NEW YORK — Buying a gemstone is more than a decorative choice; it’s a decision that requires awareness of quality, authenticity and real value. With markets full of dazzling options, knowing the essentials helps ensure you select the right stone — whether for beauty, astrology or investment. Here are five key points to keep in mind before making your purchase.
1️⃣ Inclusions Are Not Flaws
Small cracks or feather-like marks inside a gemstone are called inclusions. Far from being defects, they are natural features that help verify the stone’s origin and authenticity, much like patterns in wood or marble.
2️⃣ Natural vs. Treated, Imitation and Synthetic
- Natural gemstones: the most valuable, mined directly from the earth.
- Treated gemstones: genuine stones enhanced for color or clarity, widely used in jewelry.
- Imitations: look similar but carry no real value.
- Synthetic gemstones: lab-created with identical properties to natural stones, such as lab-grown diamonds.
3️⃣ Consider Alternatives
If your desired stone exceeds your budget, explore color or visual substitutes like kyanite or iolite instead of sapphire. For astrological purposes, purity or size matters less than choosing the correct type of stone.
4️⃣ Consult Experts
Astrologers can recommend the right stone for spiritual or cosmic alignment, while jewelers provide technical expertise to distinguish between genuine and fake stones. Combining both perspectives ensures a reliable choice.
5️⃣ How to Wear It
For maximum effect, gemstones should be set so that sunlight can pass through the bottom and reach the skin. Direct contact isn’t always necessary, but allowing light to flow is considered essential for astrological benefits.
✅ FAQs
Q1: How can I tell if a gemstone is real or fake? A certified jeweler can verify authenticity. Look for natural inclusions and request a lab certificate.
Q2: Are synthetic gemstones less valuable than natural ones? Yes, natural stones are more valuable. However, synthetic gems share identical properties and are often more affordable.
Q3: Do inclusions reduce the power of a gemstone? No. Inclusions are natural and do not affect astrological or energetic benefits.
Q4: Can I wear a gemstone without direct skin contact? Yes. The key is to allow sunlight to pass through the stone; direct contact is not mandatory.
Q5: What’s the best way to choose a gemstone for astrology? Consult both an astrologer (for cosmic alignment) and a jeweler (for technical authenticity).
