Why buy a coloured gemstone?

Each person has his or her own reason for wanting to buy, own or
wear a coloured gemstone. There are, however, several basic and
valid reasons that make gemstones desirable possessions.

Gemstones are primarily beautiful.

Every stone is a natural work of art, each one having a distinct and separate personality and possessing unique and distinguishing beauty marks.

Gemstones are durable.

Gemstones can last for generations and, in some cases, for centuries. The treasures of King Tut prove that gemstones endure through many life times. Durability is the ability of a gemstone to wear well over time. It is a combination of both hardness and toughness. Durable gem materials will have hardness greater than 7 on Mohs' Scale and will be tough rather than brittle.

Hardness

The harder a mineral is, the less likely it is to be scratches. The Mohs' Scale lists minerals in an ascending order of hardness. Any minerals listed will be scratched by a mineral with a higher number. Gem materials should have hardness at least equal to that of quartz which is 7 on the scale.

10		Diamond
9		Corundum
8		Topaz
7		Quartz
6		Orthoclase feldspar
5		Apatite
4		Fluorite
3		Calcite
2		Gypsum
1		Talc

Toughness

Gemstones usually are either brittle or tough. Brittle materials are relatively easy to damage, because they can chip. Tough materials are those which wear well over time.

Gemstones are rare.

While it is true that there are new sources of gemstones, and today’s economy has brought higher disposable income to more people than ever before. The demand for gemstones is greater than the ability to meet this demand.

Gemstones overview
What is a gemstone?
Why buy a coloured gemstone?
What determines the value of a gemstone?