Question about Ebay emeralds

[GoldfishPie]

I was looking to buy an emerald for a fun ring. I'll admit, I'm really cheap and wanted something way below the caliber of the rings normally seen on here. I have a setting that I want to use that can hold a 7x7mm square, so I started looking for emeralds (natural and lab created) and wow were they more than I wanted to spend! I went over to look at ebay and now I have some questions.

I found this stone:





After reading here and doing my own research, no, there is no way this is an emerald. The clarity and color are too good to be true, and it's from India. So, what could it be? And more importantly, do you think it could withstand being set? It's VERY cheap and I really like the color and cut. Do you think it's worth it to blow the money (way less than $100, trust me) to buy it and set it? I know it's not going to be an heirloom quality piece, but I can't figure out what the stone is, if it's not emerald. A doublet perhaps?

 

[pregcurious]

Here is an article on emerald treatments from a reputable source:

http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/catfights.htm

If this is a emerald, it is probably impregnated with plastic/resin.

 

[LD]

Why do you not think it's an Emerald? It may well be but it could be dyed and have all manner of fillings. The risk you run is that the treatments aren't stabilised but there's no way of knowing in advance I'm afraid.

You've mentioned that the clarity is good but I hope you don't mind me saying that (in my opinion) it's not. Can you see the cloudiness? That will affect its performance as it won't sparkle and you won't see light flash off the facets (which is what you'd want to see).

You've said this is cheap and it's only for a fun ring. Since you were looking at lab Emeralds, even if this one turns out not to be an Emerald, you'll certainly have got one that looks like one so if you feel it's in your price range it may be worth pulling the trigger.

 

[GoldfishPie]

You're right about the clarity, what I meant is that it's clearer than any other emerald I've seen at this price range (besides lab created)

Thanks for your input!

 

[chrono]

It could still be a natural emerald, just heavily treated with resin and dyed. Knowing the likely treatment, if you really like it, it might be worth getting it if the inclusions do not bother you. Emeralds are expensive, even those without top colour and more than just oiled.

 

[GoldfishPie]

An update, if anyone is interested-

I was outbid (outsniped, really) by ONE dollar on that emerald in my OP. It made me so frustrated because I had to wait a week to bid, but hey that's the ebay game. After about another week of more searching, and thinking, I decided to up my budget by a lot and get something that could really be a knockout, and not bought through some weird Indian seller on Ebay whose emeralds are mostly cracked resin (not to mention the difficult and arduous returns, if necessary)

I started looking around on the internet and in real life at all levels of emeralds, from a couple of pawn shops and antique jewelry stores, all the way up to stopping by the smithsonian and checking out the Hooker Emerald, Chalk emerald, etc. It's nice to live in DC

But what really caught my eye and mesmerized me more than anything were a couple of the mineral samples of green beryl, like this:



So, even though traditionally a "good" emerald should be clear, glassy, deep rich green, and with few inclusions, I loved the lighter, bright, glow and silk of "lesser" emeralds significantly more. I think that's what drew me to the original ebay auction as well. I really like a lighter to medium toned blueish-green, as opposed to a deep grassy/leaf green, with a ton of silk and moderately included.

I decided on a 1.38 ct stone from Embassy Emeralds:



I went with them over another ebay emerald because I really didn't want it to be heavily treated, and I wanted it to be Colombian. I love the color so much more than any of the Zambian emeralds, which also tend to be clearer. Plus the return policy was great, and I trust them more than some fly-by-night overseas ebayer, or even an American seller who could have gotten it from anywhere.

I'm not expecting you guys to pat me on the back for my awesome emerald, because I do realize I have a taste for the lower quality ones, but looking at this stone makes my heart pitter patter! I paid a couple of days ago, and I'm waiting for it to ship now. When I get it I'll post hand shots!

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

I just want you to know that you have a fellow emerald lover of the medium light green. Mine have only minor treatment and do show some inclusions , but i love the color. I have however learned that the darker color is the more desired and wouldn't turn it away if I was gifted with one.

If I ever make another emerald purchase i think I would go for the darker color. In the meantime I will continue to love my emeralds.
I hope you do too. Congrats. If you do not like it you can return it.


Annette

 

[minousbijoux]

Yay!!

We ARE going to pat you on the back. You know why? Because the real treasures are the ones we love. When you say every time you look at it, it makes your heart go pitter patter, then you have successfully accomplished the ultimate. Don't underestimate the color of the one you bought, either. The "preferred color," whether lighter or darker, is the bluish green with the glow that your stone demonstrates. Your stone is very pretty and you bought from a great vendor.

 

[pregcurious]

Goldfishpie, I think your emerald is lovely. For me, the thing that gets me about emeralds is ones that have a little bit of blue, and have a glow, and I think yours has both. Congrats!

I'm trying to learn how to read Embassy's pictures; can you tell us how apparent the inclusions are in person with the naked eye? I realize you picture is blown up, and I'm wondering if you can even see the jardin, and at what distance.

 

[periwinklegirl]

the thing that gets me about emeralds is ones that have a little bit of blue, and have a glow, and I think yours has both.

Ditto all around!

That's beautiful and absolutely my taste in emeralds.

The beginning of your post reminded me that I once bought an emerald from a street seller in Asia for $10, flawed, but the colour!

A couple of years ago I gave it to my MIL in a pendant and she was so touched she cried (she'd always wanted an emerald).

 

[chrono]

I think you did well considering your budget and requirements. It's all about getting the best stone for you within your budget.

 

[GoldfishPie]

Yay!!

We ARE going to pat you on the back. You know why? Because the real treasures are the ones we love. When you say every time you look at it, it makes your heart go pitter patter, then you have successfully accomplished the ultimate. Don't underestimate the color of the one you bought, either. The "preferred color," whether lighter or darker, is the bluish green with the glow that your stone demonstrates. Your stone is very pretty and you bought from a great vendor.

Aww, thank you! This made my day. I can't wait to see it in person!

Goldfishpie, I think your emerald is lovely. For me, the thing that gets me about emeralds is ones that have a little bit of blue, and have a glow, and I think yours has both. Congrats!

I'm trying to learn how to read Embassy's pictures; can you tell us how apparent the inclusions are in person with the naked eye? I realize you picture is blown up, and I'm wondering if you can even see the jardin, and at what distance.

I am curious to see how the inclusions translate into real life as well. That was one thing that struck me about the emeralds I saw in the smithsonian; in real life they look so deep and glassy, and the inclusions (while visible) seem to melt away with the stone. But in pictures (especially blown up) it's like you can see every little line and speck clear as day. It makes me even more optimistic about the emerald I purchased. It's supposed to be here tomorrow! Yay!

 

[minousbijoux]

We very much look forward to pictures

 

[pregcurious]

I've gone to the Smithsonian for inspiration too when buying stones. It's great to live near DC and have that opportunity.