About coloured stone grading
Coloured stone assessment starts with identity. Similar-looking gems may be different materials, and a familiar trade name does not always identify a mineral species.
Identify the material
Examination can distinguish gem species and varieties and help separate natural, laboratory-grown and imitation materials. A photograph alone cannot establish these findings.
Look beyond colour
Colour, transparency, clarity features, proportions and condition contribute to a stone’s appearance. The significance of each feature depends on the material being examined.
Treatments and origin
A report may address detectable treatments. Geographic origin is a separate assessment, available only where the material and evidence support it. Ask which questions the selected service can answer.
Choose the right examination
Discuss identification, grading, treatment questions and valuation separately with HWL. These are related services, but they do not provide identical information.