In the professional world of gem grading, “eye-clean” is a term used to describe a colored gemstone that has no visible inclusions (flaws) when viewed by the naked eye from a distance of about 6 to 12 inches. If you need a magnifying glass to see the internal marks, it is considered very high-quality.
Some gemstones, particularly diamonds, have a fascinating property where they emit visible light when exposed to invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you place a diamond under a UV light (often called a “black light”), it might glow a soft blue, or occasionally yellow or green. It’s like the stone has a secret glow-in-the-dark hidden life!
Technically, no. Pearls are classified as organic gemstones because they are created by living organisms (mollusks like oysters and mussels). When an irritant (like a grain of sand) enters their shell, they secrete layers of a substance called nacre to coat it, eventually forming a pearl.
Many gemstones undergo treatments after being mined to improve their color or clarity. This is a standard and acceptable industry practice, provided the seller discloses it to the buyer. Common treatments include: Heat Treatment: The most common enhancement. Sapphires and Rubies are often heated to extremely high temperatures to permanently brighten their color and dissolve…
“Ethical mining” is a growing movement in the industry. It involves mining practices that are fair to workers (providing safe conditions and fair wages) and environmentally responsible (reclaiming land, planting trees, and protecting water sources). When buying, it is always best to ask if your jeweler can trace the stone back to a certified or…
This magical-looking trait is caused by the way certain stones absorb different wavelengths of light depending on the light source. The most famous example is Alexandrite, which looks green or bluish-green in natural sunlight, but turns purplish-red under incandescent indoor lighting. This is known as the “Alexandrite Effect.”
Inclusions are like a gemstone’s “fingerprints.” They are tiny bits of other minerals or liquids trapped inside the stone while it was growing underground millions of years ago. Common inclusions include: