Loose gemstones are classified by how they are quarried and worked on, with factors such as clarity, color, size, and cut affecting their value. Gemstones can be natural or synthetic, with some chemically enhanced for color. Examples include diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Mining is a dangerous process, and gemstones often look rough until they are polished and refined. Loose gemstones can be used for investment or set into jewelry for sale.
There are a couple of ways to classify and organize the different types of loose gems. One of the first involves how stones are quarried and removed from the earth in the first place; this can include everything from how big they are and how easy they are to identify, to size and quality gradients. Once the stones are removed from the mines they normally need to be worked on, and from here they are normally polished and cut into the stones commonly found in jewelery shops and which are ready to be set into rings, necklaces and bracelets. These types of loose stones are generally designed to be as attractive as possible and are normally valued on things such as the stone’s clarity and color, size, often known as a carat, and quality of the cut. High quality gemstones can get quite expensive and perhaps as a result the market for synthetic and artificially enhanced stones is growing in many parts of the world. Synthetic gemstones often look a lot like their natural counterparts, but usually lack the quality and lasting value.
Classifying stones in general
Loose gemstones are generally precious or semi-precious stones sold loose and not set in jewelry. Sometimes loose stones are used as an investment, but many gemstone consumers and dealers obtain them in bulk at reasonable or discounted prices and have them set into jewelry for later sale at a profit. Gemstones include diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Also included are Aquamarine, Opal and Tourmaline stones, just to name a few.
Mining Basics
One of the most distinctive characteristics of gemstones of any variety is that they have been mined from the earth. Gems are natural features of the layers of the earth in many parts of the world. Geologists usually believe they were formed millions of years ago in the planet’s earliest days, when tectonic shifts were forming the continents and various minerals were flowing and flowing beneath the surface. These have hardened to form “tubes” or joints of stone which can, under the right circumstances, be quarried.
Mining is often a messy and dangerous business, and the stones that are initially recovered usually bear little or no resemblance to what they will become once polished and refined. In fact, it often takes a very trained eye to recognize a rough diamond, ruby or other stone, as they normally look dirty and rough at first. Only once opened and finished do they take on their characteristic and recognizable appearance.
Cutting and processing
It is typical for gemstones, both loose and set, to vary in cost and value based on the classification and grade of the finished product. There are a couple of options for a raw stone once it’s opened. It will need to be cut, usually as large as possible for maximum profit, and this is where it takes its shape. The cuts can be round, square, oval or blunt. A multifaceted face often adds interest and can catch more light than a flat face, although there are times when a smooth surface is also desirable. The different shapes and styles of the stones at this stage are almost all factors in the jewelers interests and value judgments.
Degrees of classification
Gemstones are usually graded once they have been cut, usually on a number system. The higher the score, the more valuable the stone is in most cases. Flaws like chips or scratches typically devalue the value, especially of diamonds. Gemstones are also typically classified based on their chemical composition and crystal structure, as well as overall durability.
Artificial improvements and synthetic alternatives
Gemstones can be natural or synthetic. Some natural gemstones are chemically enhanced to infuse a desired color. Synthetic or man-made gemstones are chemically engineered to replicate natural gemstones. In most cases, synthetic or “fake” stones can be significantly less expensive than genuine stones. Untrained people generally have difficulty distinguishing them, but to the trained eye the differences are usually obvious.
Common examples and known stones
Some of the less common loose gemstones, genuine or man-made, are alexandrite, garnet, and topaz. A popular type of topaz is the blue topaz, which is also the birthstone for December. Many gemstones are designated as birthstones. For example, garnet is the January birthstone, amethyst is the February birthstone, and ruby is the July birthstone.
Peridot, quartz and kunzite can be found as loose gemstones. The types of quartz are smoky quartz and rose quartz. Pearl, coral and iolite are other gemstones that can be found loose, along with citrine.
Emeralds and rubies are better known in many places. Deep green emeralds occur naturally in regions of South Africa including Zambia. This gem belongs to the family of minerals known as beryl. At the opposite end of the color spectrum are red rubies. Rubies tend to be more desirable when the color is a deep, deep red rather than a lighter pinkish red. Aluminum oxide is the mineral from which a ruby is derived. Loose rubies are often bought and sold to be set in extravagant jewellery.
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