Gemstones

Color is often the most important quality in a colored gemstone, judged by hue, tone, and saturation. Rich, vivid, evenly distributed color is generally the most prized. Because gemstones occur naturally in a wide spectrum of shades, the ideal color can vary by stone type.

Clarity refers to the presence of internal inclusions or external blemishes. Some gemstones, like emeralds, naturally form with visible inclusions and are judged with different standards than diamonds. We look for stones that are eye-clean, meaning any inclusions are not visible without magnification.

Cut refers to the proportions, symmetry, and finish of a gemstone's facets, which determine how well it reflects light back to the eye. A skilled cutter shapes each stone to maximize its natural color and brilliance while preserving as much of the original rough as possible.

Carat is a measure of a gemstone's weight, not its size. One carat equals 200 milligrams. Because different gemstones have different densities, two stones of the same carat weight can appear quite different in size depending on the type of gem and how it is cut.

Clean your gemstones with a soft brush and warm, mild soapy water to keep them free of oils and dust that dull their brilliance. Store loose stones and gemstone jewelry separately in soft pouches to prevent scratching, avoid contact with chlorine and household chemicals, and have settings inspected annually by one of our jewelers.