FOR AMAZING WHOLESALE PRICES VISIT US AT www.gemrockauctions.com/stores/thegemportal

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Why buy a loose gemstone from The Gem Portal?

A: There are many reasons to purchase a custom-faceted gemstone but the bottom line is, we save you money and offer excellent value. Buying loose gemstones directly from the source and having them set by a goldsmith/jewelry designer (of your choice) offers the best value for your money. You get less and pay more when you buy pre-set gemstones from the jewelry store.

Q: Is it safe and secure to purchase a loose gemstone from The Gem Portal?

A: Yes – we offer a 100% money-back guarantee and a 7 day inspection period for every gemstone we sell. We do not share any of our client’s personal information with ANY third-parties.  All transactions made on TheGemPortal.com are secure and confidential from payment to delivery.  We offer trusted vendors like PayPal for your convenience and peace of mind.

Q:  How long will you hold a gemstone in checkout while a payment is being arranged?

A:  We will hold a gemstone in checkout while it is in the process of being purchased for up to 7 business days. The gemstone will be shipped to you as soon as your payment is received. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please use our contact us page!

Q:  Is every gemstone sold by The Gem Portal a Natural Gemstone?

A:  We DO NOT sell synthetic or "lab-created" gems. All gems are honestly priced, described, and labeled. Our expert staff carefully inspect, weigh, and measure each gem using professional calibrated scales and calipers. All of our gemstones are earth-mined gems 100% natural.

Q: Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

A: Every gemstone offered at The Gem Portal is backed by a no-hassle money back guarantee! We promise that you will receive the item you have purchased, as described. We stand by the quality of our natural gemstones. If for any reason you are not satisfied, we offer a 7 day, no-hassle return policy.  Simply return the item to us for a full refund with no restocking fees or merchant transaction fees. Click here to Contact US

Q:  Can I get a certification if the gemstone does no already have one?

A:  Yes – We offer lab certification services from trusted labs like GIA and Lotus Labs. You may choose to order a certificate by sending us a message via the Contact Us page or by adding a note to your order from your Cart. Please note that the lab certification process may take up to one week. The cost of the lab certification varies by lab and gemstone. Please Contact Us for further details.

Q: How can I get my purchased loose gemstone set in jewelry?

A: The easiest way to have a gemstone set in a piece of jewelry is to take it to your local jewelry store and see if they have a metal-smith/stone setter on staff. Most jewelers will be able to offer a wide selection of precious metal settings to accommodate your purchase.

Q:  Is the picture I see on the website the actual gemstone for sale?

A:  We provide actual photograph of every gemstone offered on our website. We do not use stock or edited photographs of our gemstones. We strive to provide the most accurate representation possible of each gem.

Q: Does the size of the gemstone in the photo reflect on its actual size?

A: No -  the size of the gemstone is displayed in the description of the stone. Photos are taken with a macro lens to capture the details of each stone.

Q:  What is a carat?

A:  Gemstone weight is measured in units of the "carat." One carat is 0.2 metric grams. There are 31.1 metric grams in a troy ounce. For simple reference, a modern US penny weighs approximately 12.5 carats.

Q: What is an inclusion?

A:  In gemology, an inclusion is a characteristic within a gemstone, or reaching its
surface from the interior. Inclusions are one of the most important factors when it comes to gem valuation. In many gemstones inclusions affect the clarity of the gem. Inclusions let you know that the gems are natural earth-mined and sometimes even show traces of origin but too many inclusions may diminish the value of a stone. In some gems, however, such as star sapphires, the inclusion actually increases the value of the stone.

Q: Will my gemstone look different when it is set in a piece of jewelry?

A:  Yes - When a gemstone is set in jewelry, many inclusions become hidden to the naked eye. A stone may also brighten or deepen in color when in a particular setting.

Q:  How is gemstone color described and evaluated?

A:  Color is easily perceived by our sense of vision, but very difficult to describe by word. Gemstone dealers use various systems to describe color. In one system the "color world" is a three dimensional structure consisting of hue (spectral colors such as red, yellow, green), tone (the impression of lightness or darkness), and saturation (the impression of strength or purity). A fine Colombian emerald might be described as: medium (Tone), strong (Saturation), and very slightly bluish green (Hue). Verbal or numeric systems for color description are generally of use only to those in the trade. Gemstone dealers can use expensive spectrometers or inexpensive color reference sets to accurately grade gemstone color. Trade publications are available that correlate gemstone color and price. The gemstone consumer can begin to appreciate the important correlation between price and gemstone color by visiting jewelry stores, gem shows, or various internet sites to make price comparisons.

Q:  What type of lighting are your gems photographed with?

A:  We use three types of lighting- Incandescent, fluorescent, and natural sunlight.