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Now, this guide is for those whom don't have a Lab in their home.
Semi & Precious Gemstones and Minerals:
What is the difference?
Nothing. A gemstone is a mineral that has been classified as being 'pretty'. There are some cases where minerals fetch more than gemstones.
Eye of the beholder stuff. A Diamond can be a semi and precious gemstone and a mineral at the same time. An opal can be both semi and precious gemstone, but is rarely perceived an industrial grade mineral, yet is a mineral in its own right as are all gemstones.
Neither title really dictates value/worth. However, scarcity (compared to another type) and perceived 'prettiness' determines value/worth of any gemstone/mineral.
How can you tell if you have a fake gemstone?
Most times you won't know for sure without the aid of equipment. However, as a general rule of thumb (applicable to Australia) most jewellery hallmarked with 18K (750) gold or more normally has genuine set gemstones whilst 9K (375) gold has set lab synthetic stones.
Stones found in silver jewellery are normally semi gemstone or mineral grade (not precious). Most times (excluding 'Diamond' look-a-likes) the stones found in silver jewellery are 'real' just that they are normally very poor/low grade.
Fake or lab synthetic gemstones normally look too good to be real/true (as the saying goes).
How can you identify what type of gemstone you have in jewellery?
By analyzing using tests (kits can be bought from a jewellery supplier such as "Australian Jewellery Suppliers" or "House of Jewellery" in Australia):
Typical non destructive tests include
- Specific gravity.
- Refractive Index.
- UV Test (flourescent)
- Chelsea filter.
If in a hurry and on the cheap; you can narrow down possibilities what type of gemstone it is by observing:
- colour classification and pleochroic test
- streak test (destructive test).
- Moh's hardness test (destructive test).
Use a magnifying glass loupe and check for any heat treatment or enhancements on surface too. Inclusions within the stone is a good tell tale sign that it could be genuine (further tests required to confirm of course).
You can scratch softer stones and surfaces to test for Moh hardness.
Jewellery Supplier Shops in Australia (some chains require trade proof). Most ship/post Australia wide:
Australian Jewellers Supplies Pty Ltd (Most States) <==They have most things, but it will cost you!
House of Jewellery (Sydney, NSW and Brisbane, QLD) <==My fav for jewellery supplies!
GemCuts (Ballina, NSW and Yowah, QLD) <==My fav for machines and consumables!
Shell Lap Supplies (Mile End, SA) <==They have come a long way. Good shop.
Gemworld (Virgina, QLD) <==Good for small things!
Jewellery and Gemstone Industry Organisations and Special Interest Groups:
Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) <==Jewellery related
Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA) <==Gemstone related
The Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia <==Goldsmith/Silversmith related
Australian Hallmark (stamps/marks) Registry
Hallmarks on the internet
Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks and Maker's Marks
National Council of Jewellery Valuers <==Find an appraiser near you!
Jewellery Fairs and Events in Australia <==Meet an expert near you!
Gem and Jewellery Institute of Australasia
Mineral Database <==That is where I like to haunt when not stalking SS. For Sales and Classifieds too.
More Hallmark/Stamp Identifying links
Handy PAID Software/Appz to help identify gemstones and minerals:
Iphone Minerals & Gemstones
Android Minerals & Gemstones <==Tried/Good but basic
PC/Windows Gemology Tools <==Tried/Good and advanced
The two carrot tops:
Carat = Unit of Weight used for weighing semi and precious gemstones. One Carat equals 1/5th gram.
Karat = Purity (percentage) of Precious Metals, such as, 9Kt gold.
How much can you ask for set stones in jewellery?
Short answer = $5 bucks.
Long answer = not much. Unless you have certification to prove the stone is genuine (specifically Corundums such as Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires and Diamonds).
The market value of gemstones is not the retail price. The market value is what people are willing to spend.
Now, as a rule of thumb, you should always approach Corundum stones as being lab synthetics. This does not mean lab synthetics are worthless, just that they are not 'naturally found'. Therefore, it would be unwise to assume you can ask for top dollar as no exploration and mining was involved.
Just because a stone is facetted and set in jewellery does not stipulate the stone being a geniune Diamond or Ruby. Plenty of hobbyiest facet Glass, Quartz, Spinel, Beryl, Citrine, Zirconia and Tourmaline, all of which can be heat and chemically treated to look like popular precious gemstones.
THIS THREAD IS STILL BEING UPDATED AFTER I HAVE A BREAK, CUPPA, SLEEP, FART AND WHAT HAVE YOU
MORE WILL BE ADDED WITHIN 24 HOURS
.
Semi & Precious Gemstones and Minerals:
What is the difference?
Nothing. A gemstone is a mineral that has been classified as being 'pretty'. There are some cases where minerals fetch more than gemstones.
Eye of the beholder stuff. A Diamond can be a semi and precious gemstone and a mineral at the same time. An opal can be both semi and precious gemstone, but is rarely perceived an industrial grade mineral, yet is a mineral in its own right as are all gemstones.
Neither title really dictates value/worth. However, scarcity (compared to another type) and perceived 'prettiness' determines value/worth of any gemstone/mineral.
How can you tell if you have a fake gemstone?
Most times you won't know for sure without the aid of equipment. However, as a general rule of thumb (applicable to Australia) most jewellery hallmarked with 18K (750) gold or more normally has genuine set gemstones whilst 9K (375) gold has set lab synthetic stones.
Stones found in silver jewellery are normally semi gemstone or mineral grade (not precious). Most times (excluding 'Diamond' look-a-likes) the stones found in silver jewellery are 'real' just that they are normally very poor/low grade.
Fake or lab synthetic gemstones normally look too good to be real/true (as the saying goes).
How can you identify what type of gemstone you have in jewellery?
By analyzing using tests (kits can be bought from a jewellery supplier such as "Australian Jewellery Suppliers" or "House of Jewellery" in Australia):
Typical non destructive tests include
- Specific gravity.
- Refractive Index.
- UV Test (flourescent)
- Chelsea filter.
If in a hurry and on the cheap; you can narrow down possibilities what type of gemstone it is by observing:
- colour classification and pleochroic test
- streak test (destructive test).
- Moh's hardness test (destructive test).
Use a magnifying glass loupe and check for any heat treatment or enhancements on surface too. Inclusions within the stone is a good tell tale sign that it could be genuine (further tests required to confirm of course).
You can scratch softer stones and surfaces to test for Moh hardness.
Jewellery Supplier Shops in Australia (some chains require trade proof). Most ship/post Australia wide:
Australian Jewellers Supplies Pty Ltd (Most States) <==They have most things, but it will cost you!
House of Jewellery (Sydney, NSW and Brisbane, QLD) <==My fav for jewellery supplies!
GemCuts (Ballina, NSW and Yowah, QLD) <==My fav for machines and consumables!
Shell Lap Supplies (Mile End, SA) <==They have come a long way. Good shop.
Gemworld (Virgina, QLD) <==Good for small things!
Jewellery and Gemstone Industry Organisations and Special Interest Groups:
Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) <==Jewellery related
Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA) <==Gemstone related
The Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia <==Goldsmith/Silversmith related
Australian Hallmark (stamps/marks) Registry
Hallmarks on the internet
Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks and Maker's Marks
National Council of Jewellery Valuers <==Find an appraiser near you!
Jewellery Fairs and Events in Australia <==Meet an expert near you!
Gem and Jewellery Institute of Australasia
Mineral Database <==That is where I like to haunt when not stalking SS. For Sales and Classifieds too.
More Hallmark/Stamp Identifying links
Handy PAID Software/Appz to help identify gemstones and minerals:
Iphone Minerals & Gemstones
Android Minerals & Gemstones <==Tried/Good but basic
PC/Windows Gemology Tools <==Tried/Good and advanced
The two carrot tops:
Carat = Unit of Weight used for weighing semi and precious gemstones. One Carat equals 1/5th gram.
Karat = Purity (percentage) of Precious Metals, such as, 9Kt gold.
How much can you ask for set stones in jewellery?
Short answer = $5 bucks.
Long answer = not much. Unless you have certification to prove the stone is genuine (specifically Corundums such as Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires and Diamonds).
The market value of gemstones is not the retail price. The market value is what people are willing to spend.
Now, as a rule of thumb, you should always approach Corundum stones as being lab synthetics. This does not mean lab synthetics are worthless, just that they are not 'naturally found'. Therefore, it would be unwise to assume you can ask for top dollar as no exploration and mining was involved.
Just because a stone is facetted and set in jewellery does not stipulate the stone being a geniune Diamond or Ruby. Plenty of hobbyiest facet Glass, Quartz, Spinel, Beryl, Citrine, Zirconia and Tourmaline, all of which can be heat and chemically treated to look like popular precious gemstones.
THIS THREAD IS STILL BEING UPDATED AFTER I HAVE A BREAK, CUPPA, SLEEP, FART AND WHAT HAVE YOU
MORE WILL BE ADDED WITHIN 24 HOURS
.
Afterall, gemstones have little utilitarian value (except for Zircon, Saphire and Diamond due to their relative hardness) other than their beauty.