Aquamarine- newbie

[khal80]

I am looking to buy an aquamarine stone for a 50th bday gift to a family member.....she likes nice things!

With budget constraints, sub 2K, I wanted to find a piece she can make into a pendant

What are your thoughts on this stone? 18.99 Carat

 

[dk168]

Personally, I would pass as I could see a big chip and a big window.

Nice colour though.

DK

 

[khal80]

I took screenshots of a video, let me see if I can better pictures


I'm open to suggestions or leads in where to find what I am looking for!

 

[icy_jade]

Personally, I would pass as I could see a big chip and a big window.

Nice colour though.

DK

Same. Immediate pass. Plus the color is quite light? Fine if you want/like the color but I find the darker aquamarines much nicer looking.

 

[dk168]

I would personally wait until the Tucson shows are finished before contacting lapidary artists such as Jeff White and Gary Braun to see if they managed to pick up some nice roughs.

What are your priority - size, colour, clarity or cutting?

And the preferred shapes please?

DK

 

[dk168]

Same. Immediate pass. Plus the color is quite light? Fine if you want/like the color but I find the darker aquamarines much nicer looking.

Personally, I prefer them pale with a hint of green, however, each to their own.

DK

 

[icy_jade]

Have a look at starlanka? About 1k plus stones to browse

Aquamarine Gemstone - Buy Natural Certified Gemstones Online | Starlanka.com

Unearth the soothing essence of Aquamarine gemstones, their profound meanings, and unique crystal attributes.

www.starlanka.com

 

[icy_jade]

Personally, I prefer them pale with a hint of green, however, each to their own.

DK

Yeah that’s why I said fine if she likes/wants the color. I did recently chat with someone who didn’t know aquamarines came in darker shades hence thought to point out since she mentioned that the family member likes nice things.

 

[dk168]

Yeah that’s why I said fine if she likes/wants the color. I did recently chat with someone who didn’t know aquamarines came in darker shades hence thought to point out since she mentioned that the family member likes nice things.

(To the OP, apologies for going off-topic in advance!)

Have you seen the video of the new Aqua Jeff W has finished for me? It is darker without any green.

DK

 

[icy_jade]

And this is worth a quick read too:

Aquamarine Quality Factors

Learn about the factors that make aquamarine so desirable.

www.gia.edu

 

[icy_jade]

@dk168 I just saw! It’s so pretty! I’m a recent aquamarine fan too, after getting this one here:



Sorry OP!

Anyway just to show how much aquamarine color can vary by, you can see the lighter loose blue aquamarine on top, the aquamarine in the middle and a beryl (not aquamarine but same family) at the bottom.

 

[khal80]

That's beautiful

Not sure how to answer the important factors.

I want something with the larger size bc she likes bigger pieces

I always thought cut was very important

She likes the blue colors but I guess I have to sacrifice somewhere while staying in budget ..

Any thoughts on the "perfect" combination to look for ? Where should I sacrifice ...size ?

 

[khal80]

Have a look at starlanka? About 1k plus stones to browse

Aquamarine Gemstone - Buy Natural Certified Gemstones Online | Starlanka.com

Unearth the soothing essence of Aquamarine gemstones, their profound meanings, and unique crystal attributes.

www.starlanka.com

This is starlanka

 

[icy_jade]

What are your priority - size, colour, clarity or cutting?

And the preferred shapes please?

This.

 

[khal80]

Oh and I need it in hand by Feb 12

Cut size color clarity....I think

 

[dk168]

Oh and I need it in hand by Feb 12

Cut size color clarity....I think

Custom cut route takes much longer than that!

Therefore, I suggest for you to have a look at the Starlanka offerings, and post the ones that catch your eyes for CS experts (not me) here to comment etc...

This is starlanka

Eh? Sorry, I do not understand.

DK

 

[khal80]

This stone was recommended by starlanka

 

[dk168]

This stone was recommended by starlanka

Got you. I would still pass based on the reasons I posted.

DK

 

[dk168]

That's beautiful

Not sure how to answer the important factors.

I want something with the larger size bc she likes bigger pieces

I always thought cut was very important

She likes the blue colors but I guess I have to sacrifice somewhere while staying in budget ..

Any thoughts on the "perfect" combination to look for ? Where should I sacrifice ...size ?

IMHO, based on my own preferences....

For bigger size Aquas and other Beryls they need to be relatively clean as in minimal inclusions.

Emerald cut is probably the most unforgiving, therefore, probably not suitable for the more included stones.

Colour is VERY personal as can be demonstrated in the short exchange between @icy_jade and myself, and that's just 2 people!

Have a look at Jeff W's cut stone gallery for Beryls and see what appeals to you, bearing in mind that your family member may prefer something else!

https://www.whitesgems.com/berylgallery



DK

 

[khal80]

@dk168 I just saw! It’s so pretty! I’m a recent aquamarine fan too, after getting this one here:



Sorry OP!

Anyway just to show how much aquamarine color can vary by, you can see the lighter loose blue aquamarine on top, the aquamarine in the middle and a beryl (not aquamarine but same family) at the bottom.

top color, is her pref

 

[fredflintstone]

This is starlanka

That's beautiful

Not sure how to answer the important factors.

I want something with the larger size bc she likes bigger pieces

I always thought cut was very important

She likes the blue colors but I guess I have to sacrifice somewhere while staying in budget ..

Any thoughts on the "perfect" combination to look for ? Where should I sacrifice ...size ?

Please know that Aqua is light in specific gravity. Generalized example: lead is much more dense than aluminum and a smaller piece of lead will way much more than aluminum. So, an Aqua will be bigger per say than Spinel, Sapphire, Zircon, etc. the same carat weight in the same exact cut. But also know, cut comes into how big the face up will be. A deep cut will have a smaller face up size than a medium to shallow depth cut. Shallow will be the biggest face up but you’re going to have a window in the stone that will affect color and performance. Medium is optimal. Deep can be very nice if it is not so deep to cause extinction, dark areas in the stone. Most Aqua is very light to medium light in tone, so extinction will not be as big as problem as with darker stones. But most of all, an Aqua that is 3 to 6 carats will be perfect and of substantial size for a ring, especially pear cut. Unless your girlfriend/wife want a huge stone in a ring, look to 3 to 6 carats. You can get a very nicely colored Aqua that weight in your price range, if you look at many options from many dealers.

Here is something to help you judge size – 25.40 mm equals 1 inch.

 

[khal80]

Please know that Aqua is light in specific gravity. Generalized example: lead is much more dense than aluminum and a smaller piece of lead will way much more than aluminum. So, an Aqua will be bigger per say than Spinel, Sapphire, Zircon, etc. the same carat weight in the same exact cut. But also know, cut comes into how big the face up will be. A deep cut will have a smaller face up size than a medium to shallow depth cut. Shallow will be the biggest face up but you’re going to have a window in the stone that will affect color and performance. Medium is optimal. Deep can be very nice if it is not so deep to cause extinction, dark areas in the stone. Most Aqua is very light to medium light in tone, so extinction will not be as big as problem as with darker stones. But most of all, an Aqua that is 3 to 6 carats will be perfect and of substantial size for a ring, especially pear cut. Unless your girlfriend/wife want a huge stone in a ring, look to 3 to 6 carats. You can get a very nicely colored Aqua that weight in your price range, if you look at many options from many dealers.

Here is something to help you judge size – 25.40 mm equals 1 inch.

Thank you for this!

We are going for a stone for a pendant/necklace

 

[fredflintstone]

A 6 carat pear would be fine for a pendant. Pear shapes are perfect for that. They are long.

 

[khal80]

These pics will help a lot more than my screenshots of a video...

 

[icy_jade]

These pics will help a lot more than my screenshots of a video...

I had a look at the Star Lanka website and this is probably one of the nicer pears they have yet there is still a window and a chip.

Will you consider other shapes? For pendants I think any elongated shape can work too, and I’ve see some nice ovals and emerald/radiant aquamarines that are quite nice.

Personally I prefer aquas around 8 carat or so (+/-2 carats). Bigger can start looking a bit OTT for daily wear and smaller is erm, too small.

Go for eye clean if possible. It makes the stone look more alive/sparkly and visible inclusions are quite distracting.

 

[icy_jade]

Am by no means an expert but went thru the site and these caught my eye.

Pear:

Aquamarine 15.15ct #AQ1130

Natural Loose Aquamarine weighing 15.15ct & measuring 19.15 x 11.93 x 9.04 mm from Zambia. The Aquamarine is cut in an ideal Pear shape which compliments the gemstone very well. Certificate also available. Aquamarine gemstones are beautiful for all occasions and can be worn for many benefits...

www.starlanka.com

Square Cushion:

Blue Aquamarine 13.04ct - 13mm #AQ0180

Natural Loose Sky Blue Aquamarine weighing 13.04ct & measuring 13.50 x 13.20 x 11.01 mm from India. The Aquamarine is cut in an ideal Cushion shape which compliments the gemstone very well. Certificate also available. Aquamarine gemstones are beautiful for all occasions and can be worn for many...

www.starlanka.com

Long Cushion:

Blue Aquamarine 27.00ct #AQ1328

Natural Loose Arctic Blue Aquamarine weighing 27.00ct & measuring 19.87 x 16.40 x 13.15 mm from Zambia. The Aquamarine is cut in an ideal Cushion shape which compliments the gemstone very well. Certificate also available. Aquamarine gemstones are beautiful for all occasions and can be worn for...

www.starlanka.com

Blue Aquamarine 10.66ct #AQ1456

Natural Loose Blue Aquamarine weighing 10.66ct & measuring 15.09 x 12.07 x 9.65 mm from India. The Aquamarine is cut in an ideal Cushion shape which compliments the gemstone very well. Certificate also available. Aquamarine gemstones are beautiful for all occasions and can be worn for many...

www.starlanka.com

Blue Aquamarine 15.12ct - 16x14mm #AQ1513

Natural Loose Baby Blue Aquamarine weighing 15.12ct & measuring 16.24 x 14.29 x 10.90 mm from Zambia. The Aquamarine is cut in an ideal Cushion shape which compliments the gemstone very well. Certificate also available. Aquamarine gemstones are beautiful for all occasions and can be worn for...

www.starlanka.com

Blue Aquamarine 23.32ct #AQ1109

Natural Loose Baby Blue Aquamarine weighing 23.32ct & measuring 20.69 x 15.52 x 11.32 mm from Zambia. The Aquamarine is cut in an ideal Cushion shape which compliments the gemstone very well. Certificate also available. Aquamarine gemstones are beautiful for all occasions and can be worn for...

www.starlanka.com

If you think they are decent, maybe ask for a few group shots/videos to see which one stands out most. Can include the original pear too.

One thing I do when I’m unsure of the gem size is to use a post-it and draw out the shape/size of the gem and then cut it out. Since is a post it so I can use the sticky part to paste against my finger/chest/etc to get an idea of how big/small the gem is and whether it will look too big/small. Is just a visual estimate since irl the gem has depth and will look a bit bigger if anything but personally I’ve found it useful.

Good luck!

 

[khal80]

Thank you so much all this help is much appreciated.

He said the cut is flawless and there is no chip

I take a look at your suggestions

 

[icy_jade]

We are not sellers and have no reason to lie to you

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Thank you so much all this help is much appreciated.

He said the cut is flawless and there is no chip

I take a look at your suggestions

It's probably just a specific angle of the stone in the picture that looks like there's a chip. I would believe him if he says there's no chips. I've had excellent experiences with them.

That said the window would bother me. I like the pear Icy posted.

Are you making it into a pendant for the person or just giving them the stone? I would recommend using Starlanka for the setting if you're paying for the setting as well. They do flawless work.

I'm not affiliated with them. I've just used them for a few projects and been very happy with the results.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

We are not sellers and have no reason to lie to you

The chip might just be a camera thing Icy?

The window is a window though. I could let fresh air through it.