Emerald with no treatment: should I purchase?

[JewelPhenom]

Considering the purchase of this emerald, it is a bit over 3 carats, Zambian, no treatment of any kind.

I saw the stone in person and the specs were verbally confirmed by my “go to” GIA professional who also saw it in person. Of course, my offer would be contingent upon an AGL report should I decide to purchase.

The photos are mine. There is no window, zoning or gray. Any spots are from my handling, the stone is almost totally clean and very lively.

Could be a nice Christmas present to myself; it might make a nice pendant.
What do you think?

 

[CirrusClouds]

That is a nice stone. If there is indeed no enhancements of any type; that is a rare stone!

 

[Acinom]

What an amazing stone: big and with a great color. And quite rare since it's not oiled.
It would be great for a ring But it will be less vulnerable in a pendant.

 

[MJO]

Good looking stone I would purchase depending on price and getting a cert from a reputable lab.

 

[T L]

An untreated emerald is very rare, so it must be very clean to not require any enhancement. Zambian emeralds, overall, tend to be cleaner than their Colombian counterparts. It looks like a lovely stone. I agree with everyone else that that an AGL report would be required.

 

[JewelPhenom]

CirrusClouds, Acinom, MJO, TL
Thank you all for your helpful comments. I do like it and it sounds like others do as well. My photography skills are not up to capturing the quality of the gem. I enjoy the color and that the gem draws the eye deep into the center and then rewards with an internal glow; not something I have seen previously.

Yet, I do not have a lot of experience with emeralds, limited knowledge on Columbian and almost nil on Zambian. The price per carat is commensurate with a price expectation of such a Zambian emerald, I have been told; and then discounted because of a continuing business relationship. My expectation for such a purchase would be to enjoy it, and if I were to ever tire of it, sell.

I appreciate being able to turn to the collective expertise and wisdom of this forum; it is an invaluable resource. The rarity factor is intriguing. Is there an overall percentage which would illustrate the rarity of untreated Zambian emeralds? Such as 90% are treated?

Other than the AGL report, which is a must, anything else to consider?

 

[eastjavaman]

Damn, the color itself is delicious I would buy it if it minimally oiled, assuming the price is right(read: I can afford it). I understand that untreated emerald are less than 1% in existence, as emerald has visible inclusions that would deemed it unattractive.

 

[JewelPhenom]

Thank you eastjavaman.
I will examine the additional photos I took to see if they show more clearly the clarity of the stone.

 

[JewelFreak]

If it truly is untreated, it's a stunning find. The color is Wow, and no window -- exceptional clarity if it escaped at least oiling. Depending on an AGL report, I'd snap that baby up in seconds!

--- Laurie

 

[T L]

CirrusClouds, Acinom, MJO, TL
Thank you all for your helpful comments. I do like it and it sounds like others do as well. My photography skills are not up to capturing the quality of the gem. I enjoy the color and that the gem draws the eye deep into the center and then rewards with an internal glow; not something I have seen previously.

Yet, I do not have a lot of experience with emeralds, limited knowledge on Columbian and almost nil on Zambian. The price per carat is commensurate with a price expectation of such a Zambian emerald, I have been told; and then discounted because of a continuing business relationship. My expectation for such a purchase would be to enjoy it, and if I were to ever tire of it, sell.

I appreciate being able to turn to the collective expertise and wisdom of this forum; it is an invaluable resource. The rarity factor is intriguing. Is there an overall percentage which would illustrate the rarity of untreated Zambian emeralds? Such as 90% are treated?

Other than the AGL report, which is a must, anything else to consider?

Hopefully it's a trusted seller, as there are convincing synthetics out there these days. Zambian emeralds can be very beautiful, but IMO, but no match for a super fine Muzo Colombian emerald. If you have the opportunity to do so, I would look at Muzo emeralds, which are usually found in fine antique pieces, to compare. If the stone is very expensive, you may want to do homework on whether or not you want a Zambian vs. a fine Colombian piece. I rather personally have a minor treated fine Muzo to an untreated Zambian, especially if the price difference is not that big of a deal.

With emeralds, it's not about the cut, sparkle, etc. . . but that velvety green glow, "drop of oil," look they have. It's the one gem where I could care less about cutting and sparkle. The finest emeralds in the world actually don't sparkle, but look like fine green satin.

In any case, if it's not treated, I believe an AGL gem brief should suffice. A more expensive prestige report will tell you more about the particular clarity enhancement, and in this case, if its truly Zambian, then origin doesn't matter much. If you want to know more about the true quality of color, then again, a prestige report would be required. I'm not sure if its worth it in this case.

 

[JewelPhenom]

Hopefully it's a trusted seller, as there are convincing synthetics out there these days.

Very highly trusted; used previously to purchase my sapphires and other similar gems. Though, I trust but always verify.

If you have the opportunity to do so, I would look at Muzo emeralds, which are usually found in fine antique pieces...

Interesting, because that was my original search and believed the same regarding Columbians. However, having seen an untreated, clear emerald in person, there is no comparison. I examined both together and the clarity of the gem, the glow from the Zambian far surpassed the Muzo, and other Muzo emeralds that were offered.


If I waited an additional amount of time, I am unsure that a Columbian emerald would be forthcoming to match my expectations of such a gem.
Your caution and comments are welcome, TL, thank you for bringing up these points.

 

[JewelPhenom]

Attempting to find photos that show the clarity but unfortunately my photography skills, along with not cleaning it first, interfere with capturing everything in a photo.

It has no window or zoning but this type of photo appears to be the best for showing the clarity.

 

[lilmosun]

If you love it and they will sell contingent upon an AGL report, I think it would make the perfect Christmas present to yourself

That being said, I don't know much about emeralds, other than just buying one on impulse and tooling around the internet after to see if I did okay. To me, the color looks very nice for a Zambian and good clarity for an emerald if faint/minor treatment (and super for untreated). My two times dealing with AGL, they've called first before issuing the report. For example, my cuprian they called to upgrade to a prestige since it was pariable-type. My emerald, they asked if I wanted a verbal -or- issue the report requested -or- add country of origin service (recommended by them if I was looking to sell). I wasn't selling so declined country of origin but did opt for the printed prestige report since it was only $40 more than the verbal.

 

[MJO]

Remember the finest emerald in the world is the one YOU like the best.

 

[CirrusClouds]

Thank you for the magnified photo of the Emerald. It's truly a remarkable stone and being a miner myself who mines for Emeralds in N.C.; you would have yourself a true "gem" of nature.

 

[iLander]

Yeah, that's a beauty, I'd go for it.

 

[LoversKites]

Well, I like it a lot. Extremely clean and a nicely saturated perhaps slightly bluish green colour. Emeralds usually photograph horribly and it looks great in your pics. Out out curiosity, what are it's measurements? It's interesting that this Zambian's emerald glow was better than the Muzos in your eyes. Do let us know what you decide!

 

[MJO]

She did say it looked better than the Muzo material they had there to compare it to. It might just be they didn't have any top Muzo stones there to compare it to.

 

[T L]

She did say it looked better than the Muzo material they had there to compare it to. It might just be they didn't have any top Muzo stones there to compare it to.

Right, top grade Muzos are a whole different ball of wax. There are plenty of medium and commercial grade Muzos out there. However, if you love the Zambian stone, then go for it.

This is one of the best photographic attempts I've seen on PS of a fine emerald, and its Colombian. It's so hard to properly photograph emeralds, as many of us well know.

 

[JewelPhenom]

Out out curiosity, what are it's measurements?

I am so embarrassed, LK, but I do not have the measurements. I was so enthralled with the gem, measurements did not matter as much after noticing that it was so clean, untreated and that it held my gaze. The best emerald I had seen.

I might have the measurements someplace, perhaps from my GG expert, I will need to look. My only thought about size at the time was that it was 3 carats and I had been looking for at least a 4 carat.

Emeralds usually photograph horribly and it looks great in your pics.

That is very kind of you to say. It truly was much better looking than I could capture.

 

[JewelPhenom]

If you love it and they will sell contingent upon an AGL report, I think it would make the perfect Christmas present to yourself

Thank you for enabling!
The person will sell contingent upon any report(s) of my choosing.
My GG expert agrees it is not treated but I always get a report for such gems.

 

[treasurehunter]

A very clean Emerald ! Muzo emeralds are all about the color, but different people prefer different things.
Its always a good idea to check the emerald in differnt lighting to see how it reacts to different lighting situations and see if the Zambian emerald holds up to the muzo one.

 

[JewelPhenom]

She did say it looked better than the Muzo material they had there to compare it to. It might just be they didn't have any top Muzo stones there to compare it to.

Yes, MJO, that is correct. Short of traveling somewhere to see a selection, they are the best available in this area. I did see some beautiful gems, but the clarity and color of this Zambian was amazing. The current owner of the Zambian had been traveling overseas and bought it with me in mind but had also been looking for Columbian's per my request. The Columbian's shown to me were very expensive but I do not necessarily equate that to top quality or that they would meet my personal wants in a lovely gem. They were oiled, but nothing more per my GG expert.

Good looking stone I would purchase depending on price and getting a cert from a reputable lab.

The price is appropriate for an expensive gem which is fine as long as it meets that qualification. And not being familiar with Zambian, it is unknown to me the scarcity of clean and with great color Zambians.

 

[LoversKites]

She did say it looked better than the Muzo material they had there to compare it to. It might just be they didn't have any top Muzo stones there to compare it to.

Since the seller is offering a fine untreated 3 carat emerald I assumed that he or she was selling higher end stones than medium or commercial grade Muzos, but I guess that assumption is not necessarily correct.

 

[JewelPhenom]

She did say it looked better than the Muzo material they had there to compare it to. It might just be they didn't have any top Muzo stones there to compare it to.

Since the seller is offering a fine untreated 3 carat emerald I assumed that he or she was selling higher end stones than medium or commercial grade Muzos, but I guess that assumption is not necessarily correct.

Hi LK
The emeralds I was shown are probably considered higher end, but I was looking for something more. As has been pointed out, we all have our personal likes when it comes to gems.

 

[JewelPhenom]

Thank you TL, but the emerald in the photos included with your post is not what I am looking for at this time. I have a few similar to it already.

It does remind me that I must take some nice photos of my gems; I do them a disservice with my quick selfies. I am sure I have one around of my large sapphire; because I set it as a pendant, a selfie is the only way I can view it without a mirror.

 

[LoversKites]

It does remind me that I must take some nice photos of my gems; I do them a disservice with my quick selfies. I am sure I have one around of my large sapphire; because I set it as a pendant, a selfie is the only way I can view it without a mirror.

I strongly agree with that!

 

[T L]

Thank you TL, but the emerald in the photos included with your post is not what I am looking for at this time. I have a few similar to it already.

You're welecome JewelPhenom.

It seems like you made up your mind on this Zambian emerald, so if you love it that much, I would go for it as long as it has an AGL.

Good luck and take more pics when you get it.

 

[JewelFreak]

Yes, please, more pictures when you get it, and congratulations on finding just what you want. Ahem...and we would love to see photos of your other stones, asap!

 

[JewelPhenom]

You're welecome JewelPhenom.
It seems like you made up your mind on this Zambian emerald, so if you love it that much, I would go for it as long as it has an AGL.
Good luck and take more pics when you get it.

I have not decided.
I was not sure if there was an intended slight by comparing a Zambian emerald that is 5 figures/per carat to an Ebay uncertified stone that may be worth, generously, $500 USD.

But I choose to hope that it was not meant as an insult, TL. And I did solicit comments.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estate-Plat...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I have several of those type rings and do not wish to purchase another. Two credentialed gemology professionals have independently commented on the value of the Zambian emerald. And I am growing tired looking for an elusive Columbian, especially given the Zambian awaiting my purchase.