Help buying an Emerald

[Maisie]

I haven't bought a loose Emerald before and I have no idea what to look for.

I have found this one on Ebay. Its $287. Its just over 1.5cts. It says its a natural Columbian Emerald.

I want to try and replicate Halle Berry's beautiful gold and Emerald ring without spending an absolute fortune It won't be an everyday ring.

Is it awful? What should I look for in a good quality Emerald?

Thank you!

 

[chrono]

Natural just means earth mined. It says nothing about the treatment. It could be a composite or heavily treated. The colour is light and there is a lot of jardin, which could account for the low price but even so, I expect it to be treated. How heavily? That I don't know and cannot tell by a photograph or video.

 

[pregcurious]

Higher quality emeralds will have deeper color, better clarity, and a glow that can be seen in person. If you live near Philly, FGS has some nice Columbian and Afghani emerald. I have never bought from them, but I just saw their stones at Intergem.

I suspect at that price that the stone is highly treated

 

[chrono]

I think Maisie is in the UK?

 

[T L]

I haven't bought a loose Emerald before and I have no idea what to look for.

I have found this one on Ebay. Its $287. Its just over 1.5cts. It says its a natural Columbian Emerald.

I want to try and replicate Halle Berry's beautiful gold and Emerald ring without spending an absolute fortune It won't be an everyday ring.

Is it awful? What should I look for in a good quality Emerald?

Thank you!

It could be synthetic, doublet, highly treated, etc. . .

$287 isn't a lot to spend on emerald, if it IS natural, but in terms of emeralds these days, you're not going to get a "good quality" emerald for that price. Is that an amount of money you're wiling to risk on something that might not be natural or look as nice in person?

 

[Maisie]

Yes i'm in the UK. Always so far from the action!

Here is what the seller says....

This a 1.67 carat all natural Colombian Emerald from the Muzo Mines!

Bright Medium Lime green really
brilliant, no carbon spots, natural flaws absolutely
normal in all genuine emeralds.

This stunning gemstone has Excellent luster and good SI1 eye clarity. This stone doesn't have any treatments

 

[Maisie]

I haven't bought a loose Emerald before and I have no idea what to look for.

I have found this one on Ebay. Its $287. Its just over 1.5cts. It says its a natural Columbian Emerald.

I want to try and replicate Halle Berry's beautiful gold and Emerald ring without spending an absolute fortune It won't be an everyday ring.

Is it awful? What should I look for in a good quality Emerald?

Thank you!

It could be synthetic, doublet, highly treated, etc. . .

$287 isn't a lot to spend on emerald, if it IS natural, but in terms of emeralds these days, you're not going to get a "good quality" emerald for that price. Is that an amount of money you're wiling to risk on something that might not be natural or look as nice in person?

No definitely not. I would rather ask for help now than to risk any money

 

[pregcurious]

Here's thread recommending Top Gem in the UK:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/fao-pandora-and-other-ukers.166509/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/fao-pandora-and-other-ukers.166509/[/URL]

Edit: They don't seem to carry emeralds.

 

[T L]

Yes i'm in the UK. Always so far from the action!

Here is what the seller says....

This a 1.67 carat all natural Colombian Emerald from the Muzo Mines!

Bright Medium Lime green really
brilliant, no carbon spots, natural flaws absolutely
normal in all genuine emeralds.

This stunning gemstone has Excellent luster and good SI1 eye clarity. This stone doesn't have any treatments

Big red flag bolded there. I wouldn't trust this seller.

 

[Maisie]

Yes i'm in the UK. Always so far from the action!

Here is what the seller says....

This a 1.67 carat all natural Colombian Emerald from the Muzo Mines!

Bright Medium Lime green really
brilliant, no carbon spots, natural flaws absolutely
normal in all genuine emeralds.

This stunning gemstone has Excellent luster and good SI1 eye clarity. This stone doesn't have any treatments

Big red flag bolded there. I wouldn't trust this seller.

Thank you! I will look elsewhere.

I have reached out to Jeff White about his green Garnets and Tourmalines. I know they will be a lot more expensive but it would be worth it for the cut quality. I don't mind waiting longer for better quality. I just thought that Emerald was too good to be true!

 

[Maisie]

Here's thread recommending Top Gem in the UK:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/fao-pandora-and-other-ukers.166509/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/fao-pandora-and-other-ukers.166509/[/URL]

I will have a look. Thank you.

 

[chrono]

Contact Gene at PrecisionGems for an equally beautiful tourmaline at more reasonable prices.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-precision-gem-experience-a-green-blue-afghan-tourmaline.208467/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-precision-gem-experience-a-green-blue-afghan-tourmaline.208467/[/URL]

 

[LoversKites]

Yes i'm in the UK. Always so far from the action!

Here is what the seller says....

This a 1.67 carat all natural Colombian Emerald from the Muzo Mines!

Bright Medium Lime green really
brilliant, no carbon spots, natural flaws absolutely
normal in all genuine emeralds.

This stunning gemstone has Excellent luster and good SI1 eye clarity. This stone doesn't have any treatments

Big red flag bolded there. I wouldn't trust this seller.

Thank you! I will look elsewhere.

I have reached out to Jeff White about his green Garnets and Tourmalines. I know they will be a lot more expensive but it would be worth it for the cut quality. I don't mind waiting longer for better quality. I just thought that Emerald was too good to be true!

Take a look at http://www.embassyemeralds.com/ they cater to varying budgets.

A custom cut step cut mint garnet would be gorgeous.

 

[Marlow]

Contact Gene at PrecisionGems for an equally beautiful tourmaline at more reasonable prices.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-precision-gem-experience-a-green-blue-afghan-tourmaline.208467/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-precision-gem-experience-a-green-blue-afghan-tourmaline.208467/[/URL]

+1

Problem in light colored emeralds - many are grey - and boring.

1,5 ct for this price!!! More red flags you saw in a parade in the Sovietunion!!!

 

[pregcurious]

Sarosi Jewelers would be able to replicate that ring. Their gold workmanship is amazing.

 

[Maisie]

Contact Gene at PrecisionGems for an equally beautiful tourmaline at more reasonable prices.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-precision-gem-experience-a-green-blue-afghan-tourmaline.208467/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-precision-gem-experience-a-green-blue-afghan-tourmaline.208467/[/URL]

WOW! That stone is amazing!!! And the setting is just beautiful too!!! I will email immediately!!

 

[chrono]

Sarosi Jewelers would be able to replicate that ring. Their gold workmanship is amazing.

But not for those on a tight budget.

 

[Maisie]

I have had a quote from David Klass. Its within my budget for the setting

 

[Maisie]

Take a look at http://www.embassyemeralds.com/ they cater to varying budgets.

A custom cut step cut mint garnet would be gorgeous.

Thanks! I will have a look.

 

[T L]

Yes i'm in the UK. Always so far from the action!

Here is what the seller says....

This a 1.67 carat all natural Colombian Emerald from the Muzo Mines!

Bright Medium Lime green really
brilliant, no carbon spots, natural flaws absolutely
normal in all genuine emeralds.

This stunning gemstone has Excellent luster and good SI1 eye clarity. This stone doesn't have any treatments

Big red flag bolded there. I wouldn't trust this seller.

Thank you! I will look elsewhere.

I have reached out to Jeff White about his green Garnets and Tourmalines. I know they will be a lot more expensive but it would be worth it for the cut quality. I don't mind waiting longer for better quality. I just thought that Emerald was too good to be true!

Well just keep in mind that a green garnet or a green tourmaline will not look like an emerald, even though they're all green stones. If you're okay with that, then fine. Jeff White does charge a high price for his cutting and I'm not sure if it will fit your budget. Green tourmaline tends to be less expensive, but I don't recommend bezeling tourmalines as they have a tendency to chip. I think a green garnet will have better brilliance and luster than a tourmaline, but they're not as affordable. I do think they're more durable than tourmaline however.

Gene at precisiongem.com tends to be a bit more affordable than Jeff, and he's also an excellent lapidary. You may want to ask him if he has any green tourmaline in stock, although much of what he has lately is blue-green material. If you're going with a green tourmaline, just try to go with a light one with "open color." That means it won't black out in some light situations. Green tourmaline is notorious for blacking out.

Good luck!

 

[T L]

Contact Gene at PrecisionGems for an equally beautiful tourmaline at more reasonable prices.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-precision-gem-experience-a-green-blue-afghan-tourmaline.208467/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-precision-gem-experience-a-green-blue-afghan-tourmaline.208467/[/URL]

Ha ha, just saw this after I posted above. Chrono you and I think too much alike.

 

[Maisie]

Thank you TL for the advice. I will take it all on board!