How can you tell the quality of a rough gem besides the clarity does it go by the color and the intensity? Is there anyone out there that can help me figure out the value of these stones?
2 Likes
I’m sorry for your loss.
I am in a similar situation, having inherited Colombian emeralds in various states (cut and matrix)and quality, with no idea what to do with them. Hoping to learn from replies to your post. 
2 Likes
My suggestion is to find the nearest gem and lapidary club in your region and ask the faceters there about the quality of your stones. If they want to purchase any then you can ask them what value they would put on them because these people are always looking for good material, but not necessarily at what may be commercial prices. They may also suggest a commercial cutter in your area who may want some or part of what you have. Aso, be aware that some gemstones attract a much higher price than others, eg sapphire vs peridot, so don’t expect someone to purchase the lot unless you can weigh up the differences in price.
1 Like
What State/City are you in? I may be interested if I could get few more details
Also super interested in the emeralds.
Hi there dear fellow gem lover. I would sergest doing some studdys via IGS and other articals as almost every one will builld up there Owen way of discovery, but it always comes back to IGS or GIA so as long as you can go onto the gem encyclopaedia. I have leurned a lot there too and even from the pricing guides, Like how to check for secondary hue’s and colour factors that can up or down the prices and how to correctly identify via other factors. It is also very important to remember the 4c’s and the maths behind the formula’s, But there are so many variables from gem to gem so each one will need to be jugged by its Owen set of rules and distingueshing factors unique to them as some gems types my have large family sub types such as garnet and sapphire beryl and many more.
The 7ct+ one is nice size but kind of light in color. Also you would need to verify natural or synthetic. If you still have when I go to New York again I will contact you. Unless you could get a lab report that verified natural
I am in Arizona
Interesting to learn that the 7 carat stone could be synthetic; I never imagined that a synthetic stone would have so many occlusions.
I have had the stones examined by a jeweler, who purchased a couple of them, but he advised me against obtaining certificates because of the cost. I’ll look into finding a GIA-endorsed lab to evaluate the better stones.
Thank you.
Yes synthetic emeralds have inclusions as well, and some look similar to natural inclusions. And GIA doesn’t have endorsed labs only their own, but you could find a GIA Graduate Gemologist at a jewlery store or local lab that could verify.
1 Like
This question may sound odd but what wo I ld one google . . Lapidary Club near me? I googled once and found a listing that was for a mineral society that has shows once or twice a year but most of them are stones in the matrix etc. I havent seen any poctures where anyone shows faceted stones. Most show the rock broken open showing maybe amethyst crystals inside. TY
Ken
Rom
I used to live in N New Jersey just outside NYC and am plan n ing on moving back there. I have a lot of faceted stones im trying to liquidate also that are all very nice like a 7 ct oval cut Zambian emerald. Among most any other stone except for sapphires. If you can find a contact I’d appreciate it if you can let me know also.
Thank you very much.
Ken
1 Like
Rom, Bingo! Thats the biggest problem when someone has many stones like hundreds tgat are excellent quality. Certs for each are cost prohibitive unless you have a guaranteed buyer.
Ken
1 Like
I’m in Australia where every State has several thriving gem and lapidary clubs and where members buy, swap and fashion gemstones. Having lived in the USA (admittedly in the late 1960’s) I assumed that in the USA there are similar clubs where people learn how to facet their own gemstones.
1 Like
Thank you Ivan. Yes, currently I’m in the SE US. I used to live right outside NYC where the diamond district is.
I’ll try looking up lapidary clubs on line and see if i can find anything near me. When I first moved i went to an antique show where there are also some jeweler booths. I went to two to try to sell a 7 ct oval Zambian emerald that a had a modified cert from GIA gemologist with a Wholesale Value. They both thought it was nice but the first i think just bought their stock premade and already set. The second sort of one man show liked it but would have liked less oil. Then the second guy told me colored gemstones are hard to sell down here since lots of people smuggle in stones from S. America.
I’m not sure if its true and wasnt happy hearing it but wasnt happy.
Thanks again… Best,
Ken
Hi Kend,
I sold one of my nicer emeralds to a local jeweler, but haven’t had any luck with the rest. Another jeweler advised me to get some of the stones certified, and yet another jeweler told me certification wasn’t worth the cost.
I did show the stones to various “colored stones” specialists at the Woodbridge, NJ jewelry exchange, but none of them were looking for emeralds. (You might have better luck with your stones, though.)
Several advised me that, to sell emeralds, I needed to go to NYC and one offered to do it for me because he thought that as a woman I would be taken advantage of. Honestly that turned me off so much that I dropped the whole enterprise.
Pls lmk if you find anyone once you move back to NJ.
Good luck with your move - I hope it goes smoothly!
Thanks Rom, that is very weird as a woman you would be taken advantage of???
That’s what i was doing oit of NYC going to locals but i goind they were handing me … . Tgat i cant say on here. First of all Asian or Indian dealers / cutters don’t ship one stone to US jewelers!!! So i gave up on driving to the mom and pop.
Obviously, I have ALL different types of stones but i just mentioned the Zambian because I had a shortened version of a cert done on that by a GIA and Forensic guy in LA. I also sent him a fantastic emerald cut aqua like the one Princess Diana had (Meaghan waved with it on her right hand in the convertible) and i think mine was like 25 cts or more. The guy gave me a deal price to use his insurance acct for a brief description, wholesale price, with pic of each stone. I think i sent him 5. But as you said GIA certs on all would be a fortune!! All my other emeralds are from Brazil mines and probably at least 4 cts plus. Beautiful stones with only jardin not included but oiled like 99.9%. I prefer Brazil over Colombia.
Maybe if I’m back up in N. NJ in the spring living there again I’ll msg you to get your locals name.
I really appreciate you responding and think it’s great since that’s part of what i think IGS members whi care do well.
All the Best,
Ken
1 Like
The colored gem market appears to have suffered so much from synthetics and treated stones that customers now depend on trusted sources. Clearly, as large stones are valuable buyers want more assurances that what they’re buying is genuine. I’m not familiar with emeralds and dislike them on account of defects and the oiling that they need for sale presentation.
1 Like
Agreed Ivan. Trusted sources are important or certs. For a large stone. However, people should realize that the certs will cost addl money especially when one is dealing with a larger more expensive gemstone. Personally I’ve never seen any synthetics. As far as emeralds everyone has their likes and dislikes of stones but for the most part emeralds have always been this way due to the nature of the stones. Inclusions aren’t good but jardin in emeralds are fine. A perfect large emerald would be very costly.