Precious stones
Gemstones, and in particular diamonds, are interesting subjects because of
several factors:
1. Their value is subjective, although the wholesale prices are supported
by the De Beers family and the price table is maintained through
advertising and withholding of stones. Individual stones are graded on
a subjective basis and as such, the values increase or decrease
abruptly if a further grading session disagrees with the original.
2. Gems offer a fairly stable method of converting large amounts of cash
into small, liquid, easily transported possessions.
3. It is still possible to purchase gems in some areas of the world for
substantially less money than in the United States and they can and
are smuggled into the country for profit.
4. Synthetic gemstone manufacture and faux substitutions open an area of
easy-to-maneuver and hard to detect high ticket fraud.
The gem and particularly diamond industry operates in a knowledge vacuum.
There are a number of interesting facets, no pun intended, of buying, selling
and scanning jewels that people in the jewelry business prefer not to let the
public become aware of. If you are considering purchasing, investing in, or
otherwise becoming involved with any sort of gem quality crystal, there are a
number of things you can do to protect your investment.
Lapis-Lazuli
Turquoise
Zircon
Tourmaline
Emerald
Beryl
Topaz
Chrysoberyl
Sapphire
Ruby
Corundum
Diamond
