QUALITIES OF QUALITIES OF GEMSTONEGEMSTONE

INTRODUCTION A Gemstone is any mineral that

is composed of crystallised matter and the atoms which are regularly arranged throughout the structure.The quality of gemstone that make is desirable for use of jewellery depends on brilliance,hardness,colour dispersion and refraction.

THE THREE THE THREE CARDINAL VIRTUES CARDINAL VIRTUES OF A GEMOF A GEMBeautyBeautyDurabilityDurabilityRarityRarity

BEAUTYBEAUTY

Beauty of a gem stone is generally Beauty of a gem stone is generally defined by the five C’s which are,defined by the five C’s which are,

ColourColour CutCut ClarityClarity CaratCarat CertificationCertification

1)Colour1)Colour :- Most natural :- Most natural gemstones have colour due gemstones have colour due to the natural presence of to the natural presence of finely dispersed particles of finely dispersed particles of minerals or impurites.In minerals or impurites.In colours such as diamonds & colours such as diamonds & crystals,lesser the colour crystals,lesser the colour better the quality.On other better the quality.On other hand for colour stones such hand for colour stones such as Ruby,Emerald,more as Ruby,Emerald,more darkdark & pure is the colour better & pure is the colour better is its quality.is its quality.

2) Cut:-2) Cut:-It is the final form in It is the final form in which a rough gemstone is which a rough gemstone is shaped.A stone is being cut & shaped.A stone is being cut & polished keeping in mind the polished keeping in mind the accurate angle & proportions of accurate angle & proportions of cutting brings out the full cutting brings out the full life ,fire and brilliance of life ,fire and brilliance of gemstone.Beauty of a particular gemstone.Beauty of a particular a particular cut can be observed a particular cut can be observed by examining the type of by examining the type of cut,symmetry and polish on the cut,symmetry and polish on the crown,pavilion and girdle portion crown,pavilion and girdle portion of stone.A stone can be cut in of stone.A stone can be cut in different forms such as brilliant different forms such as brilliant cut in fecetted stones etc.cut in fecetted stones etc.

3)Clarity:-This is defined by the 3)Clarity:-This is defined by the presence of inclusions within a presence of inclusions within a stone,which indicates the stone,which indicates the stone’s transparency.An stone’s transparency.An inclusions is a foreign inclusions is a foreign materials.lesser are the number materials.lesser are the number of inclusions,better is the clarity of inclusions,better is the clarity of a stone.Ina stone,clarity is of a stone.Ina stone,clarity is generally judged by the number generally judged by the number of inclusions and the claolour of of inclusions and the claolour of inclusions.inclusions.

4)Carat4)Carat:-:-It is the unit weight It is the unit weight diamonds,gemstones and diamonds,gemstones and also pearls.large is the size also pearls.large is the size with good colour and with good colour and clarity,higher is the stone clarity,higher is the stone value.value.

5)Certification:-Presently a 5)Certification:-Presently a lot of jewellery is made lot of jewellery is made with certified gemstones in with certified gemstones in it.These gemstones are it.These gemstones are certified by authorised gem certified by authorised gem testing laboratoriestesting laboratories..

DURABILITYDURABILITY

A gemstone should be durable enough to resists A gemstone should be durable enough to resists daily wear & tear.Durability of a stone depends daily wear & tear.Durability of a stone depends upon its hardness,cleavage,brittleness,toughness upon its hardness,cleavage,brittleness,toughness and resistance to heat,pressure and and resistance to heat,pressure and chemicals.Generally all gem minerals are hard chemicals.Generally all gem minerals are hard minerals.some of the points to be considered here minerals.some of the points to be considered here include ;include ;

Soft stones get scratched easily.Soft stones get scratched easily. Stones with a number of internal cracks are less Stones with a number of internal cracks are less

durable .durable . Less resistant gems such as pearls,gets damaged by Less resistant gems such as pearls,gets damaged by

perfumes etc.perfumes etc.

RARITY

The law of demand & supply,often influenced by fashion,governs to a great extent the rarity of gemstones.Political & economic conditions of a country can also control the supply to demand ratio rough & cut stone.

Some of the points to be considred here include:-

Gemstone available in large quantities not be much in demand.

If gemstone possesses all the four C’s and has a phenomena attached with it,is considered to be rare.

If stones has limited geological occurrence,it is considered to be rare.

Neeru Jain(Asstt. Pofessor of Jewellery Designing)