This guide defines the five essential characteristics of gemstone quality. By understanding these characteristics, you'll be able to shop with confidence. Print this helpful information and take it with you shopping so you can make the best choice on a beautiful piece of gemstone jewelry.
The jewelry industry recognizes the highest quality gemstones by purity of their hue, the depth of tone,
and the color saturation. The best value is in colors that include "slight" traces of other
colors, are not too light or dark, and have a lot of saturated color. Blue Nile offers some of the
highest-quality colored gemstones available.
Almost all gemstones contain tiny fractures called inclusions. Flawless gemstones are very rare and valuable, and even most high-end gemstones are at least slightly included. The best value is found in gems that are lightly- to moderately-included, like those found in Blue Nile gemstone jewelry.
Unlike diamonds, with gemstones there isn't an "ideal" cut geometrically configured for maximum brilliance. But a high-quality gemstone cut is one that presents the most even color, exposes the fewest inclusions, and displays the majority of the gemstone weight when set in jewelry.
The carat weight of a gemstone is not necessarily an accurate gauge for gemstone size. To help you judge
the size of a gemstone, Blue Nile lists the diameter of the gemstone when viewed from above - since if
the gemstone is set in jewelry; this is the only part of the gemstone that is visible.
Nearly all colored gemstones available have been enhanced. Gemstones that have not been enhanced but
exhibit desirable color and clarity are very recognizable by the extravagant price they command. Some
enhancements, such as heating, are an expected part of the polishing and finishing process and are accepted
by the jewelry industry, and by Blue Nile.
