Inclusions- Thoughts/ Preferences?

[MarzannaBurns]

I'm completely new to the world of colored stones and though I've been stalking this site for a while, I've just made this account. What I've noticed from a few months of lurking, however, is that many people seem to dislike inclusions and sellers of colored gems seem to charge a little more for colored gems that are totally clean. I, on the other hand, absolutely inclusions! My favorite gems are emeralds which are of course known for them but any stone with inclusions or even discoloration or stria are gorgeous to me. For that reason I also love sunstone and grandidierite. My question is- have I just happened to see sellers/ commenters that prefer clean gems when in reality the CG community is split? What is your preference? And finally- does anyone know of any sites/ sellers that specialize in included gems? Better yet, any sites that charge little for included pieces? I've pasted links to some included pieces I think are amazing. (Hope my first post is okay/ the links don't break any rules.)

Tsavorite Garnet* - 1.72 carats at AJS Gems

Buy high quality natural Tsavorite Garnet at wholesale prices at AJS Gems.

www.ajsgem.com

Pezzottaite* - 0.57 carats at AJS Gems

Buy high quality natural Pezzottaite at wholesale prices at AJS Gems.

www.ajsgem.com

1.7 carat Yellow Sapphire Gemstone for Sale | Oval loose Sapphire from Madagascar | Natural Gem, ID: 532202

1.7 carat Yellow Sapphire Gemstone for Sale, Oval loose Sapphire from Madagascar, Natural Gem, 7.9 x 6.2 mm, Sapphire Wholesale - Shipping Natural Gemstones Worldwide

www.gemselect.com

3.935 Ct Sphalerite - Rare!

Sphalerite 8.85 x 7.5 x 5.73mm 3.935 cts Auction #1296922 Gem Rock Auctions

www.gemrockauctions.com

 

[peacechick]

I’d venture to guess that there is no gemstone lover amongst us here that does not love a rare gemstone... And the very nature of collecting coloured stones is that it is very rare to find great colour, great clarity, great size and great cut in one gem, hence the high pricing. Whether it’s emeralds, sapphires or jade, it’s pretty much the same thing.

But if you enjoy inclusions, you’ll probably save more money and enjoy your gemstones more. For me, I like to collect strictly within the $1500 range so it’s fortunate for me that I prefer dainty rings with smaller stones and don’t mind inclusions too much as long as they’re not glaring to my eye.

 

[idola]

I'm completely new to the world of colored stones and though I've been stalking this site for a while, I've just made this account. What I've noticed from a few months of lurking, however, is that many people seem to dislike inclusions and sellers of colored gems seem to charge a little more for colored gems that are totally clean. I, on the other hand, absolutely inclusions! My favorite gems are emeralds which are of course known for them but any stone with inclusions or even discoloration or stria are gorgeous to me. For that reason I also love sunstone and grandidierite. My question is- have I just happened to see sellers/ commenters that prefer clean gems when in reality the CG community is split? What is your preference? And finally- does anyone know of any sites/ sellers that specialize in included gems? Better yet, any sites that charge little for included pieces? I've pasted links to some included pieces I think are amazing. (Hope my first post is okay/ the links don't break any rules.)

Tsavorite Garnet* - 1.72 carats at AJS Gems

Buy high quality natural Tsavorite Garnet at wholesale prices at AJS Gems.

www.ajsgem.com

Pezzottaite* - 0.57 carats at AJS Gems

Buy high quality natural Pezzottaite at wholesale prices at AJS Gems.

www.ajsgem.com

1.7 carat Yellow Sapphire Gemstone for Sale | Oval loose Sapphire from Madagascar | Natural Gem, ID: 532202

1.7 carat Yellow Sapphire Gemstone for Sale, Oval loose Sapphire from Madagascar, Natural Gem, 7.9 x 6.2 mm, Sapphire Wholesale - Shipping Natural Gemstones Worldwide

www.gemselect.com

3.935 Ct Sphalerite - Rare!

Sphalerite 8.85 x 7.5 x 5.73mm 3.935 cts Auction #1296922 Gem Rock Auctions

www.gemrockauctions.com

I love inclusions! They have lots of personality. Unfortunately they can be kind of anxiety inducing when setting time comes around though. I worry a lot about gems cracking straight through them.

 

[MjK1]

I want maximum sparkle in my gems, so I look for stones that are as clean as I can get them. Sometimes that means I go for a lab created...it is what ever you prefer...

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

I enjoy inclusions too and I think they can add to the beauty. Yes, they may create weak spots or disrupt the play of light. They are also what makes each colored stone unique, and they may react differently in different lighting condition, creating more personality.

Billie Hughes has some wonderful microscopic photos of gem inclusions on the website for Lotus Gemology http://www.lotusgemology.com/

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

I think the general rule of thumb about inclusions in CSs are that they're fine as long as they don't detract from the beauty of the stone. Some types of inclusions, like silk or sugar, actually make a CS look even better. Nevertheless, the cleaner the stone, the rarer it is, which of course drives the price up. There's a couple of threads right now on PS where folks are looking specifically for milky or included CSs. Some of the options they're looking at are simply divine!

 

[MarzannaBurns]

I enjoy inclusions too and I think they can add to the beauty. Yes, they may create weak spots or disrupt the play of light. They are also what makes each colored stone unique, and they may react differently in different lighting condition, creating more personality.

Billie Hughes has some wonderful microscopic photos of gem inclusions on the website for Lotus Gemology http://www.lotusgemology.com/

Very cool! Thanks

 

[T L]

I don’t mind inclusions especially if you can tell that the stone is natural from them. You also really cannot avoid inclusions in some gems, like in emerald.

The only inclusions I don’t like are extremely distracting ones, like a big black spot on the table of a stone. I have a 6+ carat spessartite that is very included, but the inclusions act like shimmery glitter, and I think it’s beautiful, along with the great color and precision faceting. I would also never have been able to get such a large, beautifully cut and colored gem for such an affordable price without the inclusions.

 

[LilAlex]

many people seem to dislike inclusions and sellers of colored gems seem to charge a little more for colored gems that are totally clean. I, on the other hand, absolutely inclusions! My favorite gems are emeralds which are of course known for them but any stone with inclusions or even discoloration or stria are gorgeous to me. For that reason I also love sunstone and grandidierite. My question is- have I just happened to see sellers/ commenters that prefer clean gems when in reality the CG community is split? What is your preference?

There is no split. Go to the diamond forum and look for everyone bragging about their I3 stones .

We tolerate inclusions in our own affordable stones and grow to love them and their idiosyncrasies. Like so many other things in life. But don't fall for the vendor hype about "this adorable little gal," etc.; an unincluded emerald or sapphire is far, far more expensive and rare.

The only time inclusions are desirable, imo, is when they they give rise to an asterism in an otherwise very transparent gem, and when they -- almost invisibly -- add an almost imperceptible sleepiness and consequently spectacular daylight "glow" to transparent sapphires and rubies.

In small sizes, obvious inclusions can make the color "pop" in Paraibas and a few others but I would not seek out inclusions in those stones.

 

[MjK1]

I have never understood the preference for 'horsetail' inclusions in demantoid garnet. I know it is used as proof of source, but I would still rather have a clean sparkling stone...

 

[meely]

Eye clean (and mind clean now I think of it) diamond for my engagement ring, not necessarily bothered in any other stone. My emerald is full of them, it is a cabochon and IMO they look super cool and of course add to the affordability. I have just bought an amethyst, they are cheap per carat so I wanted the perfect (well in my mind) stone.

 

[MarzannaBurns]

I have never understood the preference for 'horsetail' inclusions in demantoid garnet. I know it is used as proof of source, but I would still rather have a clean sparkling stone...

I hadn't heard of this before so I just looked it up. While I normally love the regular inclusions found in emeralds and sunstones, I really don't like the look of the horsetail inclusions. They remind me of weeds or maybe spiders.

 

[JackTrick]

Love love love demantoid horsetails. It’s just a mind blowing aspect of nature...contained in a gemstone!

This is mine, with parallel lines of the horsetail.

 

[Bron357]

Sometimes inclusions “make” the gem. Sometimes inclusions increase the value of a gem.
I have no problem with inclusions unless they affect the stability of the gemstones.
And yes, inclusions can lower the price and make it an attainable purchase.
To me, in coloured gems, colour reigns supreme. I see no point in buying a perfect clarity gem if it’s colour isnt appealing.
I have a fascinating aquamarine cabochon where the inclusions “are” the focus.
And my wee Alexandrite has many inclusions but in bright sunlight they throw little rainbow sparkles.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

Sometimes inclusions “make” the gem. Sometimes inclusions increase the value of a gem.
I have no problem with inclusions unless they affect the stability of the gemstones.
And yes, inclusions can lower the price and make it an attainable purchase.
To me, in coloured gems, colour reigns supreme. I see no point in buying a perfect clarity gem if it’s colour isnt appealing.
I have a fascinating aquamarine cabochon where the inclusions “are” the focus.
And my wee Alexandrite has many inclusions but in bright sunlight they throw little rainbow sparkles.

Fascinating is the perfect word to describe the inclusions in your aqua cab. They almost look like brushstrokes from an artist!

 

[MarzannaBurns]

Sometimes inclusions “make” the gem. Sometimes inclusions increase the value of a gem.
I have no problem with inclusions unless they affect the stability of the gemstones.
And yes, inclusions can lower the price and make it an attainable purchase.
To me, in coloured gems, colour reigns supreme. I see no point in buying a perfect clarity gem if it’s colour isnt appealing.
I have a fascinating aquamarine cabochon where the inclusions “are” the focus.
And my wee Alexandrite has many inclusions but in bright sunlight they throw little rainbow sparkles.

What an amazing stone! Beautiful.

 

[Sunstorm]

I absolutely love inclusions and find them a fascinating testament to nature. I do prefer some both in my diamonds and CS. It depends on the stone how much and what type of inclusions I like and what I cannot tolerate. There should not be one that is too unsightly or affect the integrity of the stone.

The rest? Anything goes as long as they are not all over affecting beauty or transparency but that can be hard to define. I love some silk in my untreated sapphies and rubies and prefer some to none. I love glowy emerald inclusions. No I do not even mind a bit of surface reaching even on the table of vintage emeralds. I do not care. That makes my favorite gems. And they are not cheap gems necessarily either. Inclusions do not negatively affect value to a great extent in CS.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I love unique, not “perfect”.