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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.storehouses.app/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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Overview

Track your loose gemstone collection with detailed fields for the 4Cs (Carat, Cut, Color, Clarity), certifications, treatments, and professional grading. Perfect for gem collectors, investors, and jewelers managing unmounted stones.
This category is for loose, unmounted gemstones. For gems set in jewelry, use the Fine Jewelry category.

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Adding a Gemstone

1

Navigate to Add Item

Click “Add Item” from your dashboard or go to storehouses.app/add
2

Select Gemstones

Choose “Gemstones (Gems)” as the category
3

Enter Gem Details

Fill in the 4Cs, gem type, and specifications
4

Add Certification

Include certificate number and grading organization
5

Upload Documentation

Add photos of gem and certification documents
6

Save

Click “Save Item” to add to your collection

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The 4Cs of Gemstones

The four most important factors in gemstone valuation:

Carat Weight

The weight of the gemstone measured in carats
  • 1 carat = 0.2 grams = 200 milligrams
  • Heavier stones are exponentially more valuable

Cut

The quality and style of how the stone is faceted
  • Affects brilliance and appearance
  • Cut grade and shape

Color

The hue, tone, and saturation of the gemstone
  • Most critical factor for colored stones
  • Graded on letter or descriptive scales

Clarity

The presence of internal inclusions or external blemishes
  • Flawless to Included grading scale
  • Affects transparency and value

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Gemstone Fields

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Stone Identification

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gem_type
string
required
Type of gemstonePrecious stones:
  • Diamond
  • Ruby
  • Sapphire
  • Emerald
Semi-precious stones:
  • Amethyst
  • Aquamarine
  • Citrine
  • Garnet
  • Opal
  • Peridot
  • Tanzanite
  • Topaz
  • Tourmaline
  • Turquoise
  • And many more
Use the specific variety name (e.g., “Blue Sapphire” not just “Sapphire”)
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variety
string
Specific variety or trade nameExamples:
  • Padparadscha (for pink-orange sapphire)
  • Paraíba (for neon blue-green tourmaline)
  • Kashmir (for premium sapphire origin)
  • Pigeon’s Blood (for finest red ruby)
  • Mozambique Ruby
  • Colombian Emerald

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The 4Cs in Detail

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carat_weight
number
required
Weight in caratsExamples:
  • 0.50 (half carat)
  • 1.00 (one carat)
  • 2.75 (two and three-quarter carats)
  • 5.00 (five carats)
Conversion:
  • 1 carat = 0.2 grams
  • 1 carat = 200 milligrams
  • 5 carats = 1 gram
Larger stones are exponentially more valuable per carat
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cut
string
Cut grade and/or shapeCut grades (for diamonds):
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor
Common shapes:
  • Round Brilliant
  • Princess
  • Cushion
  • Emerald Cut
  • Oval
  • Pear
  • Marquise
  • Asscher
  • Radiant
  • Heart
Example entries:
  • “Excellent Round Brilliant”
  • “Princess Cut”
  • “Cushion Modified Brilliant”
  • “Oval Mixed Cut”
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color
string
Color grade or descriptionFor diamonds (colorless scale):
  • D-E-F: Colorless
  • G-H-I-J: Near Colorless
  • K-L-M: Faint Color
  • N-R: Very Light Color
  • S-Z: Light Color
For colored stones:
  • Describe hue, tone, saturation
  • Examples: “Vivid Blue”, “Deep Red”, “Medium Green”
  • Use GIA color descriptors when available
For fancy colored diamonds:
  • Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep
  • Include hue: “Fancy Vivid Yellow”, “Fancy Intense Blue”
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clarity
string
Clarity gradeGIA clarity scale (most common):
  • FL - Flawless
  • IF - Internally Flawless
  • VVS1, VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Included
  • VS1, VS2 - Very Slightly Included
  • SI1, SI2 - Slightly Included
  • I1, I2, I3 - Included
Type classifications:
  • Type I: Eye-clean clarity expected (aquamarine, citrine)
  • Type II: Typically included (ruby, sapphire, garnet)
  • Type III: Almost always included (emerald, tourmaline)
Clarity expectations vary by gem type. Emeralds are typically included.

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Certification and Grading

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certification
string
Grading laboratory or certification bodyMajor laboratories:
  • GIA - Gemological Institute of America (most recognized)
  • AGS - American Gem Society
  • IGI - International Gemological Institute
  • EGL - European Gemological Laboratory
  • HRD - Hoge Raad voor Diamant (Antwerp)
  • AGL - American Gemological Laboratories (colored stones)
  • GRS - GemResearch Swisslab (colored stones)
  • Gübelin - Gübelin Gem Lab (prestigious for colored stones)
  • SSEF - Swiss Gemmological Institute
GIA, Gübelin, and SSEF are considered the most stringent and respected
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certificate_number
string
Certificate or report numberExamples:
  • GIA: 2185438976
  • AGS: 104091654012
  • IGI: J2Y83847
Use: Verify authenticity online through lab’s database
Keep certificate number private - it can be used to verify your stone’s authenticity
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certificate_date
date
Date the certificate was issuedUse:
  • Track age of certification
  • May need re-certification for insurance
  • Some certifications expire after time

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Treatment and Origin

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treatment
string
Any treatments or enhancements appliedCommon treatments:
  • None/Natural - No treatment (most valuable)
  • Heat - Heat treatment (common for sapphires, rubies)
  • Oil - Oil/resin filling (standard for emeralds)
  • Irradiation - Radiation treatment (topaz, some diamonds)
  • Fracture Filling - Glass/resin filling of fractures
  • HPHT - High Pressure High Temperature (diamonds)
  • Diffusion - Surface or bulk diffusion treatment
  • Coating - Surface coating for color
  • Synthetic - Lab-created/manufactured
Undisclosed treatments can significantly affect value. Always document treatments.
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origin
string
Geographic origin of the gemstoneNotable origins:
  • Colombian Emeralds - Most prized
  • Kashmir Sapphires - Legendary blue sapphires
  • Burma (Myanmar) Rubies - “Pigeon’s blood” rubies
  • Mozambique Rubies - Fine quality rubies
  • Sri Lankan Sapphires - Various colors
  • Madagascar - Various gems
  • Brazilian - Various gems, Paraíba tourmaline
  • African - Various origins
Origin can significantly affect value. Top labs include origin on certificates.

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Gemstone Types

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Precious Stones (The “Big Four”)

Characteristics:
  • Hardest natural material (Mohs 10)
  • High refractive index and dispersion
  • Various colors (colorless, yellow, brown, pink, blue, etc.)
Grading focus:
  • Cut quality critical for brilliance
  • Color: D (colorless) to Z (light yellow/brown)
  • Clarity: FL to I3
  • Carat weight
Price factors:
  • Cut quality (biggest impact on beauty)
  • Color (colorless more valuable)
  • Clarity (eye-clean SI1-SI2 good value)
  • Fancy colors can be extremely valuable
Characteristics:
  • Red variety of corundum (Mohs 9)
  • Color from chromium
  • “Pigeon’s Blood” red most prized
Origins:
  • Burma (Myanmar): Most prestigious
  • Mozambique: Excellent quality
  • Thailand, Sri Lanka, Madagascar
Treatments:
  • Heat treatment very common and accepted
  • Unheated rubies command premium
Clarity:
  • Type II stone (inclusions expected)
  • Eye-clean very valuable
  • Silk inclusions can create star effect
Characteristics:
  • All colors of corundum except red (Mohs 9)
  • Blue most popular, but many colors exist
  • Can show asterism (star sapphires)
Colors:
  • Blue: Most common and valuable
  • Pink, yellow, orange, green, purple
  • Padparadscha: Pink-orange (very rare)
  • White/colorless: Diamond alternative
Origins:
  • Kashmir: Legendary (very rare)
  • Burma: Fine quality
  • Sri Lanka: Various colors
  • Madagascar, Australia, Montana
Treatments:
  • Heat treatment very common
  • Unheated Kashmir sapphires most valuable
Characteristics:
  • Green variety of beryl (Mohs 7.5-8)
  • Color from chromium and/or vanadium
  • Almost always included (“jardin”)
Origins:
  • Colombia: Most prized (Muzo, Chivor)
  • Zambia: Good quality, slightly bluish
  • Brazil, Afghanistan, others
Treatments:
  • Oil/resin filling standard and accepted
  • “Minor” oil treatment most desirable
  • Untreated emeralds extremely rare
Clarity:
  • Type III (almost always included)
  • Visible inclusions expected and accepted
  • Eye-clean emeralds very valuable
  • Blue-violet variety of zoisite
  • Only found in Tanzania
  • Heat treated to develop blue color
  • Mohs 6.5-7 (requires careful wear)
  • Larger sizes more valuable per carat
  • Blue variety of beryl
  • Mohs 7.5-8 (durable)
  • Usually eye-clean (Type I)
  • Heat treatment common
  • Larger stones available at reasonable prices
  • Many colors available
  • Paraíba (neon blue-green) most valuable
  • Pink, green, watermelon popular
  • Mohs 7-7.5
  • Generally eye-clean
  • Often confused with ruby/sapphire historically
  • Many colors (red, pink, blue, orange)
  • Mohs 8 (very durable)
  • No treatments typically
  • Increasing in value and recognition
  • Colorless, blue, pink, yellow varieties
  • Imperial topaz (orange-pink) most valuable
  • Mohs 8 (hard but can cleave)
  • Blue topaz is irradiated and heat treated
  • Many species and varieties
  • Tsavorite (green) and demantoid most valuable
  • Red pyrope, almandine common
  • Generally affordable
  • Usually untreated

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Tracking Examples

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Example 1: GIA Certified Diamond

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title
string
1.50ct Round Brilliant Diamond - E VS1
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gem_type
string
Diamond
​
carat_weight
number
1.50
​
cut
string
Excellent Round Brilliant
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color
string
E (Colorless)
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clarity
string
VS1
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certification
string
GIA
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certificate_number
string
2185438976
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treatment
string
None
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purchase_price
currency
$15,750
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market_value
currency
$16,200

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Example 2: Unheated Burma Ruby

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title
string
2.03ct Pigeon’s Blood Ruby - Unheated Burma
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gem_type
string
Ruby
​
variety
string
Pigeon’s Blood (Vivid Red)
​
carat_weight
number
2.03
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cut
string
Oval Mixed Cut
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color
string
Vivid Red (Pigeon’s Blood)
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clarity
string
VS (Eye-clean)
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certification
string
Gübelin
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certificate_number
string
[Certificate number]
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treatment
string
None (No Heat)
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origin
string
Burma (Myanmar) - Mogok
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purchase_price
currency
$42,000

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Example 3: Colombian Emerald

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title
string
3.15ct Colombian Emerald - Minor Oil
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gem_type
string
Emerald
​
carat_weight
number
3.15
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cut
string
Emerald Cut (Step Cut)
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color
string
Vivid Green
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clarity
string
VS (Minor inclusions visible)
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certification
string
AGL (American Gemological Laboratories)
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treatment
string
Minor Oil (F1 - Insignificant)
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origin
string
Colombia - Muzo
​
purchase_price
currency
$28,500

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Best Practices

For valuable stones, certification is essential:
  • Provides independent verification
  • Documents authenticity
  • Records treatments
  • Aids in insurance and resale
  • Protects against fraud
When to certify:
  • Diamonds over 0.50ct
  • Any ruby, sapphire, emerald over 1.00ct
  • Expensive colored stones
  • Any stone over $1,000 value
Recommended labs:
  • GIA (general, diamonds)
  • Gübelin (colored stones, prestigious)
  • SSEF (colored stones)
  • AGL (colored stones, U.S.)
For very valuable stones, get certification from top labs (GIA, Gübelin, SSEF)
Maintain complete records:
  • Original certificate/report
  • Purchase receipt
  • Seller information
  • Any appraisals
  • Treatment disclosure
  • Origin documentation
Upload to Storehouses:
  • Certificate images (front and back)
  • Plotting diagram
  • Purchase documentation
  • Photos of the stone
Essential photos:
  • Stone from multiple angles
  • In different lighting (daylight, indoor)
  • Close-up of any inclusions
  • Next to certificate for matching
  • On white background
  • With scale reference (ruler/coin)
Photography tips:
  • Natural daylight best for color accuracy
  • Use macro mode for small stones
  • Clean stone before photographing
  • Show true color (no color correction)
Common treatments and their impact:Acceptable/Standard:
  • Heat treatment (ruby, sapphire) - minimal value impact
  • Minor oil (emerald) - standard practice
  • Irradiation (topaz, some quartz)
Moderate impact:
  • Significant oil/resin (emerald) - reduces value
  • HPHT (diamond) - less valuable than natural color
  • Diffusion treatment - significantly less valuable
Major impact:
  • Fracture filling (diamond) - much less valuable
  • Coating - temporary, low value
  • Undisclosed treatments - fraud
Always disclose treatments. Undisclosed treatments can void insurance and affect resale.
Proper storage:
  • Individual soft pouches or boxes
  • Separate from other gems (avoid scratching)
  • Cool, dry location
  • Away from direct sunlight (some gems fade)
  • In safe or secure location
Hardness considerations:
  • Diamond (Mohs 10) can scratch everything
  • Corundum (ruby, sapphire, Mohs 9) can scratch most gems
  • Separate harder from softer stones
Store certificates separately from stones for security
Update valuations periodically:
  • Every 2-3 years for insurance
  • When market prices change significantly
  • After major market events
  • Before selling
Factors affecting value:
  • Market demand trends
  • Origin discovery/depletion
  • New treatments or synthetics
  • Economic conditions
Protect valuable gems:
  • Specialized jewelry/gem insurance
  • Scheduled items on valuable articles policy
  • Keep certificates and appraisals updated
  • Document with photos
Insurance documentation:
  • Certificate from recognized lab
  • Recent appraisal (within 2-3 years)
  • Purchase receipt
  • Photos
  • Storehouses export as backup
Many insurers require certification from GIA, AGS, or similar for valuable stones

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Understanding Gem Certificates

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What’s Included in a Certificate

Typical Certificate Contents

Identification:
  • Certificate number
  • Date of issue
  • Stone type and variety
Measurements:
  • Dimensions (length × width × depth)
  • Carat weight
The 4Cs:
  • Cut (grade and shape)
  • Color (grade or description)
  • Clarity (grade)
  • Carat weight
Additional Information:
  • Treatment disclosure
  • Origin (if determined)
  • Comments about the stone
  • Photo of the stone
  • Plotting diagram (showing inclusions)

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Online Verification

Most major labs allow online verification:
Always verify certificate authenticity online before major purchases

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Common Questions

Certification recommended for:
  • Diamonds over 0.50ct
  • Valuable colored stones (ruby, sapphire, emerald) over 1ct
  • Any stone over 1,000−1,000-2,000 value
  • Stones for insurance purposes
  • Investment-grade gems
May skip for:
  • Very small stones (under 0.25ct)
  • Inexpensive semi-precious stones
  • Stones under 500−500-1,000 value
Certification costs 50−50-300+ depending on lab and stone.
Lab-created (synthetic) gems:
  • Have same physical properties as natural
  • Require testing to distinguish
  • Much less expensive than natural
  • Should be disclosed and certificated as such
Identification:
  • Only gemologists with proper equipment can definitively test
  • Certificates will indicate “Laboratory-Grown” or “Synthetic”
  • Inclusions patterns differ
Always buy from reputable dealers who disclose synthetic/natural status
Eye-clean definition:
  • No inclusions visible to naked eye (without magnification)
  • Typically VS2 or better for diamonds
  • Varies by gem type
Value impact:
  • Eye-clean stones more valuable
  • For Type III gems (emerald), eye-clean is very rare/valuable
  • For Type I gems (aquamarine), eye-clean is expected
For most gems, eye-clean clarity offers best value - looks clean but costs less than flawless
Treatment value impacts:Minimal impact (accepted):
  • Heat treatment: 0-10% value reduction
  • Minor oil (emerald): Expected/standard
Moderate impact:
  • Moderate/significant oil: 20-40% reduction
  • HPHT diamond: 20-30% less than natural color
Significant impact:
  • Diffusion: 50-70% reduction
  • Fracture filling: 60-80% reduction
  • Coating: 70-90% reduction
Untreated premium:
  • Unheated ruby/sapphire: 20-50% premium
  • Unheated, fine origin: 50-200%+ premium
Track separately:
  • Loose gems: Use “Gemstones (Gems)” category
  • Mounted gems: Use “Fine Jewelry” category
Benefits:
  • Different valuation methods
  • Different insurance needs
  • Clear inventory separation
  • Better for estate planning
Exception: If you have the certification for the center stone in jewelry, you can note it in the jewelry item’s description.

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Next Steps

Add Your Gems

Start tracking your gemstone collection

Fine Jewelry Guide

Learn about tracking mounted gems

View Collection

Browse your gems

Export Inventory

Generate gem reports for insurance