There is so much to understand about fine jewelry and precious gemstones. Loretta wants her visitors to know a little more about the definitions of gemstone terms so that one's experience on this site and with other gem and jewelry research is a richer experience.
Our brief tutorial here is certainly not exhaustive. But we hope it adds to every jewelry lovers' knowledge base, and clarifies some terminology associated in this wonderful avocation.
A critical piece of magnifying equipment in a professional laboratory. The gemological microscope has twin objectives & oculars which provides three dimensional viewing, various magnification lens, plus variable illumination sources to examine the exterior and interior of an object.
A proprietary, often patented gemstone cut making the stone recognizable as a unique shape. Branded cut stones may also bear identifying laser inscriptions on the girdle (circumference).
A measure of weight, rather than the size of a gemstone or diamond as expressed by carats.
A written report describing the results of examination of a gemstone, diamond or other valuables detailing the weight, proportions, color and clarity grades, and any other variables pertaining to its identity and quality.
A method of expressing relative levels of clarity in a diamond. Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has developed the most widely accepted grading scale ranging from highest, Flawless (FL) to Included 3rd level (I3), or lowest.
GIA Clarity Grading: FL-IF-VVS1-VVS2-VS1-VS2-SI1-SI2-I1-I2-I3.
Colorless diamonds are graded on a scale beginning with the letter D and continue to the end of the alphabet.
D-E-F | Colorless |
G-H-I-J | Near Colorless |
K-L-M | Faint Yellow |
N O-P-Q R | Very Light Yellow |
S-T-U -V-W-X-Y-Z | Light Yellow |
A unique gem-mineral composed essentially of only one element: carbon. It is the hardest of all known natural substances ranking10 on the Mohs scale. It occurs in colorless form, called "white" diamonds, but also occurs naturally in a wide range of colors.
The term used to express a transparent gem or diamond's ability to separate white light into the spectral colors; also referred to as fire.
A polished surface placed on a diamond or gem.
Apparent color observed in a diamond or gem viewed in a direction perpendicular to the table or how it would appear in its setting.
Any gemstone shape or cutting style other than a Round Brilliant cut. This includes pear, heart, emerald cut, marquise, princess, trillion, cushion etc.
A diamond with an attractive natural body color other than very light yellow. This includes pink, blue, brown, fancy yellow (canary) and other rare colors. Any color sapphire other than blue is called Fancy Color sapphire.
A catch-all term referring to any internal or external characteristics on a cut diamond or gemstone, also called imperfections or inclusions.
A diamond or gem with no internal or external flaws or blemishes when viewed under 10X magnification.
An easy to remember quality assessment for diamonds: Carat weight, Color, Clarity and Cut.
A round cut diamond with the total of 58 facets.
A cut and polished stone that possesses the necessary rarity, beauty, utility and durability for use in jewelry or for a collection.
A series of systematic tests performed in a laboratory or other setting as allowed until an absolute separation (identification) is made of the stone in question.
The science and study of all issues relating to gemstones including their identification, description, origin, and grading.
One who holds a Graduate Gemologist Diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
The weight in grams of metal used in jewelry or decorative items. 28.35 grams = 1 ounce Avoirdupois
A relative ranking of a mineral's resistance to being scratched. The Mohs scale developed in the 19th century is the most accepted method for comparison of relative hardness. Diamond, the hardest known substance is rated 10 on the Mohs scale, and talc is the least hard mineral, ranking 1 on the Mohs scale.
Any internal or external flaw or blemish on a polished diamond or gemstone, also called an inclusion.
A measure of gold purity or fineness, usually stamped on a piece of jewelry with the mark K or KT after a number. It represents the relationship of pure gold to the total metal alloy. 24K means pure gold. 14K equals 58.5% pure gold in the total metal.
A handheld 10X optical device, corrected for spherical & chromatic aberration used for examining gemstones.
See Binocular Microscope
Metric system unit of 1mm = 0.001 meter. 6 mm measures nearly 1/4 inch.
See Hardness
An optical instrument used to identify a gemstone as having single or double light refraction; one of several tests used in gemstone identification.
This is how a gemstone handles light rays entering it, and is expressed in a stones' RI or Refractive Index.
A measurement of how light rays change direction (related to speed) as they enter or exit a gemstone. There is a direct correlation between the higher RI's and a stones' brilliance.
An optical instrument used in the laboratory for measuring the refractive index of a gemstone.
A way to measure and articulate the relative density of gemstones to that of water.
Electromagnetic wave lengths shorter than that of visible light. The use of ultraviolet light is important in the study of diamonds and colored gems because of the (identifying) fluorescent effects seen in some gems.