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There are more than 40 popular gem varieties and many more rare collector gemstones. Although some gemstone varieties have been treasured since before history began and others were only discovered recently, they are all nature's gifts to us.
Accordingly, gemstones are identified by the same scientific methods as minerals. However, since they are beautiful and valuable, destructive tests which mark the stone are not used. A range of scientific instruments has been devised specifically for testing gemstones. People who are qualified to identify gemstones using these instruments are called gemologists.
Faceted gemstones reveal the inherent qualities of a mineral, such as colour, clarity, fire and brilliance, which might otherwise remain hidden. The skill of the cutter is very important and many different cuts have been devised to show a wide range of gemstones at their best.
Gemstones are valuable because they are a rare and desirable commodity. They also represent time and labour spent on cutting and presentation. Because of their value and portability they have often been used instead of money. Traditionally, their size is given in carats, which is a term of weight (1 carat = 0.2 gram).
A stone's value is determined by its quality and size. This is stated, as a rate per carat. The rate per carat is then multiplied by the actual weight of the stone to give a selling price. Large or special stones have an additional premium value.
1. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/whitefancycoloursapphires/ for our current loose sapphire collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
2. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/tsavoritegarnets/ for our current loose garnet collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
3. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/tourmalinegreen/ for our current loose tourmaline collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
4. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/tanzanite/ for our current loose tanzanite collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
5. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/rubyandpinksapphires/ for our current ruby and pink sapphire collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
6. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/rhodolitegarlets/ for our current rhodolite garnet collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
7. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/redspinel/ for our current red spinel gem collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
8. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/iolite/ for our current iolite gem collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
9. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/imperialtopaz/ for our current imperial topaz collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
10. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/goldenandorangesapphires/ for our current golden and orange sapphire collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
11. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/gemstonerings/ for our current golden and orange sapphire collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
12. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/emeralds/ for our emerald collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
13. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/bluesapphires/ for our loose blue sapphire collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
14. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/aquamarineandgoldenberyl/ for our loose aquamarine and golden beryl collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
15. Please view http://www.unigem.com.au/trade/amethystandametrine/ for our loose amethyst and ametrine collection instock as of the 1st February 2008.
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