Have you recently inherited or purchased a gemstone and want to know its value? Mearto provides quick and affordable online appraisals of gemstones. All you have to do is click on the “Start Appraisal” button above and follow the steps to send us information about and images of your gemstone. One of our qualified and experienced specialists will review and get back to you with a fair market and insurance value, typically within 48 hours.

Have questions about the valuation provided, or would you like some advice about selling your gemstone? We are here to help! Our platform allows you to chat back and forth with a specialist to ensure that all of your questions are answered.

What is a gemstone?

A gemstone, also referred to as a jewel, semi-precious stone, or gem, is a piece of mineral crystal that can be cut and polished for adornment. Certain rocks like lapis lazuli, opals, or organic minerals such as amber and pearls are used in jewelry and can be considered gemstones. Many gemstones are hard stones, while some softer minerals are valued for their aesthetic properties. Gemstones have been used to adorn manuscripts, jewelry, sculpture, and various types of tools and utensils.

How are gemstones valued?

Rarity plays a significant role in the value of gemstones. While the distinction between precious and semi-precious stones is retired in modern gemology, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds still hold reputations that exceed other gemstones. Physical characteristics like color and clarity dictate a gemstone's value. Notably, blue and pink diamonds are extremely valuable. "The Pink Star" diamond sold for a record-breaking $71.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction, and "The Oppenheimer Blue" diamond sold for $57.5 million at Christie’s in 2016.

The ten rarest gems in the world include Taaffeite, Benitoite, Tanzanite, Poudretteite, Jadeite, Red Beryl, Black Opal, Grandidierite, Benitoite, Tanzanite, and Poudretteite.

The ten most valuable types of gemstones are Blue Diamond, Jadeite, Pink Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Emerald, Alexandrite, Musgravite, Red Beryl, Black Opal, and Tanzanite.

How can I tell if my gemstone is fake?

Synthetic gemstones are chemically and physically identical to natural gemstones but are created in laboratories. Imitation or simulated gemstones, such as cubic zirconia, are visually similar but chemically different from natural gemstones. Cultured or "lab-created" gemstones are not imitations; they are chemically the same as natural stones. Synthetic gemstones often have brighter colors and clarity, and they lack impurities present in natural gemstones. They are also significantly less expensive to produce than natural gemstones.

Why are uncut gemstones less expensive than cut stones?

The "cut" of a stone, referring not to its shape but its proportion, symmetry, and polish, is crucial in determining a stone's value. These factors impact how light interacts with and is reflected from the stone, affecting its sparkle. Shaping a stone to optimize these factors is labor-intensive and requires skilled craftsmanship, which is factored into the stone's price.