Collecting Gemstones Lapidary - As a Hobby - A Full Overview - Hobbies

Collecting gemstones is a fascinating hobby that combines elements of geology, history, craftsmanship, and even metaphysics. Whether you're interested in raw mineral specimens, cut and polished gems, or rare and valuable stones, there's a lot to explore. Here's a comprehensive guide to getting started with gemstone collecting:

Gemstones are broadly categorized into precious and semi-precious stones:

• Precious gemstones: Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald.
• Semi-precious gemstones: Amethyst, Topaz, Garnet, Opal, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Peridot, and many others.

There are also organic gems (not true minerals) such as Amber, Pearl, and Jet.

• Gemstones form deep within the Earth under heat and pressure.
• Some come from igneous rocks (e.g., diamonds in kimberlite), metamorphic rocks (e.g., garnets in schist), or sedimentary rocks (e.g., opals from silica-rich environments).
• Major sources include Myanmar (rubies), Colombia (emeralds), Sri Lanka (sapphires), and Brazil (various gems).

• Raw vs. Cut Gems: Some collectors prefer uncut, natural specimens, while others seek faceted, polished stones.
• By Type or Variety: Some specialize in quartz variants (amethyst, citrine), while others collect only rare gems.
• By Origin: Some collect stones from specific countries or mines.

• Rock and gem shows (e.g., Tucson Gem Show, Denver Gem Show).
• Online marketplaces (Etsy, eBay, specialist gem dealers).
• Gem mining and prospecting (e.g., digging for opals in Australia or sapphires in Montana).
• Local rock shops and jewelry stores.

• Color: The most noticeable feature, but variations exist within each gemstone type.
• Clarity: The presence of inclusions can affect value.
• Cut: A well-cut gem enhances brilliance and appeal.
• Carat weight: Heavier gems are generally more valuable.
• Hardness: Measured on the Mohs Scale (Diamond = 10, Quartz = 7, Talc = 1).
• Luster: The way a gem reflects light (e.g., adamantine, vitreous, silky).

• Magnification: Checking for inclusions with a jeweler's loupe.
• Hardness test: Using the Mohs scale.
• Refractive index: Measuring how light bends inside the stone.
• UV fluorescence: Some gems glow under ultraviolet light.
• Density and Specific Gravity: Determining weight-to-volume ratio.

• Storage: Keep gemstones in separate soft pouches or display cases to prevent scratches.
• Cleaning: Use mild soap and a soft brush for most gems; avoid chemicals on porous stones like opals.
• Handling: Wash hands before touching porous gems like pearls and opals, as oils can damage them.

Some of the most sought-after gems include:

• Alexandrite: Changes color from green to red.
• Paraiba Tourmaline: Electric blue, highly valuable.
• Benitoite: Rare, bright blue, found mainly in California.
• Tanzanite: Unique blue-purple found only in Tanzania.
• Red Beryl (Bixbite): Extremely rare and valuable.