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Looking For Smaller Gems

P: 12/23/2008 5:54:17 PM
Lelouch Rough Rock Total Posts: 19 Last Post: 12/23/2008 Member Since: 2/29/2008	Hello gemlovers! I've been on a search for smaller gemstones recently. Most notably a green sapphire that is of a yellowish green (much akin to the Peridot). Everywhere I've looked thus far (which isn't many really since I don't know a lot of places. Mostly The Natural Sapphire Company, JTV, and some more on the list of stores in that sticky thread). My problem is every gem is so large! I'm hoping to use a green sapphire for the centerstone to an engagement ring. My to-be fiance has told me she doesn't want something too large (close to about .25ct or 5x3mm for a Marquis, Oval, or Pear or 4ish mm for a round). Everywhere I look the gemstones are HUGE 1-2 or more carat weight. Where can I find something dainty and small? Also, I'm looking into getting my own tiny accent diamond rounds. Where could I find those? Thank you for all your help :)
Posted: 12/23/2008 5:54:17 PM

There are 5 replies to this message. There are 5 replies on this page.

P: 12/23/2008 6:14:59 PM
Pandora II Ideal Rock Total Posts: 6,257 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 8/3/2006	To be quite honest, your best bet is to contact whichever jeweller you are going to use for the setting and ask them to source the stones for you. Remember that sapphires weigh comparatively more than diamonds so will face up smaller than a similarly sized diamond.
Posted: 12/23/2008 6:14:59 PM

P: 12/25/2008 3:52:55 AM
ma re Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,701 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 8/10/2008	Colored stones of good quality and such small size are hard to find, simply because cutter's priority is (or should be) making the most of color, since it brings the most cash (color is about 70% of the stone's value). And very few gemstones have an intense color in sizes smaller than (say) half a carat. That is one of the reasons why you're seeing only huge gems, and the other one is because most cutters want to maximize weight in stones of less than perfect color. If your budget can take it, and your girlfriend wouldn't mind it, think about garnets. For example demantoid - it's easier to find in the color you described than a green sapphire (which are mostly greyish/bluish green) and the vast majority doesen't come in sizes above a carat. It also sparkles like crazy. Tsavorite garnet is also easier to find in a nice color and small size and the same goes for mali garnet, especially in your color. However, garnets are not as sturdy as sapphires so a bit more care is needed with them - not exactly a 24/7 stone. But Pandora has a tsavorite e-ring (the avatar) so it's probably not that big of a problem. mr. ma re
Posted: 12/25/2008 3:52:55 AM

P: 12/25/2008 9:50:37 AM
tourmaline_lover Ideal Rock Total Posts: 6,513 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 9/20/2008	Montana sapphires actually come in nice shades of green and teal green, and are relatively small in size. Do a google search on Montana or Yogo sapphires. There's a .71 carat Montana sapphire on the Precisiongem page at the top, but it's heated, but blue. This is a very well cut stone however, and priced very nicely. http://www.precisiongem.com/html/html/Sapphire.html It's hard to find sapphires in a bright peridot green though. Good luck! Do NOT buy anything from JTV. Just a warning.
Posted: 12/25/2008 9:50:37 AM

P: 12/25/2008 6:33:56 PM
Fly Girl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,758 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 1/9/2007	I'd contact Gemhunters. They have a lot of smaller green Australian sapphires. Link This one is about as small as I see on their site, and it is $90 Australian. They probably have others if you ask. "Yellow / Green parti Sapphire. 4.8mm round. weighs .66 cts Natural and Untreated." **** Life is a Journey, not a Destination. ****
Posted: 12/25/2008 6:33:56 PM

P: 12/26/2008 10:01:11 AM
Pandora II Ideal Rock Total Posts: 6,257 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 8/3/2006	Date: 12/25/2008 3:52:55 AM Author: ma re Colored stones of good quality and such small size are hard to find, simply because cutter's priority is (or should be) making the most of color, since it brings the most cash (color is about 70% of the stone's value). And very few gemstones have an intense color in sizes smaller than (say) half a carat. That is one of the reasons why you're seeing only huge gems, and the other one is because most cutters want to maximize weight in stones of less than perfect color. If your budget can take it, and your girlfriend wouldn't mind it, think about garnets. For example demantoid - it's easier to find in the color you described than a green sapphire (which are mostly greyish/bluish green) and the vast majority doesen't come in sizes above a carat. It also sparkles like crazy. Tsavorite garnet is also easier to find in a nice color and small size and the same goes for mali garnet, especially in your color. However, garnets are not as sturdy as sapphires so a bit more care is needed with them - not exactly a 24/7 stone. But Pandora has a tsavorite e-ring (the avatar) so it's probably not that big of a problem. And Pandora's ring goes in it's box the second she gets home and only comes out again when she leaves the house - and then only if she's going to do non-dangerous things! I am extremely careful with my ring as they are easy to chip!
Posted: 12/26/2008 10:01:11 AM

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