DESIRABLE QUALITIES IN PRECIOUS STONES
A diamond is a gem; a gem diamond is an extraordinarily fine one. It is in that sense the word will be used in this chapter.
In
describing here the most desirable qualities to be sought, and the
defects to be avoided in the various stones, it is not to be supposed
that absolute perfection can be found. The information is given in
order that the dealer may propÂerly gauge values and secure for his
trade4the best that can be had for his limitations.
Nature
has made precious stones, like other things, on the pyramidal plan, in
which, tier by tier, they decrease in quantity as they improve in
quality. There are but few at the apex. Gems are rare. The ideal stone
is seldom if ever found.
Although
there are not many who realize how small the proportion of gem-stones
is to that of ordinary quality, or how few even these are to the mass
of useless material found, there are, nevertheless, several reasons why
gem-stones are safe stock. The public is constantly and rapidly
climbing to a knowledge of the finer qualities of precious stones. The
result is, it takes finer goods always to satisfy it. A comÂparison of
what was " fine" twenty-five years ago with that considered so now will
show how much more critical the public is now than it was then. With
every year, people demand greater excellencies in quality and cutting,
and the number of those increases who will have better goods even at
greater cost. Yet there is so much ignorance of the great difference in
quality and quantity between very fine stones
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