Entry into colored stones

[thegemjourney]

I'm not sure if I am posting in the correct place but I'm new and looking to connect with others in the gemstone space both as a new collector and aspiring broker/trader. Being in sales as a trade, an entrepreneur on the side, and a lover of all things minerals I've decided to dive into the technicolor world of colored gems. I've started buying inexpensive and surprisingly decent quality gems on whatnot to start my collection and research I plan on attending gem shows and eventually travelling to make more purchases towards my collection.

Newest entries listed:

1. Mozambique orange red spessartite 1.55ct
2. Brazil neon blue apatite 1.48ct
3. Madagascar yellow green sphene 1.19ct
4. Zambia green emerald multi size pair 0.5tcw
5. Africa light blue aquamarine 4.02ct custom brilliant fang shape cut

 

[Autumn in New England]

This is a great starting point! And your eyes will become more attuned to hue, tone, and saturation nuances as you progress (color is, after all, the most important factor when dealing in... colored stones). In my opinion, color is not something you learn so much as experience. So I think you have the right idea about visiting gem shows and getting hands-on with as much material as possible in person.

Clarity is a little more straightforward and, with CS, we usually refer to loupe clean, eye clean, and then everything else to varying degrees. That's something you can study.

I feel like most novices have the hardest time with cut. I'm still not as fussy as some. But do some research on how cut quality affects color and brilliance. I think that will help you with assessing windows and other cutting defects.

With regard to weight, most seasoned collectors will advise newbies to buy for fineness (color, clarity, and cut) first and then size a distant second. I like that you're not buying huge but unattractive and poor quality stones. Some of us definitely started that way. lol

You'll also want to be sure to have some basic tools on hand... to start, maybe just a loupe, tweezers, scale, calipers, etc. If this becomes a serious hobby, you'll want to look into acquiring more advanced tools like a microscope, refractometer, dichroscope, spectroscope, polariscope, specific gravity scale, etc. But I wouldn't invest in all of that until you're certain this is something you want to do long-term.

I also want to direct you to this thread, because it's immensely helpful. Anyway, have fun with it!!

 

[thegemjourney]

This is a great starting point! And your eyes will become more attuned to hue, tone, and saturation nuances as you progress (color is, after all, the most important factor when dealing in... colored stones). In my opinion, color is not something you learn so much as experience. So I think you have the right idea about visiting gem shows and getting hands-on with as much material as possible in person.

Clarity is a little more straightforward and, with CS, we usually refer to loupe clean, eye clean, and then everything else to varying degrees. That's something you can study.

I feel like most novices have the hardest time with cut. I'm still not as fussy as some. But do some research on how cut quality affects color and brilliance. I think that will help you with assessing windows and other cutting defects.

With regard to weight, most seasoned collectors will advise newbies to buy for fineness (color, clarity, and cut) first and then size a distant second. I like that you're not buying huge but unattractive and poor quality stones. Some of us definitely started that way. lol

You'll also want to be sure to have some basic tools on hand... to start, maybe just a loupe, tweezers, scale, calipers, etc. If this becomes a serious hobby, you'll want to look into acquiring more advanced tools like a microscope, refractometer, dichroscope, spectroscope, polariscope, specific gravity scale, etc. But I wouldn't invest in all of that until you're certain this is something you want to do long-term.

I also want to direct you to this thread, because it's immensely helpful. Anyway, have fun with it!!

Thank you for all of the tips! I've been interested and studying this off and on for a while and have committed to the long haul (the amount of recent purchases towards my collection says so as well) and have purchased a scale, loupe, tweezers, and refractometer already . I feel cut is one that is a little easier for me and I tend to focus on too much, along with clarity, without realizing that color comes first.

 

[Autumn in New England]

You're way ahead of me! We have collectors at all points in their " gem journey," and even some trades people. I think you'll find PS a great resource... and a wonderful place to share. Welcome again and good luck!

 

[Odyssey44]

You will learn so much here! Autumn is a fantastic resource herself and has helped me immensely. She always says things in just the right way. I am not as talented as she is. I do not at all want to be hurtful, but a few of your stones have windows that would bother me. The spess has a very prominent one imo. The aquamarine I think could be just a tilt window, but I would question if it happens on a slight tilt, because it does look quite large. I just shopped for an aquamarine myself, and I think the color of yours may be a bit weak in terms of its blueness--so unsaturated. It is hard to tell with the tilt window and the color being on the edges only in your photo. I had to learn the hard way about windows and how they look in photos (still honing my eye), so I hope this is helpful!! I am still a novice and these are some of the things I have learned to look for. Good Luck!

 

[Starstruck8]

Welcome to PriceScope!

First, a caution. Read the forum policies. Trade members must identify themselves as such. There are strict limits on what they can post. As long as you are collector and only an 'aspiring' broker/trader (not an actual one), no problem. Note also, PS is not a selling platform. Advertising is permitted only on the 'Preloved' forum, only by non-trade members, and only with a link to a listing on a sales site (eBay etc.).

With that out of the way... @Autumn in New England has given you excellent advice.

In my opinion, color is not something you learn so much as experience. So I think you have the right idea about visiting gem shows and getting hands-on with as much material as possible in person.

+1. You need to tune your eyes on a wide range of material. A trap for beginners is that just about all stones look pretty... until you see the better ones. And then you see the really top stones... At the top levels, subtle differences in appearance can go with huge differences in price. So you should see a wide range of stones in person (with prices) before you spend serious money. To be sure, this is a case of 'do as I say, don't do as I've done' - like most PSers, I have more than a few mistakes, politely called 'starter stones'.

Be aware that if stones are 'surprisingly inexpensive', there's usually a reason. @Odyssey44 has given some hints, which I endorse.

Have you considered taking a gemmology course? It's good to have the gear, but far more important to know how to use it.

Collecting gemstones is fascinating and addictive (though not inexpensive). You've made a great start. PS is definitely the place to come to - we're all addicts too. Best wishes with your journey.

 

[thegemjourney]

You will learn so much here! Autumn is a fantastic resource herself and has helped me immensely. She always says things in just the right way. I am not as talented as she is. I do not at all want to be hurtful, but a few of your stones have windows that would bother me. The spess has a very prominent one imo. The aquamarine I think could be just a tilt window, but I would question if it happens on a slight tilt, because it does look quite large. I just shopped for an aquamarine myself, and I think the color of yours may be a bit weak in terms of its blueness--so unsaturated. It is hard to tell with the tilt window and the color being on the edges only in your photo. I had to learn the hard way about windows and how they look in photos (still honing my eye), so I hope this is helpful!! I am still a novice and these are some of the things I have learned to look for. Good Luck!

Not hurtful at all! I am aware of the windows but am not too mad about it because all of these were under $50. It's the beginning of my collection, so I don't mind having some cheaper reference stones for picking out imperfections or even fakes. The aquamarine color is truly weak but their is slight windowing at certain angles, it looks much larger due to the light background in the display. I could be wrong though and plan to inspect it more.