A Guide to Buying Coloured Gemstones

A Guide to buying Coloured Gemstones

Here at Storm Baker we understand the importance of finding the right Gemstone for you, which is why we want to help you gather a better understanding of what you need to look for. When you set out to buy your Gemstone there are a few key things that need to be considered; knowing the 4 C’s (Cut, clarity, colour, and carat) is a key step to selecting the right piece, which we’re going to explore. One of the most important things these days that needs to be considered when you purchase an expensive piece of jewelry or gemstone is the origin and the history of the piece, depending on the type of gemstone you are looking at this may have an effect on the price as well. 

Choosing the right gemstone for you is a personal experience that requires careful consideration into what has the most significance for you.

Coloured Birthstones

One of the things that a lot of people consider when purchasing a gemstone, either for themselves or a gift for a loved one, is their birthdate. Years ago astrologists attributed certain gemstones with supernatural powers that were thought to bring the wearer good luck or fortune. Each month of the year is associated with certain gemstones, this is a cool thing for you to consider when purchasing your coloured gemstone as it makes it a very personal piece. 

• January is associated with the Dark Red gem, Garnet, signifying Protection
• February is assigned Amethyst, a violet coloured gem that symbolises Wisdom.
• March birthstone is Aquamarine, a blue or cyan stone that indicates Serenity 
• April is associated with the Gemstone Quartz, a clear stone that represents Strength
• May’s gemstone is Emerald, a dark green gem that signifies Hope
• June has a stunning colour changing gemstone, Alexandrite represents Love
• July birthstone is Ruby, a dark red stone signifying Passion
• August is assigned Peridot, a bright green gemstone that represents Harmony and Good Health
• September has the Gemstone Sapphire a distinct blue symbolising Truth
• October’s colour varying gemstone Opal signifies Protection and Good Luck
• November is associated with Topaz, a rich orange stone representing Love, and Passion
• Decembers’ Gemstone is Turquoise, a sea-green stone symbolizing Tranquility

Buying a coloured birthstone is a significant decision and is something we would love to help you with, get in touch to see what options we have for your bespoke Gem.

Understanding the Origin of your Gemstone

Understanding the origin of your Gemstone is a crucial part of considering what stone you want to purchase. Country of origin as well as how it was farmed play a vital part in the cost and the quality of the stone, certain countries are more sought out for their precious gemstones as they are of a rarer or higher quality. Over recent years three has been a big focus in the media in ensuring that all gemstones are mined and sourced in an ethical manner, using fairtrade methods. This is a crucial thing to consider when you buy your piece, ‘at what cost are you buying your Gemstone’, here at Storm Baker we can provide information on the origin of all of our stones to ensure your peace of mind knowing that your Jewellery comes from a reputable source.

Knowing the 4 C’s of Gemstone Value

When considering the Gemstone for your jewelry it is important to have a knowledge of what gives the stone its’ value. We refer to the 4 categories of gemstone valuation as: Carat, Colour, Clarity, and Cut. 

Carat is the weight measurement used in jewelry when referring to various gemstones. A carat is equivalent to one-fifth of a gram.

Colour is possibly the most crucial thing in making up the value of a gemstone, it can be broken down into the 3 basic parts; hue, saturation, and tone. Hue refers to the ‘colour’ of the stone itself (e.g red, blue, orange, violet). Saturation describes the intensity of the gemstone, the brighter the stone the more expensive it tends to be. Tone of a gemstone is relevant to the type of stone, each stone should fit within a certain degree of shade i.e light to dark, this is how you determine the value of your particular stone

Clarity refers to the blemishes on the outside of the gemstone as well as the inclusions inside the stone. Internal inclusions mean the imperfections inside the stone that affect the way light refracts through it. Blemishes on the outside can include chips, scratches, and abrasions.

Cut is a personal decision that is just referring to the shape and proportions of the gemstone. Cut also includes the finishing shape and edges of the stone along with the quality of the final polish. There are a huge range of shapes available for gemstones these days so whatever your taste or style there'll be something we can help you with.

Now that you have a better knowledge of everything you need to consider when looking for your Gemstone, get in touch with our super friendly staff so we can help you work with our highly skilled jewellers to find and create the perfect piece for you. Get in touch with us here at XXXX to find your special stone.