Gemstones are not only precious money wise but they are also unique and capable of making someone feel special.  Before you buy your ruby, diamond or an emerald, be careful about certain things to save yourself from being duped and also to have the best of the gems.

Find a store that shows you a wide selection. Choose a gemstone variety from the dozens available. Well-known gemstone varieties like ruby, emerald and sapphire are more valuable than more recently discovered gemstones, which are also beautiful and rare. The more affordable ones like garnets, tourmalines, tanzanite, and other exotic gemstones can be as beautiful.

Buy the best gemstone you can afford. Within each variety, quality dramatically affects price; a ruby can sell for $10 or $1,000,000. In general, smaller gemstones of higher quality appreciate more over time than larger stones of lower quality.

4 Cs are Important
Look out for the 4 Cs of a gemstone- colour, clarity, cut and carat weight.

Look at the colour in different kinds of light. In general, within each gemstone variety, a clear, medium-tone, very intense and saturated primary colour is the most preferred. Muted tones or mix-hued gemstones are usually less expensive.

Lesser the flaws in visibility more the value. An ideal gemstone is as clear and transparent as can be.
The best way to judge cut is to look at other similar gemstones next to each other. A well-cut faceted gemstone reflects light back evenly across its surface area when held face up. If the stone is too deep and narrow, areas will be dark. If it is too shallow and wide, parts of the stone will be washed out.

The carat weight of a gemstone is other final measure of quality of a gemstone. Large size does not mean heavy carat weight. Heavy gemstones are more rare and costly.

Don’t be afraid to choose what looks best to you!

Now that you have found the perfect gem, all you need to do is make sure it is displayed well and held securely in place.

To judge the quality of the jewellery setting, pay close attention to details. Is the metal holding the stone even and smoothly finished so it won’t catch on clothing? Is the stone held firmly and square in the setting? Is the metal well polished with no little burns of metal or pockmarks?

When buying a necklace, make sure it lays well around the neck and the fall is proper. Try it on or ask a sales clerk to model it so you can check how it fits against the skin.

For earrings, check to make sure that they hang well from the ear and don’t tip forward. Designs that are asymmetrical should have a left and right which mirror each other.

And lastly, if a piece of jewellery is really well made, the back too will be well finished.

If you still cannot choose the best from whatever style is available, why not give the perfect gemstone in a dark-coloured velvet pouch or a beautiful little box and let the lucky recipient design her own perfect setting.

Checklist

When you're in the market for a piece of jewellery for yourself or someone you love, shop around. Compare quality, price, and service. If you're not familiar with any jeweller in your area, ask family members, friends, and co-workers for recommendations. You also should:

Ask for the store's refund and return policy before you buy.
Check for the appropriate markings on metal jewellery.

Ask whether a gemstone is natural, laboratory-created, or imitation.

Ask whether the gemstone has been treated. Is the change permanent? Is special care required?

Make sure the jeweller writes on the sales receipt any information you relied on when making your purchase, such as the gem's weight or size. Some jewellers also may supply a grading report from a Gemological                 laboratory.