Colored Gemstones

Fine colored gemstones have been revered throughout history. Gemstones have been imbued with the power to foretell events, strengthen memory, quicken intelligence, ensure purity, avert lightning, prevent intoxication, ensure happiness and everlasting youth......all manner of ills are said to be cured by gems.

Gleim's Colored Gems

We shop the world for the finest and most exotic colored gemstones available. From fine natural emeralds and rubies to rare natural alexandrites, our experienced Certified Gemologists and Certified Gemologist Appraisers assure our customers that our gems are of the finest value possible. In addition, we make sure that our customers are fully informed of any gemstone enhancements known for the particular gem they are considering, both acceptable and unacceptable. For further information on colored gemstone enhancements, please visit our information section.

What Defines A Colored Gemstone?

Technically, colored gemstones include all gemstones except diamonds. This also includes some non-mineral gems such as pearls and ivory. Only a select few of the vast number of minerals known qualify as gemstones. In order to become a gemstone, the mineral must be rare and beautiful, and be durable enough to be worn as jewelry. There are many minerals that are both rare and beautiful but are too soft or fragile to be worn as jewelry.

What Is The Difference Between Precious And Semi-Precious Gems?

In the past, the term "precious" was used to describe diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire, precious opal, and pearl. The term "semi-precious" referred to all other gemstones. Today, most jewelers and gemologists discourage using these terms because they do not accurately reflect the true value of these gems. In particular, some of what were previously called semi-precious gems, natural alexandrite and demantoid garnet for example, are so rare that they can command prices in many cases exceeding those of emerald, ruby, and even diamond.

What Is The Difference Between Synthetic And Imitation Gemstones?

A synthetic gemstone is a laboratory-grown gemstone that has the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as its naturally occurring counterpart. An imitation gemstone is a substance having properties other than the naturally occurring gemstone it is imitating. Imitation gems may be made of glass, plastic, or other synthetic gem material - for instance, laboratory- grown synthetic color-change sapphire imitating natural alexandrite. Federal Trade Commission regulations require that all synthetic and imitation gem materials must be disclosed to the buyer by the seller at the time of sale.

Is There A Standardized And Widely Used Grading System For Colored Gemstones Similar To The G.I.A. Diamond Grading System?

Currently, there is no widely used grading system for colored gemstones. There have been many attempts over the years to establish such a grading system but none has succeeded, primarily because colored gemstones have such wide variations in color, clarity, and cutting. As an example, the emerald variety of the beryl mineral tends to be highly included (i.e. many internal imperfections) while the aquamarine variety of the same mineral exhibits very few inclusions.

Generally, gemstones may be grouped into three major clarity categories: 1. those that are flawless or have very minor inclusions (e.g. aquamarines and amethysts), 2. those that are moderately included (e.g. rubies and sapphires), and 3. those that tend to be highly included (e.g. emeralds and red tourmalines).

Color, however, more than any other characteristic, determines a colored gemstone's value. Cutting in a colored gem is designed to bring out the best possible color or colors in the rough uncut material while retaining as much weight as possible. But what we call "face-up" color, or the color you see when you look at the gem from above, is the single most important factor in the cutting process. The color in a fine gem is saturated evenly throughout the stone and is of a brilliant deep, rich, and pleasing color, not too dark and not too light.

Each variety of colored gemstone has a range of highly prized colors that have evolved over the years. Many of these colors are tied to historical sources such as "Burmese" rubies from Burma (now Myanmar), "Kashmir" sapphires, and "Persian" lapis (from what is now Afghanistan). But a variety of colors may be found from a single source so that not all rubies from Myanmar have "Burmese" color and some rubies from other countries do.

But the ultimate choice of color in a gemstone is a very personal decision and should be based on what appeals to the individual. This may not necessarily be that color defined as the most valuable. Value is based on rarity as well as beauty, and many consumers prefer colors which, while occurring more often in nature, are more appealing to their own individualized tastes.

Purchasing Colored Gemstones

Today, with the ever-increasing advances in gemstone enhancements and synthetic gemstone production, it is more important than ever to deal with a reputable and properly trained jeweler. Gleim's has been serving the Peninsula since 1931. Our staff of American Gem Society Certified Gemologists and Certified Gemologist Appraisers are retested annually by the Society on advances in gemology. Our Certified Gemologist Appraisers are also retested on the latest advances in appraisal procedure and practice. In addition, our American Gem Society Accredited Laboratory allows us to provide our customers with the best gemstone identification and appraisals services possible.

We back all colored gemstone purchases with accurate, well-documented reports, and, especially, with the kind of friendly service that only your local jeweler can provide.

Return to Gleim's Home Page