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Gemstone Information
All natural gemstones occur in different quantities and qualities. Some gemstones are abundant, while others are rare and found in limited supply. In order to make more rough material usable, sometimes gemstone enhancements are used.
Gem cutting and polishing are considered enhancements, because they are necessary to display the full beauty of a gem. Throughout history countless methods have been employed to improve the appearance of nature's product. In the same way that people want to appear attractive to others, the gem cutter strives to improve the gem.
Stowe Gems only uses the best available material and any enhancements are permanent and stable. For instance, Amethyst is rarely enhanced. However,
sometimes overly dark stones can be transformed into beautiful Citrine.
Aquamarine is generally a blueish green color. To improve their popularity, these are heated to produce a more blue color. The heating does not make the stone darker: it only removes the greenish component.
Turquoise is commonly enhanced to prevent the natural blue color from turning to green through wear and skin oils.
Natural Opal is seldom enhanced, but care must be taken when wearing this Gem because while hard, it can be brittle.
For additional gem information, please visit the American Gem Trade Association - http://www.agta.org/ |
These gems have not been enhanced by heat,
chemicals, radiation, fillers or coatings - we
guarantee it!
Bloodstone, Chalcedony, Chrysoprase, Chrome
Pyrope Garnet, Color Changing Garnet, Iolite,
Rhodolite Garnet, Mozambique Garnet, Opal,
Spessatite Garnet, Tsavorite Garnet,
Moonstone, Nephrite Jade, Mexican Fire Opal,
Genuine Black Star Sapphire, Peridot,
Genuine Blue Star Sapphire, Precious Topaz.
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About Your Stowe Gems Purchase
Your Stowe Gems is constructed of the best available materials for a lifetime of enjoyment. A few simple precautions will help ensure this enjoyment.
1. Do not sleep in your jewelry. 50% of wear occurs at night.
2. Do not bathe in your jewelry. Baths and showers deposit more dirt than they remove. Hard water can discolor many gems and pearls.
3. Use only recommended jewelry cleaners. Alcohol, ammonia, and other cleaning agents can permanently damage your jewelry and some gems.
4. Have prongs and bezels checked at least every six months. Your jewelry is guaranteed against manufacturing defects but not wear and tear. A worn prong can lead to a lost stone.
5. If you received your jewelry as a gift and wish to exchange it, do so on a timely basis. After Two weeks there is a restocking fee of 10%. Jewelry returned in poor condition will not be accepted. Original condition only, please. |
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Terms
Product and Pricing Information
Although Stowe Gems has made every effort to display the products and their colors as accurately as possible, the displayed colors of the products will depend on the monitor of the user and Stowe Gems cannot guarantee that the users' monitor will accurately portray the actual color of the product. Products displayed may be out of stock or discontinued, and prices are subject to change. Stowe Gems is not reponsible for typographical errors regarding price or any other matter. The prices are quoted in US dollars. Purchases are subject to applicable taxes to be paid by the purchaser, and do not include shipping and handling. Purchase requests to addresses outside the United States cannot be filled.
Shipping Information
Stowe Gems endeavors to ship all orders within 48 hours after we receive your order. We have found UPS to be the fastest and most reliable means of shipment. UPS works best with delivery to business addresses or private addresses where someone is available to accept delivery. Unless you provide us with such an address your shipment will be sent United States Postal Service. High value items (over $500) will be shipped United States Postal Service Registered Mail. This is the safest and most secure shipping method.
If you have concerns regarding your shipment, please contact us at : 1-802-253-7000 or sales@stowegems.com.
Return Policy
All jewelry is carefully inspected before shipment to ensure your satisfaction. In the unlikely event your shipment is received damaged or defective, please contact us immediately after your package arrives for a return authorization claim number. Packages sent without this number will be returned. ALL CLAIMS MUST BE MADE WITHIN THREE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF ORDER. Shipping charges will not be refunded. Returned products must be in absolutely new and unused condition for refund. If you should decide to return your Stowe Gems purchase, please do so WITHIN TWO WEEKS. After that a 10% restocking fee will be applied. Special Orders are special for you, and are subject to a restocking fee.
Payment Policy
Stowe Gems accepts payments by check, money order, American Express, Visa, Master Card, or Discover. You may also use PayPal. All prices and payments are in U.S. dollars only. Your purchase will be shipped promptly after payment clears.sales@stowegems.com
Stowe Gems has attempted to provide our clients with 100% conflict - free diamonds, based on information provided by our suppliers and / or our personal knowledge of world gem markets.
To the best of our knowledge, our Diamonds have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions.
Due to the fact that it is virtually impossible to trace the origin of a specific diamond at this time, this is neither a guarantee nor a warranty of conflict - free origin.
New Shipping Rates as of April 5, 2006 for UPS & USPS:
$ 10.00 - $ 200.00 = $ 10.00
$ 201.00 - $ 500.00 = $12.00
$ 501.00 - $ 1500.00 = $ 15.00
$ 1501.00 - $ 2500.00 = $ 20.00
$ 2501.00 - $ 3500.00 = $ 25.00
$ 3501.00 - $ 4500.00 = $ 30.00
$ 4501.00 - $ 5500.00 = $ 40.00
$ 5501.00 - $ 6500.00 = $ 50.00
$ 6500.00 + UP = Cost
*Due to the high volume of changes in the Sterling Silver and Gold Markets, Prices are subject to change without notice.*
Privacy Statement
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Stowe Gems is the sole owner of all information collected on this site.
We do not sell, share, or rent this information to others. Stowe Gems uses every safeguard to protect your personal and financial information. When you submit sensitive information, via this web site, your
information is protected both online and off-line.
When you share information with us, you enable us to provide services otherwise unavailable. An example of this would be notifying you about special offers unadvertised to the general public.
Our shopping cart asks you to give us information about your order, billing address, shipping address, credit card information, and e-mail address. We use this information to process and send your order on a timely basis.
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We may also use this information to contact you if there is a problem with your order. We do not share this information with any outside parties.
If you have any questions regarding our privacy policies please contact Stowe Gems at sales@stowegems.com.
We have initiated physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safe guard the information we collect online. Stowe Gems uses SSL (secure socket layer) software to protect your data and secure your transactions. This technology encrypts your credit card number, name and address, and other personal information to provide a secure and safe shopping experience.
If you prefer, you may call or fax us at 802-253-7000 between 10 am and 5 pm, Monday through Saturday.
This site contains links to other web sites. We cannot be held responsible for their privacy practices.
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Payment for Special Orders
    
For your convenience, you may choose PayPal for payment with Special Orders.
Simply Click on our link to Paypal. www.paypal.com
Once at Paypal, click on send money and follow Paypal Directions.
Our Email Address is sales@stowegems.com .
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Gemstone Properties
Amethyst - is a gemstone variety of quartz
Birthstone: February
Hardness: 7
Toughness: Good
Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.65
Ref. Index: 1.544 to 1.553
Double Refraction: +0.009
Main Source: Africa, Brazil
Treatment: Routinely heated to enhance its color.
The color should remain stable and not fade.
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Fair, possible color change.
Ultrasonic: Good, rarely a problem
Steamer: Fair, usually no problem
Aquamarine - is a gemstone variety of beryl
Birthstone: March
Hardness: 7 ½ to 8
Toughness: Fair
Specific Gravity: 2.71 (+-.03)
Ref. Index: 1.575 to 1.583
Double Refraction: -0.006
Main Sources: Africa, Brazil
Treatment: Heat treated to get a darker blue color. (color may lighten slightly
if over-exposed to direct light).
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Fair to poor, heat may cause color change.
Ultrasonic: Good, rarely a problem.
Streamer: Good to fair, prolonged use may cause problems
Blue Topaz
Birthstone: December (Alternate)
Hardness: 8
Specific Gravity: 3.52(+.02)
Toughness: Fair to poor
Ref. Index: 1.61 to 1.63
Double Refraction: +0.008 to .010
Main Sources: Brazil, Sri-Lanka
Treatment: Irradiation & Heating (stable)
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Poor, heat may cause color change
Ultrasonic: Fair, extended use may cause problems
Steamer: Fair to poor, prolonged heat may cause problems
Blue Zircon
Birthstone: December
Hardness: 6 ½ to 7
Toughness: Poor
Specific Gravity: 4.15 (+-.15)
Ref. Index: 1.777 to 1.987
Double Refraction: +0.059
Main Sources: Africa & Burma
Treatment: Heat (color may lighten if exposed to direct light)
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Poor, color change may occur
Ultrasonic: Fair, extended use may case problems
Steamer: Poor, prolonged heat may likely cause problems
Citrine - is a gemstone variety of quartz
Birthstone: November
Hardness: 7
Toughness: Good
Specific Gravity: 2.66 (+-.01)
Ref. Index: 1.544 to 1.553
Double Refraction: +0.009
Main Sources: Brazil, Africa
Treatment: Routinely heated to enhance its color. The color should remain stable
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Fair, possible color change
Ultrasonic: Good, rarely a problem
Steamer: Fair, usually no problems
Emerald - is a gemstone variety of beryl
Birthstone: May
Hardness: 7 ½ to 8
Toughness: Poor
Specific Gravity: 2.72 (+-.05)
Ref. Index: 1.57 to 1.58
Double Refraction: 0.006
Main Sources: Africa, Brazil & Columbia
Treatment: Oiling to fill in fractures.
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Very poor, may draw out oil in fractures!
Ultrasonic: Poor, recommended for very short time only
Steamer: Very Poor
Garnet - Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartite & Grossular are the most
common varieties.
Birthstone: January
Hardness: 7 to 7 ½
Toughness: Fair to Poor
Specific Gravity: 3.61 to 4.15
Ref. Index: 1.72 to 1.87
Double Refraction: none
Main Sources: Africa, Thailand & India
Treatment: Not currently known to be enhanced
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Fair to Poor, sudden heat may cause fractures
Ultrasonic: Good to Fair, no problem in most cases
Steamer: Fear to Poor, can be risky in larger sizes
Opal - is a gemstone variety of quartz
Birthstone: October
Hardness: 5 to 6 ½
Toughness: Poor
Specific Gravity: 2.15 (+-.09)
Ref. Index: 1.45
Double Refraction: none
Main Sources: Australia, Mexico
Treatment: Not currently known to be enhanced
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Very poor, cracking will occur
Ultrasonic: Poor, not recommended
Steamer: Poor, not recommended
Fresh Water (Cultured*) Pearl
*Cultured is the method by which man inserts a seed inside a mollusk and
causes it to produce layers of nacre to protect itself against the irritant
(seed) and thus create a pearl. This is done in salt and fresh water.
Birthstone: June
Toughness: Good
Hardness: 3 - 4
Specific Gravity: 2.60 to 2.78
Ref. Index: 1.52 to 1.66
Double Refraction: weak to none
Main Source: Japan, China & South Sea Areas
Treatment: Sometimes bleached or dyed
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Very Poor, will discolor or crack
Ultrasonic: Poor, not recommended
Steamer: Poor, not recommended
Peridot
Birthstone: August
Hardness: 6 ½ to 7
Toughness: Poor
Specific Gravity: 3.32 (+-.05)
Ref. Index: 1.654 to 1.69
Double Refraction: +0.036
Main Sources: Africa, China & USA
Treatment: Not currently known to be enhanced.
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Poor, heat may cause fracturing
Ultrasonic: Fair, do not emerse for extended time.
Steamer: Poor, not recommended.
Precious Topaz - a gemstone variety of topaz
Birthstone: November
Hardness: 8
Toughness: Fair to poor
Specific Gravity: 3.55 (+-.02)
Ref. Index: 1.610 to 1.638 (dbl)
Double Refraction: +0.008
Main Sources: Brazil & Sri Lanka
Treatment: Heat, color may fade slightly in direct light.
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Poor, color change may occur.
Ultrasonic: Fair to Poor, emerse for short time only.
Steamer: Poor, not recommended.
Rhodolite - is a gemstone variety of garnet
Birthstone: January (Alternate)
Hardness: 7 to 7 1/2
Toughness: Fair
Specific Gravity: 3.84 (+-.10)
Ref. Index: 1.76
Double Refraction: none
Main Sources: Africa
Treatment: Not currently known to be enhanced.
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Fair to Poor, sudden heat may cause fracture.
Ultrasonic: Good to Fair, usually no problem.
Steamer: Poor to Fair, not recommended in most cases.
Ruby - is a gemstone variety of corundum
Birthstone: July
Hardness: 9
Toughness: Very Good
Specific Gravity: 4.00 (+-.03)
Ref. Index: 1.76 to 1.77
Double Refraction: -0.008
Main Sources: Thai, Burma, Vietnam, India
Treatment: Heat (stable)
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Very good, should remain stable.
Ultrasonic: Very Good, usually no problems.
Steamer: Good, usually no problems.
Sapphire - is a gemstone variety of corundum
Birthstone: September
Hardness: 9
Toughness: Very Good
Specific Gravity: 4.00 (+-.03)
Ref. Index: 1.76 to 1.77
Double Refraction: -0.008
Main Sources: Thailand, Australia, Sri-Lanka & Africa
Treatment: Heat &/ or Irradiation to enhance color (stable)
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Good, but possible color change.
Ultrasonic: Very Good, usually no problems.
Streamer: Good, usually no problems.
Tanzanite - is a gemstone variety of zoisite.
Hardness: 6 ½ to 7
Toughness: Poor
Specific Gravity: 3.35
Ref. Index: 1.691 to 1.70
Double Refraction: +0.009
Main Sources: Tanzania
Treatment: Heat treated to change color from pale brown to a vibrant
blue/purple (color is stable).
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Very Poor, stone will fracture or break.
Ultrasonic: Poor, very short time only.
Steamer: Very Poor, do not use.
Tourmaline (Pink & Green)
Birthstone: October (Pink-Alternate)
Hardness: 7 to 7 ½
Toughness: Fair
Specific Gravity: 3.12 (+-.10)
Ref. Index: 1.616 to 1.652
Double Refraction: -0.014 to -0.044
Main Sources: Africa & Brazil
Treatment: Heat & Irradiation (color is stable).
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Poor to Fair, stone may fracture.
Ultrasonic: Fair to Good, extended emersion could cause problems.
Steamer: Fair to Poor, some stones has been known to fracture.
Tsavorite - is a gemstone variety of grossularite garnet.
Hardness: 7 to 7 ½
Toughness: Good to Fair
Specific Gravity: 3.60 (+-.08)
Ref. Index: 1.738 to 1.745
Double Refraction: none
Main Sources: Africa
Treatment: None
Reaction to Heat/Torch: Fair, but sudden change in temp may cause fracturing.
Ultrasonic: Good, usually no problems.
Steamer: Fair to Poor, sometimes problems do occur.
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