Description
One of the more common questions we get asked is "What's a
good investment stone?", the answer is simple no gemstone is a good investment,
because market uncertainties make it almost impossible to predict what prices
will be a year from now or 10 years from now. Unlike diamonds, the price of
colored gemstones isn't controlled by one large corporation, so it makes colored
stones truly a free market economy. One of the stones that always caught my eye
was spinel. Like sapphire it comes in every spectrum of the rainbow. It's a hard
stone as well with a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale (tanzanite a 7, sapphire is
9, diamond a 10), with a really nice richness to it.
This spinel was mined and cut in Sri Lanka, and a rich
delicious cherry pink color. This stone has a stunning cut which gives it a
lovely brilliance as well.
This
gemstone (or gemstone that is part of this piece of
gemstone jewelry) has NOT been enhanced by
traditional heat treatment or
any
other known
means. The only way
to tell if a
colored stone has been
treated is for the
stone to be
analyzed by a lab.
Generally only
gemstone laboratories have the
equipment
necessary to make a
qualified
judgment with any
certainty.
Untreated
gemstones are rare and should be verified by a lab
independent
of the seller. A good
rule of thumb is to
always assume a
gemstone has been
enhanced, unless
valid
certification
from a reputable
laboratory is
available.
No
one that
sells jewelry or gems
should be
doing appraisals,
certifications, or
analysis. It
should always be an
independent
third party
with no
vested interest
in the
sale.
GIA Type 2
Clarity Chart
VVS
Very
Very
Slightly Included - Minor
inclusions
VS Very
Slightly Included - Noticeable
to Minor
SI1 Slightly
Included - Noticeable to OBVIOUS
SI2 Slightly
Included 2 - Obvious to Prominent
I1 Included 1
- Prominent - moderate effect on appearance or
durability
I2 Included 2
- Prominent - severe effect on appearance &
durability
I3 Included 3
- Prominent - severe effect on beauty, transparency &
durability
Type 2
Colored Gemstones by their nature have natural inclusions.
(Inclusions are the
norm) This
includes gems such as
Andalusite,
Chrysoberyl, Alexandrite,
Corundum
(i.e.
Sapphire and Ruby),
Garnet, Peridot, Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, Ametrine,
Spinel, Tourmaline and Zircon.
Follow us on Facebook
