Policies

Our most important policy is all items are satisfaction guaranteed! General lapidary rules apply-which means if you cut it, modify it, chip or otherwise damage a stone - you bought it. Any item that is not damaged or modified from the original may be returned for cash, credit or exchange within 10 days. No questions asked. All colors, weights and measurements are to the best of our ability, equipment and judgment, and are measured as approximate only and are made to generally accepted lapidary tolerances and practices. We sell wholesale to rated accounts, jewelers and designers in the trade. Net 30 to established accounts. To our internet customers: If we send digital pictures we will do our best to get accurate color. But please note that all computers are not set to the same colors and what you see may be different than what we have on our screen.

Treatments

In general, colored stones are often subjected to various treatments to improve their appearance. This is nothing new, its been going on for many years and is considered standard practice in some cases. Black Onyx is a good example of this. Treatments are considered usual and customary practices when disclosed and done without intent to defraud. Most treatments are stable and do not require special care, however some are reversible and retreatable. It is beyond our means to determine exact treatment methods or the amount of treatment present in every stone we sell, since some require sophisticated equipment not found in a standard gemological lab. Unless otherwise stated, all colored stones are assumed to have been treated when it is common for that species or variety, and have been valued accordingly.

Some examples of treatments are as follows: Ruby & Sapphire are sometimes enhanced with a heating process to improve the color or drive off a cloudy appearance which is caused by another mineral called Rutile. Tanzanite is trichroic (three colors - one on each of three axes) in nature. But the third color is an undesirable orange which is driven off by heat, and the character of the stone changes to dichroic by this process. Blue Topaz in medium to dark colors does not usually exist in nature and is produced by irradiating the lighter or colorless material which is then heat treated to bring the richer blue color we like. The trade makes the assumption that all blue Topaz is irradiated. Because the radiation is controlled and regulated by the government, these gems are safe to wear before they are allowed into the market. Black Onyx as mentioned above, is often produced from clear agate which is treated with a strong acid treatment and heat to produce the rich black color. The German formula for this dates back many,many years. Since September 11, the new powerful scanners at the post office can actually change color in certain stones!

These are but a few common examples of treatments to be found in today's gemstones. There are several books and many articles on this subject.

Unfortunately not all treatments are made in an honest fashion. Some are made to deceive the buyer, just as any fine art forgery, and if known, are not disclosed. That is why it is important to know something about the ethical practices to which your dealer subscribes. We want to make sure you know what you are buying, and take pride in helping you to understand and enjoy the fine gem that you like. We strive to educate and affiliate ourselves with ethical professionals and associations and businesses which promote the highest standards of the gemstone arts. Please do not hesitate to drop us a line if your have any questions regarding treatments.

Credentials

Stinson's Gemcutting, Inc., serves local, regional and national jewelers and award winning designers. We do custom retail work as well. We offer comprehensive design and production services, sensitive to aesthetic considerations, as well as budget. We service what we sell, and offer a 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.

Linda Stinson, GG, carries the prestigious GIA Graduate Gemologist, G.G. title, and has over 20 years experience in retail sales of Diamond and Colored stones and appraisals. She is certified to carry the Registered Jeweler title with The American Gem Society. Her equipment includes a standard GIA Gemlab equipped with a binocular stereo zoom microscope, refractometer, Diamond Grading Light, long and short wave ultraviolet radiation and so on, (these are standard tools) used in her appraisal work. Rick Stinson,   Lapidary artist, has a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art from Wichita State University. He is a master lapidary and also an accomplished goldsmith. He became interested in rocks and minerals at a very early age and started cutting cabochon gems in 1972, and has faceted fine colored gems since 1983. He has won awards in international and domestic gem art competitions and exhibitions. His work has been published in Colored Stone, Lapidary Journal, Professional Jeweler, Tucson Show Guide and other magazines and publications. He works with many designers and talented goldsmiths throughout the US. His work is represented in private collections throughout the USA, Canada, Australia, France, United Kingdom, Saudia Arabia, Italy and South Africa. He is a member of the United States Facetors Guild. He is an Artist Member and Board Member of GANA, Gem Artists of North America, which is one of the most prestigious organizations of lapidary artists, whose members include many of the most highly talented gem artists in the world. Most recently he discovered one of the rarest gems in the world that has never been on the market and is set to debut in 2008.

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