More and more people are realizing that it is no more expensive to commission a piece of jewellery than purchasing something off the shelf, plus the notion of creating the item, knowing it to be a one of a kind is very appealing to many. Let’s take a diamond engagement ring as an example when designing, you have to think about the metal, the stones, and supporting stones if there are any. In this article, we will offer tips on gemstone selection.
Precious Vs Semi-Precious
Gemstones fall into two main categories; precious and semi-precious, and some people would start by choosing one of the categories.
Precious stones include:
- Diamonds
- Rubies
- Emeralds
- Sapphires
When looking to acquire precious stones, there are custom jewellers such as the top jewellery store in Parramatta, Certified Diamond Network, that have gemstones for sale. As they are in the trade, they can acquire stones at a lower than usual cost. Of course, you should be familiar with the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, and carat), which is the international diamond grading system used to determine the overall quality of a stone.
The list of semi-precious stones is indeed long and includes:
- Quartz
- Amethyst
- Zircon
- Opal
- Garnet
- Agate
All of the above stones can be found in a wide range of hues and colors, and some semi-precious stones are rarer than some precious stones.
Unique Semi-Precious Stones
You may have heard of spinel, an oxide mineral that can be of many shades, including black, green, pink, red, and grey. There is a red spinel stone in the British Crown Jewels. If you would like to find some high-quality Australian spinel gemstones for sale, the Internet will help you to source a jeweller that deals with loose stones. Spinel has qualities that make it unique and it is hard enough to be used in jewellery, plus it comes in just about every shade.
Understanding the Properties
Prior to making a selection, you should do a little research into specific stones, looking at hardness, light reflection, and general suitability for what you have in mind. If you would like to learn more about the international diamond grading system, which is used for all stones, the GIA has indicated the 4Cs of diamond quality on their website. If you are at all unsure, you can always consult a precious stone wholesaler, who would be happy to advise you on all aspects of precious and semi-precious stones.
Engagement Rings
If you are planning to pop the question in 2020, find out which stone she prefers, and you can base the ring design around this and have the ring hand-crafted by a custom jeweller. Such a jeweller can take your concept and with a little help from you, they can come up with a design that says what you want.
Once you have chosen your stones, you need to consider the cut (there are many to choose from) which is something the jeweller can advise you on. Buying loose stones from the right jeweller will enable you to create something unique, and whether a diamond engagement ring or an anniversary necklace, the piece will be the only one of its kind.
