| The mystery and magic of colored gemstones | | | | 5th) of a gram. Carats are divided into 100 |
| has been an integral aspect or the "Lore" of | | | | units called points. For example, a |
| most cultures for many centuries. Here is | | | | half-carat gemstone would weigh .50 carats or |
| what noted gemstone experts Antoinette L. | | | | 50 points. When gemstones are measured by |
| Matlins and A.C. Bonanno have to say on the | | | | dimensions, the size is expressed in |
| matter. | | | | millimeters (for example, 7x5 millimeters). |
| | | | |
| "The fascination with colored gemstones dates | | | | Gemstone treatments or enhancements refer to |
| back to the very beginning of civilization. | | | | the way some gems are treated to improve |
| For our ancestors, the blue of sapphire | | | | their appearance or durability, or even |
| produced visions of the heavens; the red of | | | | change their color. Many gemstones are |
| ruby was a reminder of the very essence of | | | | treated in some way. The effects of some |
| life. By Roman times, rings containing | | | | treatments may lessen or change over time and |
| colored gems were prized symbols of power-and | | | | some treated stones may require special care. |
| the most powerful wore rings on every joint | | | | Some enhancements also affect the value of a |
| of every finger! | | | | stone, when measured against a comparable |
| | | | untreated stone. |
| Since ancient times, colored stones have been | | | | |
| thought to possess innate magical powers and | | | | Jewelers should tell you whether the gemstone |
| the ability to endow the wearer with certain | | | | you're considering has been treated when: the |
| attributes. According to legend, emeralds are | | | | treatment is not permanent; the treated stone |
| good for the eyes; yellow stones cure | | | | requires special care; or the treatment |
| jaundice; red stones stop the flow of blood. | | | | significantly affects the value of the |
| At one time it was believed that a ruby worn | | | | gemstone. |
| by a man indicated command, nobility, | | | | |
| lordship, and vengeance; worn by a woman, | | | | Some common treatments that you may be told |
| however, it indicated pride, obstinacy, | | | | about and their effects include: |
| haughtiness. A blue sapphire worn by a man | | | | |
| indicated wisdom, and high and magnanimous | | | | * Heating can lighten, darken or change the |
| thoughts; on a woman, jealousy in love, | | | | color of some gems, or improve a gemstone's |
| politeness, and vigilance. The emerald | | | | clarity. |
| signified for a man joyousness, transitory | | | | |
| hope, and the decline of friendship; for | | | | * Irradiation can add more color to colored |
| woman, unfounded ambition, childish delight, | | | | diamonds, certain other gemstones and pearls. |
| and change. | | | | |
| | | | * Impregnating some gems with colorless oils, |
| Colored gems, because of the magical powers | | | | wax or resins makes a variety of |
| associated with them, achieved extensive use | | | | imperfections less visible and can improve |
| as talismans and amulets; as predictors of | | | | the gemstones' clarity and appearance. |
| the future; as therapeutic aids; and as | | | | |
| essential elements to many religious | | | | * Fracture filling hides cracks or fractures |
| practices-pagan, Hebrew, and Christian." | | | | in gems by injecting colorless plastic or |
| | | | glass into the cracks and improves the |
| Gemstones 101 | | | | gemstones' appearance and durability. |
| | | | |
| Natural gemstones are found in nature. | | | | * Diffusion treatment adds color to the |
| Laboratory-created stones, as the name | | | | surface of colorless gems; the center of the |
| implies, are made in the laboratory. These | | | | stone remains colorless. |
| stones, which also are referred to as | | | | |
| laboratory-grown, {name of manufacturer} - | | | | * Dyeing adds color and improves color |
| created, or synthetic, have essentially the | | | | uniformity in some gemstones and pearls. |
| same chemical, physical and visual properties | | | | |
| as natural gemstones. Laboratory-created | | | | * Bleaching lightens and whitens dome gems, |
| stones do not have the rarity of naturally | | | | Including jade and pearls. |
| colored stones and they are less expensive | | | | |
| than naturally mined stones. By contrast, | | | | In this day and age, gemstones are generally |
| imitation stones look like natural stones in | | | | worn for their natural beauty or as a fashion |
| appearance only, and may be glass, plastic, | | | | statement, but there are many that "buy-in" |
| or less costly stones. Laboratory-created and | | | | to the mythical and mystical symbolisms of |
| imitation stones should be clearly identified | | | | gems as well. Whatever a persons reason, the |
| as such. | | | | world of gems today offers an almost endless |
| | | | choice. Many new gems have been discovered |
| Gemstones may be measured by weight, size, or | | | | and are widely available in reds, blues, |
| both. The basic unit for weighing gemstones | | | | greens and many unusual shades as well. |
| is the carat, which is equal to one-fifth 91 | | | | Enjoy! |