Africa is fast becoming one of the world’s leading producers of coloured gemstones. They are shipping them to destinations all across the globe where people are indulging in the sheer clarity and beauty of the African stones. AfricaGems holds a very high quality standard to the gemstones that come from Africa. In this way, Africa always gives the public the best of what is available.
How To Judge The Quality Of A Gemstone
The pretty colours of AfricaGems can often distract you from what is really important – the actual quality of the stone. By taking care to consider the following steps, you will be able to easily judge the quality of a gemstone:
• Colour: For gemstones, this is the most important factor determining quality. An assessor will look at four aspects of colour in a gemstone, namely hue, saturation, tone and coverage. A good quality gemstone will be rich in colour and have an overall light tone and good saturation. Colour coverage is the other aspect, and valuable gemstones have a lot of sparkle and depth in their colour coverage.
• Clarity: Clarity is determined by looking at the inclusions on the stone. Although inclusions can be seen with the help of magnification, the inclusions visible to the naked eye are what counts. Unlike with diamonds, less inclusions are better with gemstones. There are a few exceptions to this rule as is the case with sapphires.
• Cut: This is the most subjective factor determining quality because it comes down to personal taste. The cut is basically the way to show off the stone’s natural beauty in the best possible shape. Assessors look at symmetry, shape, cutting style and finish when judging this aspect.
• Carat Weight: The weight of a gemstone is measured in carats, where five carats equal one gram. It is generally understood that the higher the carat weight of a stone, the more expensive it is.
With the help of this little guide you will be able to spot a good deal on gemstones when you see it. You will also be able to make informed decisions about to purchase and what to pass over. Happy shopping!
