|
 | Wouldn't it be wonderful if retailers were always totally up-front about the products they sell? Misleading names and hidden enhancements are two issues you'll possibly encounter when you shop for jewelry. | |
Bogus Gemstone Names
Sometimes retailers use misleading names that make you think that jewelry contains a more expensive gemstone than it truly does. Like the term African emerald -- the gemstone is actually green fluorite. Spanish emerald is glass, a California ruby is a garnet and a Brazilian sapphire is blue tourmaline. There are many more gemstone "impostors" to be aware of before you buy jewelry.
| Watch Out for Gemstone Fakes
Fake gemstones can be wonderful, because they let us wear large and colorful "gems" for a teeny price, but faux gems aren't so welcome when sellers misrepresent what's in the box, and charge an inflated price based on what we think we're buying.
| Natural vs. Genuine, and Other Important Terms
Do you know the difference between a natural gemstone and a genuine gemstone? And how about synthetic (also called lab created) gems? These tips help you understand the terms you'll see when you shop for a colored gemstone, and why some gemstones are more valuable than others.
| Get to Know the Mohs Scale
The Mohs Scale was developed in the early 1800s and is still used today. It's not a scale that weighs something -- it's a comparison chart that tells us which minerals are harder than others, something that's important to know before buying and storing a gemstone.
| |
| | Jewelry / Accessories Ads
| | | | Featured Articles | |
| | | More from About.com | | | | | | Disney Trip Planner
Everything you need to plan the perfect Disney vacation -- from when to go and what to do, to saving money and picking a hotel. More >
| | | | Join About.com's User Panel!
Share your opinions and help us make make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>
|
| | | | Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics | | | | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Jewelry newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here.
About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy
Contact Information:
249 West 17th Street
New York, NY, 10011
© 2010 About.com | | | | |
Colored Gemstones | |
Advertisement
 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment