inclusions

Even though diamonds make elegant and durable gems, you may find two stones that look alike. In contrast, no two opals look alike. Their beauty is…

Step 4: Gem Grading Lesson 18 Back to syllabus Gemologists evaluate opals a little differently than other gemstones. The traditional Four Cs still…

From pearly white to distinctive boulder and colorful fire, the opal variety you choose will greatly affect the aesthetics and price of a finished…

Why are some gems so rare in nature? Learn which elements in the Earth’s crust are the rarest and how these ingredients help form uncommon gemstones.…

One of the major mineral constituents of lapis lazuli, haüyne is rarely found and faceted as a distinct gemstone. Collectors prize its beautiful,…

A nice spessartite garnet that borders on being bright enough to call a mandarin garnet. It has some small, transparent crystal inclusions in it…

How can you be sure that a piece of opal for sale is genuine? Learn about the major types of opal simulants and how to distinguish them from the real…

Difficult to facet and typically colorless, beryllonite is a rare collector’s gem. Some specimens can show a striking cat’s eye.

Three carats is a dream size for many diamond shoppers. Learn about current prices and how to find the best three-carat diamond within your budget.…