Uncategorized

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

Carved in Thailand in 2006 from a 3,600-ct emerald, “The Sacred Emerald Buddha” has a message of peace. Read the inside story of this amazing…

Ruby and sapphire origins greatly affect the values of these prized gems. Learn where these stones occur and how inclusions can help identify their…

Made from two or more materials, assembled gems can make durable and affordable jewelry. Learn more about gemstone doublets, triplets, and other…

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.…

The 10X loupe is the gemologist’s best friend. Learn how to examine gemstones for fractures, inclusions, color, and much more with this simple…

This table contains a selection of minerals gemologists may encounter as jewelry stones or gem specimens. The gems are sorted by their crystal…

Measuring specific gravity helps gemologists identify gemstones. The following table lists the specific gravity values for a variety of gem…

Starting a jewelry business takes a lot of planning. Answer these questions about your inventory and services now and save yourself time and money…

Learn what gemologists do in our introduction to gemology. Whether your interest is casual or professional, the world of gems will amaze you.

Refractive indices and double refraction (birefringence) help gemologists identify gems. The following table lists these values for selected…

Gem formation usually involves mineral crystallization and other geological processes. Learn how these affect the gemstone properties gemologists…

Diamond simulants, like cubic zirconia and moissanite, often appear in jewelry. See how the properties of real diamonds compare with popular…

First-time gem buyers may find diamond grades confusing. Our consumer guide explains how diamonds are evaluated and gives advice on how to choose…

Gem identification is part detective work, part art. Learn how gemologists can distinguish gem species and determine whether a stone is natural…

Diamond buyers often find assessing clarity challenging. Although inclusions may be difficult to see and identity, they can have a significant…

Cut is perhaps the most complex of the Four Cs of gem grading and is usually taken for granted by consumers. However, diamond cuts greatly affect…

For most gem buyers, color is probably the most well known of the Four Cs of gem grading. However, diamond color grading can be confusing. Learn about…

Diamond buyers often want to know which of the Four Cs of gem grading is most important — color, clarity, cut, or carat. However, these qualities…

We live in a world of crystals. You don’t have to dig deep into the Earth to find them. Even the bones in our bodies and the dust in the air contain them.…

Diamond is the hardest natural material in the world. However, it’s also brittle. Scientifically speaking, gemstone hardness measures the…

Although rounds and other standard shapes dominate the gemstone market, fancy gem cuts offer many beautiful alternatives that can also improve…

Gem cutting styles refer to the shape and arrangement of facets. The three most basic styles are brilliant, step, and mixed. Learn what characterizes…

Lapidary is the art of working in stone. The term usually refers to the creation of small objects from gem materials. Read on to learn about the four…

Gemologists use refraction liquids to identify gemstone refractive indices (RI). Learn about the properties of these liquids and safe RI testing…

A multipurpose microscope stage can help you move, view, and photograph gemstones under magnification easily from many angles. Learn how you…

The crossed filters technique allows gemologists to detect chromium in gems. Learn how to build a portable device for conducting this useful ID…

Whether you’re a novice bead jewelry maker or just shopping for necklaces, these bead and necklace size charts and links to related articles…

Diamonds are popular gemstones surrounded by popular misconceptions. We’ll tell you how they became so prized and debunk some of those diamond…

Gold, silver, and platinum are the most commonly used jewelry metals. Learn about their physical properties, alloys, and history.

Will your gem fit in a standard setting? Use this chart of standard gem sizes for popular cuts and also learn how to estimate gem weight based on size.…

Learn how gemologists evaluate color, clarity, cut, and carat for gem grading. Consumers can use this information to find the right stone for their…

Learn the difference between allochromatic and idiochromatic gems and why some gem species can occur in many color varieties and others occur…

Recutting gems that have been poorly cut, whether commercially or native, can add significant value. See how precision custom cutting can transform…

Distinguishing a diamond look-alike from the real thing can challenge new gemologists. However, specific gravity and birefringence hold the…

Quartz color treatment results vary due to the stone’s origin. Learn the effects you can achieve with different materials and radiation and heat…

Although you can’t weigh a gemstone in a jewelry setting, you can get a close approximation of the gem weight by determining its volume.

Learning how to identify gems involves more than just data. This gem identification quiz can help novice gemologists learn how best to choose tests…

Even the most general definition of a gem has many exceptions. Learn what qualities have been used to identify gemstones both scientifically and…

There is not one way to classify gems, rather there are several ways, each of which has its own purpose and its own exceptions that warrant close attention.…

Jewelry attachments are the pieces used to hold jewelry items together. Learn about the most popular types as well as miscellaneous decorative…

Gemstone enhancements improve the appearance and wearability of gems. Learn about the most commonly used procedures and frequently treated…

Earrings are available in many styles. Learn to identify the most popular types of metal and gem earrings and the parts that comprise these jewelry…

What can you learn about gem and jewelry marketing from other businesses? Tracking your inventory and requests for what you don’t stock is a start.…

Though rings may come in many styles, gem cutters will regularly encounter a few common types of gem rings. Learn how to identify these popular designs.…

Bracelets and necklaces share much of their terminology. Learn the names and functions of the different parts of these popular types of jewelry…

A precision faceter can turn a rough stone into a story gemstone as unique as each client. Choosing the right rough is the first step in the design…

Jewelry designers and consumers can pick from many different gem settings. Learn the names and uses of common and speciality settings for any type…

Crystals have habits. In crystallography, mineral habits refer to the way crystals form within a specific mineral. There are six crystal systems.…

Buyer beware! Not all color-change chrysoberyl is alexandrite. Learn the classic color ranges of true alexandrite and avoid being scammed by…

The Mohs hardness scale measures a mineral’s resistance to scratching. Find the traditional scale here and a chart of select gems ordered by hardness.…

Gemstone identification requires a good reference library and some basic gemology tools. Before you go shopping, learn more about what you’ll…

Learn the basic procedures of gemstone faceting. This walkthrough for a standard round brilliant cut gem includes cutting instructions and pics.…

The fundamentals of lapidary are easy to learn. It is a hobby that is enjoyed by many people of all ages and circumstances. Fundamentals of Lapidary,…

Gemstone tumbling is the simplest and least expensive lapidary art to learn. These guidelines can help you choose the right equipment and get started.…

Learn the best techniques and tools for cutting rough stones. Making small pieces from big pieces is one of the most basic procedures in the lapidary…

Pickle is a liquid compound used to remove oxidation and flux from newly soldered jewelry. It is what you put your pieces in to clean them after…

Are you a hobbyist or professional gemologist facing high equipment costs? Read our IGS series of articles that can help you build your own gemology…

Learn about the history of quartz treatment, including why it took so long to treat quartz with any consistency, in this informative article.

Tech advances and market forces make it essential for gem buyers to know the science behind synthetic gemstones and gem formation. Learn the basics…

A list of False or Misleading Gemstone Names and its Actual Gemological Name. Gathered by the source “Gemstones of the World, 3rd Edition, Walter…

My goal is to share with each of you the fun and folklore or gemstones. Since this is my first article for IGS, my goal is to introduce you to the difference…

A step by step procedure on how to make a bracelet. Detailed information on tools and materials needed. Read and Understand instructions to complete…

The spectroscope is one of gemology’s principal tools. Our basic spectroscope instructions will teach you how to operate and calibrate this…

Earlier this year a new gem treatment was introduced, called “center-fused color treatment,” it may sound confusing at first, but it is actually…

This is an explanation of the GIA’s Diamond Cut Grading System complete with clear photographs demonstrating each of the grades.

Learn these quick and simple test taking tips and strategies to help you on your next gemology test.

Birthstones listed by month. Also listed are both the Modern Birthstones and the Ancient Birthstones.

Printable chart to convert weights and measures including Carats, Grams, Kilograms, Ounces, Pounds and Troy Ounces Pounds and Pennyweights.…

A tabel of Lap Materials, Compliments of The International Gem Society. These figures are approximate and are put together for your general reference.…

Ring Size Comparison Chart compliments of the International Gem Society. A conversion table of Ring sizes. 7 different ring size equivalents…

A gem structure chart that shows various information on a specific structure and gems of example. Details include Refractive Indexes, Pleochroism…

Jewelers need to know how to determine how much gold is needed for a wax mold. Here are three methods for you.Information and tips on metal or wax formulas.…