Quality Criteria for Color Gemstones

Color – The Whims of Nature

Bright and clear colors are rare in the world of gemstones. So it is hardly surprising that the value of a gemstone depends on the quality of its coloring. In order to determine the value of a color gemstone, our experts examine it closely and evaluate the basic color, tone, intensity and distribution as well as the change and interplay of colors. The sparkling properties of a gemstone result from different factors impacting the stone during its formation:

• The color of a gemstone is determined by its chemical composition and/or crystalline structure. If minuscule particles of metallic trace elements become trapped inside a crystal structure during its formation, color gemstones are the result.

• Irregularities in crystal growth can also cause colors to develop. Selective filtering of the light that penetrates the inside of the crystal only permits certain parts of the light spectrum to exit again. Our eyes then perceive this light as the stone’s color.

The variety of colors is so enormous that there are rarely exact terms for every individual hue; the closest we can come is as exact a description of the color as possible. A good example is the multicolored tourmaline family, which is found in over 1,000 different color variations and tones in nature.

Cut and Shape – The Soul of the Stone

Each gemstone is predetermined for a particular shape due to its crystalline structure. The shape and quality of the raw stone determines the final appearance of a gemstone. The best gemstone cutters can bring out the optimal color and natural brilliance of a raw stone – for only when a gemstone has been correctly cut does it sparkle in its full and consummate beauty. Perfectly cut gemstones give each piece from the Bucherer Fine Jewellery collections its unique character.

Weight – A Heavy Matter

The quality of gemstones has been determined by their weight since antiquity. It is expressed in carats, the one quantifiable factor for evaluating color gemstones. Carat as a unit of measurement has existed since antiquity (1 ct = 0.2 g).

Hardness – A Gemstone’s Inner Strength

The hardness of a gemstone also determines its quality. At one time, hardness was one of the few characteristics that could be used to properly assess the quality of a gemstone, because a gemstone that is harder will leave a scratch on one that is softer. Gemstones can be rated on a hardness scale from 1 to 10. Corundum (sapphire and ruby) has a hardness of 9, making it the world’s hardest color gemstone. This is exceeded only by diamond, the hardest naturally occurring mineral on earth, which tops the scale with a hardness of 10.

Transparency – The Epitome of Clarity

The transparency of a gemstone is a testament to its clarity and therefore one of the quality criteria used to determine its value. However, certain kinds of inclusions can turn a gemstone into something truly special – and serve as reliable indicators of their authenticity. Sometimes these stones even steal the spotlight from their pure counterparts.

In highly coveted star rubies or star sapphires, for example, needle-like inclusions form a six-rayed star that appears to float elegantly on the surface of the color gemstone.

In addition to creating beautiful special effects and acting as a natural certificate of authenticity, inclusions can also be considered to be a gemstone’s “fingerprint”, telling us the story of where it came from and how it was formed.