Please help me with buying a tourmaline cab

[KR]

Hi all,

What do you all think about this tourmaline cab?

I am on the hunt for a large transparent greenish cab and this is my top contender

Should I be worried about the visible inclusions or dark color?

I don't like the setting so ignore that--I would be buying it loose.

What do you think would be a good price to pay for it?

Not certified. Appraised as:

17.6 cts
14.00 x 13.35 x 10.00
VG cut and polish
Transparent
Dark blue green
Very even color

 

[JewelFreak]

It looks dark, but the photos aren't the best either. In 2 of them the reflection of photographer & camera are apparent; the shadow could be making it darker. From what the pics show, the color doesn't look all that even to me. Without knowing your budget, my opinion is that you can do better if you keep looking.

You could ask Brad Payne http://www.thegemtrader.com/index.htm if he has any not posted on his site. He often has tourm cabs. (A suite of 3 light ones are listed there now.) Good luck!

--- Laurie

 

[KR]

Thank you laurie!

I didn't see the cabs on the site you linked? Can you post direct links?

I am looking for 15 to 20 cts or more if its priced well.

The piece that originally inspired me was 40 cts. But that's not happening lol.

Im finding large cabs hard to find...any other suggestions for sellers that have them or can souce them?

Could this stone be a good deal if it is priced very low? Should I ask for more pics?

 

[JewelFreak]

KR, the cabs I mentioned are the 4th down, here: http://www.thegemtrader.com/Gems TZ Page 2.htm. They're not what you're looking for, however, smaller & pale saturation.

You could ask for other photos of this one, but I think it will still be dark. Buying a stone that doesn't thrill you because its price is low will not make you happy -- you'll end up not wearing it. What is the return policy of the seller? Can you order it to take a look IRL & return it easily if you don't like it?

Compromise on size or color may be necessary. Cabs that big aren't common.

Try emailing Brad & ask him. Barry Bridgestock lists cabochons also, so he might be of help. http://www.acstones.com/.

--- Laurie

 

[pregcurious]

Africagems.com has calibrated green tourmalines, but they look yellow green, and it looks like you prefer blue green.

 

[KR]

Thanks!!!

I have also noticed paraiba international has a few.

I'm noticing though that in general cabs are usually light or heavily included or opaque. This is one of the cleaner more saturated ones I've found.

When buying tourmalines what I'd the preferred tone? How dark is too dark?

 

[Starzin]

I adore good cabs and this is a beautiful teal but I have to agree that in hand it will probably rarely look like anything else than the dark stone of the second picture. In other words I don't think you'll often see the translucency you're probably looking for which shows up in the first pic.

Bear in mind if the stone was perfectly clean it would probably have been faceted. Reaching out to either Brad or Barry is a good idea because they both have some weird and wonderful stones tucked away and may just have something in the colour you're seeking. By all means use this as an example of the colour if it is indeed the colour you want.

You could also try the Google trick and follow your nose to the stone's website if anything takes your fancy.
https://www.google.com.au/search?rl...0...1c.1.32.img..5.1.222._ziUlIuT_5Q#imgdii=_

ETA: Gemselect usually has quite a large range of cabs but I think they're smaller than you want.
http://www.gemselect.com/group/gems...=desc&RG-3=no&p_min=&p_max=&sort_pr=no&page=1

 

[chrono]

Rough that is clean and transparent are almost always faceted because they are in greater demand and command better pricing. The cabochon you showed looks too dark for my taste; I worry all you will see is the reflection rather than that lovely "watery" cabochon look.

You can also try Swala Gem Trader, PrimaGems and AfricaGems.

 

[minousbijoux]

You know, it really depends upon your personal preference. Some people like darker stones that in bright light will show their intense color but in most lightings will exhibit a darker body color with flashes of the brighter, intense color. Others want the body color to be the bright, intense color all the time. Do you know where you stand on the tone of the stone?