My new to me Aquamarine?

[nala]

At least that is what it was sold to me as. I haven't been able to wear it much since my teen daughter keep finding outfits that "match it perfectly." Anyhow, feel free to tell me if it isn't an aquamarine.

 

[LoversKites]

Lovely stone and ring, I'm not surprised your daughter likes wearing it.

Looks more like apatite to me. I've never seen an aqua with that saturation as they are generally a lighter blue.

 

[chrono]

No idea what it is but it doesn't scream "aqua" to me.

 

[Starzin]

I think most regulars here would hesitate to call that an aquamarine. You can see what the usual range of aquas look like here http://www.gemfix.com/aquamarine.html

Did you buy it locally or online?

 

[nala]

I had a feeling that it was misrepresented when I bought it! Hence the title with the question mark. I bought it at a pawn shop in Utah so I didn't invest too much. It's 18k and the diamonds are pretty, so I don't mind that I'm not wearing an aquamarine. The odd thing is that 2 other jewelers seemed to agree that it is an aquamarine and said that it is a very pretty color

 

[Marlow]

Think no Aquq.

A Paraiba or Apatite or imitation for a Paraiba....

18k gold and diamonds..if there is a small chance it is a paraiba you should check RI - maybe you have a jeweller around.

Imitation... look at ring from the side - is the color uniform ? Could be a dublet ( right word - in german Dublette) Beryl and Beryl with a color layer between. Maybe that is an explanation for "aquamarine".

If it is a Paraiba don't give it your daughter!!

 

[Michael_E]

I had a feeling that it was misrepresented when I bought it! Hence the title with the question mark. I bought it at a pawn shop in Utah so I didn't invest too much.

Yeah, pawn shops often don't know what they're talking about, anything blue is either a topaz or an aqua. It might be a paraiba tourmaline and worth WAY more than you paid for it, so having someone knowledgeable check it out may be worthwhile. You may be taking advantage of the poor pawn shop owner and should probably feel very guilty. for the pawn shop guy.

 

[GliderPoss]

OMG OMG OMG I sincerely hope for your sake it's a Paraiba Tourmaline coz that would be like totes amaze

Either way it's very beautiful.

 

[Starzin]

I had a feeling that it was misrepresented when I bought it! Hence the title with the question mark. I bought it at a pawn shop in Utah so I didn't invest too much. It's 18k and the diamonds are pretty, so I don't mind that I'm not wearing an aquamarine. The odd thing is that 2 other jewelers seemed to agree that it is an aquamarine and said that it is a very pretty color

Okay... these are the game changers.

Run, do not walk, to a reputable jeweller and ask if they can identify what it is - possibly apatite or tourmaline.

If it's apatite it's extremely soft and needs gentle care if it's not to look "chewed" within months if not weeks.

If tourmaline, send it to AGL for a gem brief - it just may be a paraiba in which case you may, as Michael says, have a VERY valuable gem on your hands (pun intended). Does it glow in low light, i.e. under the table?

 

[nala]

OK, so I've been scrutinizing it and although I don't know much about gems, I think it has a huge window
so I doubt I have a very valuable gem here. There are a lot of inclusions as well, but they don't bother me because IT DOES SEEM TO GLOW in dim lighting. So I'm still happy to enjoy it for what it is.

 

[Marlow]

Yes - a good advice - r u n !!!

A Paraiba would be worth a LOT of money.

 

[Starzin]

OK, so I've been scrutinizing it and although I don't know much about gems, I think it has a huge window
so I doubt I have a very valuable gem here. There are a lot of inclusions as well, but they don't bother me because IT DOES SEEM TO GLOW in dim lighting. So I'm still happy to enjoy it for what it is.

I'm not sure you've got the message yet IF - big IF - it is a paraiba, the window and inclusions will be secondary. Some pictures from Paraiba Dealers may help.

ETA: At the very LEAST you need to find a gemologist who can tell you whether it is tourmaline. That is the first step.

 

[Starzin]

... and this is an apatite that sold for $15 - no zeros on the end of that number. Also - they rarely put $15 gems in 18k and diamonds

And even if you don't want to know... now we all NEED to know!!!!!

 

[Marlow]

I hope so much for you it is Paraiba!!!!

And if not - try to find a new gem - a lot of vendor here will offer a nice one - 18 k gold and diamond combined with a durable stone!

 

[mochiko42]

How thrilling! Can't wait to see what the stone really is..............

 

[Acinom]

Looks like my Paraiba
Included and windowed but expensive nontheless

As your stone seems to glow from the photo and in real life it might very well be a Paraiba.

 

[Marlow]

Looks like my Paraiba
Included and windowed but expensive nontheless

As your stone seems to glow from the photo and in real life it might very well be a Paraiba.

I still believe there is a tiny little neon bulb in the stone or setting!

 

[chrono]

I, too, am curious about the gem type. If it is indeed a cuprian or paraiba, the inclusions and window will not detract much from its value. Maybe it's time to get on the refractometer bandwagon?

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Looks like my Paraiba
Included and windowed but expensive nontheless

As your stone seems to glow from the photo and in real life it might very well be a Paraiba.

I still believe there is a tiny little neon bulb in the stone or setting!

haha Marlow, I completely agree!

 

[T L]

At least that is what it was sold to me as. I haven't been able to wear it much since my teen daughter keep finding outfits that "match it perfectly." Anyhow, feel free to tell me if it isn't an aquamarine.

Aquas are typically more greyish than your stone. Not sure how accurate the photo is for color, but it doesn't look like an aqua to me at all.

It could be a cuprian tourmaline. Whatever it is, enjoy it.

Be careful wearing it as the sides and corners don't look protected, and tourmaline or aqua, chips rather easily.

 

[nala]

Hi. Before we all get too excited, here is another picture which I think doesn't look anything like a paraiba

 

[Acinom]

Looks less glowy in your second pic indeed.
Still does not look like an aqua to my eye though...

 

[Marlow]

The inclusions are interesting....

They look like growth tubes ( from 10 o' clock to 4).

Occur in tourmaline and apatite...

 

[chrono]

I still doubt that it is aquamarine from the latest picture.

 

[GliderPoss]

This is killing me - PLEASE go & get it tested ASAP then post the results! This is potentially the sort of find you dream of stumbling upon but rarely do...

 

[Enerchi]

Well *this* is exciting!! Its beautiful no matter what the stone is and that setting is so cool (although I agree those corners could be at risk of being bumped... be cautious wearing it!)

I hope you can get it appraised and come back and share with us . Wouldn't it be amazing if it was a paraiba and you got the ring for a song??? Fingers crossed!

 

[Starzin]

Hmmm... the mystery deepens. I was going to ask if you could take a few more pictures for us. Could you take a couple on a slight angle please - on your hand and off for comparison?

 

[nala]

Update: I took it to two jewelers and they both ruled out aquamarine. One of them didn't have time to explore it at length and suggested that I bring it back to his gemologist. The other jeweler said it could be beryl, paraiba tourmaline, or apatite but that since he is no longer a gemstone enthusiast, he does not have the time to determine what it is exactly. However, he doesn't think that it screams high quality if it is indeed a paraiba. He referred me to his gemologist but she wasn't there when I called. I will check back tomorrow. Also, I will post more pictures of different angles.

 

[nala]

 

[treasurehunter]

Does it appear a different colour from the side view of the stone or front on ?