The term “gemstones” is one often applied loosely to a variety of pretty stones and baubles. Yet, for gemologists, it is not one to be taken lightly. They apply stricter guidelines. They must be precise or those who make custom jewelry in Prior lake MN or other large and small communities in the United States will not be able to vouch for the quality of their pieces.

What Gemologists and Jewelers Look For

Gemstones are found in the ground and in the sea. They can be extracted by the thousands daily. Yet, for every thousand or more that comes out of the ground, only around 20 may make the grade. They do so based on their:

  • Beauty
  • Durability
  • Hardness

Of these three required qualities, weight and hardness are specifically regulated.

The Weight of the Matter

Stones like metals are given their weight in carats. One carat is one fifth of a gram. They are now precisely and uniformly weighed. This was not always so. In the past, the weight of a gemstone was defined by cocoa beans or by “grain weight.” The former method used the cocoa seeds found in the cocoa pod; the latter relied on the actual grains of wheat. In the grain weight, it could fluctuate significantly depending upon the size of the grain and, particularly when the grain dried.

Moh’s Scale

In terms of a gemstone’s hardness, the standard was established by Fredrich Moh, a German mineralogist. The scale ranks a gem from one to 10 with one being the softest and 10 the hardest. It is important to know the hardness of a gemstone. It allows the makers of custom jewelry to be aware of what the gem can take during the process of forming it into rings or other items.

The Moh’s scale actually measures strength of resistance. How hard a gemstone is, is discovered by scratching it. The harder the surface of the gemstone, the least likely it will be scratched.

When it comes time to choose a gemstone to produce custom jewelry in Prior Lake MN, it is very important that the jeweler knows the property of the gem. It is the best method of informing those who must work with the various gemstones about how to choose the right gemstone for the set piece. It is one way he or she can understand what methods will work best to create the ideal piece of custom jewelry for their client.








If you require Custom Jewelry in Prior Lake MN for a special occasion, talk to the professionals at Christensen Jewelers. We have been providing our clients with dedicated craftsmanship and excellent service since our founding in 1898. To learn more about our superior products and services, visit us online at http://www.christensenjewelers.com/Index.aspx.