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Jewelry, Gems, & Minerals/Questions Answered by Expert Steven D.Covey
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Gemstones | 6/16/2011 |
| Q: My father has given me several loose gemstones ranging from 30 carats and larger. I know one of them ... A: The only way to find out what is created is to find a certified gemologist and have them tested. ... | |
| Cracked my black sapphire | 6/9/2011 |
| Q: I recently fell my big black sapphire on my table from about 20cm distance and cracked it. It's a ... A: If the stone is just scratched it can be repolished if it is broken or cracked with the crack coming ... | |
| antique ring with root emerald? | 3/1/2011 |
| Q: my hubby recently bouth me a lovely looking ring which was sold to him as antique piece. It has the ... A: The 750 should mean 75 percent gold. The green stone could be a natural emerald, I assume it is a ... | |
| Green Beryl | 1/31/2011 |
| Q: Recently I went to a arts and crafts festival. While there my girlfriend and I fell in love with ... A: I designed custom rings for my son and his wife. I cut green beryl from rough for each ring. They ... | |
| Washing uncut stones for shipping | 1/29/2011 |
| Q: I’m currently overseas and I’m looking at purchasing some raw Lapis Lazuli. I intend to ship it ... A: I have not heard about washing stones before shipping. However if it were me yes warm water or just ... | |
| information | 1/16/2011 |
| Q: i am new to this and would like to know from which specific companies i can buy borax which contains ... A: mike, I suppose that could exist not sure. I would think that if such a product or waste existed ... | |
| prong tips | 1/7/2011 |
| Q: Is there anyway to get colored prong tips (or jewel colored prong tips) for an solitaire engagement ... A: Sorry for taking so long to get back. I have researched this and pondered it. What you want is ... | |
| ruby ring | 1/6/2011 |
| Q: I just inherited a ruby ring from my aunt who is almost 85. She has had the ring for about 60 years. ... A: If it is a large ruby it is most likely synthetic. To know for sure a certified gemologist needs to ... | |
| Montana sapphires | 12/30/2010 |
| Q: I recently inherited about 400 rough montana sapphires found by my grandmother and great-grandmother ... A: The treatment is good for all of them. Below is some information on this subject. Montana ... | |
| Simulated Sapphire | 12/26/2010 |
| Q: I have a ring that I was told is a simulated sapphire, approximately 5-6 carats in a square cut on ... A: I am not sure which stones you asking about or both. As to the history while not my profession here ... | |
| Questions on gemstones - design and provenance | 12/20/2010 |
| Q: I do hope they fall under your area of expertise, but please do re-direct me if you think another ... A: The only thing you can do on gemstones is to determine that they are natural and the quality. As to ... | |
| ring markings | 12/15/2010 |
| Q: I have a ring with 23 diamonds on top and the ring has 585 and AVJX inside the band. the ring was ... A: Richard, In the USA it would be 14 Karat gold in Europe it is 585. This is the purity of the gold ... | |
| Stone on Antique Ring | 11/17/2010 |
| Q: I'm wondering if any assistance could be offered in the identification of the stone on a ring I ... A: Angel, It is very difficult to judge this stone by this picture. It may be Jade or nephrite, it ... | |
| Red Bracelet | 11/14/2010 |
| Q: I have a couple questions regarding this bracelet which is shown in the picture. What is the name of ... A: Saul, Looks like Carnelian: Here is a little history background. CARNELIAN: Ancient Egyptian tombs ... | |
| Cleaning Jewelry | 11/11/2010 |
| Q: Can I clean a sliver and gold band with nail polish remover or will it ruin the ring? A: It should not hurt but... Why would you want to use that? Unless you are removing glue or something ... | |
| can i take a hollow pendant and fill it with gold to make solid | 11/4/2010 |
| Q: my question is this. i recently purchase something i wanted for the longest time. it is a pendent of ... A: If I were you I would take it to a jeweler who does castings. I would have them take a mold off of ... | |
| miliu898@hotmail.com | 10/18/2010 |
| Q: I have a acetylene torch and I would like to melt pure gold into bars of 6-8 oz. the torch will be a ... A: To melt that much safely you might want to consider a propane fired muffle furnace. I use AP Green ... | |
| Mosiac pin | 10/15/2010 |
| Q: I have a mosiac pendant it looks gold like but back is marked 800 and than tiny marks that look like ... A: I get this same question a lot about the marks on jewelry. Karart gold is normally marked 10k 12k ... | |
| Damaged Pearls | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: I'm ashamed to admit this but I cleaned a sterling silver and pearl necklace in a commercial jewelry ... A: Apparently it is possible to restore the luster by buffing as I said. You need to have a jeweler use ... | |
| Damaged Pearls | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: I'm ashamed to admit this but I cleaned a sterling silver and pearl necklace in a commercial jewelry ... A: Shari, Are these natural or cultured pearls? If so I am curious to how a cleaner could take the ... | |
| jade bangle | 10/2/2010 |
| Q: Covey, I have two jade bangle bracelets I want to have cut in half and gold hinges-clasps applied. ... A: You need to call around and find a jeweler that can custom make the hinges and clasp to fit your ... | |
| drill for pearls | 10/2/2010 |
| Q: I am looking for an inexpensive way to drill mainly freshwater pearls. My plan is to purchase ... A: If you are only drilling a few you can hold them with you hand if they are already drilled. You ... | |
| Options for pavé | 8/25/2010 |
| Q: I want to create some jewelry using pavé, but without the cost of diamonds. Do you know what other ... A: If you are good at setting the stones you should be able to set what ever you can find that is cut ... | |
| Tanzanite and platinum ring - damaged stone | 8/17/2010 |
| Q: I bought a tanzanite stone and had it made into a ring - the one at this ... A: Yes, the only safe way to re-polish is to remove from the setting. It is not expensive to do unless ... | |
| loose ruby rough estimate | 8/11/2010 |
| Q: I have a loose ruby that was found in my mother's belongings. I do not know if it is natural or ... A: That is a hugh stone. Because it says diffusion it is most likely natural but the diffusion process ... | |
| real or fake emeralds | 8/10/2010 |
| Q: I have a yg ring with two emeralds. I know they are not natural emeralds because they are a dark ... A: Are we talking wholesale or retail value? You need to weigh the ring for gold weight and subtract ... | |
| How i can check that my gem stone is real | 8/7/2010 |
| Q: Hi Steven i want to ask that I have two gem stones rings one is black sapphire and one is carnelian ... A: There is no way for sure unless you have been in the business long enough to know on sight. But I ... | |
| Rubies | 8/6/2010 |
| Q: How can I tell the difference between a genuine earth-made ruby and a synthetic ruby? A: The best way is to have a gemologist test it for you. Synthetics have an additive added to make ... | |
| Color changing stone | 8/1/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchased a sterling silver marcasite ring from any antique store. In the store, the ... A: You are right to a degree. Most of the syn. Alexandrite out there is actually corundum. The same ... | |
| (m) .925 on my great grandmas ring? | 7/28/2010 |
| Q: I have my great grandmas old ring and i want to know what its worth. it also has one purple gem in ... A: I would suggest that you go to your local jeweler and have them look at it and tell you if you have ... | |
| about antiques | 7/25/2010 |
| Q: we have some old antiques like porcelain and other with gold platings. some of them looks like a ... A: Are you talking about porcelain with gold trim? Could you send a picture. There are ways to test ... | |
| gold flecks in an emerald | 7/5/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchased a vintage emerald ring. The emerald has beautiful dark grass green color and ... A: I have never heard of Emerald having gold flecks in the stone. If it is on the surface then it is ... | |
| amber | 6/30/2010 |
| Q: I have a chunk (softball sized) of amber that I purchased at a lapidary years ago. Its not been ... A: Bill, I use a diamond saw blade to cut amber with water to cool the blade. After cutting down to ... | |
| dyed jade | 6/24/2010 |
| Q: is there any simple way to see if a jade has been dyed, or is there a chemical i can buy to test the ... A: Michael, I do not know of any simple method, other than how it looks on you first impression. If ... | |
| Turquoise, dyed howlite | 6/11/2010 |
| Q: Can you comment on detecting misleading practices on the implied representation of turquoise beads? ... A: I think if I were you I would shop for product directly from the maker of the finish goods. Then ... | |
| Turquoise, dyed howlite | 6/5/2010 |
| Q: Can you comment on detecting misleading practices on the implied representation of turquoise beads? ... A: Paula, All good questions. Personally I think Chinese Turquoise is great. The dyed materials I am ... | |
| Rocks,Minerals and Jewelry | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: What do you have to do to rocks and minerals to create wearable jewelry? A: Firstly you would want pretty gemstone quality rocks. Then you would saw the rocks into slabs, and ... | |
| Crystal Spears | 5/13/2010 |
| Q: I have discovered what appears to have been a crystal mine near my home. It's like walking into a ... A: Candy, If they are good hard material I would use a hammer and chisel. Could I suggest that you ... | |
| Unusual Stone | 5/12/2010 |
| Q: My dad recently gave me a stone that he brought back from WWII that he got from the Phillipines. He ... A: Dora, Does the stone have a catseye? I can not see it with this picture. You would need a better ... | |
| Ring quality | 5/9/2010 |
| Q: I have a gold ring and in the inside of the ring band reads.... 14kha. whats does this mean? also ... A: If the kha are all together this is not proper for any gold markings I know of if the k ha are ... | |
| Alexandrite | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: I purchased some stones from a local jeweler that is supposed to be Alexandrite. It is a green like ... A: There are a lot of stones out there that change color under different light. The only sure way is ... | |
| Ring stains | 3/21/2010 |
| Q: I have a gold ring that leaves very dark brown stains on my finger. How can i remedy to that ? I've ... A: That would suggest that the ring is not gold or at least more base metal than gold. The best cure ... | |
| pendant | 3/18/2010 |
| Q: I recently bought a pretty little necklace from an antique store. I don't know if this pinkish-red ... A: I am not sure what you question is. However it does look to be glass. It is hard to say from this ... | |
| Natural Onyx | 3/14/2010 |
| Q: I have a piece of natural onyx that is uncut and weighs about 2 1/2 lbs. I was wondering if you knew ... A: As a gemstone cutter I have bought pounds and pounds of dyed agate for onyx. It is uniform in color ... | |
| please identify my rock | 3/4/2010 |
| Q: I found this in the river behind my house. Can you please tell me what it is? Thank You for your ... A: My first impression is glass. To know for sure you need to have a refractive index test done. ... | |
| Drilling holes | 2/28/2010 |
| Q: I just visited a local "Gem Fair" here in Orange County and was overwhelmed at the number of ... A: Brian, Drilling holes is a problem unless you are set up for it. Vibra-sonic drilling is the best ... | |
| pietersite | 2/27/2010 |
| Q: I want to buy a piece of pietersite but it has been dipped in molten pyrex and I can not find any ... A: I see no reason to buy a stone dipped in molten pyrex which is a special glass. Go to e-bay and do ... | |
| rocks and gemstones | 2/19/2010 |
| Q: How can you tell the difference between a rock and a gemstone? A: Gemstones are rare anomalies in nature. When cut and polished make beautiful jewelry and other ... | |
| cu let | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: What is the cu let of a stone and what is the thickness in the middle of the stone called? I have a ... A: The culet is small facet on the bottom of a stone (sharp tip) of a faceted stone the middle is ... | |
| Cabochon Ruby | 2/12/2010 |
| Q: I recently bought a cabochon ruby and diamond ring. It is translucent, has the cats eye effect and ... A: Yes it can be re-polished. Send me an email if you want me to do it for you. As far as the yellow ... | |
| Bohemian Garents | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: Fifty years ago I was given some jewelry. They are garnets that appear to be Bohemian garnets from ... A: I am not sure how anyone could tell where any garnets came from unless they are trace elements ... | |
| synthetic alexandrite | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: In the late 1960's I received as a gift a ring from Caribe Diamonds. (Shipped by my now ex-husband ... A: If you could send me a picture I could give you a better answer. It is unusual to be cut in a ... | |
| Amethyst Necklace | 1/26/2010 |
| Q: I wonder how to tell if my (antique/vintage) amethyst necklace is real stone or glass. Can you give ... A: Amethyst usually has color zones. You can see this better if you put the stone in a glass of ... | |
| Can hormones change the colour of my white gold engagement ring? | 1/25/2010 |
| Q: I have had my white gold engagement ring for a month now and have already taken it back to the ... A: Sounds like he is pulling your chain. What is the ring stamped as 14k, 18k or platinum? If the ... | |
| emeralds | 1/24/2010 |
| Q: how will i know if i come across a good quality uncut emerald? what am i looking for? A: What you want is top green color and clean, like looking through green glass. Light has to be able ... | |
| How to darken gold Please | 1/17/2010 |
| Q: I have a coin of mid 1500s which is gold, the previous owner had a slight repair to it and after ... A: Mark, It sounds like the coin may be less than pure gold. Only base metals oxidize and go darker. ... | |
| Rough Stone Pricing | 1/13/2010 |
| Q: If a faceted loose ruby retails on the web for say $2000 USD, what would be a fair price to pay for ... A: That is not an easy question to answer. Most rubies in the rough these days need heat treating and ... | |
| Cloudy Aquamarine ring after brush cleaning | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: After a couple of professional and self brush cleanings with the recommended soap and water, my ... A: That sounds very strange. Aquamarine is a hard durable stone that will not scratch that way. The ... | |
| ring stamp | 12/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a ring with STS 20K stamped in it. What does that mean? A: That is out of the ordinary. Normal is 14K or 18K. That is the gold percentage. 24K is pure gold ... | |
| diamond bezel | 12/25/2009 |
| Q: I had 40+ diamonds set on my watch bezel, Three of the stone in differnt spots are turning a rust ... A: Tony, I have not ever heard of diamonds changing colors. As you know they are one of the most ... | |
| Silver ring with saphires and diamonds turning brassy. | 12/20/2009 |
| Q: I recently received a Sterling Silver ring with 3 sapphires and 3 diamonds just a few days ago and ... A: It depends on what the chemistry of your cleaner is. It sounds like their was a chemical reaction ... | |
| Gold jewelry stamping | 12/20/2009 |
| Q: I have custom made 14 k ring from our local jeweler with microscopic sized diamonds which looked ... A: It should have already been stamped. Who ever made the ring should have stamped it. As it is the ... | |
| diamond | 12/15/2009 |
| Q: i have a one caret diamond with a yellowish very pretty hue my father paid ten thousand dollars ... A: I am not familiar with goof off. I use acetone for that job. After getting the paint off I would ... | |
| Star Ruby | 12/13/2009 |
| Q: I have a 5.64 ct star ruby, 9mm round, that I had removed from a man's ring. The jeweler said that ... A: I may have answered this already. Anyway if the star has to be recentered then it may be too late, ... | |
| Antique Ruby Ring | 12/4/2009 |
| Q: Could you give an approximate value of an antique Ruby ring set in a beautiful 14K gold finely ... A: I would need a approx weight on the gold but I could guess and give you an idea on that. The ruby if ... | |
| Super glue removal | 12/3/2009 |
| Q: I have an engagement ring that got covered in super glue how can I clean it without damaging it? A: Go to Home Depot and purchase some acetone. Take a small glass jar with a steel lid, place the ring ... | |
| mine run emerald cleaning | 11/28/2009 |
| Q: i tried to clean my mine rough emeralds with muriatic acid to get schist off and when i got some of ... A: Try some clear mineral oil to soak them in. I use one called crystal lube, I use it to polish ... | |
| Gold testing | 11/25/2009 |
| Q: Other than Nitric acid, what other acids/chemicals can be used to test for real gold at home. A: You may want to look into the electronic units jewelers use to test the quality of gold. ... | |
| drilling holes in agates, onyz and jaspers | 11/24/2009 |
| Q: I have purchased a diamond drill bit, and have submerged my pendant stone in water as I attempt to ... A: http://www.alpha-supply.com/diamond-tools-diamond-tools-diamond-drills-triple-ripple-drills/ Hi, ... | |
| question regarding topaz | 11/23/2009 |
| Q: How to identify natural topaz by 10x loupe? A: Sorry for not answering your other questions. Your questions belong in a class room. Mostly what I ... | |
| how do u know | 11/23/2009 |
| Q: how do u know if a diamond is real or not? A: Diamonds have really sharp facet junctions due to the hardness of the stone. Softer stones can be ... | |
| drilling holes in agates, onyz and jaspers | 11/22/2009 |
| Q: I have purchased a diamond drill bit, and have submerged my pendant stone in water as I attempt to ... A: First how large of hole are you doing? Second what material are you drilling? Some of these ... | |
| rough amber | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: I have a piece of roughly cut amber, about 2 cms wide. There is a mosquito clearly visible in it. I ... A: You can shape amber with sand paper starting with a rough grit say 100 then refine the shape using ... | |
| nice piece of jewelry | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: my friend has a piece of jewelry that has the marking of 925 GM. What does that mean exactly, and ... A: The 925 has something to do with the type of metal exactly what I am not sure. The gems or minerals ... | |
| agate | 11/8/2009 |
| Q: Want to know if you can identify an agate I have? A: I am not sure what you mean identify it. It does look like a nice agate specimen. I am not sure ... | |
| Raw cut Amethyst | 11/2/2009 |
| Q: I live in Wales UK. I am looking for a raw amethyst cross at least 5 Cms, not mms, in length.It ... A: I have looked around and it seems large amethyst is not the easiest to find. However you might want ... | |
| confused | 11/1/2009 |
| Q: On wat basis we can distinguish mineral,crystal and gemstone? A: Gemstone material is distinguished by its natural beauty when cut and polished. Clear crystals of ... | |
| fancy sapphires | 10/29/2009 |
| Q: what value would a 9k fancy sapphire w.gold ring be? gem name: fancy sapphire gem shape: square gem ... A: The value of the gold if you got full market price is around 30.00 US. The value of the stones is ... | |
| smoked diamond | 10/27/2009 |
| Q: I know you say in your bio that you deal with coloured stones mainly, but Im interested in the fact ... A: Yes I am aware of jewelers burning the surface of diamonds. They are carbon after all. However a ... | |
| question on gem stone | 10/15/2009 |
| Q: how can i identify the vein of a gem stone and how can i determine the quality of safire A: You would need to take a sample of the gem material and have a gemologist identify it and the same ... | |
| stone I found | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: I am always looking for artifacts on my property because it is basically 75 acres of rock with tree ... A: You need to locate a rock shop that offers lapidary services. They can saw and polish very large ... | |
| replacing opal | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: I have a modern opal and diamond ring, the opal being the main stone. I've been a bit rough with it ... A: I would say it is a matter of what you like best. As far as wear and tear the lapis is not too much ... | |
| Emerald enquiry | 9/9/2009 |
| Q: I want to buy emerald for astrological purpose.My biggest concern is all the available emeralds are ... A: I agree natural emerald for your purpose would be better. There are stones out there if you shop ... | |
| pendant | 8/28/2009 |
| Q: I have a pendant; oval shaped; black, with silver trim. 825. The word "HAN" stamped . I wonder what ... A: Could be black onyx that is the most common black stone. Next would be maybe black jade which is ... | |
| uncut raw rubies | 8/24/2009 |
| Q: How would a person know if they have authentic rubies if they are uncut and raw. I had dug some from ... A: Yes go to e-bay at the following link. http://shop.ebay.com/items/ruby%20rough?_dmd=1&_sop=12 and ... | |
| Polishing gemstones | 8/23/2009 |
| Q: after an accident that meant i couldn't work I've taken up jewellery as a hobby and I've just ... A: Yes you could do both of these tasks with the proper equipment. Meaning a machine with sanding ... | |
| Beginning Stone Cutting | 8/22/2009 |
| Q: I see that you were professionally trained in CA. I live in Austin, TX and want to learn how to cut ... A: I would suggest starting out by buying a good instruction book on the subject. There are quite a ... | |
| Pink Jade | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: I have a pink jade ornament, it is a pig, and its front foot has been lost. I was wondering if I ... A: Yes it can. But the cost would be the question as to whether it is worth it to do so. You would ... | |
| Emerald chip. | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: I recently bought an emerald ring for my girlfriend for £200, a few months later she noticed a small ... A: Does sound a little strange. As far as recourse goes, it is very difficult to prove. The only real ... | |
| replacement of colored stone | 8/19/2009 |
| Q: Recently I lost a colored stone which fell out of my college mens ring Therefore what do you charge ... A: I just recut one for a ring like that the other day. You want the garnet red color? Is it faceted ... | |
| determine value | 8/17/2009 |
| Q: I was given a 18k gold bracelet that was purchased in Italy about 30 years ago. I has 5 strands and ... A: Most major cities will have jewelry appraisal professionals listed in the yellow pages or online. ... | |
| Gold ring with little diamond | 8/12/2009 |
| Q: The astrologer told me to wear a gold ring with a small (any) diamond in it. I never bought any ... A: The problem here is the 22 karat gold. You may have to settle for 14K or less. You need to measure ... | |
| Gold ring with little diamond | 8/12/2009 |
| Q: The astrologer told me to wear a gold ring with a small (any) diamond in it. I never bought any ... A: To get a ring made of that purity of gold you may have to have to made. Do you have a design in ... | |
| Gemstone Cutting/Polishing/Setting | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: I have a small business in Canada retailing good quality Cubic Zirconia fashion jewelry. I would ... A: Of course I can cut the cubic, it would have to be out of the ordinary though because you can buy it ... | |
| making gold bracelet | 8/6/2009 |
| Q: Who could make me a gold bracelet by mixing/melting differing carrot gold items of mine please? I ... A: I think most jewelers would rather give you credit for your old jewelry items then make you a ... | |
| rough rubies. | 8/4/2009 |
| Q: my family and i were in North Carolina and went to a "ruby mine" operation where you can purchase a ... A: Yes it may be true but the question would be what quality is it. I would guess low quality. High ... | |
| Polishing facet edges of moonstone | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: I want to set a faceted [Portuguese cut] oval moonstone UPSIDE DOWN in a pendant with a bezel. The ... A: You should first dop the stone using wax or glue. With wax you will need to heat the stone so the ... | |
| rubies | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: how much is a ruby worth per caret? A: That is dependent on the size, clarity and color of the ruby. Ruby can be very expensive for the ... | |
| Jewelry | 7/26/2009 |
| Q: I have a silver medal about the size of a fifty cent piece. Silver backing with the inscription; ... A: I really would have no idea. Perhaps coin dealers of collectors would be able to help you. My ... | |
| Emerald Polishing | 7/25/2009 |
| Q: I am starting to polish a Hydrothermal Emerald with a Ceramic Lap & 100,000 Diamond spray. I ... A: Yes there is. You need to buy some cerium oxide ultralaps and some high quality cerium oxide ... | |
| HELP | 7/24/2009 |
| Q: i recently got engadged to my boyfriend for 5 years, he got me the most beautiful ring but its an N ... A: That is a good question. Is the ring to small or too large? If it is too large there is a device ... | |
| Opal bracelet | 7/22/2009 |
| Q: I recently ordered a 10K gold bracelet for my daughter, but when my package arrived, it was a ... A: I do not know what the V stands for. As far as the opal, if the opal pattern is very uniform ... | |
| Dark Brown Quartz | 7/22/2009 |
| Q: Here is another picture of the Dark Brown Quartz-like rock in question. I can see fractures similar ... A: It does look to be of the quartz family, but not smokey quartz. Smokey is nomally clear like glass. ... | |
| identifying real diamonds, rubies | 7/19/2009 |
| Q: i have alot of old rings ,earrings that were my grandparents i would like to know if it is real? A: High grade jewelry will be at least 14k gold and will be marked (stamped) on the jewelry. 18k is ... | |
| Sapphire or Topaz ? | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: I bought this ring second hand and it was sold as a sapphire surrounded by small diamonds but to me ... A: I believe I answered this already. According to the color in the picture it could go either way. ... | |
| drilling gemstones | 7/14/2009 |
| Q: I want to drill through a gemstone lengthwise, that length being approximately two inches. I am ... A: That is a very large undertaking. Unless the stone is really soft and easy to drill. Even then it ... | |
| value of emerald cut ruby ring | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: I inherited my grandmothers emerald cut ruby ring. Her son had gotten it for her when he was in the ... A: I am sorry to say, it sounds to be a synthetic ruby. 10K gold is less than 50% gold and is a lower ... | |
| polishing emeralds | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: I have gone and bought a good rock tumbler/polisher. I have about a half a pound turning as we ... A: The thing about just about all rough is this. What you see is pretty much what you get. Emerald ... | |
| green striped stone carving | 7/8/2009 |
| Q: Can you please tell me specifically what rock this coyote was carved from? ... A: I usually go with first impressions, my first was tiger eye, which is normally yellow to brown in ... | |
| Coating for agates | 7/4/2009 |
| Q: I am wondering where I can get the "clear coating" used to bring out the pattern on agates, as in ... A: This is not something I do, however if you went to Lowes or Home Depot to there paint department, ... | |
| gem polishing | 6/26/2009 |
| Q: I have a star ruby approx. 1/2" in diameter. It has lost its polish. It is quite dull and even has ... A: No not really, Ruby is very hard to polish if you are not set up for it. You need a flat lap I use ... | |
| Ruby value | 6/21/2009 |
| Q: Steven, I am in the automotive industry and a member of AllExperts. I get questions all the time ... A: My first question is, is it natural? There are a lot of synthetic rubies out there dating back the ... | |
| Rings i have dont know what value they have | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: I have three rings i got from family but not sure what the makings on them stand for , Got a large ... A: 10 k means 41 percent gold. It also mean that the stones are not expensive. So the most value is ... | |
| Info | 6/10/2009 |
| Q: I purchased this set at a rummage sale and I would like to know info about the set. I found one ... A: The diamond looks like just for design affect. Is it marked 10k, 14k or 18k? That would mean it is ... | |
| 6 Loose Gemstones...need help for my household insurance | 6/3/2009 |
| Q: I've 6 gemstones, loose ones which were given to us by a Jeweler in Oman whom my husband was friends ... A: I am so sorry, grading gem stones without seeing them live is near impossible. You are right ... | |
| Resizing a tanzanite ring | 5/18/2009 |
| Q: I have a 14K gold men's tanzanite ring, the cushion cut tanzanite measures 12mm x 12mm. The ring ... A: Yes tanzanite is very heat sensitive. They are also soft. So be careful, just wearing it. I would ... | |
| core drills | 5/12/2009 |
| Q: I am planning on setting semi stones on top of one another or recessing tube sets in a larger stone ... A: Here is a website to get your diamond core drills. http://www.lopacki.com/coredrills/ You need the ... | |
| Are these real? | 4/30/2009 |
| Q: I have a butterfly brooch my grandmother gave me. I cannot tell if it is costume jewelry or if they ... A: I can not tell from this picture. It is too small to see. To really know I would have to see it ... | |
| mexican opal | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: My mother gave me a ring which she thought was a topaz. However, a jeweler said it was a mexican ... A: The red type of mexican opal if nice is around 100 to 250.00 range depending on size. The clear ... | |
| cleaning cabs | 4/23/2009 |
| Q: I just recieved a bucketful of beautifully cut cabochons. However, they are very old and were ... A: I would soak them in acetone. Just make sure to seal the acetone and stones in a bottle with a air ... | |
| Earrings | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: I recently came into possession of my grandmothers earrings. I am unsure of what kind of gems they ... A: Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. From these pictures I guess it is possible to be opal but ... | |
| Ruby ring | 4/1/2009 |
| Q: I recently inherited a 3 stone ruby ring from my grandmother. I don't have a firm age on it, but it ... A: From the pictures I would say they are garnets not rubies. Yes I can re-polish them but would cost ... | |
| is green andesine rare? | 3/31/2009 |
| Q: i purchased andesine from jtv in 05 & 06. i am sending most of my red stones back. my question- is ... A: To be honest I have not had much to do with those stones. I have the red. As you know they are ... | |
| cutting gems/minerals | 3/31/2009 |
| Q: I'm trying to find out the relative ease/difficulty of cutting various gems/minerals. I will be ... A: If the taurus ring is a diamond blade you will have no problem. If it is not I would sugguest you ... | |
| sapphire stone quality | 3/29/2009 |
| Q: I recently purchased online a 1.11 CT medium blue sapphire ring for my mother. When I received the ... A: This is not uncommon, sapphire can have bands of color with clear zones. It is not always noticeable ... | |
| Gemstone Rough | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: How do you clean gemstone rough? Also, I have some very nice translucent emerald and ruby and would ... A: I clean it up on a diamond lap 180 mesh. Translucent stones should be buff top cut or cabbed, ... | |
| Damaged stone by jeweller mounting? | 3/7/2009 |
| Q: http://en.allexperts.com/just/Jewelry-Gems-Minerals-689/Help-Sapphire-damage-mounting.htm Apologies ... A: Yes it is possible but hard to prove. Sounds like they re-tipped the prongs with the stone in place. ... | |
| Please help me? What stone is this? | 3/2/2009 |
| Q: I have just received this beautiful ring. It was given to me by my fiance and it had belonged to his ... A: Yes you are right it could be any one of those stones, to know for sure you will have to have a ... | |
| dull lapis | 2/22/2009 |
| Q: I have a beautiful lapis and diamond ring that my husband gave to me 25 years ago. I love it and ... A: You need to have it polished by a lapidary like myself, unless you have gem polishing equipment. I ... | |
| older lapis | 2/18/2009 |
| Q: I have found some older lapis jewelry that I want to "recycle",but a couple of the lapis stones are ... A: Judy, Lapis is a little tricky. You need a flat lap charged with 14000 diamond powder and some ... | |
| Valuation information | 2/11/2009 |
| Q: I have the following valuation information in regard to my diamond ring. Ring: Single stone modern ... A: That is a tough question. It depends on how it is sold. If you retail sell it to someone to buy it ... | |
| superglue on my stone | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: I took my ring to be repaired as the stone had come out, and when i got it back it had been ... A: You need to go to your local hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot and buy some acetone solvent. ... | |
| Glass or Some Kind of Crystal?? | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: I have what I believe is an antique jewelry set, possibly of some sort of crystal. It is still in ... A: It really is impossible to tell you what kind of stone it is from here even with a picture. If they ... | |
| Cleaning uncut gemstones | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: We went to one of those mining for gemstones places in North Georgia. We had some time and thought ... A: The way I do it is with a diamond lap 180 mesh or 100 if there is a lot of matrix to grind off. ... | |
| COLLECTING GEMSTONES | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: I KNOW YOUR TIME IS VALUABLE,Thank you for taking some of it to answer my question. I am a novice at ... A: I would buy a refractometer. Because with a list of the refractive indexes of stones you could do ... | |
| Gemstones in Jewellery | 1/10/2009 |
| Q: I have several pendants and others accessories that I purchased from a garage sale a while back and ... A: They look better than costume jewelry and most are probably natural stones. But to know for sure a ... | |
| Gems | 1/7/2009 |
| Q: I am glad i found this site and felt a sigh of relief i live in Kenya and got in the minerals ... A: I would contact New Era Gems to begin. Here is there website. http://www.neweragems.com/ I would ... | |
| Gems | 1/7/2009 |
| Q: I am glad i found this site and felt a sigh of relief i live in Kenya and got in the minerals ... A: Do you have good pictures of the rough? This is the key to selling on line. Maybe you need a ... | |
| enamal on silver | 1/1/2009 |
| Q: Please kindly advise some information for the silver enamal technique, thx.. A: While this subject is not my expertise, I am familiar with it. I would suggest you buy a good book ... | |
| Ruby ring | 12/30/2008 |
| Q: I noticed a scratch on the main stone of my ruby ring. If I take it to a jeweler, can it be buffed ... A: Your Ruby can be re-polished but not by a jeweler. It need to be taken out of the mounting by a ... | |
| fine scratches on faceted garnet beads | 12/28/2008 |
| Q: I'm hoping that there is some way to bring a deeper shine to some rough cut faceted garnet beads ... A: I do not think any treatment will make them look better. Only diamond polishing will do the trick, ... | |
| Large Ruby | 12/19/2008 |
| Q: How can you identify a real ruby? I found a piece of very old Gold jewelry while digging in my ... A: Yes it could be. If it is natural it should have natural flaws. You need to get a 10X powered ... | |
| What is this? | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: I received this ring as a gift and I am wondering what the gemstone is. Also if you could tell me ... A: Well if it is purple there are purplish garnets and could still be garnet. Amethyst is purple and ... | |
| What is this? | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: I received this ring as a gift and I am wondering what the gemstone is. Also if you could tell me ... A: It looks like a garnet as pictured. The diamonds look like one point stones. Which means 100 ... | |
| AMETHYST | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: Do authentic Amethyst stones change colors? I have a pear shaped stone that is sometimes bright ... A: When stones change colors it is due to the type of light. Sun light and light bulbs would create ... | |
| scratches on quartz and other stones | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: i do beading as a hobby (not a business), i have many stones, clear quartz, onyx in different ... A: If these are beads, the best thing would be to buy a rock tumbler and some polishing media. Follow ... | |
| drilling 1 mm holes | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: I see that you use a dremel tool which I just bought. I am trying to even out holes in large beads ... A: Use triple ripple daimond bits, here is a link to buy them. ... | |
| Alexandrite | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: I live in Tsavo- Kenya,Africa and recently I managed to have access to alexandrite. The alexandrite ... A: I would sell it on ebay if I were you. You will need good pictures and a GIA cert. would not be a ... | |
| price range | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: my grandfather left me a 10 karat gold ring with a very large amethyst in it. its big and gaudy like ... A: Josh, I would need to know how good the amethyst is, color and weight. Also how much the ring ... | |
| Alexandrite? | 10/28/2008 |
| Q: I have a ring I purchased in Mexico, didn't know what it was when I purchased it and the jeweler ... A: It is most likely synthetic corundum (ruby). If it is real clear with no flaws then it is most ... | |
| polishing turquoise stones | 10/22/2008 |
| Q: I have recently bought a silver turquoise ring and the stone has no shine. Is it possible and how to ... A: It is done with diamond or cerium oxide. You would need a machine to run a lap on then you would ... | |
| cabochons and gems in general | 10/17/2008 |
| Q: I recently purchased the contents of a shop through the estate of a jewelry store owner. As you can ... A: Generally painted stones are glass, much like rhinestones. To tell other stones you would need to ... | |
| Buying an engagement ring online | 10/15/2008 |
| Q: Firstly, I want to commend all of the experts/volunteers on this site. The response I read are very ... A: I do have a friend that is a diamond cutter in Los Angeles California. I know we could get you the ... | |
| Drilling into Amethyst Stalactite Sclices | 10/10/2008 |
| Q: What is the best way/tool (without spending lots of money) to drill a hole in front to back into an ... A: Yes you can use the dremel. You will need to buy some diamond bits. I would use the triple ripple ... | |
| onyx stone cutter | 10/7/2008 |
| Q: my name is Manny, i have a small engraving company and recently i was approach by one of my ... A: I would diamond bits. Maybe a sphere shaped head. I would need to know what the chuck can handle ... | |
| cabochon sapphire | 10/1/2008 |
| Q: I am a stay at home mom that makes jewelry on the side. I made a cuff bracelet for a lady white gold ... A: That is a tough call. Sapphires can take heat but there is always a risk. Most jewelers now days ... | |
| drilling large gemstone beads | 9/28/2008 |
| Q: I bought some large snowflake obsidian marbles that were not drilled. How do I find someone to drill ... A: Drilling holes is not one of my favorite things to do. I do not mind holes that are 2 or 3 mm deep. ... | |
| Define a cut | 9/21/2008 |
| Q: I am looking at some tanzanite and the cut is described as a faceted flower cut. Is this a cut like ... A: Terry, Why tanzanite? They are really soft and will scratch very easily. I am re-polishing these ... | |
| Replating black opal ring | 9/13/2008 |
| Q: I bought my wife a black opal ring from Australia last year but would like to replate the ring from ... A: Sorry for taking so long but I needed to talk to one of my jeweler clients to get there costs. It ... | |
| blue topaz question | 9/5/2008 |
| Q: I really hope you can help me. I wear a blue topaz ring that belonged to my grandmother. I wore it ... A: It sounds like there is a good chance it is ruined. Topaz is a stone that is treated to enhance the ... | |
| Hel[ | 9/5/2008 |
| Q: My chemistry had to pick something we wanted to be but i had to involve chemistry. So i picked ... A: I guess it would depend on if he were self employed in which case he could choose his own hours. Or ... | |
| rhodium plating | 8/22/2008 |
| Q: Can a sterling silver bnagle bracelet be rhodium plated, and what is the average cost? My husband ... A: Judy yes I think that is do-able. They may have to plate it with another metal first I not sure on ... | |
| Care and measure of opals | 8/21/2008 |
| Q: It's nice to find an expert to get the right answers from. This question consist of two parts. The ... A: I keep my opal in water. Oil does not evaporate as easy as water and could be good. But water does ... | |
| drilling holes | 8/20/2008 |
| Q: What type of equipment should I be using to drill holes into small(less than 1/2" thick) stones like ... A: You need to get a flex shaft for your dremel. Next use a triple ripple diamond bit but use at least ... | |
| purchasing ground-up minerals | 8/15/2008 |
| Q: I want to experiment with certain minerals (preferably ground-up) in chemical experiments. Where ... A: Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. This is not an easy question to answer. I have been ... | |
| Help | 8/8/2008 |
| Q: I hope you can help me. I'm looking for someone to cut a raw sapphire i have I'm not sure how to ... A: Yes I could cut it for you. E-mail me if you want to do it. I will send you a price. The star ... | |
| value of topaz | 8/4/2008 |
| Q: I recently came across a topaz stone that my grandmother left me amongst some other jewelry. It was ... A: Teri, Placing value on stones is not one of my best things to do. Thing is it depends on several ... | |
| gold marking | 8/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a brooch with an 20mm x 15 mm fire opal. The frame of the brooch looks like gold and the ... A: If the brooch is indeed gold that would be a good bet. It must of come from Europe. Jewelers here ... | |
| gems | 7/31/2008 |
| Q: How do I get super glue off of a gem A: Almost all gems can be soaked in acetone to remove the glue. Some emeralds that have been oiled ... | |
| Cutting sea glass | 7/29/2008 |
| Q: I hope you can answer my question. I am a beginner and have been collecting sea glass for years! I ... A: I am not sure what a # 61 is. I buy them buy the millimeter size. If you are drilling holes I ... | |
| Broach identification | 7/28/2008 |
| Q: Looks like the mounting reads 15CT which I assume is 15K gold. The 70 year old lady that I acquired ... A: Jay, I am not sure what to say other than my first impression of the stone is that from these ... | |
| gem and mineral questions | 7/27/2008 |
| Q: Where is rhodium mined at? What kind of price can you get for rough rubies (34 carats)? A: Rhodium is a by product of Platinum mining mostly. Russia and Africa are two of the main sources. ... | |
| Amethyst | 7/20/2008 |
| Q: I just bought an amethyst crystal.. How would I know if it's fake? Thanks.. A: It looks like the inclusions in your picture look natural. Has someone polished it or is it natural ... | |
| "Scratches" in sapphire | 7/17/2008 |
| Q: My fiance has a platinum engagement ring with an 3 karat emerald cut sapphire in the center. The ... A: I can tell you that sapphires are the hardest natural substance next to diamond. So they do not ... | |
| clear coat for gemstone | 7/14/2008 |
| Q: I make jewelries as a hobby and have decided that i can probably start selling them. My problem ... A: The only way is to polish them no coating will work. If they are rough then they need to be cut ... | |
| large cut natural topaz | 6/28/2008 |
| Q: I have just inherited a 30 carat (at least) square cut (cut just like an emerald cut, only it is ... A: This stone has more value for sentiment than dollars. I should be able to buy a stone like this for ... | |
| inlaying stones in resin | 6/26/2008 |
| Q: I've cast a ring and want to use stone chips as an inlay with resin. Do you know what kind of resin ... A: Here is a site where you can get a epoxy for that job. It is the 330 epoxy. If you still want to ... | |
| Lapis Bracelet | 6/19/2008 |
| Q: I have a seven stone silver Lapis bracelet but lost a stone so now I only have 6 stones. I was ... A: A stone can be cut to replace it. However color matching can be tricky. Is the stone just blue or ... | |
| Rubies | 6/19/2008 |
| Q: I am deployed at the moment and I was approched by a man that had a ruby the size of a monkey fist. ... A: 90 percent of the time they are not gem quality. Good Ruby rough is very rare and expensive. You ... | |
| Rubies | 6/19/2008 |
| Q: I am deployed at the moment and I was approched by a man that had a ruby the size of a monkey fist. ... A: A good ruby of that size if it was gem quality would be worth a Kings ransom. A ruby is a hexagonal ... | |
| saphires | 6/17/2008 |
| Q: can you tell me the market value of a dark blue sapphire per caret at this time? A: Kathy, That is a complex question. If the stone is too dark they are very inexpensive. If the ... | |
| Tiger Eye Cross | 6/9/2008 |
| Q: My wife purchased a Tiger Eye Cross and dropped it. It broke in two and I was wondering if there is ... A: Here is a website to order your glue try the 330 epoxy. Just make sure it is held tight while the ... | |
| 1978 Trident Technical school ring | 6/1/2008 |
| Q: I have a ring from trident technical school from the class of 1978 that I am looking to sell. What ... A: If it is a gold ring say 14K then at 900.00 gold price it would be 58 percent of that price less ... | |
| pearls | 5/31/2008 |
| Q: How can you tell if pearls are real or fake, They were handed down to me. I'm not able to find any ... A: B I thought I answered this a few days ago. Sorry if it did not reach you. Most pearls today are ... | |
| POLISHING ROUGH SAPPHIRE | 5/29/2008 |
| Q: HOW CAN I POLISH ROUGH SAPPHIRE I HAVE A SMALL TUMBLER I WOULD LIKE TO GET A SHINE ON THE STONE SO I ... A: I polish sapphire with diamond powder. As far as tumblers I can not say for sure but sapphire which ... | |
| drill pearls | 5/28/2008 |
| Q: You mention that you found a divise to cut & hold a pearl while you drill it. What drill is it? Also ... A: Here is a website for the pearl drill. ... | |
| denim sapphires | 4/30/2008 |
| Q: I am trying to match a stone to my husband's eyes (blue, but grey not green based), and a local ... A: I would not use the word inferior. It may not be the preferred color, but that is a matter of ... | |
| Agate and Onyx? | 4/23/2008 |
| Q: What is the difference in between Dyed Agate and Onyx? (To my knowledge the agate is concentric, ... A: I am not sure about the parallel idea but yes dyed agate is concentric. As far as the difference one ... | |
| rough diamonds | 3/30/2008 |
| Q: I have some lava rocks,can there be diamonds inside of them ,and if ther is, how can I tell if the ... A: Diamonds normally are found in gravel beds and or in place in the earth. They are formed in ... | |
| 'real' rubies | 3/27/2008 |
| Q: Is it true that the way to tell if a ruby is real, is by putting it under a UV light - and it will ... A: There is no way I know of to know for sure. If you had looked at a lot of natural ones and a lot ... | |
| 'real' rubies | 3/26/2008 |
| Q: Is it true that the way to tell if a ruby is real, is by putting it under a UV light - and it will ... A: Not exactly, here is an artical on the subject. Distinguishing Properties RUBY * ... | |
| STONES & MINERALS | 3/25/2008 |
| Q: I "inherited" a collection of sorts from a previous jeweler. Most are polished stones. I am trying ... A: A custom jeweler or gemologist could give you an idea what stones are genuine and which are ... | |
| amethyst ring | 3/22/2008 |
| Q: Can the color of an amethyst be enhanced? Would a jeweler be liable for cracking and coloring a ... A: Jewelers do not have the time or knowledge generally speaking to heat treat stones. They are known ... | |
| GB mean | 3/18/2008 |
| Q: what does 24 K GB mean is it real or not A: This means your jewelry has a very thin layer of 24 karat (24K means pure) gold bonded to base ... | |
| Amber Stone | 3/9/2008 |
| Q: I had a question on a amber stone that appears to have russian markings. I am wondering what it is ... A: They are just called Amber. It would be hard to tell how old the ring is. I do not think that ... | |
| Amber Stone | 3/8/2008 |
| Q: I had a question on a amber stone that appears to have russian markings. I am wondering what it is ... A: I guess I do not understand your question. It is amber, which is petrified tree sap. When the sap ... | |
| platinum wedding band | 3/3/2008 |
| Q: Can my grandmothers platinum wedding band be thickened and re-shaped to create a slightly wider ... A: The only way you could make it thicker would be to re-cast it. It would take more metal to do that. ... | |
| black onyx and white topaz | 2/29/2008 |
| Q: I won a string of black onyx beads with white topaz chips for a small price on Ebay. Though ... A: Black Onyx is abundant. Most of it is dyed agate, some is natural. The natural will have ... | |
| hematite | 2/26/2008 |
| Q: I have a faceted hematite stone (marquis shape) that someone special gave me. I want to have it set ... A: You should not have any trouble. Most jewelers know about hematite. The cost would depend on where ... | |
| minerals | 2/13/2008 |
| Q: what is the rarest mineral? A: John, My field is more in the gemstone world. Here is something I found in the gemstone world. ... | |
| gemstone test | 2/2/2008 |
| Q: plz tell me how i can check my gemstone is real or not if i have no special apratus for testing. any ... A: Amir, What type of stone do you have? What is the history of how you got it? Is it cut or rough? ... | |
| Jewelry i purchase | 1/30/2008 |
| Q: i had no attention on returning it until my bestfriend said it would originally turn from its gold ... A: Most jewelers can re-plate your necklace back to gold. It is very easy and does not take much time. ... | |
| lacquer | 1/29/2008 |
| Q: Recently I was attempting to remove oxidation on the silver in an abalone necklace and stripped off ... A: I answered this a few days ago but somehow it did not make it into the system. Sorry about that. ... | |
| Gemstone drilling | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering if you can help me or point me in the right direction. I want to start making ... A: I was asked this question not to long ago. I personally use both a small drill press for using ... | |
| Cleaning uncut gemstones | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: I recently purchased some uncut emeralds and rubies. Basically they are straight out of the ground. ... A: Normally you can see very easily what you have if they are good quality. Even if the crystals are ... | |
| In Afghanistan | 12/17/2007 |
| Q: Mr Covey I am in Afghanistan and want to know which stones should I buy while I am here and how do I ... A: What are you buying? Unless you have knowledge and experience in the type of stone you are buying ... | |
| Equipment for drilling gemstones | 12/15/2007 |
| Q: I am just getting into drilling and need to buy equipment. Should I be looking at a dremel tool ... A: You may want both. Also I found this drill for drilling pearls. You could use diamond bits with it ... | |
| Equipment for drilling gemstones | 12/14/2007 |
| Q: I am just getting into drilling and need to buy equipment. Should I be looking at a dremel tool ... A: What type of drilling are you going to be doing? Beads? What type of stone? How many units per ... | |
| Drilling holes in fragile material | 12/7/2007 |
| Q: I recently purchased some antique poker chips, some are made from bone and some are made from mother ... A: Yes diamond is recommended. Get a triple ripple type 1.8 mm Go slow and keep the drill cool in ... | |
| Ring Resizing | 12/5/2007 |
| Q: I just bought my girlfriend a Blue Topaz and diamond Ring set in 10k white gold. I haven't given it ... A: Try this directory just enter your zip code. Call one or more of these independant masters. I am ... | |
| Jewelry Repair | 11/29/2007 |
| Q: I have a small crack in my center diamond on my engagement ring. How much does something like this ... A: I think I already answered this but, I will answer again. The cost would depend on the repairs but ... | |
| Is This Stone a Blue Sapphire? | 11/26/2007 |
| Q: my team found a very big blue stone in Borneo, Indonesia recently. It is about a baby head in size ... A: What I am saying is from a picture I can not make a good assessment. I do not see any crystaline ... | |
| brooch with stones marked 800, signed | 11/14/2007 |
| Q: What does the 800 mark mean and I can't make out the signing. Also the center stone is so dark and I ... A: If the brooch is gold it could mean 800 fine. 1000 would be pure gold. This is how London gold is ... | |
| Gemstone Design via Cad Design | 11/8/2007 |
| Q: Do you have knowledge regarding designing gemstones using cad design? If your response is yes I ... A: First you need to learn to operate the software. Then you can make 3D renderings of rings etc. ... | |
| Serpentine | 11/7/2007 |
| Q: I wonder if you could tell me how safe serpentine from Peru is. I have some jewelry from there but I ... A: Is your stone fibrous looking? Asbestos is very fibrous, and curly in the serpentine. Chrysotile ... | |
| stone replacement | 10/28/2007 |
| Q: heres my story. I inherited an old filigree bracelet. Its Rhodium plated metal, but not gold or ... A: That happens to be my specialaity. Cutting stones to match. I would need a stone to match. If you ... | |
| jade | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: How do I tell if jade is real? What color should jade be on the inside of a broken edge? How do I ... A: Here is some info on the subject. Jadeite Chemistry: NaAlSi2O6 , Sodium Aluminum Silicate Class: ... | |
| tanzanite | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: With all the hype about tanzanite, do you think it is worth investing in and if so what size stones ... A: Well they say the supply will run out in the future which does add to that possibility. If you do ... | |
| diamonds vs. diamonds vs. ?? | 9/14/2007 |
| Q: I heard that diamonds are 9 in hardness, diamonique, an 8, and another variety altogether (?) an ... A: Actually, diamonds are 10 on the moh scale. Ruby is 9 but the space between 9 and 10 is greater than ... | |
| citrine repair | 9/13/2007 |
| Q: I have an 18 carat one stone citrine that has lost it's brilliance after my fiancee wore it ... A: Yes I re-polish stones all the time. It would have to be removed from the mounting by a jeweler. ... | |
| opal stone in ring | 9/2/2007 |
| Q: can you tell me what i can do about an opal stone that is very dull. i brought it on e-bay for ... A: It needs to be polished with pure high grade cerium oxide on felt pad that is spinning the felt is ... | |
| hallmarks | 9/1/2007 |
| Q: have the letters GLC9K stamped on the inner of my wedding band also have the normal hallmarks, what ... A: They are probably manufacturer stamps. Is is it marked 14K or 18K? Is it gold? As you know gold ... | |
| gemstone size | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: I have several rings where I lost the gemstone. How can I get the correct size to fit. Is there a ... A: Most jewelers would measure your mounting for free at least the ones I know would. They would also ... | |
| Drilling Gems | 8/29/2007 |
| Q: What type of Dremel Tool should I use to make holes in gems for jewelry making? A: I use a regular dremel with a flex cable attachment. I buy diamond drill bits sizes range from 1.5 ... | |
| Unknown purple stone | 8/27/2007 |
| Q: I have a bracelet, belonging to my mom, that has pearly purple stones, which are carved to look ... A: I would need to see a good digital picture. Purple could be amethyst but it is not pearly. Could ... | |
| gems | 8/19/2007 |
| Q: I don't much about gems but I'm here in gem country and wanted to take advantage of my opportunity ... A: Well, if they look too good chances are they are fake. I would say just go by your instinct and as ... | |
| Jewellery Repair | 8/18/2007 |
| Q: Do you know of any way to convert pierced earrings into clip-ons? Clips are so much easier on my ... A: Depending on the design of you earring it would be a matter of cutting off the post and soldering ... | |
| gems | 8/18/2007 |
| Q: I don't much about gems but I'm here in gem country and wanted to take advantage of my opportunity ... A: What gem country are you taking about? What kind of gems are available? Cut stones are easier to ... | |
| ring | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: i have a ring with 3 amethyst. alot of detail,lots of small balls. inside of the ring there is a ... A: Is the ring white or gold color? It sounds like a silver ring. As far as value that is in the eye ... | |
| cutting amber | 6/30/2007 |
| Q: i got a rough piece of amber as a gift. it's in a pretty cheesy sterling wrap. i think it has a bug ... A: Off hand I am not sure who I could send you to. How do you want it re-cut and set in? Me and my ... | |
| types of glue for stones? | 6/29/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to glue various types of cabochons ex;black onyx , mother of pearl, turquoise etc...into ... A: You could try loctite instant glue. Also there are special jewelers two part epoxies (330). Check ... | |
| Measuring various gemstones | 6/25/2007 |
| Q: 1) Is coral considered a gemstone? Would it be measured in carats. 2) Which of the following are ... A: Some may consider coral as a gemstone but I do not. But it is used like gemstone materials. So I ... | |
| How to?? | 6/25/2007 |
| Q: I have some loose diamonds. I have a catalogue that has gold earring mountings for the round stones ... A: I could talk to my jeweler friend whom I do gemstone cutting for and he does jewelry work on ... | |
| How to?? | 6/24/2007 |
| Q: I have some loose diamonds. I have a catalogue that has gold earring mountings for the round stones ... A: To set diamonds you would need a jewelers tools. They cut seats in the gold. Then they bend the ... | |
| Recutting Round Emerald | 6/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 2.89ct Round Columbian Emerald that is mounting into a ring. At the bottom of the gem, ... A: David, I have to apologize. I answered the same day I got it. I not sure what happeded when I saw ... | |
| White Sapphires | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: What is the value of white sapphires that are free of inclusions, per carat? Does the country of ... A: White sapphires can be quite inexpensive from 5.00 to 20.00 per carat. It does not matter where it ... | |
| sapphire grades | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: I have a 7x5mm, .90 ct. emerald cut sapphire. Color: fine- Dk. Clarity: LF-1 Price per carat at the ... A: Who graded your sapphire with these terms? I have not seen or heard them before. What color is ... | |
| ametrines and lines of demarcation | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought a ring off the internet and it was advertised as an ametrine, 5 carats in weight ... A: Ametrine can be exactly 50/50, the gemstone cutter can make that by how he orients the rough. ... | |
| sapphire polishing | 5/10/2007 |
| Q: my wedding ring is a sapphire that cost my husband $4000. I can't remember the carat wt.Recently one ... A: The jeweler would have sent your stone out to a gemcutter like myself. He would use a steel wheel ... | |
| need some help | 5/9/2007 |
| Q: how are gold mines are found? why gold is measure in carat? who own most of the gold ? what is ... A: Gold mines are found by prospecting. You go into the field. Take samples then assay the samples. ... | |
| Jade pendant necklace | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a what I believe to be jade pendant on a gold chain. The pendant is carved and I think the ... A: Most people who work with gemstones for a living could tell you by looking at the stone if it is ... | |
| Drilling Holes | 4/18/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought some polished rocks at a store that was closing. They did not have holes in them ... A: You will need to buy a dremel tool at home depot or hobby shop. You will also need to buy some ... | |
| garnets | 4/16/2007 |
| Q: I recently went mining and went home with some garnets,I believe almandine.They all have a multi ... A: I believe I already wrote to you. But it was brought to my attention this question was unanswered. ... | |
| AMETHYST | 4/12/2007 |
| Q: I AM LOOKING FOR A 8 MM X 22 MM FACETED AMETHYST FOR A RING I HAVE. HOW CAN I FIND ONE? THANKS FOR ... A: I need an email address to send you pictures. I will need to know more about your ring. Do you ... | |
| AMETHYST | 4/10/2007 |
| Q: I AM LOOKING FOR A 8 MM X 22 MM FACETED AMETHYST FOR A RING I HAVE. HOW CAN I FIND ONE? THANKS FOR ... A: I could get you into the stone for around 35.00 to 55.00 range. A gemologist can certify the stone ... | |
| AMETHYST | 4/9/2007 |
| Q: I AM LOOKING FOR A 8 MM X 22 MM FACETED AMETHYST FOR A RING I HAVE. HOW CAN I FIND ONE? THANKS FOR ... A: I could provide that service for you. I can custom cut it for you. I would charge 65.00 to cut it ... | |
| Just curious about a stone I found, nothing more! | 4/6/2007 |
| Q: How can I get a stone identified and be taken seriously? It's a water washed bluish green jagged ... A: Do you have a good digital camera? If so take some pics and send them to me. Use good light and ... | |
| polishing to high gloss shine | 3/31/2007 |
| Q: I have a bunch of cut rocks,petrified wood and other kinds.They range from 1 to about 6 inches round ... A: They need to be vibro-lapped polished. It is a large oscillating machine with polishing compound. ... | |
| excess glue | 12/30/2006 |
| Q: I ordered a rose quartz pendant online & cannot get the seller to respond to my e-mails. The pendant ... A: Get some Acetone and a small glass container you can seal that is large enough to hold the quartz. ... | |
| difference | 12/29/2006 |
| Q: My elderly mother lives in a home..she gave me a bracelet she won in Bingo...it is stamped 925 ... A: The best way is to look carefully at the stones under a microscope. Look for bubbles they are ... | |
| black diamonds | 12/11/2006 |
| Q: Black diamonds intrigue me. They don't come out of the ground that color do they? Do you think ... A: Yes they are that color out of the ground. Mostly the white stones are more valuable. However some ... | |
| Price Comparison on Natural and Lab Created Emeralds | 12/9/2006 |
| Q: I'm doing a report on natural and lab created emeralds for my science class, I have to find info on ... A: The created Emerald everyone goes after is called Chathams. They are around 300.00 to 400.00 per ... | |
| Minerals | 11/29/2006 |
| Q: What is the melting point for the mineral APATITE! A: The only reference I could come up with said 1300 C. As you know Apatite is mostly Calcium. Its ... | |
| Jadeit ring | 11/11/2006 |
| Q: I bought a jadeit ring in Bejing, from the factory, via the tour bus, for £198. I was very pleased ... A: I would need to see the quality of your jade to determine the value. As to it breaking those things ... | |
| ring with emerald and ruby | 11/11/2006 |
| Q: i ve got this ring from 15 years and i D like to know its value. it has an emerald, a ruby and 10 ... A: To determine its true value it would need to be inspected by a qualified gemologist. He would ... | |
| Cutting a tourmaline | 11/8/2006 |
| Q: Forgive my ignorance here, as I'm just starting to work with tourmaline. I have purchased a gorgeous ... A: Sorry for not answering sooner. This the first chance I had to do so. I am currently on the road. ... | |
| Wholesale | 10/22/2006 |
| Q: I have 2 questions: 1) Approximately how much percentage lower than the rapaport do retail stores ... A: Part one I will get back to you on. I will ask some of my clients what they pay. Part two I would ... | |
| Interested Student in Geology Unit | 10/20/2006 |
| Q: My name is Luana, and I'm a student at Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. I have just ... A: 1. Gemstones are identified by, optical characteristics, color, transparancy and refractive index. ... | |
| turquoise rings | 10/7/2006 |
| Q: I have several sterling silver turquoise rings that do not fit a certain finger they used to. San ... A: Yes they can be resized. However if they use their torch they have to be careful. Touquoise is very ... | |
| stone to sell | 9/26/2006 |
| Q: My parents have inherited a nice stone that they want me to try and sell for them. I’ve never tried ... A: Sorry for not anwsering sooner. I just now saw your question for the first time. Somehow it got ... | |
| Cracked Jade | 9/23/2006 |
| Q: I am wearing a jade bracelet that has a visible crack around it. I was hoping I could treat it ... A: Sorry to hear about your braclet. I really can not think of any thing that could prevent it from ... | |
| Polishing shells | 8/23/2006 |
| Q: Steven, I have some trocus shells. I have seen some available commercially that are polished to ... A: You need to use a rough sanding wheel followed by finer and finer grit sanding. Maybe 180 mesh, ... | |
| drilling stones | 8/20/2006 |
| Q: Steven: I'm a fellow AllExperts member (Sleep Apnea category) who needs your help. My daughter ... A: What you need is a diamond bit or bits. I would get a 1.8 mm bit to start the hole. If you want it ... | |
| gems from Afghanistan | 8/17/2006 |
| Q: My husband bought some gems and stones (rubies, emeralds, alexandrite, lapis etc...) during his tour ... A: I would consider selling them on E-Bay or other online auctions, just set a basement price you will ... | |
| Bidz.com | 8/10/2006 |
| Q: My wife is excited about Bidz.com, where a person may bid for expensive jewelry and maybe get it for ... A: I looked at the site just now. It looks on the up an up. The key to it is to be very knowledgable ... | |
| How to polish gem stones? | 8/8/2006 |
| Q: I went to North Carolina,and stopped by a paning for Gem Stones.I didn't get them polished,so my ... A: You can purchase a tumbler from a rock shop. It come with instructions. You place the stones and ... | |
| end cap for flat cut stone to be used as a pendant | 8/2/2006 |
| Q: I did not really want to drill holes because I was afraid I would break the stones in doing so. Can ... A: What kind of stone do you have? and what exact shape? Are they square, rectangle, round, oval? If ... | |
Jewelry, Gems, & Minerals
Answers by Expert:
Steven D.Covey
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions related to colored stones. I am a professional gemstone cutter/lapidary for bench jewelers since 1978. I repair/re-polish all colored stones. I also cut from rough. Create custom cuts, match stones, inlay lapis, onyx etc.
Experience
I am a professional Gemstone cutter/lapidary
Education/Credentials
I was professionaly trained In Beverly Hills California in 1977 I have been serving the area bench jewelers since 1978. I recut/re-polish all types of stones ruby, emerald, topaz etc. I do inlay onyx opal lapis etc
Past/Present clients
Jareds, Shane company, Fred Meyers, OC Tanners, Park City Jewelers,
to name a few
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