Gemstone Education

Ring Guide

Wear and Care
Gemstone hardness and durability may factor into your choice of gemstone ring. Many gemstones are durable for everyday wear, yet other gemstones may require Special care. Abrasive surfaces, harsh chemicals, and sharp blows can damage even the most durable gemstone. Removal of your ring when active will maintain beauty and ensure every piece endures for years to come.

Eternity Ring Sizing
For your ideal fit, consider on which finger you will wear the ring. Gemstone Eternity Ring is designed with a specific number of gemstones surrounding the ring for each size. Due to this design, we can't resize eternity rings. We are happy to exchange your ring for another size. Gemstones and/or the price may increase or decrease based on the new size.

Colour

The beautiful colour of a gemstone is its most defining characteristic, and many Jewelers consider it to be the most important evaluation criterion. When deciding upon gemstone colour, examine hue, tone, and saturation.



Hue
The most valuable gemstones are those that Exhibit a pure colour and only "slight" hues of other colours in addition to their primary colour, as all Vaishali Diamonds gemstones do. For example, Vaishali Diamonds sapphires range in hue from "slightly purplish-blue" to "slightly greenish-blue," pink sapphires always range from "pink" to "slightly purplish-pink," and rubies range from "slightly orangish-red" to "slightly purplish-red". With the exception of opals, variation in a gemstone's hue will be called out in the gemstone details on the product detail page.

Tone
Tone represents the depth of colour, ranging from colourless to black. Gemstone tone is described as "light," "medium-light," "medium," "medium-dark," and "dark." Vaishali Diamonds offers gemstones with the most sought-after tones that fall within the medium-light to medium-dark range. For all of our gemstone Jewelry, you'll find any tone variations are called out in the gemstone details.

Saturation
Saturation, or colour purity, refers to the degree to which the gem is free from brown or grey hues. The most desirable gemstones, which show little grey or brown, are often described as having "vivid" or "strong" colour saturation. Generally, the levels of colour saturation will not be called out in the product details because the gemstones in our Jewelry are hand-selected for their vivid colours.

Clarity

Identifying Marks
Because gemstones form under unique circumstances, each individual gemstone is comprised of a combination of trace minerals, which create a unique set of identifying marks or inclusions. Inclusions will not necessarily detract from the beauty or desirability of a colored gemstone.

What to Look For
When considering a colored gemstone's clarity, you should measure your expectations against the standard for that variety of gemstone. Some varieties of colored gemstones, such as aquamarine, blue topaz, and citrine, have naturally fewer inclusions while other gemstones, such as emerald and ruby, tend to have a higher rate of acceptable inclusions.

Clarity
Clarity is an important factor in comparing quality colored gemstones. Even opaque opals can have milky inclusions that will affect their iridescence and colour play. In general, the best values are available in gemstones that are moderately included. Exceptional gemstones with few or no inclusions are available, but they can command extravagant prices.

Cut

Colored gemstones are generally cut to maximize the beauty of their colour. To recognize quality in the cut of a gemstone, there are several points to consider.

What to Look For
A good cut showcases the gemstone's colour, diminishes its inclusions, and Exhibits good overall symmetry and proportion. Because gemstone colour can vary, there are no hard geometrical standards when it comes to maximizing brilliance or colour. Gemstones, especially rarer ones, are sometimes cut for size without regard for their colour. For example, when corundum varieties such as sapphire and ruby are cut for maximum weight rather than beauty, they may display banded colors or streaks. Vaishali Diamonds sells only the finest quality, hand-selected colored gemstones.

Buyer's Tip
In a gemstone with more saturated colour, the best cut may be more shallow than average, permitting more light to penetrate the gemstone, while in a less saturated gem, the colour may benefit from a deeper cut.

Gemstone Cut
Look at the gemstone in the setting and ensure that all the facets are symmetrical. An asymmetrically-cut crown indicates a gemstone of low-quality. In all cases, a well-cut gemstone is symmetrical and reflects light evenly across the surface, and the polish is smooth, without any nicks or scratches. These are the characteristics that Vaishali Diamonds look for when selecting our gemstone Jewellery.

Buyer's Tip
Like Diamonds, fine quality colour gems usually have a table, crown, girdle, pavilion, and culet. Iridescent opals are one exception, and most often have a rounded cabochon cut.

Size

Different Densities
The carat weight of a gemstone does not necessarily allow you to accurately envision the size of the gemstone. Different gemstones have different densities (mass per unit volume), so two gems that appear to be the same size may actually have very different weights. For example, a ruby is more dense than a Diamond, so a 1-carat ruby will look smaller than a 1-carat diamond.

Buyer's Tip
Always request the dimensions of a gemstone to ensure that the majority of the gemstone weight will be visible when set in the setting.

To help you envision the gemstone's actual appearance, we at Vaishali Diamonds provide the diameter dimensions (for round) or length and width (for other shapes) of a given gemstone. You can even click the zoom button to see a closer look at any piece of gemstone Jewellery.

Enhancement

Vaishali Diamonds colored Gemstone Enhancement Policy.

Vaishali Diamonds offers consumers only the highest quality, authentic gemstones. Our colored gemstones undergo rigorous internal inspections by our trained gemologists to ensure they meet our stringent quality standards.

Due to their rarity and unique visual properties, nearly all colored gemstones sold at fine Jewellers, including Vaishali Diamonds, are enhanced using various techniques. Many of these techniques have been use for centuries. Colored gemstones that have not been enhanced are very rare and command extravagant prices.

Our white and fancy-colour diamonds are not enhanced in any way, other than normal cutting and polishing. Black Diamond fashion Jewellery contains natural diamonds that have been treated to create the unique black colour.

Colored Gemstone Enhancement Processes
There are many methods of enhancing colored gemstones. We describe the most common enhancements below. For more information on colored gemstone enhancements, see the American Gem Trade Association's Gemstone Information Manua

Heat Treatment

The application of heat to enhance the colour and/or clarity of gemstones has been a common practice around the globe for centuries. It is part of the standard polishing and finishing process for many colored gemstones. As such, it is accepted by the Jewellery industry and the American Gem Trade Association. The enhanced colour and/or clarity of heat-treated gemstones is permanent.

Infusion

The filling of a gem material with an oil, wax, glass, resin or other material, colored or colourless, to improve appearance. This process began centuries ago by gemstone merchants who found that immersing emeralds in oil or waxes made them look clearer to the unaided eye. This practice continues today with many colored gemstones.

Coating

The use of wax, resin or oil applied to the exterior of a porous colored gemstone to protect the natural substance, and to improve sturdiness and appearance.

Bleaching

The application of chemicals or other elements to lighten or enhance colour consistency.

Dyeing

The act of adding coloring agents so that they permeate a colored gemstone to enhance or alter colour.

Irradiation

The alteration of a gemstone's colour through the use of Radiation. This is often followed by a heating process. The enhanced colour of irradiated gemstones is permanent.

New and Future Technologies

Techniques for enhancing colored gemstones, either detectable or otherwise, are continually being developed. These may be difficult, or in rare cases, impossible to detect, even for the most sophisticated laboratory. Vaishali Diamonds will continue to work with industry groups and gemological experts who are committed to the identification and disclosure of new and future techniques in order to maintain our stringent quality standards.

Basic Gemstone Care
While gemstones are durable, they require varying levels of care. For example, some gemstones are especially vulnerable to household chemicals and temperature changes. Cleaning gemstones presents special challenges. While many gemstones should be cared for by following our basic care guidelines below, please refer to our Gemstone and Pearl Care and Enhancement Overview to understand the care requirements for your specific stone. If you still have questions, please contact Vaishali Diamonds customer service.

Cleaning

After removing your gemstone Jewellery, clean it by following the directions on a non-abrasive Jewellery cleaner. Make sure that the Jewellery cleaner specifies that it is safe to use with your gemstone. Use a soft cloth to remove any remaining dirt or other residue.

Storing

Store your gemstone Jewellery in a lined case or a soft cloth, so the gems do not touch each other or parts of other Jewellery. Gemstones are harder than gold, silver, or platinum and can scratch the surfaces of your other fine Jewellery if they are not kept separate.

Wear

While it's true that gemstones such as ruby and sapphire are second only to diamond on the hardness scale, it is not a measurement of their indestructibility. It means that these gemstones are able to resist scratching almost as well as a diamond. Abrasive surfaces, harsh chemicals, and sharp blows can damage even the hardest gem. Your gemstone Jewellery should be the last thing you put on when getting dressed and the first thing you take off at the end of the night. Store your gemstones carefully and they will be enjoyed for generations.

Gemstone and Pearl Care and Enhancement Overview

Gemstone

Accepted Enhancements

Gemstone Care

Agate

Heated or dyed to improve colour.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Amber

Heated to improve colour and clarity.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, Perfumes, cosmetics, and hairspray.

Amethyst

Heated to improve colour.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Apatite

Heat

Basic Gemstone Care.

Aquamarine

Heated to improve colour and clarity.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Black Diamond

Heated or irradiated to alter colour.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Black Onyx

Dyed.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Black Spinel

None.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Blue Topaz

Heated and/or irradiated to alter colour. Thermal coated to alter colour.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Carnelian

Heated to improve colour.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Chalcedony

Dyed.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Chrome Diopside

None

Basic Gemstone Care.

Citrine

Heated to improve colour.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Coral

Coated or impregnated with colour less substances to improve surface uniformity or durability. Bleached or dyed to enhance colour.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Diamond

None.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Emerald

Infused to improve clarity and/or colour.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, Perfumes, cosmetics, and hairspray.

Fire Opal

None.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, Perfumes, cosmetics, and hairspray.

Garnet

None.

Avoid sudden temperature changes.

Iolite

None.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning.

Kunzite

Heated or irradiated to improve colour

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid direct sunlight.

Labradorite

None.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Lapis

Dyed.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, Perfumes, cosmetics, and hairspray.

Moonstone

None.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Morganite

Heated to improve colour and clarity.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Opal

Coated to alter surface consistency and durability.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, Perfumes , cosmetics, and hairspray.

Pearl (natural and cultured)

Bleached, dyed, polished and coated.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, Perfumes, cosmetics, and hairspray. For more information, visit Pearl Education.

Peridot

None.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Prehnite

None

Basic Gemstone Care.

Quartz

Green/Lemon: Irradiated to improve colour. Smokey: Heated to improve colour. Blue: Dyed. Rutilated/Rose/white: None.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Ruby

Heated and/or infused to improve colour and clarity.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Sapphire

Heated and/or infused to improve colour and clarity.

Basic Gemstone Care.

Spinel

None

Basic Gemstone Care.

Tanzanite

Heated to alter colour and clarity. Infused to alter colour and clarity.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning and sudden temperature changes.

Tourmaline

Irradiated to improve colour.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning and sudden temperature changes.

Turquoise

Coated or impregnated with colour less substances to improve surface uniformity or durability.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid chemicals, Perfumes, cosmetics, and hairspray.

White Agate

None.

Basic Gemstone Care.

White Topaz

None.

Basic Gemstone Care.