Gems you have bought that you feel you were lucky to snap up

[mellowyellowgirl]

Hi Folks!

So I sit around and drool at your rubies, crazy bright red and pink spinels and sometimes lament that I wish I'd been in the coloured stone game 15 years earlier!

Anyways this got me thinking about gems that you feel you snapped up at just the right time for a bargain. No need to think about resale value as I believe resale is a different story. I am more interested in gems that you feel were personally a good score for yourself and you might find hard to buy again in the same shape/size/colour/price! They may not necessarily be your most favourite or prized if that makes sense!

I have three!

1. My 2.94 carat chrysoberyl

2. 6.something carat tourmaline

3. 1.something heart ruby

These 3 I feel like I would have trouble finding again for similar prices.

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

I feel really lucky about this 1.7 ct. Sri Lankan sapphire from Gene. My local jewelers were in disbelief when I walked through the door with such a pretty stone in hand. It was not cheap to me but I feel it was very reasonable considering the high quality of the stone and the cutting, which would be difficult to replace. My pictures are in bright sun—sorry the autofocus is a little off.

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Mellow yellow girl, that tourmaline was a coup! Can you believe what a whopper it is?!

 

[Bluegemz]

Great thread idea! It’s interesting that there is a difference between what we love the most, and what we feel most lucky about, isn’t it? I’ve certainly noticed this when considering the pieces.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Mellow yellow girl, that tourmaline was a coup! Can you believe what a whopper it is?!

hehe I screamed in front of my computer when I saw it on the vendor's page! I REALLY wanted a greeny coloured asscher VERY badly!

Initially I was a bit worried that it was too big so I cut out a piece of green paper in that shape and stuck it on my finger. Decided it wasn't too big!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Great thread idea! It’s interesting that there is a difference between what we love the most, and what we feel most lucky about, isn’t it? I’ve certainly noticed this when considering the pieces.

Indeed it is! I enjoy every piece that I own (I have to in order to want to wear it) but I think a few of them I feel like "Wow I am really lucky I snapped you up".

Oddly enough one of my favourite and most worn pieces ever since I bought it (I try to limit how much I wear it because I find myself always reaching for it) is a most likely easy to replace little stone.

 

[Bluegemz]

These are the things which I think would be hardest to find again, and/or hardest to replace at the prices which I paid. Please forgive that the images are previous ones which I’m reposting for convenience. I’m examples 2-5, they all came from the same jeweler. With exception the the star sapphires, I don’t actually wear these as often as I do other things.

1) Big Sur and Edwards Black nephrite disk, with spess in the middle. I have a special affection and tie to Big Sur and the jade there. Feels like a slice of the soul of the place, and I aquired this during dinner with a jade artist friend who made it. I’ll always remember that Summer through the piece.

2) Brazilian Tourmaline slice necklace. It’s pretty huge. To be honest, I sometimes find it hard to find the occasion to wear this, and I’m always afraid that the weight will make it break. Im super careful when I do for I can’t imagine I’d be able to find a matching slice easily.

3) Emerald ring. Too dark in this image, but hue is more correct.

4) Moonstone bracelet. Afraid to crack the stones, so infrequent use.

5) large aqua cab, carved on the underside to replicate an ancient Greek coin featuring a horse rearing up with a star on the sky. As a horse lover, I felt it was a must. The horse image is very subtle and can only be seen when one really looks into the stone, where upon it seems to pop out, almost like a spirit. The man who carved it has died, so it’s irreplaceable for that reason alone.

6) Of course these star sapphire rings, ( which y’all maybe sick of). In this example, I love them and wear them as much as I feel lucky about them.

7) Another emerald ring image posted in a futile attempt to capture it.

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Wow, Bluegemz, those tourmaline slices! How many colors are hidden in the thin slices. Quite remarkable!

And the carved horse is such a unique work of art. Very special and lucky!

 

[Bluegemz]

Wow, Bluegemz, those tourmaline slices! How many colors are hidden in the thin slices. Quite remarkable!

And the carved horse is such a unique work of art. Very special and lucky!

Hey thank you, @MissyBeaucoup ! I guess when I think of lucky, I think of one of a kind pieces, either in gems or in totality of the relationships between gems and artistry.

I get inspired by stories...perhaps I can share. Apparently the single crystal tourmaline which the from which slices came, was held up in court because of a contentious mining claim dispute in Brazil for some time. So it had a history of sorts to it. I secretly put in salt after I got it in case of bad energy lol! I could attach a story in my mind to the color relationships in it as well. It seemed like it might have been an old crystal given the size and the stress lines in the slices. I thought ‘wise old crystal’. And the colors...I would say warm. It reminded me of walking through a pine forest in late afternoon in Summer, the red soil, the sun, and the green, the dryness, pine cones and dead needles on the ground, to create that orange yellow color. Comfort and light, ancient earth.

Your blue sapphire has so much ‘soul’ to it. It’s such a dreamy stone, just magic!

 

[icy_jade]

A carved jadeite bracelet that just managed to fit my wrist. The entire bracelet is carved from a single piece of jade and the clasp is also carved (so I added a small safety chain in case the clasp comes undone while wearing).

Also quite a few old pearl purchases but this is a slightly more recent purchase that I can remember feeling lucky about.

 

[Bluegemz]

A carved jadeite bracelet that just managed to fit my wrist. The entire bracelet is carved from a single piece of jade and the clasp is also carved (so I added a small safety chain in case the clasp comes undone while wearing).

Also quite a few old pearl purchases but this is a slightly more recent purchase that I can remember feeling lucky about.

LOVE!!! I can imagine the skill level and the hours of work grinding away to make the jade ‘come alive’!

 

[bludiva]

These are the things which I think would be hardest to find again, and/or hardest to replace at the prices which I paid. Please forgive that the images are previous ones which I’m reposting for convenience. I’m examples 2-5, they all came from the same jeweler. With exception the the star sapphires, I don’t actually wear these as often as I do other things.

1) Big Sur and Edwards Black nephrite disk, with spess in the middle. I have a special affection and tie to Big Sur and the jade there. Feels like a slice of the soul of the place, and I aquired this during dinner with a jade artist friend who made it. I’ll always remember that Summer through the piece.

2) Brazilian Tourmaline slice necklace. It’s pretty huge. To be honest, I sometimes find it hard to find the occasion to wear this, and I’m always afraid that the weight will make it break. Im super careful when I do for I can’t imagine I’d be able to find a matching slice easily.

3) Emerald ring. Too dark in this image, but hue is more correct.

4) Moonstone bracelet. Afraid to crack the stones, so infrequent use.

5) large aqua cab, carved on the underside to replicate an ancient Greek coin featuring a horse rearing up with a star on the sky. As a horse lover, I felt it was a must. The horse image is very subtle and can only be seen when one really looks into the stone, where upon it seems to pop out, almost like a spirit. The man who carved it has died, so it’s irreplaceable for that reason alone.

6) Of course these star sapphire rings, ( which y’all maybe sick of). In this example, I love them and wear them as much as I feel lucky about them.

7) Another emerald ring image posted in a futile attempt to capture it.

I love these all but that aqua cab omgee!!!

 

[Bluegemz]

I love these all but that aqua cab omgee!!!

Thank you, @bludiva !

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

I say OMG to the moonstone and jade bracelet. WOW!
Annette

 

[Acinom]

Great thread! I love the Unique pieces in this thread.

Out of my collection I am glad to have snapped up the stones in my 5 ‘most pretty rings’. But I am also super happy with the following:
1. It has been so much fun to do a rough to cut stone project with Bespoke Gems, especially since several PSers were part of the fun. The natural blue topaz always makes me smile and is fun to wear.

 

[Acinom]

2. Another rough to cut stone project. Thanks to @SparkliesLuver who posted about her experience. It was such a great experience to do my first bespoke project with Gene from Precision Gem. This stone/ring is also part of my top 5 prettiest.

 

[Acinom]

3. So glad that I could purchase my second Paraiba stone. Gary from Paraiba International was super helpful. My first Paraiba is windex blue and it is one of my 5 prettiest. This one has a green/blue hue which I love. I also love the sugarloaf cab shape.

 

[Burmesedaze]

I'm enjoying all the remarkable pieces in this thread. From vintage, old world glamour, modern, artistic and to the bling

 

[Gloria27]

Hi Folks!

This and Niel's Chrysoberyl chevron ring are probably my all time favorites. I don't know why light coloured stones make me happy, especially yellow ones and I'm not a fan of yellow in general.

 

[leslie1956]

3. So glad that I could purchase my second Paraiba stone. Gary from Paraiba International was super helpful. My first Paraiba is windex blue and it is one of my 5 prettiest. This one has a green/blue hue which I love. I also love the sugarloaf cab shape.

Be still my heart, that is one amazing Paraiba! I love the understated elegance of the setting, too, just a perfect piece

 

[Gemobsessed]

3. So glad that I could purchase my second Paraiba stone. Gary from Paraiba International was super helpful. My first Paraiba is windex blue and it is one of my 5 prettiest. This one has a green/blue hue which I love. I also love the sugarloaf cab shape.

It’s incredible ! What a glow

 

[Bron357]

The treasure trove of gems without doubt.
But others are the opal bracelet, probably my most favorite piece of jewellery ever. This type of crystal opal is uncommon. ($300)
The little Avon ring set with such a pretty blue sapphire ($20)
My huge opal, set into a pendant and more recently strung (by me) onto an Ethiopian opal bead necklace.
And my emerald ring, off eBay ($1,000) - 6 carats approx plus 2 carat diamonds.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I searched for 2 years for this red spinel. Right time, right color, right size, right clarity and right price.

 

[Burmesedaze]

I would say this pair of untreated Monghsu rubies that face up bigger than their 0.8ct each. As well as the bottom pair of untreated Mogok sapphires that are about 1ct each and face up bigger too.

I bought them during my first 2 years in Yangonn and can't find another pair like them at the price I paid!

 

[userangl28212003]

For me I feel really to have this bright yellow unheated sapphire as well as panning and finding this nice blue Montana sapphire in the rough myself which when heated and cut brought out the blue more




And also my caramel Welo opal with such bright flash that the finished ring has come in today, but I have to wait until i get home!

 

[peacechick]

I would say this pair of untreated Monghsu rubies that face up bigger than their 0.8ct each. As well as the bottom pair of untreated Mogok sapphires that are about 1ct each and face up bigger too.

I bought them during my first 2 years in Yangonn and can't find another pair like them at the price I paid!

Your Mogok finds are amazing and your thread is so fun to read.

For me I feel really to have this bright yellow unheated sapphire as well as panning and finding this nice blue Montana sapphire in the rough myself which when heated and cut brought out the blue more




And also my caramel Welo opal with such bright flash that the finished ring has come in today, but I have to wait until i get home!

These are all beautiful but wow, you found that Montana sapphire yourself and then had it heated and cut and set? You must feel so much satisfaction every time you look at it.

 

[userangl28212003]

Your Mogok finds are amazing and your thread is so fun to read.



These are all beautiful but wow, you found that Montana sapphire yourself and then had it heated and cut and set? You must feel so much satisfaction every time you look at it.

Hi. Thank you. I like doing that for it has more sentimental value

 

[Burmesedaze]

Adding 2 more.

This hugeass natural red Burmite/Burmese amber that went into a ring for my mum. This colour is schlepped mostly to China and reserves are scarce and alr mined out in most places in the Hukawng valley. I've only come across this once as I'm still on the lookout for a piece for myself!

A 6.1ct Cuprian bearing tourmaline from Mozambique I found at a good price at this year's Bangkok gem fair. Complete with GIA memo. It's going into that convertible ring/setting custom made for it!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

It's going to be really hard to follow @Burmesedaze with her last post. Egads those are beautiful!

But in my little world I was really happy to snap up these larger pink spinels in unusual shapes. Very hard to find larger spinels in round or concave cuts.

 

[Burmesedaze]

It's going to be really hard to follow @Burmesedaze with her last post. Egads those are beautiful!

But in my little world I was really happy to snap up these larger pink spinels in unusual shapes. Very hard to find larger spinels in round or concave cuts.

Now you've got me green with envy! I love the colour, size and cuts!