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G E M S T O N E E D U C A T I O N
Overview
LaMonir is proud to provide you with the finest in gemstones
as well as the education you need to choose a beautiful piece of
jewelry. Because gemstone quality is determined by the following
important factors, we encourage you to take the time to
familiarize yourself to ensure that you make a well-informed
purchase.
Cut - Unlike diamonds, gemstones do not to adhere to strict
cut proportions in order to create visual impact. A well-cut
gemstone is one that produces both strength and uniformity of
color.
Color - The beauty and impact of a gemstone is defined by
its color. This important characteristic is an expression of the
stone's hue, saturation, and tone. Understanding these aspects
of gemstones is the key to making a wise purchase and LaMonir is
pleased to educate you on the important nuances that contribute
to the stunning varieties of gemstone colors.
Clarity - The clarity of a gem is determined by the
number of inclusions it contains. Because some gems are
typically less included than others and the placement of the
inclusions has a profound effect on the value and beauty of the
stone, we have assembled this tutorial to educate you on what
degree of clarity to expect from specific gems.
Size - Because the carat weight of a gemstone can be
affected by the stone's density as well as its size, the actual
dimensions of the stone are more significant to the consumer. To
help you select a gemstone that meets your sizing expectations,
LaMonir provides a wide range of gem sizes in a number of
breathtaking settings.
Enhancements - The appearance, resilience, and
availability of a gemstone can be enhanced by a variety of
treatments. Although enhancing gemstones is a widespread process
that has been practiced for centuries, stones that require no
enhancements naturally have greater value than their enhanced
counterparts.
Care - To ensure that your lovely gemstone jewelry remains
stunning for years to come, follow simple care instructions.
Cut
As you contemplate the quality of a gemstone, consider how its
cut affects the overall beauty and visual impact of the stone.
Because gemstones vary in consistency and intensity of color as
well as number of inclusions, a skilled gem cutter is concerned
with creating the most stunning jewel possible, rather than the
largest.
A stone that has been cut to maximize its size will often
contain visible streaks or flaws, while one that has been
carefully cut to capture the gemstone's inherent beauty will
possess a stunning depth of color. Often a gemstone with a
greater intensity of color is cut shallowly and one with less
color saturation is given a deeper cut. These techniques are
used to see that the amount of light reflected out of the stone
will create the most dynamic effect possible. Regardless of the
color, size, or weight of a gemstone, the facets should be
symmetrical and the polish should ensure a smooth, even glimmer.
Making a Choice
By carefully selecting gemstones with vibrant colors as well as
pristine surface quality, LaMonir is pleased to provide you with
the very best selection from which to choose a beautiful piece
that is sure to become a family treasure.
Color
The seemingly limitless colors of gemstones create a stunning
and dramatic effect. The hue, saturation, and tone all
contribute to the depth of color and overall beauty of each
gemstone.
Hue
The prevailing color of a gemstone is referred to as its hue.
Most stones contain one dominant hue as well as one or more
underlying colors. Those gems with the purest hues are the most
rare and valuable.
Saturation
The intensity of a gemstone's color is referred to as the
saturation. Jewels with vivid color saturation exhibit little or
no gray or brown hues, which can cause a dark or dull
appearance. LaMonir carries only the most striking gemstones
with intense color saturation.
Tone
Having great impact on the appearance of a gemstone is its tone,
or depth of color. Ranging from "colorless" to "extremely dark"
stones may vary in their transparency and richness of color. The
most beautiful of these jewels will have a tone that lies in the
middle of this range, offering both stunning color and a bright
sparkle.
Making a Choice
It is important to consider all of these factors when selecting
a gemstone as they each contribute to the lasting allure of the
jewel. The variety of gemstone jewelry available at LaMonir
makes it possible for you to easily find a piece that will leave
her breathless.
Clarity
As with diamonds, the clarity of a gemstone is determined by its
number of internal flaws (inclusions) and external flaws
(blemishes). Because specific gems tend to have more inclusions
than others, the Gemological Institute of America has created
three colored gemstone clarity types:
Type I
Type I gemstones are those that may typically have no inclusions
visible to the naked eye. These stones may exhibit a high degree
of clarity and those typically included in this category are
Aquamarine, Beryl (green, pink, and yellow), Topaz and Zircon.
Type II
Although the minor inclusions found in this type are potentially
visible to the unaided eye, they typically do not detract from
the overall beauty of the gemstones. A skilled jeweler can
create a favorable cut and setting that will enhance the
loveliness of these gemstones. In this category you will usually
find Amethyst, Garnet, Opal, Ruby, and Sapphires of all colors.
Type III
The gems included in this type, such as Tourmaline (red) and
Emerald, are nearly always included, making nearly flawless
specimens extremely rare and valuable. Gems of this type can be
skillfully cut and set to exhibit a high level of beauty.
Making a Choice
Depending on the color of gemstone that you are seeking, the
level of clarity that is available can vary greatly.
Understanding both the gem types and the clarity grades is
important in choosing the best quality gemstone that will allow
you to stay within your budget while providing you with a
cherished piece of jewelry from LaMonir.
Size
Gemstones not only come in a wide variety of colors, they also
possess a range of densities, making carat weight an often
misleading characteristic. An emerald and a ruby of the same
size will have vastly different weights. For this reason, most
gemstone sizes are expressed in diameter or length and width
measurements rather than weight.
Examining and clearly understanding the size of a gemstone is
crucial for selecting a beautiful piece of jewelry.
Enhancements
Enhancements are treatments, other than cutting or polishing,
which are performed on natural gemstones to improve their
durability, availability, or appearance. By enhancing a
gemstone, its natural color and stunning beauty is released,
allowing it to truly
sparkle.
There are several enhancement processes, some permanent, and
some temporary. It is important to remember that the
enhancements whether heat, irradiation, diffusion, dye, coating,
filling, bleaching, oiling or laser are utilized to positively
alter the gemstone. Gemstone enhancement is a common practice
throughout the jewelry industry.
Care
Taking proper care of your gemstone jewelry is the best way to
ensure that it stays beautiful and valuable for a lifetime. It
is important to regularly clean your gemstones to remove the
unwanted build up caused by everyday activities, frequently used
chemicals and beauty products. Using a gentle detergent and soft
toothbrush is an affordable and effective way to keep your
gemstone jewelry clean.
LaMonir takes great care to provide jewelry in which the
gemstones are securely set.
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