[Jewelry making - Article 00086] - Re: [Orchid] Lapis grading system?

[Richard Hart]

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>     The well hidden truth, is that the system that exist now, even in
>     diamonds, is very artificial one. In order to be able to trade,
>     standards are required, so we created them, but every gemstone is
>     unique and 2 gemstones which could be graded the same, could sell
>     for remarkably different amounts.

    "Artificial: applicable to anything that is not the result of natural
    process or conditions." So the system that exists, because standards
    are required, is artificial? As diamonds can be graded by color and
    clarity in a scientific way. Clarity is judged on whether the
    inclusion is eye visible, visible under 10 power magnification, or 60
    power magnification. Color is graded using graded stones. I therefore
    submit that grading on color and clarity is based on the natural
    process and conditions by which diamonds were formed. A Gemologist is
    using the natural color and clarity as the criteria to separate
    diamonds. Color, flaws and inclusions are measurable. When I went to
    G.I.A. I understood that the school produces Gemmologists that can
    grade color and clarity within 10% or each other. What I understood
    was that the variance was one color grade or one clarity up or down.
    In the G.I.A. labs diamonds are checked by three people. The criteria
    developed by G.I.A. used by a trained Gemologist produces consistent
    reproducible results. The grading is used to compare color and
    clarity of various diamonds that can be used to establish a dollar
    value. Dollar value is determined not by grading, but by the
    marketplace. I went to G.I.A. in 1977. Over the years, no one paid
    much attention to the value of cutting, and one advantage of being a
    G.I.A. trained Gemologist was that with a 10 power loupe I could pick
    the diamonds that were cut better that other in the same parcel that
    were all the same carat price. People have become more knowledgeable
    and now there is a value for better cutting. If someone does not know
    what they are doing, they could try selling two diamonds that are the
    same clarity, color, and cutting for remarkably different prices, but
    if I was the buyer, I would not find value for myself or my customer
    by purchasing the higher priced diamond when there is not value
    gainer by the higher price. There is no well hidden truth. 

Richard Hart
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