GEMMOLOGY

Every woman has a dream stone. It is a personal and exciting choice, as every gemstone symbolizes a certain personality and spiritual virtue. However, it is important to determine which jewelry to wear for a certain occasion. A durable gemstone like sapphire is perfect for everyday wear. For weddings, pearls are a common choice, but they are susceptible to scratches.

Mohs Scale of Hardness is used in evaluating mineral resistance. It ranges from a scale number of 1 to 10, wherein talc is 1 and diamond is 10. Apart from this, examining visual characteristics also enables you to differentiate between a natural and an artificial gemstone. This is where cracks and inclusions enter the picture.

Our Best-Loved Colored Gemstones

Ruby

This gem is considered one of the most precious stones in the world. Featuring a rich color, it is an all-time favorite among royalties and was also believed to safeguard ancient soldiers in battle. It ranges from a bright orangey-red to a more purple shade and measures 9 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Thus, they are an excellent choice for everyday wear.

Sapphire

The second most durable mineral on Earth. They are available in a rainbow of colors, such as pinks, purples, oranges, blues, and even yellows. Peach-colored ones, called Padparadscha, are some of the rarest and most beautiful. Traditional sapphires can be low-quality and heat-treated to intensify their uniformity and color. However, the ones used by our experts at Llebaux are 100% natural, with a freshness, quality, and color intricacy, unlike any other gemstone.

Emerald

This precious stone features an enchanting, vibrant green shade created by nature. Traditionally, it is shaped into an 'emerald' cut to put an emphasis on its hue. Since emeralds have a scale number ranging from 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, they need extra care than other hard-wearing gemstones.

Featuring an enchanting sparkle and irresistible charm, gemstones make any jewelry piece more desirable and valuable. Given that, we use the most precious and highest quality stones on our premium fashion watch designs. Our experts also apply the best gem-setting practices on every timepiece to create an exceptional collection that is unique, beautiful, and can stand the test of time.

Cracks vs Inclusions

 Generally, cracks and inclusions appear the same to the naked eye. The key to spotting the difference between them is by knowing how far and where to look. The general rule of thumb when it comes to cracks is that they start from the interior of the stone and end up on the surface. Meanwhile, inclusions lay inside the stone and stay on the same spot. Moreover, a crack typically finds its passage on the spot where the stone’s gemological composition or inherent structure is frailer. It normally appears on the outer edges around the metal of jewelled stones.

It is worth noting that intrusions are intrinsic and naturally formed on the stones. Meanwhile, cracks appear much later. Thus, if the gemstone had no visible imperfection before, there is a high chance that a crack has appeared on it later. 

Inclusions: The Distinguishing Factor Between Natural and Artificial Gemstones

Even precious stones have natural impurities in the form of intrusions, which occur while the stones are being processed in the womb of nature. Some of these imperfections and impurities add a unique character to gemstones. As a result, their value increases in the eyes of humans. For instance, the worth of quartz is further enhanced by thin and needle-like rutile crystals. Likewise, amber with the presence of a trapped insect is considered more valuable. Moreover, the presence of inclusions in a gemstone signifies that it is natural and not an artificial replica produced in a laboratory.