GEM STONES

The mystery and romance of gemstones goes back as far as we can trace, to those primative days when people coverted these beautiful stones as charms or amulets to ward off evil.

Later as life became more sophisticated, the rarity and beauty of gems established themselves as the ultimate status symbols.

For more than 100 years now Percy Marks has travelled to the gemstone capitals of the world and established connections to secure the finest stones on offer.

What we look for are the same things that affect a diamond's rarity and quality: the 4Cs.

Colour:

The strength and purity of a gemstone's colour is of prime importance. There is no established right or wrong colour, and there are literally thousands of shades of red, blue and green.

Cut:

The cut of a gemstone is of extraordinary importance. The proper cutting emphasises the brightness of the gemstone's inherent colour which is the focal point of the gem's beauty that attracts the eye.

Clarity:

While the clarity of a gemstone is an important feature, it is equally important to remember that completely flawless gemstones are very rare. Inclusions are inherent to almost every gemstone and are nature's way of adding variety and individuality to a gemstone. Even the most expensive contain some inclusions.

Carat Weight:

Obviously the size or weight of a gemstone affects its value.