FAQ
Gemmology
What is a gemstone?
According to common and historical opinion, a mineral with a Mosh’en hardness grade of 8 and above, which is rare and beautiful. Stones with a hardness of less than 8 used to be called semi-precious stones. This distinction is no longer common today.
What does “treatment” mean for gemstones?
The best gemstones to use as investments are those that are only cut (cutting is not considered a treatment, but brings out the beauty of the gemstone). A typical treatment for ruby and sapphire, for example, is “burning”: a heating of the stone by which the color is improved and the purity of the stone increases. Color diamond and also topaz can be changed in color by radioactive irradiation. Only gemstones whose certificates explicitly state that they are “natural color” or “untreated” are considered untreated. All other gemstones are automatically considered treated.
Is “carat” in gemstone the same as “carat” in gold?
No, “carat” is a unit of weight, one carat is 0.2 grams or in other words, one gram is equal to five carats. “Carat” in gold denotes a fineness: “14 carat” is equal to a fineness of 585, which is 58.5% pure gold in an alloy. “18 carat” is equal to a fineness of 750.
Is a diamond the same as a brilliant?
“Diamond” is the superior term, it is the mineralogical name. “Brilliant” is the round cut shape typical of the diamond.
What are the 4 “C “s in gemstones?
“Carat” – the weight, 1 carat = 0.2 g or in other words, 1 gram is equal to 5 carats,
“Clarity” – the purity,
“Color” – the color and finally
“Cut” – the cut.
What is a “Blood Diamond”?
By formal definition, a “blood diamond” or “conflict stone” is a diamond that has served to finance a warlike conflict. Countries that are at war are excluded from the international diamond trade, “banned”. These are currently e.g. Congo or Sierra Leone.
Colored gemstones are much rarer and are not mined industrially. Therefore they are unsuitable for the financing of warlike actions.
Can I rule out that the diamond I bought at The Natural Gem is a “blood diamond”?
Yes, because The Natural Gem only purchases diamonds that come from certified mines.
Where do The Natural Gem’s rubies come from?
Primarily from Burma, Mozambique, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand and Pakistan.
Where do The Natural Gem’s sapphires come from?
Mainly from Burma, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and very rarely from Kashmir (because exceedingly rare).
Where do the emeralds of The Natural Gem come from?
Mainly from Colombia, Zambia, Ethiopia, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Where do The Natural Gem’s diamonds come from?
From various countries such as Namibia and Canada, they are mostly cut in India.
How can I tell the difference between a natural and a treated gemstone?
As a layman: not at all. Treatments can only be determined by gemological laboratories and described in the certificates. The Natural Gem delivers every gemstone with at least one certificate from an independent gemological laboratory.
Are there fakes in gemstones?
Yes, unfortunately the range of fakes or artificial enhancements is very wide. This is exactly why it is important that you only buy gemstones with a certificate from an independent gemmological laboratory. Some high-quality gemstones often have several certificates from different certification bodies.
Are gemstones indestructible?
“Hardness” is described as resistance to a penetrating object. This says nothing about brittleness or cleavability; diamond, for example, is very cleavable, emerald is relatively brittle. So, unfortunately, gemstones are not indestructible.
