Gemstones - Answers To Questions Often Asked

Gemstone Grades
Gemstones are graded by letters and/or plus or minus. Grades can vary depending on a variety of situations. Gemstones are graded on clarity or color, polish, cut & inclusions. You can get perfect coloring in a stone, however the cut may not be uniform giving a true handmade look instead of machined perfection.

I personally use different grades for a unique style in my jewelry whether it be for a one-of-a-kind look or a luxe higher end piece.

Pearl Grades
Pearls are graded on their size, shape, color & thickness of nacre (the pearly outside of a pearl). Pearls, however have increased in popularity so much, even the lower grades and especially the odd shapes such as a coin pearl have dramatically increased in price.
　
Why Are Gemstones Dyed Or Stabilized?
Gemstones are sometimes dyed for even color or low quality beads. Rubies at times are dyed which can give a nice variety of hues compared to the totally natural. All are still quite beautiful & give the jewelry maker a different color range to uses with other stones.

Stabilizing protects some gemstones as well as enhance their color. A perfect example would be Chrysocolla which is a soft stone, is stabilized for more durability, however it is best to used these stones in necklaces and earrings rather than bracelets which receive more abuse. Treat your chrysocolla jewelry as if they were delicate pearls to prevent damage.