Paul asks…
Where can I find a group online that wants to show and discuss precious stones & gems?
I just tried to do a search in Yahoo groups and found all kinds of groups but none really like what I was hoping to find: a group of people who just want to share their interest in this subject and share photos of stones and gems they have either found, inherited, or otherwise obtained from their travels. most of the groups I found are commercial and/or don't restrict themselves to stones. They talk about jewelry and related hobbies that include bead making and other related hobbies. Has anyone found a group such as I'm looking for. I just want to share what I have collected and ask if anyone knows some of the terms and how to value stones such as one finds in gift stores when traveling.
admin answers:
Ask at your local college, night school and/or museum. The people who teach or work with gems (geologists) will know about local "rock hound" groups. These groups usually share where the best collecting spots are within driving distance, as well as worldwide. The Los Angeles Natural History Museum has a great group - it organize trips to all sorts of places in the world and gets private trips into mines, etc., but it is best to find the one that is in your area and convenient to you. Most groups will meet at least once a month in someone's home or at a school or museum. Enjoy - I have found that these "rock hounds" are great people who enjoy life and are good about sharing rock collecting secrets. By the way, they are usually into just rocks, gems and collecting. They will know about groups that like to make jewelry, etc. If you decide to move in that direction.
William asks…
Getting precious stones certified?
I have a few stones believed to be precious stones purchased in Dubai, How do i go about getting these valued/certified in melbourne? Or selling them on?
admin answers:
Try a few local jewelers.
Maria asks…
Pat Robertson reveals that Heaven has "golden streets and walls filled with precious stones"?
During a very special Q & A session with "The 700 Club" audience this week, Pat Robertson took a question from a 10-year-old boy, who wanted some very specific details about heaven. After he asks things like, "What are the buildings made of in heaven?" and "What do they wear?", Pat cracks up at the curious kid, saying "We don't take questions from anybody that's under 12" because "they're always too embarrassing." He gives a very straightforward answer about how heaven has golden streets and walls filled with precious stones.
Is this true?
How does he know this?
Does this show HIS true value of life? Gold and wealth?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/22/must-see-video-a-talking_n_87449.html
admin answers:
Worse - it shows what he expects from children: that they're as shallow and greedy as he is.
Ken asks…
How to make sure I don't get hosed when having a jeweler look at what I think may be precious stones?
A buddy and I went to an estate auction over the weekend and one of the lots I won has a lot of miscellaneous jewelry pieces, some of which I'm guessing have real stones. I haven't had a lot of experience with precious stones, only silver and gold, but assuming some of these stones are real (I'm guessing diamonds, rubies and maybe topaz), how will I know the jeweler isn't trying to screw me over and tell me these stones are fake and buy them way below market value?
Most of the pieces that I'm thinking might be real stones are set in clearly-marked .925 sterling silver, and while I haven't had much experience with stones, as I said, I've bought a lot of scrap sterling silver over the years and have a hard time imagining that fake stones would have real sterling bands. But maybe I'm wrong about that.
admin answers:
Best this would be to do some research so you know a little about the stones. GIA has some tutorials that tell you a little about what to look at.
There are obvious things to look at but in some cases it takes an expert to tell what stones are. One thing is that expensive stones are usually set in 14 or 18 carat gold. If the gold is less than 14 or if the stones are set in silver, they are probably not valuable.
Most jewelers have no reason to lie to you. You could take them to several jewelers to get different ideas.
Donald asks…
why not all stones/rocks of historical value?
if stones/rocks are as old as earth why do not all of them considered to be equal old and precious?
admin answers:
The value of stones depends on their rarity and esthetical value, not so much on their age.
Secondly not all stones are as old as the earth. The earth's continental crust is continuasly renewed. New crust forms at mid ocean rifs and wells up in vulcanoes. And crust disappears when one continent al slab slips under another.
John asks…
What happens to a state's economy if it finds a hidden treasure?
Assume the treasure to be of gold, silver, and precious stones. Assume GDP of the country to be $100 bn and the paper value of the treasure about $20bn. Will it cause the GDP to grow by 20% or will it all be consumed by inflation or something else?
admin answers:
I'm leaning towards the GDP growing by 20%, unless the "treasure" was a previously super-rare material before the find. We have to consider the entire world as a whole, not just the country in question.
In order for deflation (not inflation, the material is going to decrease in value since there is more of it) to be a significant factor the find either has to be gargantuan, or there must have been a very low supply of the material in the entire world to begin with.
Sharon asks…
What Does "Zoned" Mean in Geolology?
I have recently began collecting semi-precious stones for their spiritual value. But a stone I am interested in purchasing online has the word "zoned" in its description: "Group of Zoned Quartz".
Can someone please tell me what this means?
admin answers:
A zoned crystal is a crystal that grew while temperatures were changing or while the composition of the parent solution was changing. Crystals of these minerals can have a range of compositions, with a certain chemistry in the center reflecting the early growth conditions and the outer chemistry reflecting the later growth conditions. Minerals such as olivine or plagioclase which have a solid solution series frequently form such crystals.
A zoned quartz is a zoned crystal.
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