Although ignored by most, the transparency of a gemstone is one of the quality factors that can affect its price significantly. Transparency, in gem talk, is the gem’s ability to transmit light, as well as to scatter that light when it exits. To judge transparency, you also have to know the usual transparency of a gemstone available in the market.
Let us take the gorgeous red ruby as an example to illustrate. Rubies are widely known as a transparent gemstone; if it lacks transparency, it will be less valuable. In other words, the lower the transparency, the lower the quality and the price. Each gemstone has its exceptions as well. In ruby’s case, some gemstones such as a ‘star ruby’ never come in a truly transparent state. The highest rating in this example would be semi-transparent.
Lets look a the emerald, the highly transparent stones are the most prized.
Transparent (left) vs More Opaque (right) Emerald
