Buying Gemstones..

A gemstone is prized especially for great beauty or perfection. Hence, appearance is almost the most important attribute of gemstones. Characteristics that make a stone beautiful or desirable are color, unusual optical phenomena within the stone, an interesting inclusion such as a fossil, rarity, and sometimes the form of the natural crystal. In terms of beauty, it is unsurprising that diamond is prized highly as a gemstone, since it is the hardest substance known and is able to reflect light with fire and sparkle when faceted. However, it is important to understand that diamonds are far from rare with millions of carats mined each year.

Traditionally, common gemstones were classified into precious stones (cardinal gems) and semi-precious stones. The former category was largely determined by a history of ecclesiastical, devotional or ceremonial use and rarity imposed by the limits of known deposits and available collection methods. Only five types of gemstones were considered precious: diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald and amethyst.

In current usage by gemologists, all gems are considered precious, although four of the five original "cardinal gems" are usually?but not always?the most valuable.

Another category of gemstones which is still in use is that of rare or unusual gemstones, generally meant to include those gemstones which occur so infrequently in gem quality that they are scarcely known except to connoisseurs. Here are included andalusite, axinite, cassiterite, clinohumite, iolite, among others all of which are durable, rare, and in better examples quite attractive.

The factors influencing the esteem in which gems are held are few in number but extremely important because they so directly affect value. These are attractiveness, durability, rarity, fashion, and size. They are not fixed in scope by any means and the predominance of one factor may compensate for shortcomings in another.

Some gemstones are manufactured to imitate other gemstones. For example, cubic zirconia is a synthetic diamond simulant composed of zirconium oxide. The imitations copy the look and color of the real stone but possess neither their chemical nor physical characteristics.

However, true synthetic gemstones are not necessarily imitation. For example, diamonds, ruby, sapphires ad emeralds have been manufactured in labs, which possess very nearly identical chemical and physical characteristics to the genuine article.

Synthetic corundum's, including ruby and sapphire, are very common and they cost only a fraction of the natural stones. Smaller synthetic diamonds have been manufactured in large quantities as industrial abrasives for many years. Only recently, larger synthetic diamonds of gemstone quality, especially of the colored variety, have been anufactured.

Always remember, certain material or flaws within a stone may be present as characteristic inclusions. And the gem may occur in certain locations, "occurrence." Gems from different locations may display different characteristics which may aid in identification.



Exciting News!
The has announced that Windsor Auctions now conducts Live Auctions via Split Second Auctions. Bidders can attend online auctions in "real time" placing bids through a LIVE Bidder's Applet provided by Split Second Auctions.

Windsor Auctions offerings include...
Jewelry, Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, Diamonds, Finished Jewelry in 10KT., 14KT., 18KT. and Platinum!

Windsor Collection pieces which were created and inspired for the most exclusive Ocean Liner in the World are now available to ALL who wish to adorn themselves in the finest gems and jewelry (for pennies on the dollar).

Our Fall 2006 - Spring 2007 Collection is awe-inspiring. There are 64 pieces to choose from which are available in 10KT., 14KT, and 18KT. White Gold. Every piece in the Windsor Collection is CUSTOM MADE to order. Our new collection is BIG and BOLD with COLOR! The finest sapphires, rubies, emeralds and semi-precious gems are combined with diamonds into unique settings.

Whether you prefer an antique design flowing with gorgeous gems and cascading diamonds or, prefer a contemporary bold look - the NEW Windsor Collection offers the quality you expect in conjunction with the LOOK without the HIGH PRICE!

ALL WINDSOR SIGNATURE COLLECTION SERIES peices are HALLMARKED with the distinctive Windsor "W".

 

 

1. Windsor Auctions Live Auctions via Split Second Auctions!
   
2. Split Second Auctions offers a real time LIVE AUCTION venue (worldwide) and using such a venue to offer Fine Jewelry andGems which are overstock merchandise from cruise ship venues, offers Windsor customer's high quality jewelry and gems at affordable prices. In addition, Live Auctions allows Windsor Auctions to offer its products 7 days a week to a worldwide audience!

1. Bidders may preview catalogs by visiting our Split Second Auctions Catalog, which displays all available fine jewelry items and gems in one easy to preview (online) format. Bidders may search by category, gem type, design or description.
   
   
2. If you reside in the United States, you will NOT pay DUTY on any items which you win! NO DUTY translates into even bigger savings!
   
   Upcoming Worldwide Internet Auction Events...
   
   Windsor Live via Split Second Auctions
   
3. Bids start as low as $1.00
4. Low reserves!
5. Bid from the comfort of your home via the Internet!
6. Pre-Registration and approval required!
   
   
   Notice: All photos displayed on this web site are actual photos of Windsor Auctions offerings and NOT enhanced.