May/Jun 2024

44
South Woodford Village Gazette
A real gem
South Woodford resident Kim Rix became a gemologist to fully indulge
her passion for gemstones. Ahead of a gemstone discovery tour to
Tanzania this summer, she offers some insight into her work
I’ve always loved gemstones. There’s
just something magical about wearing
a mineral that was created by Mother
Nature over millions of years. In my forties,
my passion was so intense, I became
addicted to buying jewellery just so I
could take a closer look! In 2017, after
naively buying a glass ‘ruby’ on holiday,
I took my hobby further and qualified as
a gemologist with the world-renowned
Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
What is a gemologist? I hear you ask.
Gemology is the identification of gemstones.
It involves testing a gemstone with specialist
equipment, which eventually gives you the
necessary clues to make an identification. A
gemologist can also assess synthetic versus
natural gemstones.
At its most basic, the rule of thumb is this:
the rarer, the bigger and the more naturally
beautiful a gemstone is, the more it will be
worth. The problem is you cannot properly
analyse a stone with the naked eye or
gemologist’s loupe (magnifying glass). This is
where the gem labs come in. In a laboratory,
experts using high-tech equipment will be
able to give you definitive information.
A gemologist can also advise if a gemstone
is imitating a more expensive gemstone. An
imitation stone might be a less valuable semiprecious
stone or it might simply be coloured
glass. If I believe you have something valuable,
I might suggest you seek further advice for
insurance purposes.
Is it a good idea to buy a gemstone as an
investment? There is no simple answer to this
and you should bear in mind all investments
involve a degree of risk. Gemstones are hard
assets. Historically, they have been seen as a
hedge against inflation and the breakdown
of more abstract forms of investment. Prices
fluctuate, but over the long term, gemstones
have risen in value significantly. So has the
price of gold, which recently hit an alltime
high.
Caring for your gemstones and jewellery is
important. Gemstones have different levels
of hardness, so some can damage others
if thrown together. Each piece of jewellery
needs to have a separate compartment, with
room for necklaces and bracelets to be fully
laid out. This way you’ll avoid your favourite
jewellery becoming tangled and scratched.
When it comes to cleaning, you must know
exactly what each gemstone is and what
treatment it has undergone. Some gemstones
can be irreparably damaged by harsh cleaning
agents. Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are
hard enough to be cleaned at home. To do
this, mix distilled water with some mild soap
and use a soft toothbrush to gently remove
dirt. Dry and polish your gem with a soft, lintfree
cloth to prevent water stains.
For more information and to apply for
Kim’s gemstone discovery tour, visit
gemstonedetective.com
To advertise, call 020 8819 0595 or visit swvg.co.uk