Key Concepts

  • Most gems are minerals.
  • To be a gem, a mineral must be beautiful, durable, and rare.

  • Many colored stones are mined by independent miners using small-scale mining methods.
  • An appealing name can make a gem much easier to sell.

  • Changes that take place in a gem’s source country can drastically affect its availability and price.
  • Treatments improve the marketability and availability of many gems.
  • In spite of treatment that’s sometimes extensive, emerald is the number one colored stone by value imported into the US.
  • Most consumers accept gem treatments if they’re ethically disclosed and explained in a positive way.