Places to buy Demantoid?

[Messiah Khan]

As per my other thread; https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/alexandrite-cc-garnet-advice.135000/ I think I have decided to go for a circular cut Demantoid of less than 5mm for my engagement ring design. Does anyone know any good suppliers? At the moment I have my eye one a few on http://litnon.com and http://www.artcutgems.com. But wondered if there were any hidden stashes out there that are worth knowing about?

 

[chrono]

Those 2 are the only places I know of that carry demantoids on a consistent basis. If you choose GemLine/Litnon, don’t forget to ask for your 30% Pricescope discount.

 

[Messiah Khan]

Thanks for the reply. Oh, 30% would certainly help things. Has anyone used http://www.gemfrance.com . They seem to hold a good selection of small (sub 3.5mm) Russian Demantoids, but are the stones any good and how is their cutting etc?

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 2/2/2010 4:30:32 AM
Author: Messiah Khan
Thanks for the reply. Oh, 30% would certainly help things. Has anyone used http://www.gemfrance.com . They seem to hold a good selection of small (sub 3.5mm) Russian Demantoids, but are the stones any good and how is their cutting etc?

I am hesitant to post this, but I am a bit dubious about gemfrance. They still sell a lot of red andesine (some of it with old certificates, before treatments were known) from an undisclosed mine in the Congo that, as far as I know, no third party has ever seen or even knows where it is. I don''t want to slander anyone, but I am not very comfortable with them.

 

[Harriet]

The Congo?!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 2/2/2010 12:42:12 PM
Author: Harriet
The Congo?!

Yup - a secret mine in the Congo sounds like a cliche from old adventure books, but you can read what gemfrance had to say about this on a specialist forum.

You can see the stones on his site: http://www.gemfrance.com/-gem-gems-gemstone-gemstones-gemology-?&pierreId=4225&page_res=1&typeId=1&nomId=286&isGallery=1&sort=reference

 

[Harriet]

I've had the, er, privilege of seeing them in person. The friend who was with me was fascinated. I dragged him away and got a scary glare from Dr. whatshisname. Now, if I'd known that the stones are from the Congo, I'd have been intrigued too.

 

[Hest88]

Another option, if you''re willing to go the indirect route, is through Palagems. They may be pricier and there''s the wholesale aspect, but they''re not terribly difficult to deal with. When I bought my one oval and then set of three rounds I worked through Wink Jones, but many of my conversations with Pala were direct...and Wink just sealed the deal after I''d made a decision.

http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=14435

 

[LD]

From Gemfrance's website re Congo Andesine:

http://www.gemfrance.com/Andesine-from-Congo?#135

Wasn't the irradiated/treated Andesine being sold by television shopping channels supposedly mined up in the mountains of Tibet - so remote that nobody could find it or something equally as ridiculous?

 

[chrono]

Date: 2/2/2010 3:49:58 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
From Gemfrance''s website re Congo Andesine:

http://www.gemfrance.com/Andesine-from-Congo?#135

Wasn''t the irradiated/treated Andesine being sold by television shopping channels supposedly mined up in the mountains of Tibet - so remote that nobody could find it or something equally as ridiculous?

Yes, I still remember the claims of the TV channel andesines being mined someplace in Tibet.

 

[Hest88]

Heh. Did monks levitate the gems out of the earth?

 

[Messiah Khan]

Think I might stay away from gemfrance then, lol.

I do however have my eye on one on GemLine/Litnon. A little larger than I was after, but has colour change, looks clean and is a nice cut and is for a good price. I have requested a few more images if possible before comitting. Also how do I claim the Pricescope discount? Just mention I''m a member?

 

[Gailey]

I stumbled across some very nice looking demantoid today at Gemfix

 

[Messiah Khan]

Noooo!

I finally found a stone I liked. Right colour, price, size, Russian and had colour change as a bonus;

http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7391

But someone beat me to it by a few hours, after it had been there for at least 2 weeks!

So the search goes on.

 

[icekid]

Messiah Khan- Don''t fret, the right stone will come around. Litnon seems to have stones similar to that one quite frequently, if that is what you like.

 

[jstarfireb]

Would these interest you (matched pair, just over 4mm each)?

http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detg.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=GD00065&submit_search=1

I bought a 3.25 mm Russian demantoid of similar color (a really cool neon green) from this seller. Gary is really nice, and the price seems competitive.

ETA: If you mention you're from PS, he will ship first for a 10-day evaluation period before you have to pay. Not sure if he'll break up the pair, but it's worth asking.

 

[chrono]

Date: 2/6/2010 8:04:23 PM
Author: jstarfireb
Would these interest you (matched pair, just over 4mm each)?

http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detg.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=GD00065&submit_search=1

I bought a 3.25 mm Russian demantoid of similar color (a really cool neon green) from this seller. Gary is really nice, and the price seems competitive.

ETA: If you mention you''re from PS, he will ship first for a 10-day evaluation period before you have to pay. Not sure if he''ll break up the pair, but it''s worth asking.

There''s always a his and hers matched demantoid set rings.

 

[Messiah Khan]

Well it looks like I finally have my stone. After being beaten to a sale twice, I have finally settled and agreed with Michael on this one; http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7980 (Also see attached image). It''s a great colour and just about the right size.

Have had to change my ring design a little. Have simplified it a bit and tried to bring the width down as much as possible. Depending on the quoted price I hope to have it made in Platinum with 2 celtic trinity knots set either side of the stone, with the stone set in a rub-over setting to help protect it a little.

 

[Messiah Khan]

The ring will hopefully looks a little like the attached image. The design was based around a .70ct stone, so the actual one will be a little smaller (which I will prefer, especially the decreased height). I'm also not sure about the trinity knots at the front and back, but feel I need something there to balance the design a little.

 

[Arkteia]

Beautiful stone! Congratulations! Hopefully your dream will come true! Many happy returns of the gift!

 

[Messiah Khan]

Would help if I attached the image in the previous post.

 

[m76steve]

in reply to andesene red/green-it was found to ALL HAVE BEEN MAN MADE! mostly comming out of china & all produced by a diffusion process-this is why the bottom fell out of the andesene market-jtv was sued over selling a natural stone that was found not natural & had been chemically altered. jtv even bought back ALL andesene sold over a period of years as a good faith jesture-i think they are still very good to buy from because they do stand by what they sell-seizure.....

 

[m76steve]

just a pic of my demantoid pendent-the stones r all russian-were all bought overseas off of ebay-this is just to show what u can do with just a few stones-these garnets also make good rings-they r a tough material & show very well.....

 

[m76steve]

Date: 2/20/2010 6:03:44 PM
Author: Messiah Khan
Well it looks like I finally have my stone. After being beaten to a sale twice, I have finally settled and agreed with Michael on this one; http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7980 (Also see attached image). It''s a great colour and just about the right size.

Have had to change my ring design a little. Have simplified it a bit and tried to bring the width down as much as possible. Depending on the quoted price I hope to have it made in Platinum with 2 celtic trinity knots set either side of the stone, with the stone set in a rub-over setting to help protect it a little.

looks like u have picked out a very nice stone-shop carefully-try to buy similar stones or let ur imagination loose & invent something unusual-enjoy....

 

[brandy_z28]

Congrats on finding your stone Messiah Kahn! Looks lovely! I hope you can post more pics of it when you receive it.

 

[chrono]

Very well cut which should show off the demantoid''s dispersion extremely well. Excellent choice and I look forward to seeing the progress of the ring.

 

[Messiah Khan]

Just to update everyone on my ring. The stone arrived safe and sound at the Jewellers and the design was signed off. The ring has now been cast, and has returned from the assay office in London and is currently undergoing polishing, before going on to set the stone. Hope your lot like it, as I am certainly pleased with how it is coming on, and can''t wait to see it finished.

 

[Messiah Khan]

another pic

 

[chrono]

Cool pics. How much longer will it take to complete it?

 

[Kismet]

The rough cast looks really great. Can''t wait to see the final product.