expert answers to common gemstone questions covering quality, authenticity, certification, pricing, treatments, value, and gemstone care tips.
Natural aquamarine is usually very stable, and it does not fade over time, even if it is sitting under normal daylight or regular indoor lamps. That bright pastel blue tone stays put; it is meant for everyday wear and is considered perfectly safe. The aquamarine colour comes from trace amounts of iron embedded within the…
Synthetic gemstones have very little to no resale value on the secondary market. They are mostly manufactured in labs, not because they are rare geological oddities, so they do not retain financial value the same way as natural, untreated gemstones. Even though lab-grown gems match the exact chemical, physical, and optical characteristics of their natural…
Yes, across many cultures and different historical periods, gemstones have held a real spiritual, metaphysical, and astrological weight, in a way that people keep returning to. A lot of traditions think certain stones can emit subtle frequencies that affect energy, help healing, or give protection on both physical and spiritual fronts. In ancient Vedic astrology,…
Yes, zircon is prone to slowly getting worn down, chipped, or abraded over time, especially where the facets meet, and that happens because it is naturally brittle. Even if it has good hardness, it does not have the toughness you really need for heavy daily activity. On the Mohs scale, zircon generally falls around 6.5…
Yes, you can absolutely wear whatever gemstone you like, even if it does not match your birth month, and honestly, nobody should police that. Birthstones are mostly a modern marketing thing, not a set of real rules, so there is nothing stopping anyone from choosing a gem just because it looks good to them. The…
Yes, tourmaline is pretty famous for extreme colour zoning, and it can show several different colours inside one single crystal. One of the most discussed instances is the “watermelon tourmaline”, which has a pink centre paired with a green outer rind. Bi-colour and tri-colour tourmalines happen when the concentration of trace elements like iron, manganese,…
Yes, tourists can visit traditional gemstone mines in Sri Lanka, especially in and around Ratnapura, which is widely seen as the epicentre of the country’s gem trade. In many areas, operational sites provide a guided walkthrough, showing the traditional low-impact ways they extract the stones, as practised for generations. Going to a Sri Lankan gem…
Yes, as a tourist, you can buy natural gemstones in Sri Lanka quite easily and legally, since the island is known worldwide for excellent sapphires, rubies, and tourmalines. Travellers can pick loose stones or choose finished jewellery from licensed merchants, markets, and smaller boutiques throughout the country. Places like Ratnapura, the “City of Gems”, and…
Yes, almost all tanzanite you see on the market is heat-treated to coax that well-known, vibrant violet blue appearance. In the rough, unheated state, tanzanite usually shows muted brownish, greenish, or burgundy-looking tones. The method is basically gently baking the stones at about 600°C (1,100°F). This low-temperature warming is permanent, and it underpins the whole…
Over ninety per cent of the world’s natural sapphire supply gets heat-treated to intensify the colour and help the overall clarity. Yes, it’s fairly common. People consider it stable, permanent, and it is broadly accepted as a usual method in the global gem trade. With heat treatment, pale, greyish, or even overly dark corundum can…