We All Have a Special Gemstone
Special gemstones have been linked to dates of birth for
centuries. Many cultures originally assigned a specific stone to
each sign of the zodiac, but over time the tradition shifted
until it became common for a different gemstone to represent
each month of the year.
Different cultures chose unique sets of twelve stones. The
folklore attached to stones differed from one group of people to
another, but they all had one belief in common -- wearing your
birthstone brought good luck.
The tradition of birthstones is imbedded in our modern culture
and birthstone jewelry is as popular as it ever was, and we can
choose from an endless selection of items adorned with these
special gems.
Know the Terms Before You Shop:
A genuine gemstone is the real thing, with all the chemical
properties known to be associated with that gem.
A natural gemstone is a genuine gem that should be in the same
state it was in when found (except cutting and polishing)
Synthetic gemstones are genuine gems that are created in a lab
Even experienced jewelers have a difficult time determining the
origins of some gemstones, such as amethyst, which can be
duplicated almost exactly in a lab.
Don't confuse synthetic stones with imitation stones. An
imitation is the same color as a gemstone and may resemble it
closely, but its chemical characteristics are completely
different. Glass and plastic that are made to look like
gemstones are two examples of imitations.
Common Gemstone Treatments
Buying a genuine gemstone or gemstone ring doesn't mean you'll own a stone that
was cut and mounted in a setting with no other manipulation.
Naturally occurring stones are often treated before they are
used in jewelry. Some treatments are permanent, but others are
not.
Heat treatments can change or intensify a gem's color. The
treatment alters a stone's structure and is usually (but not
always) permanent.
Fracture filling is a treatment applied mostly to diamonds,
where pits on their surface are filled with a substance that
blends with the stone to improve clarity. The process is fairly
stable unless the stone is exposed to high heat.
Laser drilling is used to remove inclusions (flaws) from
diamonds, improving their clarity.
Diffusion is the process of applying a temporary coating onto
the surface of a stone to enhance its color.
Oiling seals opals against loss of the water inside them.
Emeralds are often oiled to fill fissures on their surface,
which makes the color more consistent.
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