Hello, I’m a new gem collector and recently, I went to a jeweler to just have my little collection checked out. The lady said my collection was next to worthless, because most is semi precious…what’s up with that?
So here it is, my pile of nothing 
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Hi jewel. You need a new jeweler! You have lots of nice stones. Just because each one is not worth 10,000 does not mean it’s worth next to nothing!
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Welcome to the forum, Jewel! This is definitely a place to learn more about collecting gems and how to identify them.
The term “semi-precious” is out of date for many reasons. Mainly because any gem no matter what species, or simulant or lab grown variant, has some value, monetarily or sentimental. Originally used to describe any colored stone that was not part of the big three (ruby, sapphire, and emerald), it has finally drifted out of use.
I agree with @DarrenK04656. You may want to have the stones looked at by another jeweler. Someone that will at least explain why they think the stones are “semi-precious”.
But this is also a great opportunity for you to learn how to identify the stones yourself. 
You have a nice collection there, but identifying stones with pictures alone is nearly impossible. Do you have a small scale that can measure carats/grams? A 10x loupe is a really good tool every collector should have as well.
Cheers
-Troy
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Thank you for the response! I honestly figured I had just went to the wrong place as she only was interested in diamonds ? I do have a loupe and a spectroscope, but am still learning how to read it well- soon I plan to take them up to a pro in my area and maybe I’ll update then ! but thank you, needed the assurance
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I agree with the individuals who responded to your post. I’m an amateur collector and prefer unusual gems such as Turkish Diaspore, Paraiba, and tanzanite. I’ve been to several jewelers in my area and most did not know about or recognize these gems since they focus on diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Find an expert with a background in gems.I use a Presidium II to identify my gems, but this instrument is not 100%. Beware of lab-created gems. I’ve acquired some gems that were identified as “natural” but after analysis were identified as “lab.” Nice collection.
Hi I agree with what my colleague wrote, there is no need to be discouraged and rely on the words of this person because it seems to me that it is someone who has goods on the shelves and lacks customers and said this out of so-called pain in the ass. I also have a problem with the identification of my sample in most major institutions that deal with such research are staffed by people who either simply would not like the fact that you could get rich in any way simple envy or lack of knowledge or they have connections with major jewelry chains and intentionally mislead people by controlling this market . In my case I hear everywhere that quartz . and quartz is quartz and has no greater value and yet silicates come in many varieties depending on the chemical composition of the % of elements . And you can classify a gem . But according to many it is better to lump others together and promote your own . Be patient and don’t limit yourself to one or two statements if you think your collection is valuable then it is !
Regards
Hi Do not be fooled, semi precious is a term used for anything less than, ruby sapphire emeralds etc, what i mean is, theres garnets tourmaline topaz all semi precious but personally I dont like the word, beauty is what you perceive it to be and just looking at your image and the box you have some beautiful gems a good eye for colour , get professional help, Nyahoe Gems
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Hi there Jewel’s Jay Jay here from Bijoux de Value. I would say that the woman that told you that was as most jewellers are uninformed or untrained in the knowledge of colour gems, (Or just in a bad mood on that day lol ) All over the world most jewellers will only have a select knowledge and an enigmatic understanding of coloured gems and there true values based on the exclusivity and or rarity of every peace of material as not one peace will ever be the same!!!
Only a gemologist can determine that fact! and the rarity of a gem. Generally but not limited to the four grates Emerald / Sapphire /ruby and Alexandrite and also silently Pearls! as of late they are making a strong com-back under correct acknowledgements and understanding they are reclaiming there true value structure in the new understanding of just how rear a natural pearl is. Now its not that I am downing jewellers at all!!! but it is not what they have studied for in there Feld of expertise unfortunately, there work is complicated and intricate enough to keep them sufficiently challenged without the manufacturing process just the general details of directive such as hardens and value (subject to change due to call ) is enough for them to understand how to best work with the gem. When a jeweller has a call for a gem they will then lightly make contact with a company that then will supply’s them with the gem citified by a gemologist that works for the company supplying the jeweller. That is how they will know what it is and the value of a gem but most jewellers are not gem enthusiasts! or will not have general gemmology skills expected of them except the few that have intreats in the gems them selfs and tuse to further study the field and there in there beauty.
Jewellers will only become aware of the value and rarity of a gem when there is a call for it. in cases like this I always advise for clients to consult your closest local gemologist or lapidaries, as they will deferentially know more, or even known collectors just for a better understanding. In my time in the field I have come to learn this lol >
The lapidaries is your simple layer out of the first step of a design they cut out the first geometric set of plans of an art work to begin in waiting to be designed like mixing and planing the paints for a blank canvas and how they must be perceived on the eye in terms of how light should hit the colours and how it should return to the eye in a relatable way that makes it desirable.
Then comes your gemologist that will decipher if the lines and colours are correct and if they meet standards of perfection for the use of the materials and the end result (“AKA THE QUALITY CONTROL FREAKS LOL 
” ) to make it the best and most beautiful art idea of its time, and if it will need adjustment to perfect the lines or the cost of the materials and The longevity of there existents and gives it there mark of approval.
Then there are there fine artists Crue that are dedicated to decide how they can find the best representation of the other two is vision. In sort they have the toughest part of the job but the most fun getting it to its perfection and showcasing the carefully plant and skilled thought out ideas from all three sides.
However in your collection I see some fantastic saturations of all colour in every example and clarity’s also a vast array of shapes that would leave many a jewellers with a pantheon of ideas to work on.
Sadly with most colour gems at the current moment unfortunately the market has a synthetic counterpart for just about every gem forum that there is, So getting them certified will only strengthen your viability of sails however it is very much a buyers/betrayers market at the moment.
Now what I mean by that is there is instant gratification at the touch of a button and is at just about every finger tip these days! Things like rarity exclusivity and authenticity have much gone out the window. Unless you can find the wright buyers that see what you see in the gems and want them for there actual vales! that will deferentially only increase with time on natural materials. Its very difficult to supply to customers that wand large gems of hi value but don’t have the budget and can suffice that problem with a quick fix of instant gratification of price wirght large perfect cloned lab grown materials at low cost that meet all there requirements for them moment, However! when the time comes to sell and they realise the fult made as the then investment is now reduced to nearly nothing in value comparison to what was paid it becomes evident as to why it is better to save and buy original gems.
I would sagest over some time get all your babys citified and keep them safe till you have a call for them then they will most lightly realise there best and truest value.
best regards Jarryed from Bijoux.
Hi Jewel,
Welcome to the forum! You have a lovely collection for a beginner! Here’s my take…
I’ve been in this industry for a long time in different capacities… working for jewelers, at retail jewelry stores, working at the largest colored stone wholesaler in the US, and now upgrading my gemology training to add appraisals to my skill set, I can tell you that most jewelers don’t know the value of colored gemstones.
Jewelers are usually not gemologists, let alone gemologist appraisers who would know not only the type of gemstone but also its value in today’s market.
Instead of taking them to a jeweler, you should search for a jewelry and gemstone appraiser (specifically a gemologist appraiser who knows both stone identification and can value the stones). I’m sure there are RGAs here in the forum, but you can also search for a Registered Gemologist Appraiser online and find someone either in your area or who you can send your collection to and have it appraised if that’s something you’re interested in.
Others who’ve commented are right - just because a stone isn’t worth $10k or more per carat doesn’t mean your stone is worthless!
Let me know if you need help locating a reputable gemologist appraiser to evaluate your collection.
Warmly,
Ashley
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