This lens will be dedicated to information about all types of gemstones. I will feature articles and links relating to identification, grading, evaluating, buying, selling and just appreciating gems in all forms.
Further down this page there are some great informational links and at the bottom there are some beautiful photos of some of my gemstones.
For more information you can visit my website, palmbeachgems.com listed below.
Great Gemstone Websites
- PalmBeachGems.com
- PalmBeachGems offers information on gemstones as well as the opportunity to view and purchase a selection of great stones, jewelry and beads.
- International Gem Society
- On line Gemology Course, learn how to grade and identify gemstones, diamonds and colored stones. Get hands on experience using real gems.
- My Auctions on Overstock
- This is some of the items that PalmBeachGems.com is offering on Overstock.com
- International Colored Gemstone Association - ICA
- ICA - International Colored Gemstone Association
- Gemstone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Ther's a lot of great information here on gemstones!
- The World of Gemstones, Gem by Gem
- Choosing a Gemstone
Gemstone Information
Featured Article
GEMSTONE TREATMENTSMost gemstones being sold today have been treated in some way. The most common treatments are heating, irradiating, diffusion and dyeing. Many of the treatments are considered acceptable in the jewelry trade while others are not. The important thing is that you know what you are buying.
The purpose of a treatment is simply to make a gem more beautiful than it would be without the treatment. Generally, if the treatment is permanent, improves the qualities of the gem, is disclosed and is not meant to mislead the buyer, it is acceptable.
A few gems including peridot and garnet are not usually treated, but most others usually are. For example, most all sapphires are heat treated to improve their color and clarity. Heated sapphires display brighter, more even color that would be extremely rare in a natural stone. Therefore most commercially available sapphires have been heated. That means you can a afford a more beautiful stone than you could if sapphires were not heated. Some sapphires receive diffusion treatment to alter their color. Through heat and pressure, a particular chemical element is diffused into the cut stone, thereby changing the color. However diffusion only effects a thin outer layer of the stone, so if the stone is chipped or scratched a little the original color will show. This is an example of an "unacceptable" treatment.
Some people like the idea of having an untreated stone.They prefer untreated stones even if it is more expensive or they have to sacrifice color or clarity a little. Treatment is so commonplace that untreated gemstones are becoming rare and may have more value.
Most treatments are not illegal or even unethical as long as they are disclosed. Ultimately, it is a personal decision whether you buy a treated, untreated or synthetic gemstone. The important thing is that you know what you are buying.
To read this entire article click the "Gemstone Treatments" link in the Link List below!
PalmBeachGems on eBay
These are a few of the items we have up for auction!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Great Stuff on Amazon
The Crystal Bible
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 07/26/2008)
Gemstones (Smithsonian Handbooks)
Amazon Price: $13.60 (as of 07/26/2008)
The Book of Stones: Who They Are & What They Teach
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/26/2008)
More Information on Gemstones
Below is a list of articles and charts with interesting information about gemstones.
- Gemstone Grading
- The grade of a stone takes into consideration the clarity of the stone, the color and to a lesser extent, the cut.
Color is the most important consideration for colored gemstones. There are 3 factors affecting the color of a stone. They are Hue, Saturation, and Tone.
Click the link above to read the whole article. - Evaluating Colored Gemstones
- The value of colored gemstones, like diamonds, depends on "the 4 C's". Those are Color, Clarity, Cut and Carets. Unlike diamonds, the value of a colored gemstone is effected most by the color.
Click the link above to read the whole article. - Gemstone Treatments
- One topic that can be confusing for a gem buyer is the subject of gemstone treatments. Most gemstones being sold today have been treated in some way and that's not necessarily a bad thing. The most common treatments are heating, irradiating, diffusion and dyeing.
Click the Title link above to read the entire article. - Birthstones
- This chart will tell you the generally recognized birthstones for each month.
- Mohs Scale of Hardness
- Mohs scale shows the relative hardness of differents gems and minerals.
- Amethyst
- A description and interesting facts about this popular gemstone.
- Garnets
- Information on the various varieties of Garnet gemstones.
- Lapis Lazuli
- History and characteristics of Lapis Lazuli
- Gem Gallery
- Good pictures and descriptions of most common types of gemstones.
- American Gem Trade Association - Gemstone Information
- American Gem Trade Association. The Natural Colored Gemstone and Cultured Pearl Source of Information and Ideas.
Gem and Mineral Related items from CafePress
Gemstone Pictures
Here's some pictures of some of my Gemstones.
Indicolite
Pink Tourmaline
Green Tourmaline
Watermelon Tourmalin...
Red Labradorite
Rubellite
Mystic Topaz
Peridot
Kyanite
Flourite
Chrome Diopside
Apatite
Emerald
Garnet
Citrine
None
- The Image.com HomePage
- This site is a great resource for gemstone pictures and information, including information on gem faceting and photography.
