Price factors for diamonds

Six basic price factor for diamonds: cut quality (proportions and finish), color (less color higher the price), clarity (fewer and smaller the flaws,the higher the price), carat weight, shape and cutting style, and type of treatment (untreated or treated) .

Misnomers of gemstones

Some sellers add qualifying words or prefixs to gemstones names that misrepresent their true identy to make them seem more valuable.These names called misnomers,for examples:dyed blue jasper called german lapis or swiss lapis,green glass called emerald,green sapphire called oriental emerald,topaz called mogok diamond,brazilian ruby or brazilian sapphire.So beware of those names.

BIRTHSTONES

Birthstones established in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers' Association:

• JANUARY Garnet
• FEBRUARY Amethyst
• MARCH Bloodstone/Aquamarine
• APRIL Diamond
• MAY Emerald
• JUNE Pearl/Moonstone
• JULY Ruby
• AUGUST Peridot/Sardonyx
• SEPTEMBER Sapphire
• OCTOBER Opal/Tourmaline
• NOVEMBER Topaz
• DECEMBER Turquoise/Lapis lazuli