Gemstone Education

Understanding Gemstones: A Beginner's Guide

Whether you're new to gemstones or expanding your knowledge, this guide will help you understand what makes each stone special.

The 4 C's of Gemstones

1. Color

Color is often the most important factor in a gemstone's value. The most prized gemstones display rich, saturated colors with good depth. For example, deep purple amethysts and vibrant blue topaz are highly sought after.

2. Clarity

Clarity refers to the presence of inclusions (internal characteristics) or blemishes. "Eye clean" means no inclusions are visible to the naked eye. Some inclusions are acceptable and even expected in natural gemstones.

3. Cut

The cut determines how light interacts with the stone. Popular cuts include:

• Round/Circle: Classic and brilliant
• Square/Princess: Modern and geometric
• Teardrop/Pear: Elegant and flowing
• Trillion: Contemporary triangular shape

4. Carat Weight

Carat measures a gemstone's weight (1 carat = 0.2 grams). Larger stones are rarer and typically more valuable, but quality matters more than size.

Understanding Gemstone Hardness

The Mohs scale measures a gemstone's resistance to scratching (1-10):

• Diamond: 10 (hardest)
• Sapphire: 9 (extremely durable)
• Topaz: 8 (very durable)
• Quartz/Amethyst: 7 (durable for daily wear)

Harder gemstones are more suitable for rings and daily-wear jewelry.

Natural vs. Treated Gemstones

Natural: Formed by nature without human intervention. Our Queensland sapphires are completely natural and untreated.

Treated: Enhanced through heat, irradiation, or other methods to improve color or clarity. Heat treatment is standard for blue topaz and is permanent and stable. We always disclose any treatments.

Our Featured Gemstones

Queensland Sapphires

Australia's Queensland region produces some of the world's finest sapphires. Known for unique parti-coloring (multiple colors in one stone) and exceptional hardness. Perfect for all jewelry types and a great investment.

Amethyst

February's birthstone, amethyst ranges from light lavender to deep purple. Associated with clarity and peace. Affordable luxury with stunning color.

Blue Topaz

December's birthstone, blue topaz displays brilliant sky-blue color. Durable and affordable, perfect for everyday jewelry. Heat treated (industry standard).

Smokey Quartz

Sophisticated brown to gray tones make smokey quartz perfect for contemporary designs. Versatile and affordable, pairs beautifully with any metal.

Choosing the Right Gemstone

For Engagement Rings: Choose harder stones (8+ on Mohs scale) like sapphires or topaz.

For Pendants & Earrings: Any gemstone works well as these pieces experience less wear.

For Collectors: Consider rarity, origin, and unique characteristics like our Queensland sapphires.

For Jewelry Designers: Consider the final design, metal pairing, and durability needs.

Birthstones

• February: Amethyst
• April: Diamond
• September: Sapphire
• December: Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, Turquoise

Investment Value

Quality gemstones, especially rare Australian sapphires, can appreciate in value over time. Factors affecting investment potential include:

• Rarity and origin
• Quality (color, clarity, cut)
• Size
• Market demand
• Treatment status (untreated stones often more valuable)

Questions?

Want to learn more about a specific gemstone? Contact us at richosrocksstore@gmail.com – we love talking about gemstones!