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Choosing Aquamarines

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Odyssey44

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 20, 2023
Messages
209
I finally figured I could post video from my phone by making it a gif! So, I am looking for an aquamarine, which DH offered to buy for my birthday this month and emerald cut is my first choice. I thought. A vendor sent me these two choices, saying they have a perfect cut, done on ? or at ? ultralight v5. I have no idea what that is, but I feel I am seeing unpleasant dark areas on the right sides of each stone, more pronounced on the greener stone. Are these bowties? Is this always going to happen with an emerald cut, or are these cuts actually not very good? I'm also not crazy about the the middle appearing to become a tilt window often. Appreciate thoughts.
 

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Everyone will have a different preference for color of aqua (some like it deeper, some like it greener), but of these two, I like the bottom left one better. The cut is very nice... no pronounced window. I think the dark area you're seeing is typical obstruction. Ask for a video of the stone at a different angle.
 
Autumn in New England said:
Everyone will have a different preference for color of aqua (some like it deeper, some like it greener), but of these two, I like the bottom left one better. The cut is very nice... no pronounced window. I think the dark area you're seeing is typical obstruction. Ask for a video of the stone at a different angle.
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Thanks as always Autumn. I know it will not surprise you to know you have picked the more expensive of the two! I don't have to go with this vendor. He is just the first to show me flawless clarity in an emerald cut. Truthfully, I would like a little more green in the left one and a little more blue in the right one. Because of course! Not sure also if these are just too big at 14 cts. I have long fingers and could pull it off, but how often would I actually do this? Hmmm. I sure would feel like royalty when I did though.
 
Autumn in New England said:
Everyone will have a different preference for color of aqua (some like it deeper, some like it greener), but of these two, I like the bottom left one better. The cut is very nice... no pronounced window. I think the dark area you're seeing is typical obstruction. Ask for a video of the stone at a different angle.
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I am the opposite and prefer the top one for its hint of green.

I also believe the cut is nice and can't see an obvious window in both.

Tilt window is unavoidable IMHO when the stone is big and deep like these two Aquas. How big are they as in carat size and dimensions?

I too would suggest asking for more videos in different angles and perhaps on different displays - hand shot would be nice.

DK :))
 
Odyssey44 said:
I know it will not surprise you to know you have picked the more expensive of the two!
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Story of my life!
1237388e4fuigm9vm.gif
 
Odyssey44 said:
Thanks as always Autumn. I know it will not surprise you to know you have picked the more expensive of the two! I don't have to go with this vendor. He is just the first to show me flawless clarity in an emerald cut. Truthfully, I would like a little more green in the left one and a little more blue in the right one. Because of course! Not sure also if these are just too big at 14 cts. I have long fingers and could pull it off, but how often would I actually do this? Hmmm. I sure would feel like royalty when I did though.
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How about a ringdant as in a ring pendant, so that you could get more cost per wear? That's what I would do if I had a 14ct Aqua!

It will be a gorgeous cocktail ring! :kiss2:

Mine is over 6ct and it is big enough for me on my Size 11+ US chubby middle left hand finger, and it is worn quite often as it is not so big to qualify as a knuckle duster.

DK =)2
 
Hmmm, looking at the video again, I am not certain if they are 14ct, however, I could be wrong.

DK :))
 
Odyssey44 said:
I finally figured I could post video from my phone by making it a gif! So, I am looking for an aquamarine, which DH offered to buy for my birthday this month and emerald cut is my first choice. I thought. A vendor sent me these two choices, saying they have a perfect cut, done on ? or at ? ultralight v5. I have no idea what that is, but I feel I am seeing unpleasant dark areas on the right sides of each stone, more pronounced on the greener stone. Are these bowties? Is this always going to happen with an emerald cut, or are these cuts actually not very good? I'm also not crazy about the the middle appearing to become a tilt window often. Appreciate thoughts.
Click to expand...

i usualy like green aquas but i like the blue in your case
 
This has taken me a stupidly long time to convert more videos! Arrrgghh. Thanks everyone for bearing with me and I am thankful for your comments!! Ok, here we go with #1, on the left in the OP. Dimensions: 14.26 ct,
17.3 x 12.1 x 9.7
Screen_Recording_20250303_235221_Instagram_1.gifScreen_Recording_20250303_235521_Chrome_1.gifScreen_Recording_20250303_235441_Chrome_1.gif
 
I guess the question is always, bite or keep looking. Now, DK, I have never heard of a Ringdant. I am intrigued. How does it stay securely in the ring without worry of losing it?
Also including a picture below of my fingers (excuse my nails atm) with a 24.25 mm quarter to continue pondering whether 14 cts. Is ok for me. 20250303_224214.jpg
 
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IMHO, I believe the cutting for both Aquas are nice and I would happily get the one with the green as that's what I prefer.

Colour preferences are very personal. Even if both stones are priced the same, and everything else are equal as in size, clarity and cutting, I would still opt for the one with the green.

As for ringdant as in ring-pendant, here are some ringdant inspiration designs that I have saved.

This CAD is a good illustration on how a convertible ringdant works, with the ring part that is detachable, held secured in place by the bail when not used as a pendant.

s-l1600.webp

Other ringdant designs:

iluka-aquamarine-and-diamond-detachable-ring-and-pendant-1.webp

IMG_1869_master.jpgIMG_1868_master.jpg

Screenshot 2023-01-25 083928.pngScreenshot 2023-01-25 083753.png

Hope this helps.

DK :))
 
Thanks DK--that is super cool!! WOW! What a fantastic way to double the wear. I love it.
I am looking around at aquamarines. I saw a green-green aquamarine and I had no idea they came in that color. Considering changing things up and going for that, and getting a big blue one for another time. Don't know yet if it is still available. But it is so unusual and I love the silvery shimmer to it.
 

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Odyssey44 said:
I saw a green-green aquamarine and I had no idea they came in that color.
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Because they don't, that's green beryl. Different beryl variations have different names depending on their colour. The blues are aquamarine, the nicely saturated greens are emerald, and the pale greens are just green beryl. It's one thing for a stone to be greenish blue, but to be all green is an entirely different story.
 
Avondale said:
Because they don't, that's green beryl. Different beryl variations have different names depending on their colour. The blues are aquamarine, the nicely saturated greens are emerald, and the pale greens are just green beryl. It's one thing for a stone to be greenish blue, but to be all green is an entirely different story.
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Ugh, thanks Avondale!! That would have been a mistake. I am crossing that vendor off my list permanently because they called it green aquamarine. I was surprised I did not know about green aquamarines. Glad I posted the picture here.
 
Thanks DK. I will have a look. So I decided on the darker blue one of these two--just because that black line (Autumn said it was refraction I think) is more noticeable on one end of the lighter one, through different videos. It bugs me.
Vendor originally wanted $250 per ct, for it and is now willing to take $2600, which still seems rather high to me. Especially since I can see the stone has been in his inventory since 2021. I'm going to look around a bit more too. My ideal color is in between these two.
 
Odyssey44 said:
Thanks DK--that is super cool!! WOW! What a fantastic way to double the wear. I love it.
I am looking around at aquamarines. I saw a green-green aquamarine and I had no idea they came in that color. Considering changing things up and going for that, and getting a big blue one for another time. Don't know yet if it is still available. But it is so unusual and I love the silvery shimmer to it.
Click to expand...

If you prefer a green, why not try peridot, this is one I had cut.supatperidot.jpg
 
Odyssey44 said:
Thanks DK. I will have a look. So I decided on the darker blue one of these two--just because that black line (Autumn said it was refraction I think) is more noticeable on one end of the lighter one, through different videos. It bugs me.
Vendor originally wanted $250 per ct, for it and is now willing to take $2600, which still seems rather high to me. Especially since I can see the stone has been in his inventory since 2021. I'm going to look around a bit more too. My ideal color is in between these two.
Click to expand...

Personally, I do not believe 2.6k is unreasonable for that stone.

You could always go down the custom cutting route and reach out to Jeff W etc... He went to Tucson earlier this year and has yet to reveal what goodies he managed to pick up from his trip, so it is worth asking him if he has any suitable big Aqua roughs.

DK :))
 
Autumn, you are in my head! I for sure have a green asscher cut stone on my list!! I remember seeing the unbelievably beautiful green garnet ring like that on here. I love the spring green of the peridot. But not yet. The aquamarine is a birthday present and it is time for me to own a substantial one, as it is my birthstone.

DK--this is a foreign vendor--a very foreign (from the US) vendor. They do take a credit card and some say they have had good experiences, but there is always a little more risk purchasing abroad. I'm not sure the price compensates for that. I do wonder how much more Jeff would be--probably double. But one thing I really like about this stone too is it is flawless. Super important to me with a big, emerald cut,

Thanks possums! I really appreciate the vote of confidence as I do not always trust my eye and worry I am missing something. I learned about windows here on PS just before my first loose gem purchase and good grief, once it was pointed out to me I could not see anything else! If I buy the stone and have a good experience, I will be sure to mention the vendor here.
 
Ask Jeff if he has suitable rough to cut if you are curious. I think his pricing is likely within the same range for similar color and size.

He had some jumbo aquamarine to cut a little over a year ago. https://www.whitesgems.com/members1023
This rough should cut finished gems in the 10 to 60 ct. range. Pricing of finished gems will be around $175 to $275 per ct.
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If you get something custom cut you can also ask for cut designs with higher crowns and smaller tables that can help minimize tilt windows.
 
Odyssey44 said:
Autumn, you are in my head! I for sure have a green asscher cut stone on my list!! I remember seeing the unbelievably beautiful green garnet ring like that on here. I love the spring green of the peridot. But not yet. The aquamarine is a birthday present and it is time for me to own a substantial one, as it is my birthstone.

DK--this is a foreign vendor--a very foreign (from the US) vendor. They do take a credit card and some say they have had good experiences, but there is always a little more risk purchasing abroad. I'm not sure the price compensates for that. I do wonder how much more Jeff would be--probably double. But one thing I really like about this stone too is it is flawless. Super important to me with a big, emerald cut,

Thanks possums! I really appreciate the vote of confidence as I do not always trust my eye and worry I am missing something. I learned about windows here on PS just before my first loose gem purchase and good grief, once it was pointed out to me I could not see anything else! If I buy the stone and have a good experience, I will be sure to mention the vendor here.
Click to expand...

Jeff White cut my Peridot and Gary at Finewater cut these aquas (1 in my avatar as well). Both do excellent
work

aqua.jpg
 
Odyssey44 said:
Autumn, you are in my head! I for sure have a green asscher cut stone on my list!! I remember seeing the unbelievably beautiful green garnet ring like that on here. I love the spring green of the peridot. But not yet. The aquamarine is a birthday present and it is time for me to own a substantial one, as it is my birthstone.

DK--this is a foreign vendor--a very foreign (from the US) vendor. They do take a credit card and some say they have had good experiences, but there is always a little more risk purchasing abroad. I'm not sure the price compensates for that. I do wonder how much more Jeff would be--probably double. But one thing I really like about this stone too is it is flawless. Super important to me with a big, emerald cut,

Thanks possums! I really appreciate the vote of confidence as I do not always trust my eye and worry I am missing something. I learned about windows here on PS just before my first loose gem purchase and good grief, once it was pointed out to me I could not see anything else! If I buy the stone and have a good experience, I will be sure to mention the vendor here.
Click to expand...

Oh I remember that ring too! Who could forget it... the member was @endless_summer. I don't think she posts much anymore, unfortunately. But that is my favorite mint garnet piece EVER.

JOTW_endless_summer4W_20160205.jpg
 
Autumn in New England said:
Oh I remember that ring too! Who could forget it... the member was @endless_summer. I don't think she posts much anymore, unfortunately. But that is my favorite mint garnet piece EVER.

JOTW_endless_summer4W_20160205.jpg
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She sold it quite a while back, it spent some time with JBG on consignment. It's now in Australia with @Jopdrop.

It's funny how we track some pieces through, space, time, and different owners. This particular stone is imprinted in my mind as well and is the reason I sigh ever so slightly whenever I see a mint garnet somewhere.
 
Avondale said:
She sold it quite a while back, it spent some time with JBG on consignment. It's now in Australia with @Jopdrop.

It's funny how we track some pieces through, space, time, and different owners. This particular stone is imprinted in my mind as well and is the reason I sigh ever so slightly whenever I see a mint garnet somewhere.
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I don't know how she could part with that thing!!!!!!!!!!!
 
OP, if you are going down the custom cutting route, then I would strongly advise you have your needs and wants determined upfront before you approach the lapidary artists.

The bigger the stone, the higher the chances of impurities, that's just one of the laws of nature.

If you want flawless in a 14ct Aquamarine, a good colour as in a more saturated blue without any green, known location/origin such as Santa Maria, and precision cut by the likes of Jeff W and Gary B, then be prepared to pay top money for a stone.

Hence I did not believe 2.6k USD for one of the two in your first post was unreasonable, even though the origin was not specified in your posts as far as I can remember.

Good luck.

DK :))
 
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