To good to be true?

[Ryute30k]

So I have only recently started to dip my big toe into the sea of Gemology, and I think I want to start making some purchases. I have been spending alot of time on this whole sale auction site, and while some gems go for hundreds of dollars on this site, others look like this? http://www.gemrockauctions.com/auctions/nr-gemstones/item-406842 or http://www.gemrockauctions.com/auctions/topaz-gemstones/item-407492

Are these gems fake, or are these gems just not that valuable because its not part of the Rare Four? What do you think the retail value of these stones would be if they are real? Where do you guys go and buy your Gems? Really any knowlege you have about buying and selling Gems would be highly appreciated.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Welcome to PS! You would probably get better responses to this if you posted it in Colored Stones. There are many knowledgeable folks there that could properly answer your questions.

 

[Tourmaline]

The blue color in "Swiss Blue Topaz" is created by heat treatment. Those stones are cut badly, and they are in the (treated) semi-precious category rather than precious.

 

[marymm]

OP - please hit the "report concern" button to the right and ask the Moderator to move this thread over to the Colored-Stones forum.

Meanwhile, you may find this thread useful: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/

And, the two links you posted are for irradiated topaz - irradiated topaz is readily available and very inexpensive even when well-cut - but the stones you linked to are not well-cut.

I am unfamiliar with the vendor, but am put off by their policy of not permitting returns if negative feedback is left - that for me is a red flag.