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COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
When dealing with high-priced sapphires, none of them will be identified or have its value assessed without its country of origin eventually becoming known. There are significant differences in the values of sapphires from Kashmir, Sri Lanka, and Australia because each locality has its own characteristic beauty and tradition associated with it, and because there […] -
HOW GEMSTONE VALUE IS ESTABLISHD
Half Enjoyment, Half Asset Gemstones possessing high hardness and superior durability gain public favor and become fashionable. Assuming continued production of a gemstone, people who wear this gift from nature and appreciate its beauty will gradually influence those around them. As long as quality remains consistent, public confidence in the gem will grow. Eventually, as […] -
UNTREATED MOGOK RUBY
Beautiful rubies that require only polishing to glow like a flame are very rare and extremely valuable. Rubies that are beautiful in their original crystal form are extremely rare. To satisfy the demand for beautiful rubies, crystals have long been heat-treated to remove blackish or bluish colors and bring out their beauty. Recent advances in […]
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MEXICAN OPAL, Untreated
This gem’s patterns of rainbow-colored brilliance change depending upon the viewing angle. These very changes are an important component of Mexican opal’s beauty. Some of the opals from Mexico exhibit a beautiful play-of-color effect, showing patches of red, orange, yellow, and green when polished as cabochons. Those with a bluish body color are called “water […] -
BOULDER OPAL, Untreated
Cut with the mother rock intact, each stone’s shape conforms to the shape of the rough. Therefore, each boulder opal’s charm lies in its unique shape and brilliance. The dictionary defines the word boulder as “a large, rounded stone.”This type of opal is called “boulder opal” because it is found in the ironstone boulders mined […] -
AUCTION HOUSES
Auctions are thriving in the West. The renowned British auction houses of Sotheby’s established in 1744, and Christie’s, established in 1766, are currently active in the United States and around the world. Most of the items sold are accumulated from the West. And along with paintings, antiques, and furniture, jewelry has become one of the […]
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HERITAGE
On the occasion of the wedding of the Crown Prince of Japan in 1993, the Empress of Japan presented to Princess Masako a ruby ring that she in turn had received from the Empress Dowager. In England, the Crown Jewels are on display in the Tower of London. The 108-carat Koh-i-noor Diamond from Golconda, India, […] -
WEARING
The value of use for a piece of jewelry is determined by how many times it is worn over a lifetime. If a piece costing $10,000 is worn five times a year for forty years, each wearing comes to $50. On top of that, forty years later the value of the piece still remains. If […] -
BUYING
It has been said that gemstones are “half enjoyment, half investment.” Most people are fascinated by the beauty of a gemstone when they purchase it. Not many people buy gemstones merely thinking of investing in their asset value-in such a case, gemstones would not be recommended. The value of these gifts not nature is first […]
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SELLING
It has been said for many years that buying gemstones is more a matter of “whom to buy from” than “what to buy.” Quality in gemstones is difficult for the layperson to understand, and this maxim emphasizes the importance of buying from a trusted professional who understands gemstone quality. Who, then, is a trustworthy professional? […] -
MANUFACTURING
Simply making jewelry is relatively easy, but creating fine jewelry is a difficult process that requires adherence to high standards in three areas: the selection of materials, the planning of the design, and the careful fabrication of a wearable piece. In this section we will consider the skills and workmanship necessary in the making of […]