a gemstone from because jewelers are good with ornaments & metals but not with stones, just because they have an ornament shop doesn’t mean they are gemologists. Astrologers & so called guruji’s you have to depend blindly on them because just in case they put a specific requirement you will be like from where do I find us from & instead you would request the astrologer or guruji to get it for you, some of them are honest to say that they do not sell them because they have less knowledge on the other hand some sell them so that they can get the cream of money besides their consultation charges & trust they are just like a normal layman not knowing much about gemstones. Rather you should know how to buy a gemstone on your own.

How to check the quality of Gemstones :

Incase there are any effects, then the effects of an transparent Astro Gemstone depends on its color, transparency & size. Deeper the color more rays it could attract from the planet & more the transparency easily it would pass in your body.

Most of the times one gets an original Astro Gemstone but the color is either too less or treated & transparency is very poor. In case the color is less or treated its potential to attract rays reduces & at the same time more the color with no transparency does attract rays but doesn’t pass it into your body. So one should ensure that the stone has a bit of all in it if not more. All we could do is helping you understand how to know which stone is of a good quality.

Well there are a few categories of stones like the following :

1. The non treated ones (precious) – No treatments have been performed on the stone, its color & internal structure is all natural.

2. The treated ones (precious) – the stones are original & natural but certain characteristics are enhanced by processes & treatments, like its color may been improved.

3. Substitutes (semi precious) – they are again naturally produced by nature but are substitutes to the precious stones & a cheaper option.

4. Synthetics & fakes – made in laboratories.

Now for eg if you have to buy a yellow sapphire, you should ask the merchant whether the ones he is showing you are treated ones or non treated, if you have willingness to spend for a good stone then you should always emphasize on showing you non treated stones.

If there is a slight budget constrain then a treated stone would do but it should be to your knowledge rather than wearing a substitute or synthetic.

The color is pretty much visible to your naked eye; the transparency could be seen by holding the stone against any form of light.

Taking a next step, the basic rule for a gemstone is Deeper & better the color, more the transparency & more the size higher is the price. So once you out to buy a gem see how deep, dark & nice the color is along with its transparency, however it will cost you a very high price. The ones with good color but no transparency fetches a lower price.

Before You Buy Gemstone :

What could be more tempting than a jewelry display packed with a rainbow of brightly colored gemstones? Go shopping and you'll see natural, synthetic, and imitation stones of every color, shape, and size. Can you tell one type of gemstone from another? Here are some tips to help you understand the differences so you can ask the right questions before you buy a colored gemstone.

A. Natural colored Gemstones :

Natural stones are courtesy of nature, with no interference from humans. Don't assume that just because it's natural a stone should carry a high price tag. Prices are driven by desirability, quality, and availability. A brilliantly colored ruby with "perfect" clarity will cost thousands of dollars more than a garnet of similar quality. Become acquainted with the gemstone market before you buy.

B. Gemstone treatments :

Most natural stones are treated to improve appearance. Heat and radiation change or enhance colors. Diffusion deepens color, but only within a stone's outer layers. Oil and waxes are used to fill-in surface-breaking fractures. Some treatments are permanent--others are not. Treated gems can be a good choice when you know what you are buying and pay a price that reflects a stone's true quality.

C. Synthetic colored Gemstones :

A synthetic stone shares a natural stone's physical, chemical, and optical qualities. The difference? Synthetics are created in a lab. They've been around for a long time, but modern technology allows us to grow stones that are difficult to distinguish from their natural counterparts. Ask for a lab certificate to verify authenticity before paying top dollar for a stone represented as natural.

D. Imitation stones :

Imitation, or simulated, stones may at first look like the real thing, but that's where the similarities end. They do not share physical characteristics with natural or synthetic stones. Many are made of glass or plastic and most can be detected easily by a jeweler. Moissanite is a newer diamond substitute that's even fooling the pros.

E. Composite stones :

Doublets are stones that are assembled using a larger chunk of an inexpensive stone (or glass) which is topped by a thin slice of the genuine stone. The division usually isn't obvious without magnification. One type of doublet sandwiches a colored bonding agent between two clear stones to mimic a colored gemstone. Triplets are composites assembled in three parts.

Bottom line :

Imitation and synthetic stones make lovely jewelry there's no reason to avoid them. What you do want to avoid is paying too much for a misrepresented stone. Read as many resources as possible and start looking more closely at jewelry. Ask questions when you shop. It won't make you an overnight pro, but in time it will help you become a more savvy consumer.