I1 Included 1 - Prominent - moderate effect on appearance or durability.
I2 Included 2 - Prominent - severe effect on appearance & durability.
I3 Included 3 - Prominent- severe effect on beauty, transparency & durability.

Type 2 Colored Gemstones by their nature have natural inclusions.
(Inclusions are the norm) This includes gems such as:
Ametrine, Amblygonite, Andulusite, Apatite. Alexandrite, Crysoberyl, Diopside, Feldspar, Flourite, Garnet(All species), Iolite, Natrolite, Fire Opals, Phenakite, Peridot, Quartz, Rhodolite, Ruby, Scapolite, Spinel, Sapphire, Taaffeite, Topaz(all colors EXCEPT Blue), Tourmaline( All colors EXCEPT Green and watermelon), Tzavorite, Zircon(All colors EXCEPT Blue and Clear).

GEMSTAR QUALITY CONTROL

We take great care to inspect and accurately represent all stones placed for sale.

TREATMENTS

Stones of this type are routinely heated, the treatment is widespread and common. Heating is so prevalent that unless otherwise stated, please assume that the item in the auction has been heated.

On a very, very infrequent basis, stones of this species are treated with other laboratory hocus pokus. All stones are examined under 30 power magnification for any trace of these treatments. Stones that show treatment are clearly stated.

Stones of this type can be laboratory created. Gemstar never sells laboratory imitation stones, only natural stones that have beauty and are suitable for elegant jewelry applications where the fabricator wants genuine, valuable, natural materials that compliment their hard work and effort.  

DISCLOSURES

Nothing is more disappointing than to get something that is not accurately represented. All photos are of the actual stones and are never computer enhanced. Any details that we become aware of that effect the quality, durability or value of the Stones are clearly stated.

SHIPPING

Shipping is free for all items. Gemstar reserves the right to combine purchases into one assignment for convenience and simplicity. All shipments include descriptive information.

GUARANTEES / RETURNS

Should you ever be disappointed with an item purchased from Gemstar, you have a 10 day period to provide notification.  Should you elect to submit stones for independent certification this period can be extended for an additional 45 days provided that you notify us of intent to certify within the initial 10 days period.

All items have an unconditional money back guarantee subject only to the terms above.

FEEDBACK

We love positive feedback and will make every effort to insure that you are pleased with your purchase. If you like the service, and the materials you receive please tell everyone. If you have concerns please notify us and allow us to make you a happy client.

If you get to Hawaii come visit with us.

Good luck bidding. (Look forward to outstanding merchandise and superior service.)

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Gem Buyers Guide Rubies:

We want our clients to make satisfying Purchases that bring years of proud ownershp. When buying Ruby and Sapphire gemstones, knowing what to look for can help you to make satisfying, enjoyable purchases. The reason for purchasing gems is to have a beautiful, unusual and impressive prize. Ultimately, appearance is the most important determinant of gem value. Here’s some ideas that may help you to make the best choice:

Purchasing Rubies:

Clarity: Professional purchasers in the gem trade prize clarity. While inclusions may not be visible to the unaided eye they change the dispersion of light and impact the stone’s “flash“, “fire” and appearance.

SI-1 This is slightly included stones. They are common. An estimated 90% of professionally cut rubies fall into this class. The inclusions can and usually do result in a somewhat lifeless stone with low luster, fire or “flash”. In other cases, the gem may give a dirty or soiled appearance.  Sometimes these "inferior" gems can have a beautful "hand held appearance".  Mid size gems of 3 carats and less are common, Large gems 3 carats and above are less common, but are typically, not thought of as investment grade stones. An ideal application for these stones is where the finished product is intended to bring $150 to $200 per carat.

SI - VS This is slightly included and very slightly included gems, they comprise an estimated 8% of professionally cut rubies. The inclusions are less noticeable and in some cases the gem has good appearance if the color compensates for the impaired clarity. An ideal application can be for mid range jewelry. Retail per carat tends to be in the $200 to $400 per carat range (the range widens as the quality of the stone can be offset by the quality of the setting)

VS - These stones represent all but a minute portion of the remaining 2% of stones. VS ruby gems tend to have more of the “fire” and glow or luster that has historically made rubies desirable for fine jewelry. Retail per carat can range between $400 to $1,500 (the range widens again as accent stones, settings and style become more predominant determinants of value.)

VVS-IF is very rare and very prized in rubies - synthetics tend to be VVS-IF but can be readily detected by a gemologist. It is recommended that you purchase stones of this quality from trusted sources. VVS-IF rubies typically retail for more than highest quality diamonds of similar size.

Cut: Gemcutters are not born, they learn their trade the way everyone does, by practice. Uneven facets and uneven overall shape tend to be the hallmarks of untrained or inexperienced cutters. Poorly cut stones tend to be shunned by retailers looking for anything other than lowest end merchandise. As with most businesses, gem cutting operations rarely give promising “rough stones” to novice cutters. The risk of ruining a valuable gem is simply too great. The best cutters get the best rough to work with. As gems move into the VS-SI and even more so, the VS category, this tends to become less of a problem. When making a purchase look carefully at the reflections coming from the facets, check for uneven lines. If you can notice it in a picture it will be apparent in the stone when received. Stones with a dull appearance or stones that don’t show faceting in photographs are likely to have a poor cut.

Color: Color is a subjective evaluation. A pink ruby gemstone can give a wonderful appearance as does a “Pidgeon Blood”. Historically the color that has the highest value is Pidgeon Blood. Saturation is also a factor, the higher the saturation is, the deeper the color. A very low saturation stone is easier to look through, a high saturation stone gives a darker color.

Size: Carat weight helps determine a gem’s value as the available “rough” decreases geometrically as one looks for larger and larger gems. De-class stones, stones that lack transparency can be as large as a fist and still have uncertain investment value. Stones above 4 carats in a VS-SI or VS category are scarce.

Hopefully this guide adds to your ability to make an investment that can bring a lifetime of proud ownership.

Origin: Gemstar rubies come only from Vendors indicating origins other than "Myanmar". 

*The retail prices indicated are not a guarantee that the products these stones go into will yield a specific return. Factors including clientele can have a very significant impact on retail prices. Copyright 12/15/2008

Abbreviated Guide for Sapphires

These gems in their natural state tend to have far fewer inclusions than rubies.  VVS and VS occur with far greater frequency than with rubies.  While fine Ruby gemstones come in a small array of colors, sapphires can span a very wide spectrum including pink, white, the traditional blues, oranges, songea, and even green.  some of the colors are natural some are the result of a process called heat diffusion.  This is a heated chemical bath that infuses the gem with additional color enhancing chemicals.  Heat diffusion began many years ago and got a bad reputation as a surface treatment with limited resistance to abrasion and wear.  Modern heat diffusion is a treatment that permeates all layers of the gem and is a permanent change in the chemical composition of the entire stone.  Modern diffusion is impervious to wear and abrasion.  There is some controversy as to whether this treatment effects the value of the gem.  When it is obvious, it appears as parallel bands of color or patches of color.  In this condition it has a negative effect on appearance and consequently on value.  In many instances the treatment doesn't detract from appearance and value.  Heating in these stones as well as in rubies, has been common for centuries, probably dating back to the first time a stone cutter/miner gathered around the fire and accidentally dropped in a valuable stone.   Sapphires tend to be significantly smaller than rubies.  Carat weights above 2 or 3 carats with good clarity are something of a "find".

Abbreviated Guide for Emeralds

Emeralds seem to be the weird stepchildren of the gem world.  Immitation, or laboratory produced stones look universally glassy and unnatural.  These gems are the most difficult to produce under laboratory conditions, few labs even attempt it.  On the other hand, the natural stones have far more inclusions than rubies or sapphires.  A one carat VVS/IF emerald typically carries a wholesale price of $14,000 or more.  Gems with SI clarity can bring handsome prices.  The appearance of these gems can be enhanced by "oiling", this is a simple immersion in a very light grade oil combined with a mild application of heat.   The oil after a period of months or years eventually evaporates and the stone looses some of its glitter.   Since the treatment is so universal, perhaps the moral of the story could be "learn how to refresh your suntanned gem"?  On the whole, emeralds are far more rare than other gemstones.

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