Engaging with color Some brides-to-be are still wondering—and asking Google—whether an engagement ring can have a colored gem rather than a diamond. Others are jumping right in. One estimate is that 15% of engagement rings sold today have colored gems, compared with 5% a decade ago, so we can expect to see more color in wedding jewelry. The 4 Cs are important for most transparent gems, but for colored stone valuation, color is the primary consideration. The appraisal should describe the gem's color in appropriate detail. Describing a ruby as "red," for example, is not sufficient, since there are many versions of red. It should be described in terms of tone, saturation and hue. In the GIA system for colored gems, a ruby might be described something like this: medium dark (tone), vivid (saturation) purplish red (hue) Also, the names matter. Ruby is the name for red corundum, but pink corundum or reddish corundum should not be passed off as ruby. Emerald is green beryl, but pale green beryl, for example, does not merit the name, or the valuation, of emerald. Many gems are blue, but blue sapphire is likely to have a higher market value than the other gems. A competent gemologist appraiser, one who is experienced with colored gems and the colored gem market, will be able to make accurate identifications and assign appropriate valuations. Lab reports are available for some of the most popular colored gems. These are reliable sources for colored stone reports: Gemological Institute of America GIA Report Check Gem Certification and Assurance Lab Verify Your GCAL Certificate As with all jewelry, an appraisal from a trained appraiser who is independent of the seller is likely to be more trustworthy. And as usual, always ask for the sales receipt. _____________________ Jewelry Insurance Issues talks about: Gems & the sun We know that looking directly at the sun can harm our eyes. Did you know that the sun can also affect, and even harm, some gemstones? Most gems are minerals, and we tend to think of them as sturdy, rock-like stuff. As jewelry insurers and jewelry owners, we are concerned with a gem's hardness (how easily it can get scratched) and its toughness (how it responds to impact). When you think jewelry, think JIBNA. This article was written by JIBNA and shared in their newsletter. |
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