If you’re looking to sell your gold or silver jewellery and watches, you may be under the false impression that you’ll only be paid for the price of the metal alone. However, gemstone buyers will actually pay you extra if your jewellery contains gemstones, as they can raise the value considerably.
About Gemstones
Gemstones are unique, and contain some breathtaking examples of natural yet striking colours. However, their value does vary depending on several different factors, which is why most gems are evaluated on an individual basis.
Not like Diamonds
When evaluating gemstones, people tend to make the mistake of going on what they know about diamonds. It’s generally okay to use the four Cs (colour, cut, clarity and carat weight) as you would when looking at a diamond, however that’s when the similarities end. There is currently no single grading system for valuing coloured gemstones, as there are over 50 varieties available on the market, each with their own very different characteristics. To give one example, the clarity of a sapphire would be evaluated very differently from that of an emerald, as even the most expensive of the latter tend to have natural inclusions.
The Importance of Colour
According to gemologists, the most important characteristic when evaluating gemstones is colour, and experts tend to look pay close attention to the hue, tone and saturation. The colour of a stone is generally the biggest determining factor in its value, however, just because a gem is darker, does not automatically make it more valuable. In fact, sometimes if a gem is too dark, its value can actually decrease. When looking at the colour of your gemstones, the most valuable gems tend to have a pure, vibrant colour and be medium to medium-dark in tone. The value of gemstones tend to decrease as this colour moves too far on either side of the scale, becoming much lighter or much darker. Hue is also important, so if it’s difficult to distinguish the colour of a gem (for instance, yellowish-green or orange-red), this can also have a detrimental effect on value. Colours should stand out and be pure and easily recognisable (blue, green, red etc.).
Light Test
Another way to evaluate a gemstone is to test it under a variety of different lights, such as fluorescent light, incandescent light and even natural sunlight. Gemstones can appear quite different in sunlight as compared to incandescent light.
Treated Gems
Many gemstones sold today can be treated to improve their colour and clarity, and treated stones are usually less expensive than ones that have been treated to enhance their looks.
Finding a Gemstone Buyer
Not all jewellery buyers will be interested in buying gemstones, and may only be interested in paying the metal price for your jewellery, so it’s essential you do your research before deciding where you’d like to take your gemstone jewellery to be evaluated and sold. There are many gemstone buyers on the internet, but you should also check they are reputable before committing to sell. Some gemstone buyers also offer testimonials and free evaluations so that you will always know you are getting a good deal.
Visit Pinto Gold & Jewellery Buyers
Pinto Cash For Gold appreciates the value of your gold and gemstone jewellery, and will ensure you get a fair price for the items you decide to sell; this is why we treat you better. For a fair and accurate valuation visit us at 2570 Yonge Street.
