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Flaws in stones, such as cracks, “feathers,” “silk,” internal spots, and want of homogeneity in color are detrimental to the value of all stones, and under their various headings some indications of the most prized colors are given. In precious stones, the slightest flaw makes a vast difference in value, but often such flaws are seen only by the expert.

One does not always buy a gem stone from a purely commercial point of view, but there are many who feel that, in their possession, they have something in the form of an investment, something which can be exchanged for money in any civilized country. This is quite true, although the value obtained will be governed by a number of considerations. In general, fine quality stones from one to ten carats are the best to buy when this object is in view; the finer the quality and the larger the stone (within reasonable limits), the easier will it be to sell. It must be remembered that gem stones are almost indestructible, and that most cut stones produced are still in existence. The U.S.A. and India are the largest holders of these treasures, and in these countries there are always buyers for specimen stones.

For this reason, pearl necklaces, bunches of pearls, and all graduated parcels are sized into lots of approximately the same size or weight, each being calculated separately, and then totaled. As an example, the weight ticket on a graduated pearl string of 117 pearls might read thus:

The third column shows the average weight of the pearls in each of the sizes, and the 1/— base is derived by multiplying the weight by the average. This necklace of 117 pearls weighs 88.00 grains, the 1/- base being 84/4 (£4. 4. 4). It may be estimated as being worth 4/- base, or even 40/- base, according to current market values.<br />

As most of us know, there is a vast difference between the buying and the selling value of an article, and gem stones are no exception. The buyer of the rough stone, the merchant who handles the cut stone, and the retailer through whom the stone passes to the public, apart from other intermediaries, all live on the profits they make in business, and to indicate a value for any given specimen or variety would be misleading. If one remembers that rarity, beauty, and current demand are the principal factors which determine value, one will have some guide. The proper cutting of fine stones adds to their value, as does also the matching of gems in sets so that they may be used in jewelry where more than one stone is required.