On our cut gemstones, except prices already crossed out, COUPON: CONF2020

There are many advantages to buy online, here are some of them proposed by our website E-gemmes-stones.com.

• Our stones are presented with at least two photos, or even more, showing them with a very high magnification with the possibility to zoom even more.
• Internet makes it possible from home, to take all its time before buying.
• Some of our stones are presented in video.
• Possibility to contact us for more information or pictures.
• Quick answer to all your questions by e-mail or telephone.
• Legal withdrawal period of 14 days.
• Fast and secure shipping with signature.
• No direct electronic payment via the site E-gemmes-stones, automatic redirection to the secure Paypal site.
• Possibility to pay by cheque or SEPA transfer to a bank account, free of charge.

• Free shipping costs.
  Good shopping.

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Here are a few tips to keep in mind as a minimum when you want to buy a QUALITY GEM and not to make a mistake.

– WARNING:
No, a stone isn’t just a name, a number of carats and a price!!!!

There are a number of quality criteria that you must be able to appreciate and that will considerably influence the value of the stone. These criteria are inspired by the famous 4C rule for diamonds (Color, Clarity, Carat, Cut).
First of all the importance of colour and its intensity. Is the stone too dark or too light? Is there a secondary colour? These colour criteria are also a matter of taste.
In a second time, it will be necessary to appreciate its purity. Yes, the inclusions are the signature of the stone but the important thing is that to the naked eye it does not appear too unsightly inclusions and cracks. There are exceptions for stones that are almost always considered to be included, such as emerald, for example, where we talk about “garden”. There are also stones where inclusions are their main interest, such as certain quartz. Apart from the unsightly appearance, badly placed inclusions in the stone prevent good reflection of light.
The third criterion is that of the cut (see our article on faceting) which is a much more important criterion than it seems because it is thanks to a quality cut that the stone will shine by restoring the light. It is absolutely necessary to avoid stones with a window in its center, as we can unfortunately see too often on the pictures. It appears in the stones with proportions (critical angles) not respected such as a pavilion too flat or too deep. Also be careful with too visible scratches, especially on the top of the stone (table and crown). Sign that the stone has been stored and handled for a long time and without precaution.
The other criterion inspired by the 4C rule is the mass in carat. In theory, the bigger a stone is, the rarer and therefore more expensive it is. But this criterion alone, without the others mentioned above, is far from being sufficient.
It is also necessary to pay attention to the too technical descriptions (refractive index, hardness, chemical properties,…) which interest neither the professionals who already know this information nor the private individuals, for whom they have no interest in the act of purchase.
Also beware of overly attractive prices that can be found on certain online auction platforms. On the other hand, high prices are not necessarily synonymous with quality.
The influence of certain treatments that the stone may have undergone is also an important factor in the appreciation of its value.
When selling at a distance, always turn to professionals offering a 14-day inspection period, which corresponds to the legal withdrawal period for distance selling. (Consumer Code: articles L221-18 to L221-28).
Now it’s up to you and enjoy your shopping…

Two interesting facet cutting articles  in English from Hubert Heldner and International Gem Society:

What is the average gemstone faceting yield?

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/what-is-the-average-gemstone-faceting-yield/

Perfect faceting angles versus excess weight

https://www.free-form.ch/ceylonschliff.html

The work of the lapidary (facet cutting)

The purpose of faceting for coloured stones is to give the raw material an optimal performance in terms of brilliance.
It is therefore necessary to analyse and respect the characteristics of each stone, in particular the optical axis, the pleochroism and the possible colour zones.
The lapidary will always be confronted with the cornelian choice to maintain a higher carat weight, therefore more interesting from an economic point of view, even if it means letting more or less visible inclusions appear or reducing the stone as much as possible in order to opt for a high purity.

– First step:

Choose a rough stone for its colour, it must be neither too light nor too dark, its purity by scrupulously identifying the inclusions that are too disturbing as well as the cracks and also for its shape which must not be too flat.

– Second step:

Find a diagram of suitable size so as not to lose too much material. However, expect a loss of about 70% on average! Precision cutting techniques used today do not put weight first but optical performance. The sizing diagrams that have been used for a number of years have been developed with the help of software in order to obtain the best possible brilliance.

– Third step:

Begin to preform the stone to eliminate the areas that are too included, take into account the axis with the best colour and give it a shape close to the chosen size diagram. (pear, oval, rectangle, cushion,…).

– Fourth step:

Source: H. Heldner

Start the actual facet cutting by adapting the diagram to the refractive index of the stone in order to optimize the brilliance. It is indeed the angle best adapted to the type of stone that will give a better reflection of the light and avoid taking the “window” in the centre of the stone synonymous with poor quality cutting.

Example of an Aquamarine, badly cut on the left with a window and correctly cut on the right.

(Photos: International Gem Society).

Do not confuse reflection and refraction. Refraction refers to the index of refraction (IR) of a stone, which is the ratio between the speed of light in air and the speed of light inside the stone. The IR is calculated using a refractometer. But it is by respecting this index that the reflection of light will be the best.

The perfect respect of the junction of the facets will also contribute to the quality of the cut.

– Fifth step

Polishing marks the end of the cutting process and must be carried out with precision in order to remove all micro scratches and make the stone as shiny as possible. Remember to clean the stone gently with a solvent to remove any traces of glue or wax.

-Sixth step:

Admire the result.

Grandidierite was found in 1902 in the south of Madagascar. The name was given by A. Lacroix in honor of the naturalist Alfred Grandidier. One on the rarest gemstones on Earth. Gem quality stones with a high degree of transparency and good clarity is really scarce. Hardness 7/7,5 on the Mohs scale. Collector gemstone.

New: Gem quality  Grandidierite with high clarity. Many stones available (from 0,29 to 0,68 carat) but not online yet, don’t hesitate to contact us for more informations. National Jeweller article:

https://www.nationaljeweler.com/blog/7592-5-things-to-know-about-grandidierite

Stock: ICI

New arrival of facet rough. Progressively online, a few interesting stones for lapidary. (Tourmalines, garnets, sapphires, iolites, topaz, apatites, quartz, opals…).

Don’t hesitate to contact us for more informations. Videos on demand.

Stock HERE.

New arrival of beautiful illusion Sunstones from Tanzania with their “schiller” effect.

Sunstones lots for cabochons on demand, from 2 dollars per gram… don’t hesitate to contact us.

Stock HERE.

With E-gemmes-stones.com, you always buy with condidence. Inspection period of 14 days.

Progressively online, beautiful rough stones, only top facet grade quality for gemcutters.

Tourmalines, garnets, topaz, rubies, iolites or scapolites.

In pending, don’t hesitate to contact us for more details.

Stock HERE.