This is bad, right?

[Elegant]

I am a total newbie - I love aquamarine (it''s my birthstone) and I have yet to purchase any loose stones. From what I think I remember

, when you see darkness in a stone, it''s bad, right? What about this one? This is an aquamarine and it is being sold for $10 - it is 7x5mm Octagon. But it is dark in the middle...

 

[LostSapphire]

Welcome to PriceScope! And especially to the Coloured Stones section!

I would ask if there are any additional photos before entertaining this as a possibility.

LS

 

[Elegant]

Thanks for responding and thanks for the colored stones welcome!

Here are two additional pics.

 

[Elegant]

And the other. It is .83ct. and AAA?

 

[coatimundi_org]

Hi Elegant,
The darkness is extinction. There are much better cut aquas out there. Have you seen Ellen's aqua thread? I'd look for stones that are that brilliant.

The AAA should be ignored. Some vendors make up their own grading system rendering it meaningless. The AAA system is typically legitimately used for pearls--not other colored gems.

Hope that helps!

 

[Elegant]

Date: 8/2/2008 7:02:57 PM
Author: coatimundi
Hi Elegant,

The darkness is extinction. There are much better cut aquas out there. Have you seen Ellen's aqua thread? I'd look for stones that are that brilliant.

The AAA should be ignored. Some vendors make up their own grading system rendering it meaningless. The AAA system is typically legitimately used for pearls--not colored gems.

Hope that helps!

Thanks coatimundi - yeah, I have seen her aqua and will use it as reference - it is beautiful. And thanks for the AAA info!