25.33 carat, mint like tourmaline ring...before and after

[Bluegemz]

The back story: recently, an antique jewelry dealer whom I like very much called me about a huge tourmaline ring she received. She felt that the ring was meant for me, and thought to call...so of course I had to go and take a look. I wasn’t looking for tourmaline and because of its large size and sparkliness, it isn’t something that I would have normally sought out. But once I saw it, the color had me hooked. I found myself unable to take my eyes off of the stone, as it seemed full of light, and a color that seemed like joy embodied. So, I decided to buy it. The stone comes with GIA paperwork.
Because of a significant window, I am sending it to be looked at for recut options. Hopefully a pavilion recut will be all that’s needed, but we’ll see. The stone is clean, with no chips. Half is slightly more bluish and half seems to be smidge more yellowish, which also captivated me. The setting seems to be small enough to adjust to some loss of height and sides. Some have mentioned possible color change. I will inquire about this too.
Given all this, I thought it would be fun to start a before and after thread!

 

[Bluegemz]

So here are some pictures. The first is on the dealer’s finger. This is as dark as it gets...which also reminds me of this similar tourmaline I found online. Both are from Brazil.

 

[Bluegemz]

These pictures are the few pics I have if it now, but will post more as this project ‘evolves’.

 

[chatoyancy]

amazing!!

 

[Bluegemz]

amazing!!

Thank you, Chatoyancy! It’s sometimes interesting how collections develop, at times so unexpectedly!

 

[ShinyPink]

Oh.my.gosh! Gorgeous! And you have a very nice jewelry dealer!

 

[chatoyancy]

Thank you, Chatoyancy! It’s sometimes interesting how collections develop, at times so unexpectedly!

You’re welcome! It is interesting how collections develop. Sometimes opportunity doesn’t just knock, it bangs on the door. I was reading through my Jewelry and Gems The Buying Guide by Antoinette Maitlins and A.C. Bonanno again the other day and stumbled on the tourmaline section. It was saying that an 18 carat tourmaline wasn’t considered large, but just a nice size. I then realized this book was written 20 years ago because I don’t remember the last time I saw one over 10 carats for sale and that was just one! Usually I don’t see anything much over 5 carats. You have a special treasure in your tourmaline Bluegemz! It is such a perfect color too!

 

[Bluegemz]

You’re welcome! It is interesting how collections develop. Sometimes opportunity doesn’t just knock, it bangs on the door. I was reading through my Jewelry and Gems The Buying Guide by Antoinette Maitlins and A.C. Bonanno again the other day and stumbled on the tourmaline section. It was saying that an 18 carat tourmaline wasn’t considered large, but just a nice size. I then realized this book was written 20 years ago because I don’t remember the last time I saw one over 10 carats for sale and that was just one! Usually I don’t see anything much over 5 carats. You have a special treasure in your tourmaline Bluegemz! It is such a perfect color too!

That’s interesting! I wondered about this too and started looking online. I’ve not found anything much larger than 5 carats so far. Can it really be that there aren’t many anymore? Thanks for sharing that!

 

[Bluegemz]

Oh.my.gosh! Gorgeous! And you have a very nice jewelry dealer!

Thank you, MrsKMB! She really is.

 

[chatoyancy]

That’s interesting! I wondered about this too and started looking online. I’ve not found anything much larger than 5 carats so far. Can it really be that there aren’t many anymore? Thanks for sharing that!

You’re welcome. I think other than in estate pieces, like yours, they may be gone.

 

[Deathspi]

Wow, what a rock! It’s going to look sensational after a recut, but it’s a stunner anyway. What a nice jeweller calling to tell you about it!

 

[elle_71125]

That baby is huge! And look at that color! This is already a gorgeous piece and I can't wait to see how the recut turns out.

 

[Bluegemz]

Thank you Deathspi! I felt quite honored that she thought of me. I too think it’s beautiful now too. Hopefully a recut won’t change it too much!

 

[Bluegemz]

That baby is huge! And look at that color! This is already a gorgeous piece and I can't wait to see how the recut turns out.

Lol, that was my reaction too! I thought, ‘wow, this is huge for a sparkly stone’. Thanks so much for the compliment! Then I remembered that I do wear big rings at times....Still, I wondered if it would look like this....lol!

 

[Acinom]

Wow!!! Look at that colour! What an amazing find. This will be an amazing ring.

 

[Burmesedaze]

Probably a blue moon find, totally befitting your style and lovely, elegant fingers!

 

[junebug17]

WOW! gorgeous, I love it! Can't wait to see it recut and on your finger!

 

[missy]

WW!!!!!! So exciting!!!! Can’t wait to see the final ring. It’s going to be amazbling greenilicious!!!!

 

[Stone Hunter]

Really cool looking stone! I like the bits of yellow within. Keep us updated with photos of this recut!!

 

[KaeKae]

Wow!!!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

What a great big beautiful stone and what a project- I can't wait to see the end results of the re-cut. It will be amazing.

 

[whitewave]

WOW!!!!!!

 

[Bluegemz]

Just an update...I decided to pass on the ring at the last minute because a dear friend fell into a very precarious situation and needed help. So it’s a bit sad but people love over jewel love. Hopefully I’ll come something equally as lovely in the future.

 

[chatoyancy]

Just an update...I decided to pass on the ring at the last minute because a dear friend fell into a very precarious situation and needed help. So it’s a bit sad but people love over jewel love. Hopefully I’ll come something equally as lovely in the future.

You are an awesome friend!

 

[Bluegemz]

You are an awesome friend!

Thank you. I know he would do the same for me. Sometimes crazy things happen in life.

 

[stracci2000]

Just an update...I decided to pass on the ring at the last minute because a dear friend fell into a very precarious situation and needed help. So it’s a bit sad but people love over jewel love. Hopefully I’ll come something equally as lovely in the future.

Kudos to you for helping a friend!!!

 

[Bluegemz]

Kudos to you for helping a friend!!!

Thanks, Stracci.

 

[Stone Hunter]

Great choice thanks for updating us.

 

[digdeep]

Much as we love sparkles........the invisible stuff is more important. Good on you Bluegemz for being grounded and "grounding" all of us.....

 

[Bluegemz]

Much as we love sparkles........the invisible stuff is more important. Good on you Bluegemz for being grounded and "grounding" all of us.....

Thank you for noticing this. The whole thing was indeed a grounding experience for me. Sometimes it does feel hard to prioritize what’s most important over gem passion. I imagined having the ring and not having been able to help my friend, and that was a terrible feeling for me. I knew I would not have enjoyed it anyway had I chosen differentlybecause it would have been a clear indication of a passion so strong, that it eventually became only self serving. We need to keep the currency of love and giving flowing, right?