1. Gemstones

2. What makes a mineral a Precious Gem?
Properties such as:
Beauty
Durability
Rarity

3. Semiprecious Gems Possess fewer qualities
Usually less rare (more common)

4. Birthstones by Month MONTH BIRTHSTONE January Garnet February Amethyst
March  Aquamarine
April  Diamond
May  Emerald
June  Pearl
July  Ruby
August  Peridot
September  Sapphire
October  Opal
November  Citrine
December  Topaz or Tamzanite

5. 1. Diamond is Mined

6. 2. Diamond sent to DeBeers

7. 3. DeBeers sells to select diamond companies
FOR

8. 4. The diamond is cut (faceted)

9. 5. Diamond broker sells stone to retailer
                                                                                                                            

10. Becoming an informed buyer… The 4 C’s of Diamonds
Color
Clarity
Cut
Carat

11. Color Caused by elements found within the diamond (yellow = N)
Highest color quality = clear
Most people cannot distinguish D from J

12. The Hope Diamond 44.50 ct. blue diamond.
At Smithsonian Museum (Washington D.C.)

13. Clarity Diamonds develop natural “inclusions” (flaws).
              
              
              
              
              
Clarity
Diamonds develop natural “inclusions” (flaws).
Inclusions determines clarity.
Most people cannot distinguish IF from SI

14. Cut
Only C’s that we control.
Best cuts = most reflection

15. Carat (ct.)Weight Mass of stone 1 ct = 0.2g (200mg)
Diamonds are priced per carat
Why is a 2-ct diamond more than 2x as expensive as a 1-ct. diamond?

16. Being a smart buyer

18. Sample Price Chart for Round Brilliant approx. 1ct
Sample Price Chart for Round Brilliant approx. 1ct. (x $100) (ex: D, VS1 = $7,100) IF
VVS1
VVS2
VS1
VS2
SI1
SI2
SI3 I1 D
142 94 84 71 64 57 51 41 35 E 65 61 55 49 40 33 F 83 63 59 54 47 38 31 G 70 50 44 37 H 56 42 29 I 45 43 27 J 39 34 30 25 K 36 23 L 32 20 M 28 26 22 17
Source:

19. GOLD Very expensive $$$ Very soft
Must combine with other metals for jewelry
K= karat; 24 K is pure gold

20. How pure is 14 K gold???
Pure = 24 K
So, 14 K÷ 24 K= 58.3%

21. References www.gia.edu/howtobuydiamond/Tour_FrameSet.htm

22. THE END