Buying minerals online saves time and gives you access to dealers worldwide. But it also carries risks. Many beginners lose money because they overlook three common mistakes. 1. Relying on Bad Photography A mineral photo can mislead you. Sellers may use strong lighting or filters to make crystals look brighter than they really are. Sometimes […]
Digital Dangers: The Top 3 Mistakes When Buying Minerals Online Read More »
Quartz is everywhere in the gemstone world. Because it’s abundant and easy to treat, quartz often takes on the role of a stand-in for more expensive stones. Dyed quartz, especially, can mimic amethyst, citrine, and even rarer gems. If you work with jewelry, or if you’re a collector, you need to know how to spot
Don’t Be Fooled by Quartz: Spotting Dyed Amethyst, Citrine, and Impersonators Read More »
Fracture-filling is one of the most common gemstone treatments you’ll come across, especially with emeralds and rubies. The process involves filling surface-reaching cracks with glass, resin, or oil. This makes the stone look cleaner to the naked eye, but the treatment also lowers durability and long-term value. If you want to protect your money and
The Telltale Signs of a Fracture-Filled Emerald or Ruby | Spot the Flash Effect Read More »
Being a gemologist means living with curiosity and respect for stones. After 40 years in the trade, I can tell you something that surprises many people. The most important skill a gemologist can have is not memorizing every inclusion or mastering every trade secret. It’s humility.It’s knowing when you don’t know. Why Humility Matters in
The Most Important Skill a Gemologist Can Have: Knowing When You Don’t Know Read More »
When you first hear that heat treatment in tanzanite is common, it can raise doubts.You might ask yourself: Am I buying something fake? That fear is natural, but it comes from misunderstanding the role of heating in gemstones. Read more about gemstone treatments every buyer should know. Why Heating Matters in Tanzanite Tanzanite in its
Heated Debate: The Truth About Heat Treatment in Tanzanite Read More »
Most people think pearls are just pearls.Saltwater or freshwater—same thing, right? That’s the mistake. Natural pearls and cultured pearls are two different stories. And the saltwater–freshwater divide matters more than you may realize. Let’s make it clear. Natural Saltwater Pearls Natural Freshwater Pearls Cultured Freshwater Pearls Why This Matters for You Practical Tip Think of
Saltwater vs. Freshwater Pearls: Why They’re Not the Same Read More »
Natural pearls are rarely perfectly round. Learn why baroque, button, and drop shapes carry beauty, authenticity, and lasting value beyond the myth of the perfect sphere. The myth of the perfect pearl misleads many buyers.Natural pearls are organic creations, not factory products.Perfection is rare. Most natural pearls are not perfectly round.They form inside living mollusks
The “Perfect Sphere” Trap: Why Chasing Round Pearls Can Cost You Read More »
Discover how gemstone cuts affect color and durability. Learn about windowing, extinction, and why a skilled cutter makes all the difference. Why Cut Matters Beyond the 4Cs When you think of gemstones, you often hear about the 4Cs—carat, color, clarity, and cut. But with colored stones, the way a gem is cut does more than
It’s Not Just Sparkle: How Cut Shapes a Gem’s Color and Durability Read More »
Think tourmaline is only pink or green? Discover the full rainbow of this diverse gem family. Learn about Schorl, Dravite, Elbaite, and rare varieties like Achroite. When most people hear tourmaline, they picture pink or green. That’s only the beginning. Tourmaline is one of the most diverse gem families in the world. It covers a
Wishful thinking can mislead you in gem identification. Learn how confirmation bias makes you ignore evidence, and discover practical steps to avoid costly mistakes. Wishful thinking is the biggest danger in gem identification.You want a stone to be valuable. Your mind pushes you to ignore signs that say otherwise. That’s confirmation bias. It’s a trap
Wishful Thinking: The Most Dangerous Trap in Gem Identification Read More »
