How to Clean Uncut Gemstones & Assess Jewelry Potential

Question
We went to one of those mining for gemstones places in North Georgia.  We had some time and thought it would be fun. Is there some way to get them cleaned and find out if I have any stones that would be good for making jewelry?

Answer
Hi,

The way I do it is with a diamond lap 180 mesh or 100 if there is a lot of matrix to grind off.  Using the 180 I grind away all the bad included/flawed or matrix material.  This reveals the gem quality material.  Which can then be roughed out and then cut and polished to a finished gemstone.  If your rough is good quality you will have crystals that you can see through like glass only colored with an occasional flaw/inclusion.  Unless your material is cabbing material like turquoise or lapis etc. Then what you see is what you get.

I hope this helps you.  

Regards,

Steven D.Covey