If you’re choosing to collect as an investment, know ahead of time how much time and money you’re willing to spend. Those will be the factors which most influence your collecting. If you’re collecting out of interest, then collecting will be a matter of choosing what you like best. You might consider centering your starting collection around a certain theme, like color or location of origin.
Those who are collecting as an investment will want to stay away from public digs. Gemstones worth investing in will need to be considerably more rare than those found at public dig sites. Also, those who are looking to collect especially exotic or scarce gemstones may want to look elsewhere. Public digs will usually only involve more common gemstones, such as emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds. [3] X Research source To find dig sites, look online. Alternatively, you can seek out local geological/gemological societies and organizations for any recommendations. Prepare for anything when it comes to these public digs. Some are sheltered and have you sitting and sifting, others have you entering caves with full equipment.
Identifying gemstones will require some equipment: tweezers, a loupe (glass eye, usually with 10x magnification), and some light source. More advanced identifying techniques may require a refractometer or polariscope. This is why it is always a good idea to form a good relationship with a dealer; a friendly dealer may lend their expertise and equipment when you’ve got something that needs identifying. Fortunately the most basic assessments can be done with the naked eye by examining the gem’s color by analyzing its hue (base color), tone (depth of color), and saturation (strength of color).
Collectibility (and value) in gemstones is almost always decided by rarity. While rarity may not always mean expensive to purchase, rarity will mean consistency of value–gems which are rare now will only become more rare. In that vein, gemstones you’ll want to look for if you’re an investor are those which are especially rare in occurrence, or more common gems with uncommon traits (such as “unheated” gems or unusual colors like yellow sapphire). Again, don’t purchase the most expensive gems you can find in the hopes of them being more expensive later on. The gem market is unusually receptive to short-lived trends, and certain gems may receive artificial price boosts which fail to last.
Normally you’ll want sites that have a good selection, as well as a photograph along with everything they sell. Never buy from a site which doesn’t allow returns; too often you’ll find gems in-person won’t match their online photographs. While there are a host of legitimate sites online, a few reputable choices with broad selections are: http://www. multicolour. com and http://www. palagems. com. It’s not a bad idea to choose a few sites to build a lasting relationship with; it often becomes easier to do business with dealers that know you better.
The most reliable and active scene for purchasing gems in person will be trade fairs. Usually traveling or part of temporary flea markets, these are usually groups of several vendors looking to sell. Be aware that there’s often a culture of haggling at these gatherings; be prepared to have to talk some prices down. Like online stores, it helps to build relationships with any dealers you find reliable, especially if you’re looking for certain gems in particular. A good dealer can provide insight into the smaller gem mining/processing community.
Since hobby collectors generally have specific stones in mind which might not fall in the rare or expensive category, casting a wider net can be very helpful. If you have a specific gemstone in mind, don’t hesitate to try and reach out to others on Craigslist or gemstone collecting forums online. Plenty of communities will already have an ad-hoc trading environment set up. Trade fairs will also have a fair amount for hobby collectors to appreciate. It’s also a good idea for hobby dealers to build relationships with certain dealers, many of whom are willing to keep their eyes out for specimens you have in mind.
The most common and definitive is the American Gemological Laboratory (AGL) Colored Stone Grading Report. Be sure to get one of these with every colored stone purchase, especially those whose location is of importance (such as Kashmir sapphires). Diamonds have their own report from the Gemological Institute of America; it is highly recommended to have one with every diamond purchase as their reports are unique and undisputed. Gemological laboratories will grade your stones, but they won’t assign a monetary value. That’s what appraisers are for. [6] X Expert Source Jerry EhrenwaldFormer President, International Gemological Institute & Graduate Gemologist Expert Interview. 12 August 2019.
Membership in either grants you access to their collective knowledge in the form of articles, courses, and meetings. Usually memberships will also grant you certain preference with affiliated dealers as well as access to certain gem labs for identification. [8] X Research source
Be sure you know what you want out of your insurance before purchasing–how much risk do you need covered? Will you want third-party damage (in the care of a dealer, for example) covered? Inquire whether or not any policy you’ll be purchasing covers “mysterious disappearances. ” If your gems are missing and you’ve no evidence of a robbery, you might not be covered if only insured against theft. See if there are any discounts to be had for safe-keeping of the gemstones, or for guarantees that certain gems never leave your home. Always shop around. Any policy that doesn’t seem to be a good fit is worth walking away from. Keep looking for a policy that will fit your life and budget.
For the home, there’s usually no safer choice than a safe itself. General wisdom concerning safes recommends you keep them in an obscure area like a closet, and keep them bolted to the floor. Those collectors who have invested in very expensive pieces may want to consider a safety deposit box for added security. Unless specific pieces are especially large, everyone (from the most serious investor to someone just beginning) will keep their gems in small, circular foam inserts set inside “gem jars” which are shallow plastic cases. These are always available online, usually in groups of 20 to 50+. If you’d like to label your gems, it’s best to do so on the outside of any one gem jar, as opposed to appending anything to the gem itself.
Different gemstones will require different methods of cleaning, visit https://www. gemsociety. org/article/care-maintenance-gemstones/ for a comprehensive list of gemstones and the proper ways to clean them. While they will differ, the vast majority of cleaning methods will involve a soft cloth and non-abrasive detergent or soap.
Electronic catalogs made with programs like Microsoft Excel will be the best for this. A single physical catalog is subject to damage or loss; keeping it electronic will assure availability.
