Gemstone attributes attract us to
colored gemstones for personal adornment and make gemstones valuable and
precious. Colored gemstones provide the opportunity for uniquely personal
expression.Most colored gemstones derive
their beauty from their color – purples, blues, greens, yellows, oranges, reds.
In certain colored gemstones color occurs naturally. Satisfying hues are
intrinsic in some garnets, for example. In other colored gemstones, the final
color occurs with assistance. For nearly as long as people have worn rubies, we
have known how to treat a rough ruby with heat to obtain a desirable red color.
Not all rubies are heat treated, but the vast majority are.
Sparkle adds to the beauty of a
well-cut colored gemstone. The cut of a colored gemstone describes its shape
and how it is fashioned. Some gemstones, such as opal, are suited to a smooth,
rounded surface. Others, such as sapphire, are more frequently shaped with a
precise series of flat, symmetrical planes, called facets, which make the most
pleasing illumination of the gem’s color. Some cutters today may also use
convex or concave facets, shaping colored gemstone like small sculptures.
The clarity of colored gemstones contributes to their
beauty. Unless a gemstone is opaque and blocks all light, how light moves
through the gemstone affects its beauty. Some gemstones have few internal
inclusions to interrupt the passage of light, as is the case with most pieces
of tanzanite.
Because of their rarity,
gemstones in which color is naturally occurring are generally more valuable.
Many gemstones are treated or enhanced in some way, such as with heat or safe
irradiation, to achieve the beautiful colors or clarity we desire in the sizes
we desire. These gems, which are less rare, can also be very valuable. Some
jewelers make synthetic colored gemstones available. Synthetic colored
gemstones have all the optical, physical and chemical properties of naturally occurring
gemstones, but they are created in a laboratory rather than occurring in
nature. For some budgets, these synthetic materials are an acceptable choice.
A gemstone’s ability to be
fashioned, mounted and worn is a function of how durable it is – a matter of
both hardness and toughness. Some gemstones, such as sapphire, ruby and garnet,
are well-suited to an active daily life and work well in rings, bracelets or
cufflinks. Others, such as emeralds, pearls and opals call for earring or necklace
mountings to keep them beautifully displayed but out of harm’s way.
When buying colored gemstone
jewelry, select what you consider beautiful. Because of the subtle differences
in the tone and hue of the colored gemstone you are considering, look at
several to find the one you prefer. Some jewelers offer loose colored gemstones
and are able to help you create a personalized mounting. You may prefer to buy
a finished jewelry item. Discuss how you see yourself wearing the piece so that
your jeweler can help you select mountings consistent with your lifestyle. This
will provide the best safeguard for your purchase.
Colored Gemstones for Personal Adornment:Beauty. Rarity. Durability. Derive Beauty From its Color