Understand Gem Grading Mesquite TX

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Purchasing and owning of gem stones can be intimidating to the average consumer. In order to help out the consumer, gems are graded based upon their features using the "four C's." These grades rate the gems based upon the rarity of their features, not necessarily the quality. It is important to note that these grades are designed to identify the characteristics of the stones and quality is still based upon preference of the buyer.

Rarity is often what will drive the value of a gem, as the more "unique" the stone, the higher the premium will be. However, rarity is not the be all, end all of gem value. Even with rarity being a factor, a highly desirable stone may still have a high value, regardless of the rarity of characteristics. A good example would be diamonds and engagement rings; a trendy or popular cut may not necessarily be rare, but will still demand a cost premium due to the demand for that particular stone.

The four graded areas are color, clarity, cut and carat.

1. Color is further broken down into three subcategories that further define the color.
   
   
   • Hue - What is the "simple" color of the gem (green, blue, red, orange, etc.)?
     
     
   • Saturation - How deep is the color? Is it deep or a light pastel?
     
     
   • Tone - Is the color light or dark within that particular color's range (dark blue vs. light blue)?
     
     
   Regarding the effect of color on the value of a stone, it is really only critical in rare or high value gems. An emerald with a perfect green color will be worth more than one that is slightly faded or with a shade of blue. On a moderate or lower valued gem, the color is more of a matter of personal preference.
   
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Author: Brad Halvorsen