Disclosures
Gemstones are often treated and consequently there is a premium for high quality untreated material. While some treatments are considered an expected industry standard, we strive to disclose any known treatments and minimize the potential for treatments to occur throughout the pipeline by buying directly from miners.
A few of the more common gemstone treatments include heating, oiling, filling, dying, and irradiation. It is possible for gemstones to have undergone several treatment processes. Some of these treatments are detectable with a simple visual examination, while others require advanced gemological technology. To that point, some treatments are considered an industry standard, while others are considered further enhancements that may affect durability and value. It is ethically paramount to disclose known gemstone treatments that are not considered an industry standard and could affect the prolonged care and integrity of a colored gemstone.
Weight estimations are provided to the best of our knowledge. Loose gemstones are able to be placed on a scale for an exact carat weight. Gemstones that are already set into a finished mounting may require using gemological weight estimation formulas to ascertain a carat weight, due to the limitations of the mounting. We allow for a slight variance, up to 10%, for a best approximation of gemstone carat weight in finished mountings.
Color grading is subject to geographical, environmental, technological and various lighting differences. For example, it may be physically impossible to convey a gemstone’s true color due to environmental differences such as distance to the equator, technological capabilities of digital equipment such as cameras or computer displays, as well as individual lighting conditions and human perception.
Origin of a gemstone may affect value. Origin refers to the geographical location in which a gemstone was mined. Some origins are more highly desirable than others for the same gemstone species, thus affecting overall value, when all other value factors are relatively equal. We make every effort to disclose gemstone origin when it is known, an effort enhanced by our excursions dealing directly with the artisanal miners in each locality.
Laboratory reports are a frequent accompaniment to individual gemstones. These reports may include various gemstone specifications, though many laboratories differ in grading standards and report information. Not all laboratories are respected to the same degree, with some being more highly regarded than others. With this disparity in mind, it is important to state that laboratory reports reflect the opinions of the specific laboratory that has inspected a gemstone, and Rockstoc LLC is not legally accountable for opinions stated by individual laboratories. If a gemstone is accompanied by a laboratory report, we will acknowledge their findings and maintain a policy of full disclosure.
Metal purities are reported based upon stampings from the manufacturer and/or metal purity testing such as acid testing, gold probe testing, or X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy.
Standard metal purities are as follows:
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Gold
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24 Karat = 999 = 99.9%
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22K = 916 = 91.6%
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18K = 750 = 75%
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14K = 583 = 58.3%
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10K = 417 = 41.7%
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Platinum
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999 = 99.9%
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950 = 95%
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900 = 90%
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850 = 85%
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Silver
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999 = 99.9% (Fine)
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958 = 95.8% (Brittania)
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925 = 92.5% (Sterling)
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800 = 80%
All weights, measures, and sizes are reported in either metric or imperial measurements, according to the standard universally applied to the item. For example, metal weights are measured in grams, gemstone sizes are measured in millimeters, and chain lengths are measured in inches or centimeters. Ring sizes are reported in US ring sizes.
Organic gemstones are subject to protections under both the agreement of the Conservation of International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) and US Fish and Wildlife regulations. Rockstoc LLC responsibly sources organic gemstones, such as coral, in accordance with these legal and ethical allowances and restrictions. Our coral is legally sourced from both the Mediterranean and the seas of the South-East Asian coasts. Rockstoc LLC does not deal in the illegal trade of protected species, including rare endangered corals, shell, and ivory.
In our effort to provide full disclosure of our items for sale, we may also provide additional descriptions and identifications for the piece. Jewelry from second-hand sources may include stylistic descriptions and era identifiers such as: Vintage, which is jewelry that is older than 20 years, antique, which denotes jewelry that is older than 100 years, and estate, or jewelry that is not newly manufactured, but comes from a previous owner, regardless of age. We may further identify a style of jewelry, such as Art Deco or Edwardian, or note that an item is a reproduction in the style of a specific design movement.