ADVICE PLEASE! Minor oil bezel set emerald for daily wear?

[emmy12]

Been obsessed with natural emeralds and their glowy nature forever. I'm preparing for a big life milestone and was hoping to reward myself with a small every day ring.

LOOKING FOR ADVICE:

Recently have seen a lot of small (<1ct) bezel set, minor oil emeralds posted on Instagram from a reputable mine in Muzo, Colombia.

I've always been told that emeralds are too soft to be worn every day, through hand washing and everything.... but I also know that the average emerald is heavily included and has a lot of treatments done on it.

QUESTION #1:
Is the same adage still true for emeralds that are of higher quality (minor or insignificant oil) being too delicate and soft for everyday wear?

My work requires me to wear gloves and hand sanitize/wash constantly throughout the day, so I already know that probably isn't practical to wear any emerald through all that... (...right?). But when I'm not at work, can a small emerald still be practical? What are the risks of wearing it all the time

QUESTION #2:
Also wondering if the prices are about right for stones of this quality and size. They seemed reasonable to me, but I also don't have a lot of experience! Any help is greatly appreciated!

I can post the instagram handle if asked...wasn't sure if that's allowed. These are screenshots from some of their posts. The ones I love are the 3rd and 4th from the top in the photo with rings on only one finger. In the multi finger photo the ones that have brighter flashes (and less saturated, and more blue-hued in color) are the ones I tend to gravitate towards.

QUESTION #3:
Any advice for assessing quality/cut in videos of emeralds? The ones I'm drawn to show the most flashes of light from all different angles...wanted to confirm that my non-expert gut feeling is what all you PS-CS experts look at too!

Thanks in advance!

 

[chrono]

Q1. Yes, even minor treated emeralds are too delicate for everyday wear. Take away the emerald name, it is essentially a green beryl and beryl isn't an everyday wear stone. You can certainly enjoy wearing it if worn with care. Hardness isn't particularly the issue but brittleness is. The junction of the facets will show wear after a few years of regular wear. The girdle will certainly be better protected if bezeled although the crown facets remain exposed.

Q2. Can't tell the quality as the pictures are too small. What are the ct weight and mm sizes of the stones? Do these have any independent reputable lab paperwork confirming they are indeed only minor oil?

Q3. Refer back to Q2. Too small to be able to determine anything.

 

[emmy12]

Thanks for the reply! I figured as much, but glad to have it confirmed. Good to know that the hardness and brittleness, even with a bezel setting, just isn't there for every-day wear.

Mods, please remove these links if they're not allowed.

The rings are only local certification. the certs for those are just local labs, not AGL, Gubeline, or GIA. (Though they do send out their bigger stones for cert!) On instagram they are @muzoemeralds

Edit: had the wrong link for the milti-ring post. Corrected and added another post with other examples of similar rings

Multi ring original post

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Close up of similar rings

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Another recent multi-ring post

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[LilAlex]

I have seen those listings. If the rings are inexpensive and easily replaced -- and I think those are -- you can risk it, imo (unless you plan to stack five of them).

Now if it were your dream emerald-cut three-stone ring, then no.

 

[emmy12]

I have seen those listings. If the rings are inexpensive and easily replaced -- and I think those are -- you can risk it, imo (unless you plan to stack five of them).

Now if it were your dream emerald-cut three-stone ring, then no.

Maybe one day I'll have 100k to drop on the dream ring, but that day is not today. Modest little present under $2k (pennies in PS land) send reasonable to replace should something major happen.... That's kinda why I was thinking I could bite the bullet and have something like this to enjoy daily and not break the bank. Hopefully also not break the stone !

Is it possible to re-polish and emerald when they get beat up? Clearly these aren't investment heirloom size pieces. I wouldn't dare subject something if that caliber to the kind of wear and tear of my current daily life.

 

[LilAlex]

Is it possible to re-polish and emerald when they get beat up?

Yes, but it's not great in small stones -- disproportionately impacts weight and dimensions. And the cost of bezel-setting again is essentially making a new ring. Much easier if prong-set -- but then your fragile emerald is even more vulnerable.

Are they $2K? I guess that's not cheap. They are pretty and vibrant! If I were to take the plunge, I probably would just wear it as a "consumable" and try to get as many years as I could. And a whole lot depends on how you spend your life. We are hard on our jewelry in this house .

 

[T L]

If you want to repolish, I would not get a bezel set stone. If the lapidary needs to remove the stone, they have to destroy the bezel. Prongs can be easily replaced.

 

[kimberlyqkim]

Ive been admiring those too! color is stunning! prices seem to range between $1,000 - 2,000. I say if you want to wear it every day and that price is comfortable to you, go for it!

 

[motownmama]

What about a channel set band kinda like this? I wear mine days on end - no damage/worries

 

[emmy12]

Thanks for all the replies! I really want to pull the trigger..... Gotta defend my Thesis first though. If (or when) I get one, I'll post some pictures!

Regarding what to look for, any advice for trying to pick one of them? Things to avoid or things to look for?

 

[T L]

Thanks for all the replies! I really want to pull the trigger..... Gotta defend my Thesis first though. If (or when) I get one, I'll post some pictures!

Regarding what to look for, any advice for trying to pick one of them? Things to avoid or things to look for?

I would probably go for one of my he emerald cuts, as that cut really shows off the sheen in these rings, and one with a normal depth. I noticed some of the bezels are deeper than others, so you want to make sure you’re getting the most face up size for the carat weight. You don’t want most of the carat weight to be concealed in the bezel.

 

[T L]

You also want decent light return, so for example, I took this screen shot, and to me, the large elongated oval, looks dull and hazy, while the other three are more lively. You need to watch the video to see it better. Also try to avoid windows.

 

[emmy12]

You also want decent light return, so for example, I took this screen shot, and to me, the large elongated oval, looks dull and hazy, while the other three are more lively. You need to watch the video to see it better. Also try to avoid windows.

Agree. Of this post the cushion was my favourite I think, but those tend to look a lot smaller face-up than the other ones for weight.

The good (or bad?) thing is the prices are all pretty similar for the stones, even if some are listed as closer to 0.5ct and others are .8 they look the same size.

Windowing is common in both too-deep and too-shallow cuts right?

EDIT: I also thought the oval was the worst in this set.

 

[voce]

I hope you're not overpaying for the ring. It probably costs around $600 to bezel it in gold, but emeralds in that size range should be around $800/ct to $1000/ct if you purchase the emerald from a gem vendor. You could probably save a little bit of money if you buy an emerald first, then get a jeweler to make it into a ring, but I suppose that takes time, and it's possible the jeweler might break the emerald during the setting process. Hm, factoring everything in, including the setting risk, I guess $1k to $2k is an acceptable price range for one of these rings. I have to say, the cushion is also the one that looks best to me, too, from this still photo. If you are dealing with defending your thesis first, maybe it's worth asking the vendor if they would hold the cushion for you for a week, without demanding a payment from you?

 

[LilAlex]

Also, this looks like a very high-volume vendor close to the source (if it's who I think it is on IG) so I think you can say that you want one like the top one in this picture, etc.

With some vendors you can ask for the most vivid or vibrant one and be confident that that is what you are paying for. I have not dealt with this vendor.

 

[emmy12]

Yeah they are a really high volume vendor, so i'm not worried about them releasing new ones in the future. They post them periodically and in WG and YG, so if there's something specific that I want I'll be able to wait for it to come up. I've got at least 6 months to go!

 

[Laurainthesky]

0.60 Carat Colombian Emerald Solitaire Engagement Ring 14K

Displayed is a classic emerald solitaire engagement ring in yellow and white gold. This gorgeous solitaire ring carries a full 0.60-carat natural emerald. This gemstone is fully faceted and has excellent shine. This emerald is very clean to the naked eye and has a healthy green color. The...

jrcolombianemeralds.com

I was looking at this. Under $600 for a small nice stone with no treatment. Not a bezel. The color is not top, but I like it.

 

[emmy12]

0.60 Carat Colombian Emerald Solitaire Engagement Ring 14K

Displayed is a classic emerald solitaire engagement ring in yellow and white gold. This gorgeous solitaire ring carries a full 0.60-carat natural emerald. This gemstone is fully faceted and has excellent shine. This emerald is very clean to the naked eye and has a healthy green color. The...

jrcolombianemeralds.com

I follow JR Colombian emeralds on instagram and the quality of the emeralds that they post is much lower than the ones from @muzoemeralds

I did look at this link and even though the price is lower I wouldn't buy it. The clarity is really not up to standard.

 

[Kaycee2018]

I follow @muzoemeralds too and they have great stuff. While I haven’t purchased from the (yet ), I have inquired with Goerge about a few pieces, including a ring similar to these. Very responsive and helpfuf. But if you are in the US, keep in mind that set stones could be subject to import duties whereas loose stones are not. For that reason, I’d recommend purchasing loose and having it set here.

FWIW, I recently purchased a similarly sized loose emerald (.98ct vivid green insignificant to minor cedarwood oil from Chivor linked below) from @gemfactor_emeralds and it will be sent to David Klass to set. Price will be slightly less than these rings are going for and I am getting a custom setting (white gold bezel necklace). Just something to consider. GL!

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[emmy12]

I follow @muzoemeralds too and they have great stuff. While I haven’t purchased from the (yet ), I have inquired with Goerge about a few pieces, including a ring similar to these. Very responsive and helpfuf. But if you are in the US, keep in mind that set stones could be subject to import duties whereas loose stones are not. For that reason, I’d recommend purchasing loose and having it set here.

FWIW, I recently purchased a similarly sized loose emerald (.98ct vivid green insignificant to minor cedarwood oil from Chivor linked below) from @gemfactor_emeralds and it will be sent to David Klass to set. Price will be slightly less than these rings are going for and I am getting a custom setting (white gold bezel necklace). Just something to consider. GL!

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Oooh! Thanks for the heads-up! That is something to consider that there's import fees that could be added to the price. How was your experience with that other seller?

I agree, George has been very responsive on instagram when I messaged him about pieces

I like the convenience of having it already set, and if there's upcoming rounds of these little guys coming then I'll hopefully be able to just ask to see some of those loose before they're set and get it once its set. The convenience factor is also worth something in this case. Don't want to have to find a jeweler to set it and go through that whole design process and wait.... Paying for simplicity

 

[Kaycee2018]

Oooh! Thanks for the heads-up! That is something to consider that there's import fees that could be added to the price. How was your experience with that other seller?

I agree, George has been very responsive on instagram when I messaged him about pieces

I like the convenience of having it already set, and if there's upcoming rounds of these little guys coming then I'll hopefully be able to just ask to see some of those loose before they're set and get it once its set. The convenience factor is also worth something in this case. Don't want to have to find a jeweler to set it and go through that whole design process and wait.... Paying for simplici

I actually just received the stone this morning and it is exactly as advertised and shown on their insta. Shipping was very fast and they were easy to work with, so I'd recommend them. I've included a pic of it in a spring holder vs. my bezel set emerald ring (.97ct GRS insignificant oil from Muzo). The color in the new Chivor stone appears to be a bit less saturated vs. my Muzo stone , though it is hard to gauge since the Chivor is unset and setting definitely deepens the color. You can really see the difference in undertones (blue Chivor vs. yellow Muzo). I'll be sending it to David Klass to set it in an E/W bezel pendant. He does great and makes going the custom route easy, but I understand the convenience of a pre-set piece, Best of luck to you!

 

[emmy12]

I actually just received the stone this morning and it is exactly as advertised and shown on their insta. Shipping was very fast and they were easy to work with, so I'd recommend them. I've included a pic of it in a spring holder vs. my bezel set emerald ring (.97ct GRS insignificant oil from Muzo). The color in the new Chivor stone appears to be a bit less saturated vs. my Muzo stone , though it is hard to gauge since the Chivor is unset and setting definitely deepens the color. You can really see the difference in undertones (blue Chivor vs. yellow Muzo). I'll be sending it to David Klass to set it in an E/W bezel pendant. He does great and makes going the custom route easy, but I understand the convenience of a pre-set piece, Best of luck to you!

Ooo east west pear setting? Intriguing! Please post pics when you get it!

 

[emmy12]

Thanks for the picture of your current ring too! Gorgeous little emerald! Is it a white gold setting?

As for color, both are gorgeous!

 

[Kaycee2018]

Thanks for the picture of your current ring too! Gorgeous little emerald! Is it a white gold setting?

As for color, both are gorgeous!

The bezel ring is white gold.