Seek opinions on a few stones

[cookies]

I found a few stones, some of which are fairly inexpensive. They all look nice to me, but I have no idea on how to judge the quality. Would you please take a look and share your thoughts/opinions? I am considering them for my bezel pendant and bezel ring projects. Thank you!

Mint green beryl in my favorite portuguese cut from DJRareGems, 9 ct, 13.4 x 9.7 mm, eye clean, origin Mozambique:


Colorless damburite in my another favorite flower cut from PlanetaryGems, 3.78 ct, 9.53 x 7.18 mm, flawless, IF-VVS, origin Mexico:


Colorless damburite in flower cut from PlanetaryGems, 8.31 ct, 12 x 9.08 mm, flawless, IF-VVS1, origin Mexico:


Colorless damburite in flower cut from PlanetaryGems, 4.32 ct, 10.5 x 7 mm, flawless, IF, origin Mexico:


Pastel pink tourmaline in portuguese cut from CustomCutGems, 8.87ct, 12.68mm, has minor inclusions, looks clean from normal viewing distance, origin Afghanistan:


Richard Wise's Cuprian purple tourmaline, 8.14ct, 12.5 x 11.1 mm, he rated it at 9.8:


Lavender tourmaline from PalaGems, 7.71 ct, 13.06 x 13.06 x 8.32 mm, origin Mozambique:


Rubellite tourmaline from PalaGems, 9.03 ct, 13.12 x 13.12 x 9 mm, fushia color, origin Nigeria:


Rubellite tourmaline from Paraiba International, 6.41 ct, 13 x 11 x 7.3mm, video available at http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=568:

 

[chrono]

As with most gemstones, price almost always reflects the quality (and rarity) but not always. Some of what you’ve shown is not a fine example for their variety but if priced accordingly, can be a fair deal. Usually, when looking for “quality”, colour is of prime importance, in particular the purity of hue (if it has any secondary colour or modifiers), and the saturation (vivid or lacking oomph). Then we come to the other Cs such as clarity, cut and carat weight. Another important point not always mentioned is treatment; usually the untreated version is desired if all else is equal. What I can tell you is that the stones you are looking at differ greatly in price; Richard Wise and Pala are on the extreme high end with Planetary being the lowest.

 

[T L]

Rubellite tourmalines can be irradiated (or heated then irradiated), and I don't believe, at this time, a gemological lab can verify if it's been irradiated (someone please correct me if I'm wrong about that). If you don't care about irradiation, which can drastically alter the color, then I would look at rubellites, but do so with the caveat that you shouldn't be paying a lot for one if you cannot verify treatment.

The Afghani tourmaline above is very well cut and has a nice pale color, and I don't think the more muted colors of Afghani pink tourmaline are being treated with irradiation at this time (the more vivid colors are). Again, someone please correct me if I'm wrong. While I prefer vivid color on gems, I am pretty cautious about rubellites. I know customgemstones.com also has very fair pricing, so if I had to choose all of the above, it would be that one. The mint green tourmaline is a bit too grey for my taste, and I don't care for colorless gems, but you may. The lavender tourmaline from Pala is probably very high priced too, and it reminds me of an amethyst ( a lower priced gem ).

Therefore of all the choices, color, potential treatment, and pricing, I would go with the Afghani pale pink tourmaline. The cutting on it is exceptional as well as the size too.

If I knew for a fact that the color was not treated, then I would go with the fushia rubellite from Pala. I think it has the best color, per the photos, of all the rubellites/tourmalines you picked out. I would also ask about color shifting on any rubellite you decide to purchase. Many shift to a more orange or brown color, and you may not like that. This happens in certain lighting. This can happen with purple and lavender tourmalines to (I know, I own a purple cuprian and it shifts).

ETA: Never take a vendor's word that a stone is untreated without reputable lab proof, even if they're very trustworthy. Even reputable dealers can be duped and treatments are always evolving, changing. This is especially true if the gem is very expensive.

 

[VapidLapid]

I like the lavendar tourmaline a lot and the cuprian as well. Both are colors and saturations that Im really loving.

 

[VapidLapid]

Just read TL's above and have to agree, the Dan Stair tourmaline is great too! delicate color, very well cut and HUGE

 

[T L]

I would also not bezel a danburite. Too soft a stone. Durability is a major factor when considering a bezel set stone. A skilled jeweler could bezel a tourmaline, but I would not advise it for most jewelers.

 

[LD]

The Rubellite from Pala is gorgeous BUT Rubellite can change to a muddy brown in incandescent lighting. The one from Pala looks too rich to do that but it's most definitely worth getting for a look. It's gorgeous!

I love the lavender tourmaline also. I suspect this is at the high end of the price range but if your funds allow I'd be tempted to look at this one too. This particular colour (especially if it's that colour in real life) is not easy to come by.

Danburites are a less durable stone than others. I've noticed that some are from Planetary Gems? I've never actually managed to buy anything from them because they never answer their emails (although I do know one or two posters on here have had better luck). I'm not sure what they're like as a company to deal with or whether their photos are a good representation.

Have you got your eye on any one in particular?

 

[cookies]

Have you got your eye on any one in particular?

No, I have not seen any of them, and have no idea how danburite looks in real life.

 

[LD]

Have you got your eye on any one in particular?

No, I have not seen any of them in real life.

Danburites look very much as they do in pictures. They're not as dispersive as diamonds but are pretty gemstones. You can get different colours and I've also seen them used as accents instead of diamonds. For a less expensive stone they're a good buy but their use in jewellery means they're limited because of the durability issue and so you don't often see pieces with them in.

 

[cookies]

Thank you for all your timely replies! It seems we have narrowed down to CustomCutGems' pastel pink tourmaline, PalaGems' rubellite and lavender tourmaline, and Richard Wise's cuprian purple tourmaline. What I probably should do next is find out the pricing on all these stones, which might narrow down my choices further.

I should correct myself -- it is CustomGemstones, not CustomCutGems.

 

[chrono]

As a note:
RW = if it isn't listed, it is over $5K
Pala = you'll need to contact a local jeweller or even a PS vendor (Rick Martin, Whiteflash, Gary Dutton, etc) to get pricing because they do not sell directly to the public but only through someone in the trade.

 

[cookies]

As a note:
RW = if it isn't listed, it is over $5K
Pala = you'll need to contact a local jeweller or even a PS vendor (Rick Martin, Whiteflash, Gary Dutton, etc) to get pricing because they do not sell directly to the public but only through someone in the trade.

Thank you for the note. I just called Richard. His cuprian purple tourmaline is over $9K. I cannot afford it!

 

[movie zombie]

the Pala stone will be similarly priced. it is to die for. have your jewelery price it anyway. the info is good for educational purposes.

MoZo

ps i so really love that Pala stone!

 

[Arkteia]

I like the cuprian, but the price is on the higher end and I saw stunning Brazilian paraibas at Paraiba International priced at 7K. Too sad that few can afford Richard's stone because it is pretty nice. But I would agree with TL, tourmalines these days are often irradiated, from what I have read it is more typical for rubellites and blue tourmalines but it is enough for me. If you are looking for a nice rubellite, look at Lisa Elser's stones. They are cut nicely, the price is way more affordable and the color is great. She states that they are untreated and while I agree with TL that in reality you never know, if you are "sold" on rubellites, at least you can get a much better deal.

 

[movie zombie]

lisa = http://www.lisaelser.com/index.html

i think its ok to post her website......i'm sure i'll hear if its not. good suggestion re lisa, crasu.

MoZo

 

[T L]

I like the cuprian, but the price is on the higher end and I saw stunning Brazilian paraibas at Paraiba International priced at 7K. Too sad that few can afford Richard's stone because it is pretty nice. But I would agree with TL, tourmalines these days are often irradiated, from what I have read it is more typical for rubellites and blue tourmalines but it is enough for me. If you are looking for a nice rubellite, look at Lisa Elser's stones. They are cut nicely, the price is way more affordable and the color is great. She states that they are untreated and while I agree with TL that in reality you never know, if you are "sold" on rubellites, at least you can get a much better deal.

I don't think blue tourmalines are irradiated, they are just heated. I could be wrong though. I do know for a fact that they are heating and irradiating tourmalines to various pink colors. Again, treatment might not matter to the OP, but she should know what she is paying for as some treatments do devalue a gem quite a bit.

 

[Roger Dery]

lisa = http://www.lisaelser.com/index.html
i think its ok to post her website......i'm sure i'll hear if its not. good suggestion re lisa, crasu.
MoZo

It may take a while for Lisa to respond as she is busy bulking up on Gelato some where near Rome, or maybe along the Amalfi Coast. Should be back in a week or so.

 

[movie zombie]

yum: bulking up on gelato.....everywhere italian!

MoZo

 

[lelser]

Just back in Rome, after a week in Sicily and a week on the Amalfi coast. Fat and happy doesn't begin to describe it. I'm home again and back at the wheel on Wednesday!

Tomorrow we're spending the afternoon and evening with a wonderful goldsmith and gemologist here in Rome. Tonight it's just me and the Mr. off for a quiet dinner. Somewhere in between - shoe shopping.

Ciao,

Lisa
www.lisaelser.com

 

[billyboo]

I like that rubellite. Such a pretty color.