The general population has had a fascination with rare gemstones for hundreds of years. Each stone possesses unique qualities and beauty that captures peoples’ interest. Precious gems often symbolize love, commitment, and devotion, which is why they are frequently given as gifts. However, there are some things you should know about how to find the best jewelry pieces for your collection. Here some things to consider on your next shopping trip to jewelry stores in phoenix.
What Stones are Natural or Manmade?
Natural gemstones come from within the earth. Some gems are found in mines, while others come from the ocean. However, natural stones are often enhanced by heat, ground or cut, to improve look and color. Stones created in a lab are synthetically manufactured to resemble natural gems. They possess the same chemical and physical properties of a natural stone but are produced or grown in a laboratory; therefore, they aren’t as rare.
Imitation Gemstones
Imitation gemstones are synthetic and look like rare stones. Often they are created out of glass or cubic zirconia. They are often used in fashion jewelry and reproduced at a low cost. It’s important to identify a false stone in place of a more rare one when shopping for valuable jewelry. Capetown Diamond Museum recommends using the “scratch test” to determine if a diamond is genuine. You can try this on your own by simply scratching it with a hard surface. If you see a scratch on the stone, you can be sure it’s false. A diamond is one of the strongest substances found on the earth and will not scratch or fog up easily.
What to Look For
Stones are measured by weight or carats. A common misconception is that a carat indicates size. However, this is incorrect as a carat is a measurement of weight. Yet, as a stone’s weight increases, so does its size. According to geology.com, some of the most popular stones include but are not limited to the following list:
- Tourmaline
- Aquamarine
- Diamonds
- Opals
- Sapphires
- Rubies
- Pearls
When you go on your next shopping trip to jewelry stores in phoenix, be mindful of what you are looking for. Do you want something rare and expensive or something lab-made and inexpensive? Imitation stones generally cost less and are mass-produced. Rare gems are more costly and are made naturally within the earth. However, they are often enhanced to improve look and color.
