COLOR GRADES

Our Color Scale: 
The color sacle below is based on our determination of the purity of the primary color in a particular gemstone and the desirability of the color. For example, the redder the Ruby, the bluer the Blue Sapphire, or the greener the Emerald, then the lower the number will be on this scale... ie: Ruby should have Red as the primary color, so if it has around 80% Red as the primary color (like pigeon blood or cherry red) it would be graded #1, whereas if it has around 70% Red as the primary color and around 30% orange or blue as the secondary color, it would be graded as #2 Very Good. 

1 Exceptional 
This is the very best and most desirable color for the particular gemstone. In most cases you should see a rich vivid primary color (somewhere around 80%) and very little secondary color. (AAA color) 

2 Very Good 
This color grade is also very good and very desirable for the particular gemstone. In most cases you should see very good primary color (somewhere between 60% to 70%) and just a little bit more of the secondary color. (AAA to AA+ color) 

3 Good 
This color grade is good to very good for the particular gemstone. In most cases you should see good primary color (somewhere between 50% to 60%) and even more of the secondary color. (AA to A+ color) 

4 Fair 
This color grade is fair to good for the particular gemstone. In most cases the primary color will be hard to determine (somewhere between 40% to 50%). (A to B+ color) 

5 Poor 
We concider this color grade poor for the particular gemstone. In most cases the primary color will be very hard to determine. (B to C color) 

CLARITY SCALE
Our Clarity Scale: 
Is provided to assist you in selecting the gem most suitable to your requirements and budget. We grade most of our gems using the numerical "1" through "5" scale, where "1" is a Very Clean gem normally Free of Inclusion, and "5" is Excessively Included and would be a stone to be avoided. Grading is based on our determination of the degree to which a particular gemstone is free of inclusions 

1 Very Clean 
FL-VVS a Flawless to Very Very Clean Gem (Exceptional AAA+ Quality or Top Top Gem Quality). 
In the "Type I" class this means a gemologist under favorable lighting conditions cannot see any inclusions at ten power magnification, and/or, have no internal characteristics observable under magnification, but which have minor surface blemishes that do not penetrate the stone, and/or, have very small inclusions which are difficult for a gemologist to see at 10x magnification. 
In the "Type II" and "Type III" class this means a gemologist under favorable lighting conditions can see small inclusions (small feathers, light silk, light gardin, etc.) which are usually obvious when viewed with 10x magnification, but you will probably not readily see these inclusions to the unaided eye, except on larger stones and in certain color gems with characteristics that typically have visible inclusions like Emerald, Ruby, Padparadscha Sapphire, Yellow/Golden Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Rubellite Tourmaline, and a few others. 

2 Eyeclean 
VS a Very Clean Gem (Exceptional AAA Quality or Top Gem Quality). 
In the "Type I" class this describes stones with very small inclusions which can be difficult to observe with 10x magnification. These small inclusions are barely visible to the unaided eye, except on Emerald cut and larger diamonds. 
In the "Type II" class for Color Gems means a gemologist under favorable lighting conditions can see small inclusions (small feathers, light silk, etc.) which are usually obvious when viewed with 10x magnification, but you will probably not readily see these inclusions to the unaided eye, except on larger stones and in certain color gems with characteristics that typically have visible inclusions like Ruby, Padparadscha Sapphire, Yellow/Golden Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Rubellite Tourmaline, and a few others. 
In the "Type III" class this means a gemologist can see small sized inclusions (small fissures, light gardin, etc.) that is usually visible with the unaided eye without magnification. Larger Emeralds can have medium sized inclusions and still be graded VS Type III. 

3 Eyecleanish 
SI a Very Good Quality Gem (still considered AAA Quality or Top Gem Quality). 
In the "Type I" class this describes Diamonds with small inclusions that are usually obvious when viewed with 10x magnification. Inclusions are difficult to see with the unaided eye, except on larger stones or occasionally with Emerald Cut diamonds. 
In the "Type II" class for Color Gems means a gemologist under favorable lighting conditions can see medium to moderate inclusions that are usually visible to the unaided eye without magnification. Inclusions are generally located to the side or in the pavilion area where they may not be obvious when mounted in jewelry until you take a closer look. 
In the "Type III" class this means a gemologist can see moderate and/or numerous small inclusions (fissures, gardin, carbon, etc.) that can be centrally located and visible to the unaided or naked eye without magnification. 

4 Included 
I1 or I2 a Good Quality Gem (AA to A Quality Grade) 
In the "Type I" class this describes Diamonds with medium to large inclusions (Piques) which are usually obvious to a gemologist with the unaided eye. An I1 may have an inclusion located to the side while an I2 will have it centerally located or numerous inclusions.small inclusions that are usually obvious when viewed with 10x magnification. 
In the "Type II" and "Type III" class describes Color Gems that have inclusions centrally located or numerous inclusions that are visible to the unaided or naked eye without magnification. Most Good Commercial quality Emerald and Ruby will be in the I2 to I3 category. 

5 Excessively Included 
I3 a Commercial Quality Gemstone (B, C, or D or lower Quality Grade) 
These gems have very obvious inclusions that are very visible to the unaided or naked eye without any magnification. This grade of excessively Included gem normally has durability problems and should be avoided. It is doubtful you'll ever see this poor a grade on our website, but If you really insist on purchasing this poor quality a gem, all you have to do is shop at a chain type jewelry store, a department store, or buy from one of the Gem/Jewelry TV Home Shopping programs. 

BIRTHSTONES
January Rhotolite, Garnet, Rose Quartz 
February Amethyst, Onyx, Moonstone 
March Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Rock Crystal 
April Diamond, White Sapphire, White Quartz 
May Emerald, Green Tourmaline, Tsavorite , Garnet 
June Alexandrite, Pearl, Opal, Moonstone, Cat's Eye 
July Ruby, Rubellite, Tourmaline 
August Peridot, Jade, Sardonyx, Star Sapphire 
September Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, Lapis, Iolite 
October Pink Sapphire, Kunzite, Pink Tourmaline, Morganite 
November Yellow Sapphire, Yellow Citrine, Diamond, Tiger's Eye 
December Blue Sapphire, Spinel, Topaz, Blue Zircon, Diamond, Turquoise 

ANNIVERSARY GEMSTONES
1st Gold Jewelry 
2nd Garnet 
3rd Pearls 
4th Blue Topaz 
5th Blue Sapphire 
6th Amethyst 
7th Onyx 
8th Green Tourmaline 
9th Lapis Lazuli 
10th Diamond Jewelry 
11th Turquoise 
12th Jade 
13th Yellow Citrine 
14th Opal 
15th Ruby 
16th Peridot 
17th Watches 
18th Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl 
19th Aquamarine 
20th Emerald 
21st Iolite 
22nd Spinel 
23rd Imperial Topaz 
24th Tanzanite 
25th Silver Jubilee 
30th Pearl Jubilee 
35th Emerald 
40th Ruby 
45th Sapphire 
50th Golden Jubilee 
55th Alexandrite 
60th Diamond Jubilee 
70th Sapphire Jubilee 
80th Ruby Jubilee 

GEM CUTS
Types of Cuts for Gemstones 
There is no general rule which can be applied to the various cuts. However, three groups or types of cut can be named: Faceted cut, plain cut, and mixed cut. 
The faceted cut is practically applied only to transparent stones. The number of small even facets gives the gem higher luster and often a better play of color. Most facet cuts are built on two basic types, the brilliant cut and the trap or emerald cut. The plain cut can be leveled en cabochon (domed). This is suitable for agates and other opaque stones. In mixed cuts, the upper part is level and the lower part is faceted, or vice versa. 
Brilliant-Full cut or Round-Brilliant cut This cut has been specially developed for the diamond. The word "brilliant" alone refers to a diamond, whereas, in the case of other gems, the mineral name should be given.. ie.. Round brilliant-cut sapphire. This cut has at least 32 facets, plus the table on the upper part, and 24 facets on the lower part. When there are less, it is called a "Round" cut". 
Eight cut This cut is also usually for the diamond, normally diamonds that are too small for a full cut. This cut has 8 facets on the upper and lower parts as well as the table on the upper. 
Rose Cut and Half Dutch Rose Are facet cuts without a table or pavilion that vary in the number and positioning of facets. These are old cuts not normally used today since they do not produce much brilliance. 
Step Cut A simple type of facet cut, specially used for colored stones, but also occasionally for diamonds. Several facets are cut parallel to the edges, the facets becoming steeper towards the girdle. The lower part usually has more facets than the upper part. A step cut can be used in combination with other cuts ie Oval-Step cut or Square-Step cut, etc. 
Scissor Cut A type of step cut. The facets are divided into four sub-facets by the "scissors", some have truncated corners while others are cut with square corners. 
Ceylon cut, Old Mine cut, Antique cut, or Cushion Cut This cut is mostly referred to as the "Cushion cut" and it can vary in shape from ovalish/squarish to ovalish/rectangularish. It is a primarily cut used on ruby and sapphire that is cut in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). This very popular cut has numerous facets in both upper and lower parts and is normally a very brilliant cut. This cut allows the cutter to obtain maximum weight so it is not always symmetrical. 
Emerald Cut A step cut with an octagon shape, especially used for emerald, but also popular for longer-shaped diamonds and other colored stones. Most have truncated corners while others can have square corners. 
Antique cuts These are examples of the Ceylon Cushion cut shapes, the first being ovalish/squarish, and the second being more ovalish/rectangularish. As stated above, It is a primarily cut used on ruby and sapphire that is cut in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). This very popular cut has numerous facets in both upper and lower parts and is normally a very brilliant cut. This cut allows the cutter to obtain maximum weight so it is not always symmetrical., 
Oval cut This very popular cut has numerous facets in both upper and lower parts and is normally a very brilliant cut. It's face shape is always oval. Some are cut elongated oval but this cut is always symmetrical. 
Bead cut This is a Spherical cut that is totally faceted... 

Other Cuts 
Various other types of cuts show an abundance of forms available. Not all gems are cut to these forms as a general rule so these cuts are only provided as a guide to understanding them. 
Square cut, Baguette cut (long rectangle), Octagon cut, French cut (base and table square, triangular facets)... 
Pear cut, Navette or Marquise cut (pointed elliptical), Pendeloque or Drop cut (pear-shaped), Briolette cut (pear-shaped with crossed faceted bands)... 
Table Cut The simplest type of step cut which is very flat with a large table. It is often used for seals or rings for men ie. onyx with a class logo, etc. 
Cabochon cuts The main representative of the plain cut. The upper part is domed and the lower part level, or slightly domed. The name Cabochon means "French-nail" because of its rounded shape 
Mixed cuts The upper part can be cabochon domed and the lower part faceted, or the reverse... 
Barrel cut or Olive cut (small barrel-shaped), Trapezoid cut, Heart-shaped cut, Escutcheon-shaped cut, and many many other Fantasy cuts not pictured like Freeform, Trillion, Triangle, Princess, Radiant, Star, Modified Scissors, Spherical, Hexagon, Coats of Arms, and many others.