Understanding alexandrite appraisal
Ever since the first gems caught people’s attention they have been rated and compared. The process is called appraisal and it is carried out by a qualified individual under strict conditions. Appraising is a job like any other: it involves a lot of hard work and the appraiser must be educated and tested, have experience in the field and knowledge of the market prices and legal news. The product which is in the article’s focus is alexandrite and its evaluation is called alexandrite appraisal.
Alexandrite is a rare precious stone which is used in the manufacture of alexandrite jewelry like alexandrite rings, necklaces, pendants or bracelets. Alexandrite appraisal is not performed by the jewel manufacturer, but by qualified personnel and it looks at several aspects which are related to the stone: the way it reflects and bends light, the value, and the final use of the gemstone. To determine a crucial aspect of the gemstone (the thing that sets it apart from any other precious stone) is also necessary. Alexandrite appraisal must determine if the stone meets some standards. It is an evaluation upon these arguments:
1. The first step in alexandrite appraisal is the nature of the gem. It can be natural (mined from the earth) or produced synthetically in the laboratory. Of course, the most expensive one is the natural alexandrite.
2. Alexandrite is the only gem that has a color changing standard. The stone must change from green in daylight to rich ruby red or violet/purple in incandescent light or candlelight. Alexandrite appraisal must make sure that the alexandrite fits this description because the color of the stone is of uppermost importance. Alexandrite gemstones must meet a standard that implies they change their color 100%. The purer the stone is the more its value increases.
4. Alexandrite appraisal also takes into account clarity, a property of the gemstone that is associated with the degree of absence of inclusions. The norm for alexandrite is for it to have minor inclusions.
5. Another aspect that concerns alexandrite appraisal is the cut. Alexandrite is found in many shapes, but oval is the most commonly met form. A round cut raises the stone’s value considerably.
6. The final and most important phase of alexandrite appraisal is carat evaluation. One carat equals 200 milligrams. Carat combined with color, cut and clarity will determine the final price of the gemstone after the alexandrite appraisal.
One must understand that the gems themselves aren’t sold to the average buyer even if the alexandrite appraisal is valid. They must be used by the manufacturers to make alexandrite jewelry. When buying jewelry, the average customer has to understand that an alexandrite appraisal is highly recommended. You can find experts for an alexandrite appraisal in jewelry stores and, generally, in most of the places that sell precious stones. These specialists can also be found at the locations where the gemstones are cut and refined.
Keep in mind that working with jewelry does not make one a professional in alexandrite appraisal. Be careful and look out for scams or other deceits played by these so called alexandrite appraisal experts. Scams usually work by using you as the main player in their game. The so called alexandrite appraisal expert tries to give you a low value for your gemstone or jewelry and does a superficial alexandrite appraisal while his accomplices try to buy them from you. They usually make it look like they’re doing you a favor. Be aware of such scams and always look for the certificate of recognition that proves a person qualified. You can also try an online alexandrite appraisal site, like Randy G. Lander’s, which is most likely to have qualified experts (sites like this can help a lot by simply informing you about aspects with which you are not familiar with). Also, your own research will most likely find you the professional you want to get an accurate alexandrite appraisal.
Most jewelry buyers consider they know pretty much about the products they are interested in, but without a professional alexandrite appraisal they don’t have any safety or certainty. Details like the ones mentioned in this article prove that there are many things to know about alexandrite and only an expert can reveal the true value of the precious stone. Such an evaluation is important not only before buying, but after also. Jewelry insurance depends on the alexandrite appraisal and it offers protection against possible risks. So, with the help of information and online research you can get the correct estimation for your jewel.
More articles:
|
