My husband and I make and sell beautiful jewelry from home. We have a webstore, which people buy from, but many times we do a direct sale with a friend or a coworker from his job. Most of the transactions go smoothly, with customers being satisfied both with the quality of our work and with the stones that we use. But there is one time in my mind that sticks out, which nearly cost me one of my friendships.
A friend of mine had a sister whose 30th birthday was coming up, so she wanted a gold necklace set with a ruby. We set the necklace for her, and when she came to pick it up, she nearly had a fit. She claimed that the stone we had used was not a ruby, but an amethyst because it was a purplish red instead of the red that she had expected.
When she accused us of using an amethyst instead of a ruby, we brought out a book that we have that states that rubies can be any color. She begrudgingly took the necklace because that was the only gift they had for her sister, but I knew that there was a good chance that our friendship was over. Later that week she called and apologized, because she had done the research and found what we had already told her – that rubies don’t just come in one color.
To save others from making the same mistake, I am offering a few misconceptions regarding gemstones.
1. Rubies are always red and sapphires are always blue.
As illustrated in the example above, rubies are not always red. In fact, often times they will have a brownish or a purplish hue, which was the case of my friend’s ruby. Pigeon blood red rubies are the reddest and most expensive type of ruby.
Sapphires, like rubies, also come in more than one color. In fact, sapphires come in every color except red, which is reserved for rubies. There are also sapphires that change color, going from blue to purple depending on the location of the person wearing the stone. Another interesting phenomenon is the star sapphire, which has intesecting inclusions in it which produce the appearance of a star when viewed with a single overheard light source.
If you want a truly red ruby, or a truly blue sapphire, but don’t have the money to purchase the natural stone you are looking for, don’t be afraid to ask about a lab created gemstone. The FTC requires that all lab created gemstones be identical to the natural stones in every way in regards to optical, physical, and chemical properties. Lab created gemstones are also known as lab grown and synthetic. Simulated gemstones are another story. They don’t have the same properties as the natural stones, but they resemble the stone in appearance. Cubic zirconia is an example of a simulated gemstone.
2. If a stone doesn’t have any flaws, it means it’s the best.
Be wary of a stone that looks perfect, especially if its being sold for a very small price. Flawless gemstones are very rare, especially with rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds. If you think a gemstone is too good to be true, it is more than likely a lab created gemstone which someone may be trying to pass off as a natural stone.
3. Bigger is better in regards to diamond engagement rings.
When choosing a stone for your girlfriend, first consider her hand, and what she likes. Look at her jewelry. Does she wear big gaudy rings, or does she have more petite tastes? Are her hands small or on the large side? That should all be considered when picking out a ring. Secondly, when choosing the diamond remember the four C’s:
1. Cut
a. Shape – some cuts are better than others to produce the fire that diamonds are known for, whereas others accentuate the diamond’s luster. Baguette cut concentrates on luster and the princess cut brings out the fire of the diamond.
b. Quality – the quality of a stone’s cut is very important and takes into factor proportion, polish, symmetry, and the relative angles of various facets. A poorly cut stone will not perform well in light.
c. Process – the process by which a diamond is cut depends on the crystals. Oddly shaped crystals will result in a fancy cut, such as a marquise or a princess cut, rather than a round cut.
d. Light Performance – as mentioned in shape, some cuts radiate light better than others. Women love diamonds that sparkle, so take that into consideration when choosing a diamond.
2. Clarity
When it comes to clarity, think of the diamond like a lightbulb. A lightbulb doesn’t shine as brightly if there is dust on it, and diamonds don’t shine as brightly if they are full of inclusions or imperfections. Many times men go shopping for the biggest diamonds without taking this into consideration, and the result is that their bride has a diamond that may be huge but at the same time doesn’t sparkle.
3. Carat
This is the mass of the diamond. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. For diamonds of less than a carat, the point system is used.
4. Color
White diamonds, obviously, are usually the most preferable when choosing an engagement ring. Unless you are looking for a champagne colored diamond, pay close attention to the color that is listed for your diamond. D is colorless and Z is a bright yellow.
In conclusion, gemstones are like leaves. They come in all shapes and sizes, and two gemstones are never exactly alike. When choosing a piece of jewelry for yourself or a loved one, take into consideration their style, their likes and what you know about them. If you do, chances are you will make the right choice.
