SUWA

Gemstones are highly portable form of wealth. History tells us how gemstones and jewelry have supported their owners financially during periods of economic crisis in the aftermaths of wars or natural disasters. Sensing this strength of gemstone-oriented jewelry, some people rashly expect such value at the time of purchase. This is an unrealistic expectation, because the asset value if gemstones has a long-term nature. Because they are enduring items, the deciding factor of the value of gemstones is their quality. This is precisely why jewelry business professionals continually focus their efforts on understanding quality in order to arrive at appropriate prices, For the same reason, consumers who are planning to purchase gemstones will show an interest in quality, and in whether prices match quality levels, regardless of the price range they are shopping.

A gemstone’s value is ordinarily judged as a part of the value of the jewelry in which it is set, because it is supported by the quality of the adornment’s conception. When establishing prices,

manufacturers and stores judge gemstones, not separately, but as finished gemstone-oriented adornments. The idea that gemstone prices are set, as if by divine decree, is a misconception that needs to be overcome.

It is quite natural that enjoyable gemstone-oriented jewelry should represent a certain percentage of a person’s assets. The age-old rule of thumb that a three-way division between cash, real estate, and gemstones represents a well-balanced method of holding wealth is a notion that still carries great weight.

Chapter 3 discusses the seven quality factors of gemstone type, country of origin, treatment, beauty, tone, defects, and size, as well as gemstone value. When using these factors to determine quality, it is important to understand that each of them is influenced by the others. For example, the fact that the optimum color tone that maximizes beauty differs depending on the stone’s size is something that is experienced on a daily basis.

Finally, a value comparison chart arranged by quality and

size is included for the gemstones that appear in the previous volume, Gemstones: Quality and Value, Volume 1, and this book. Gemstone types have been arranged as gem quality, comparable to fine vintage wines; jewelry quality, which compares to popular brands of wine; and accessory quality, comparable to cheap table wines. These are further sorted by size-basically 10, 3, and 1 carats. Using the value of a one-carat-size, jewelry-quality round-brilliant cut diamond as a reference of 100, each gemstone type’s relative value by size and quality is represented. Keeping in mind that these charts are intended as a guide to judging value and not a price list, use them as a reference for future gemstone purchase. Indexing the sizes and qualities of gemstones by type, country of origin, and treatment impresses upon us the diversity of nature.
 
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