Semi_precious vs. precious

[Kelly]

I used to hear this term a lot many years ago. Are certain stones still called semi-precious?

What are considered Precious gems

[Joselyn]

As far as precious vs. semi-precious...Traditionally the term precious in reference to gemstones meant Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald and Diamond, while everything else was considered semi-precious.

These terms really aren't used anymore though. There are other beautiful, rare gemstones that are not the above stones that are very valuable, ie. Tanzanite. Tanzanite can range from $700-$3000 and up per carat. How do you call that semi-precious?

Another example is Natural Alexandrite with excellent color change. These stones can be tens of thousands per carat. No one would want to demean these gorgeous stones with the term semi-precious.

Joselyn

[GGJoe]

Good question Kelly. The reason I stay away from the word precious and semi-precious is what's precious to you might not be precious to me, and vice versa!

Amethyst is my birthstone; therefore, it's precious to me.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for freedom of speech and expression. If someone else likes the idea of terming a gemstone as precious or semi-precious, I don't look down my nose at it. Since I truly love gems, and it simply blows my mind these marvalous and wonderful colors come out of the ground, I consider them all precious and call them all "gemstone" as long as they meet the definition. ;)

I grew up on a mountain outside Chattanooga, TN. Even when I was an ankle biter, I used to go look for rocks and minerals where they'd mine for coal and salt peter. Arrowheads too! Given most arrowheads don't meet the definition of "gemstone", I consider them precious as well.... given they're authentic! :p

GGJoe

[Princess]

I've always understood that semi precious weren't that expensive. I think that with the economy down many jewelers are trying to hype their semi precious gems as worth a lot more just to cut an extra profit.

I've seen alexandrite on eBay, I can get all I want at about $30.00 per carat. No one can tell me that its worth hundreds per carat.

[Bearman]

I've seen alexandrite on eBay, I can get all I want at about $30.00 per carat. No one can tell me that its worth hundreds per carat.[/QUOTE]

You can diamonds for $100 a carat or less. That doesn't mean they are any good.

You get what you pay for.

[Princess]

Beads- Alexandrite $1.99

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14316&item=4987029334&rd=1

Ring, with 1 carat of alex and an appraisal ---$29.50
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14316&item=4987029334&rd=1

Loose alex 1.5 carats...$1.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=282&item=4987675869&rd=1

No one can tell me this gem is rare. Its all over Ebay

[Kelly]

Is eBay really a reliable source to judge value of gemstones?

[kristin]

[QUOTE=Princess]Beads- Alexandrite $1.99

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14316&item=4987029334&rd=1

AMAZING ALEXANDRITE GLASS HEART BEADS-- read the fine print (actually in this case it is in all caps under the picture) alexandrite glass, they are using alexandrite to describe the color of glass beads

[kristin]

Ring, with 1 carat of alex and an appraisal ---$29.50
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14316&item=4987029334&rd=1

this link is just to the heart beads again....

[Feydakin]

Alexandrite is a great example of both ends of the spectrum.. You can get it for nothing, ie junk, or you can pay $100/ct or more for amazing looking stones.. But the same goes for every gemstone out there.. You can buy bulk rubies on eBay for $10/ct if you don't mind the look of them..

Steve

[kristin]

Loose alex 1.5 carats...$1.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=282&item=4987675869&rd=1

Gem Alexandrite
Size 6.4 x 6.4 x 4.3 mm

Color Green (without light) and red (with light)

Quantity 1
Cut Round
Wheight 1.5 cts

Clarity VVS
Luster Extra

Origin São Paulo - Brazil

Treatament Lab created

this is another one where you have to read the WHOLE description
this stone is lab created there for, no it is not rare, they grow them in a lab

[GGJoe]

RE: "Is eBay really a realiable means to evaluate......."

I believe eBay is reliable, but not very relevent. I'm seeing more and more "buy it now" items with no bids at auction's end. Extremely high level of risk and unregulated standards when it comes to subjective opinionated goods like the purple of an amethyst, the astirism of a star sapphire, the blueishness of a blue sapphire. All subjective opinions. Ebay is a crap shoot just like buying the same item from a flea market table. Note I said the stuff where subjectivity is a major issue.

I purchased my wife's christmas present off eBay. A Canon Rebel EOS camera direct from Wolf Video headquarters out of Texas. Factory reconditioned with a 1 year warantee that would be honored by any Wolf Camera shop nationwide. Thing is this. Seen 1 Canon Rebel EOS, seen them all. No real subjectivity that effects value. I've done my best to keep tabs on the changes of online price points like ebay. Not only because I'm a bit OCD.... meaning I just "like to know", also to keep in touch with price points to hopefully be more of a contribution to and for my trade.

GGJoe