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To understand the gem trade, you must first understand the players. In this guide, I’ll divide the players into tiers in order to make discussing…

The gem market is one of the most fragmented and inefficient investment markets. For any given gem, buyers and sellers create the market. This paradigm…

Your investment time horizon is the length of time you hold your gemstone before selling it. That holding period can be as short as one day or it can…

There are so many common gemstone treatments available today that keeping track of them can be difficult. This list and handy cheat sheet can help.…

Some beautiful gems, like pearls, opals, and tanzanites, are very vulnerable to impacts and scratches, especially when worn on rings. Even more…

Regardless of origin, perhaps 99% of all cut emeralds are sold with some sort of enhancement for clarity. Since emeralds freshly dug out of the ground…

Thinking about a tourmaline engagement ring? Learn everything you need to know to buy your perfect gem, from hardness and durability to color.…

Based on interviews with gem trade experts, this series of FAQs addresses many topics, such as gem value, investing, insurance, and collecting.…

Almost all cut emeralds have had clarity enhancements. Learn how these emerald enhancements work, what substances are used, and how to detect…