Aquamarine

[Phoenix]

Sorry I forgot to answer yr q, Harriet.

Actually, I don''t really know. It''s a whole new different world for me, coloured stones...very interesting and exciting though. I guess maybe a pear, a cushion, radiant, anything but round (I think I have enough rounds). I do know that I''d like the shape, amongst all the fancy shapes , that sparkles the most. Which one would that be?

 

[Phoenix]

or do you mean "cut" as in good cut, excellent cut etc.?

 

[Phoenix]

Thank you, Adam, for your detailed feeback and very helpful infor. In fact, I was very very tempted to buy that topaz ring, thinking it was quite "reasonable", but am glad I came and posted abt it on PS. Thanks to you and Widget, I didn''t. I am glad I was not duped into buying an inexpensive stone, thinking I was buying something unique and precious.

LOVE the stones you posted btw, particularly the one on the left and the one on yr avatar.

 

[chrono]

Date: 5/16/2007 9:46:51 AM
Author: lienTN
or do you mean ''cut'' as in good cut, excellent cut etc.?

In the gemstone world, cut is usually the shape (but not always). Rounds will always be the most brilliant. Gemstones are not judged by sparkliness, but by colour and brilliance. Ovals are most common and is usually quite brilliant if well cut. I like square shapes, so cushions and barion cuts (considered a fancy cut) are my favourites!

 

[Nicrez]

Date: 5/16/2007 10:12:12 AM
Author: Chrono

Date: 5/16/2007 9:46:51 AM
Author: lienTN
or do you mean ''cut'' as in good cut, excellent cut etc.?

In the gemstone world, cut is usually the shape (but not always). Rounds will always be the most brilliant. Gemstones are not judged by sparkliness, but by colour and brilliance. Ovals are most common and is usually quite brilliant if well cut. I like square shapes, so cushions and barion cuts (considered a fancy cut) are my favourites!

Feeding off of what Chrono said, rounds are the most brilliant, but they also can change the look of the rough and wash out color, so it is the best cut for a dark, deep colored rough to begin with. A light stone would be best cut in radiant shape usually, as it is the best way to bring color to the stone. That is why you see many fancies in the gemstone world. The shapes have much to do with retention of rough as well as the color that they produce, or more like the intensity of that color. Cutting a radiant won''t make a yellow diamond any more pink, but might make it a deeper yellow from Fancy to intense sometimes. Same goes with gemstones.

Cushions are popular enough but in gemstones you will not find nearly as much precision in cut for many reasons, including the cost of rough, but also these are not often cut by the most experienced cutters. To find a gemstone well cut, and within good proportions where the color, intensity and brilliance of the stone is truly captured is a feat in itself. I really hate online shopping for diamonds unless you see them. I feel it''s next to impossible to accurately shop online for gemstones, but around here there are a few great vendors whose pictures seem pretty accurate and whose repuation speaks for itself, so I say go out there and look at gemstones anywhere you can. Familiarize yourself with cuts and hue, and saturations, then see what you can find! If at all possible, see them in person, it to me is the only way to truly feel the stone out. Good luck!

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/16/2007 10:12:12 AM
Author: Chrono

Date: 5/16/2007 9:46:51 AM
Author: lienTN
or do you mean ''cut'' as in good cut, excellent cut etc.?

In the gemstone world, cut is usually the shape (but not always). Rounds will always be the most brilliant. Gemstones are not judged by sparkliness, but by colour and brilliance. Ovals are most common and is usually quite brilliant if well cut. I like square shapes, so cushions and barion cuts (considered a fancy cut) are my favourites!

Lien,
This is what I meant.

Chrono,
What is a barion cut?

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 5/16/2007 10:12:12 AM
Author: Chrono

Date: 5/16/2007 9:46:51 AM
Author: lienTN
or do you mean ''cut'' as in good cut, excellent cut etc.?

In the gemstone world, cut is usually the shape (but not always). Rounds will always be the most brilliant. Gemstones are not judged by sparkliness, but by colour and brilliance. Ovals are most common and is usually quite brilliant if well cut. I like square shapes, so cushions and barion cuts (considered a fancy cut) are my favourites!

Duh, Lien!!!

.

Thanks so much, Chrono. That''s very informative.

I must say I didn''t know any of this!

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 5/15/2007 1:50:49 PM
Author: Nicrez
Lien,

I hate to admit it, but to an untrained and unprepared gemstone buyer, there is little you can do to determine real or fake at the shop. Even after learning all the gemstone tricks, I can get fooled, unless I have a refractometer in my pcoket! The easiest way to determine anything is testing, and usually unset is easier. That said, what CAN help is getting two books that i recommended to Harriet, as I have to say they are the best so far and easiest to understand...

I''ll try and post them again later... Good luck and I would prefer a well colored Aquamarine as well, over a blue topaz. I first started buying gems before learning about them, and I though I was a champ for buying the blue topaz so cheap, but they are cheap. What I like better is the Quartz family, and the smoky topazes are lovely in large sizes... Good luck!!!

Thank you so much, Nicrez. I really reallly cannot tell...

What is a "refractometer"? Is it kind of like a diamond tester, but it tests how something (light? wild guess here) is refracted (as supposed to conductivity for diamond?) ? and where do I get one?

Yes, that''d be really helpful. I can always look up Harriet threads to see if I can find the books.

I didn''t know topaz was so much cheaper either!

Thanks again, Nicrez.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 5/16/2007 10:32:34 AM
Author: Nicrez

Date: 5/16/2007 10:12:12 AM
Author: Chrono

Date: 5/16/2007 9:46:51 AM
Author: lienTN
or do you mean ''cut'' as in good cut, excellent cut etc.?

In the gemstone world, cut is usually the shape (but not always). Rounds will always be the most brilliant. Gemstones are not judged by sparkliness, but by colour and brilliance. Ovals are most common and is usually quite brilliant if well cut. I like square shapes, so cushions and barion cuts (considered a fancy cut) are my favourites!

Feeding off of what Chrono said, rounds are the most brilliant, but they also can change the look of the rough and wash out color, so it is the best cut for a dark, deep colored rough to begin with. A light stone would be best cut in radiant shape usually, as it is the best way to bring color to the stone. That is why you see many fancies in the gemstone world. The shapes have much to do with retention of rough as well as the color that they produce, or more like the intensity of that color. Cutting a radiant won''t make a yellow diamond any more pink, but might make it a deeper yellow from Fancy to intense sometimes. Same goes with gemstones.

Cushions are popular enough but in gemstones you will not find nearly as much precision in cut for many reasons, including the cost of rough, but also these are not often cut by the most experienced cutters. To find a gemstone well cut, and within good proportions where the color, intensity and brilliance of the stone is truly captured is a feat in itself. I really hate online shopping for diamonds unless you see them. I feel it''s next to impossible to accurately shop online for gemstones, but around here there are a few great vendors whose pictures seem pretty accurate and whose repuation speaks for itself, so I say go out there and look at gemstones anywhere you can. Familiarize yourself with cuts and hue, and saturations, then see what you can find! If at all possible, see them in person, it to me is the only way to truly feel the stone out. Good luck!

Wow!! Nicrez, that''s so much helpful infor that I didn''t know before.

I have started to look at coloured gemstones in the shops and oh boy, there are so many colours and shapes out there. I am having trouble just remembering the name of each type of stones!

There is so much to learn. It is so exciting though!

 

[Harriet]

Lien,
Where are you looking?

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 5/16/2007 10:11:56 PM
Author: Harriet
Lien,
Where are you looking?

Do you mean "where"?

 

[Harriet]

Yes.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 5/16/2007 10:34:29 PM
Author: Harriet
Yes.

Sorry, Harriet. Misread your post, thought you said "when"! I AM a silly one!

I look at most jewellery stores in Orchard Road. I've seen some pretty looking stones but have no idea whether they are what they're supposed to be or just pieces of glass. Mr Zeng, the highly respected gemologist (you might have heard abt him - he's become really well known recently here in S'pore but I have used him for severall yrs now), has said to me that I should bring the stone to him if I'm considering buying one. But I want to do my reading / research first which is fun in itself.

 

[Harriet]

Lien,
I've never heard of him, but that doesn't mean anything. I'm with you on doing one's own research (though some of it can be pretty heavy-going

).

 

[chrono]

Date: 5/16/2007 6:33:23 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 5/16/2007 10:12:12 AM
Author: Chrono

Date: 5/16/2007 9:46:51 AM
Author: lienTN
or do you mean 'cut' as in good cut, excellent cut etc.?

In the gemstone world, cut is usually the shape (but not always). Rounds will always be the most brilliant. Gemstones are not judged by sparkliness, but by colour and brilliance. Ovals are most common and is usually quite brilliant if well cut. I like square shapes, so cushions and barion cuts (considered a fancy cut) are my favourites!

Lien,
This is what I meant.

Chrono,
What is a barion cut?

I don't know how to describe a barion cut, but you can see it here:
http://www.customgemstones.com/TOURMALINE/to882.html

Rather technical explaination but here it is:
Among the first mixed cuts was the Barion cut, introduced in 1971. Invented by South African diamond cutter Basil Watermeyer and named after himself and his wife Marion, the basic Barion cut is an octagonal square or rectangle, with a polished and faceted girdle. The total facet count is 62 (excluding the culet): 25 on the crown; 29 on the pavilion; and 8 on the girdle. This cut can be easily identified by the characteristic central cross pattern (as seen through the table) created by the pavilion facets, as well as by the crescent-shaped facets on the pavilion. A similar cut is the Radiant cut: It differs in having a total of 70 facets. Both it and the Barion cut exist in a large number of modified forms, with slightly different facet arrangements and combinations.

 

[Nicrez]

Lien,

A refractometer is actually a device used by gemologists to test stones light refraction. to me, it is the most accurate method of testing what a stone will be because every single stone has a range of refractive index or "RI". As such you can tell a spinel from a ruby immediately based on it''s refractive index. HOWEVER, you would have to drop a good $500 or so on a small machine, and the refractive liquid (that is necessary to allow for a controlled surface in which to test the light) is toxic and expensive and and often times hard to find. When we were in class at GIA, when you ran out of liquid, tough luck, you had to find your own and that was TOUGH! So we were all VERY sparing with it. The liquid has a high RI at 1.81, I think...? It''s been a while. So the liquid drop is placed on the glass window, and the flattest part of the stone (usually the table if faceted) is placed on the liquid, and held in place. A light source is used to light the refractometer and you will get a reading of what the item in question reads on the RI scale. It''s fun, but a bit tricky for items that have no flat surfaces. Lots more to it when testing stones, like looking out for doublets and triplets, meaning stones that may have sapphire on top, but glue glass on the bottom for weight. And you may think, ''That''s so noticeable!" Not so. Some people can make them look very very passable, especially on dark stones. So you take the RI on the table and it says Sapphire, but lo an behold, the other material shows an RI behind it, and it appears as well. That is why I love refractometers. I don''t suggest buying one, per se. They don''t travel well and make for better lab use, where the liquid can be controlled and other variables for testing, such as the light source, etc. I suggest the Schummann book I told Harriet to buy, asn well as the other one, which again I forget. Those two are quite helpful!



Chrono, I found it!

Click here for the Barion cut explained

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 5/17/2007 2:03:23 PM
Author: Nicrez
Lien,

A refractometer is actually a device used by gemologists to test stones light refraction. to me, it is the most accurate method of testing what a stone will be because every single stone has a range of refractive index or ''RI''. As such you can tell a spinel from a ruby immediately based on it''s refractive index. HOWEVER, you would have to drop a good $500 or so on a small machine, and the refractive liquid (that is necessary to allow for a controlled surface in which to test the light) is toxic and expensive and and often times hard to find. When we were in class at GIA, when you ran out of liquid, tough luck, you had to find your own and that was TOUGH! So we were all VERY sparing with it. The liquid has a high RI at 1.81, I think...? It''s been a while. So the liquid drop is placed on the glass window, and the flattest part of the stone (usually the table if faceted) is placed on the liquid, and held in place. A light source is used to light the refractometer and you will get a reading of what the item in question reads on the RI scale. It''s fun, but a bit tricky for items that have no flat surfaces. Lots more to it when testing stones, like looking out for doublets and triplets, meaning stones that may have sapphire on top, but glue glass on the bottom for weight. And you may think, ''That''s so noticeable!'' Not so. Some people can make them look very very passable, especially on dark stones. So you take the RI on the table and it says Sapphire, but lo an behold, the other material shows an RI behind it, and it appears as well. That is why I love refractometers. I don''t suggest buying one, per se. They don''t travel well and make for better lab use, where the liquid can be controlled and other variables for testing, such as the light source, etc. I suggest the Schummann book I told Harriet to buy, asn well as the other one, which again I forget. Those two are quite helpful!



Chrono, I found it!

Click here for the Barion cut explained

Wowww, again! Nicrez, this is incredibly sweet of you. All that helpful infor.

I don''t think I will rush out and buy a refractometer, purely for the reason that I am soo darn clumsy, I''d prob end up spilling all the toxic liquid on myself or worse somone else! LOL.

I will definitely check out the books you suggested.

Btw, I saw in yr earlier threads that you gave up a lucrative career to take up a Gemology degree at GIA. That''s so cool and very admirable! Would you mind if I ask you how it''s going? Are you working for yrself now? Does it require lots of capital? I''d like to do something like that, been thinking abt it, on and off, for a yr or so now, but not sure how to start a new career, or how to go abt getting clients. It''s great to be able to do something that you really enjoy. Congrats!!

 

[simplysplendid]

Hi Lien,

SGD5000 is way overpriced for an aquamarine.. i would recommend you Brilliant Opals at international Plaza at Anson Road. They have gorgeous aquamarine from Brazil (not China where most of the pale blue ones are found) for very reasonable prices.

Good Luck!

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/17/2007 1:50:23 PM
Author: Chrono

I don''t know how to describe a barion cut, but you can see it here:
http://www.customgemstones.com/TOURMALINE/to882.html

Rather technical explaination but here it is:
Among the first mixed cuts was the Barion cut, introduced in 1971. Invented by South African diamond cutter Basil Watermeyer and named after himself and his wife Marion, the basic Barion cut is an octagonal square or rectangle, with a polished and faceted girdle. The total facet count is 62 (excluding the culet): 25 on the crown; 29 on the pavilion; and 8 on the girdle. This cut can be easily identified by the characteristic central cross pattern (as seen through the table) created by the pavilion facets, as well as by the crescent-shaped facets on the pavilion. A similar cut is the Radiant cut: It differs in having a total of 70 facets. Both it and the Barion cut exist in a large number of modified forms, with slightly different facet arrangements and combinations.

Chrono,
Thanks for that detailed explanation. Learn something new every day!

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/18/2007 4:35:33 AM
Author: simplysplendid
Hi Lien,

SGD5000 is way overpriced for an aquamarine.. i would recommend you Brilliant Opals at international Plaza at Anson Road. They have gorgeous aquamarine from Brazil (not China where most of the pale blue ones are found) for very reasonable prices.

Good Luck!

Hi,
Where else in Singapore can one shop for gems?

 

[simplysplendid]

Date: 5/18/2007 5:07:03 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 5/18/2007 4:35:33 AM
Author: simplysplendid
Hi Lien,

SGD5000 is way overpriced for an aquamarine.. i would recommend you Brilliant Opals at international Plaza at Anson Road. They have gorgeous aquamarine from Brazil (not China where most of the pale blue ones are found) for very reasonable prices.

Good Luck!

Hi,
Where else in Singapore can one shop for gems?

Hi Harriet,

My regular is Brilliant Opals that I mentioned above as well as Canary Diamonds at Delphi Orchard. Brilliant Opals is a very small shop with excellent custom work. They are regularly visited by a number of people in the banking and finance as they have quality stuff at very reasonable prices. Canary is the "ex-Larry" jeweler.. apparently they fell out with Larry and started their own jewelry shop. They have lots of gorgeous gems there (unheated sapphires and rubies, imperial jade, fancy coloured diamonds in huge sizes etc) and lots of tai-tais support. So far they are one place who can show me at least 10-20 unheated sapphires and rubies. Some places I have been such as Raffles and Youth at Mandarin Hotel do not even carry such quality gems..

What about yourself and Lien, where else do you shop in Singapore?

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/18/2007 10:39:26 PM
Author: simplysplendid
Hi Harriet,

My regular is Brilliant Opals that I mentioned above as well as Canary Diamonds at Delphi Orchard. Brilliant Opals is a very small shop with excellent custom work. They are regularly visited by a number of people in the banking and finance as they have quality stuff at very reasonable prices. Canary is the ''ex-Larry'' jeweler.. apparently they fell out with Larry and started their own jewelry shop. They have lots of gorgeous gems there (unheated sapphires and rubies, imperial jade, fancy coloured diamonds in huge sizes etc) and lots of tai-tais support. So far they are one place who can show me at least 10-20 unheated sapphires and rubies. Some places I have been such as Raffles and Youth at Mandarin Hotel do not even carry such quality gems..

What about yourself and Lien, where else do you shop in Singapore?

Thanks for the info. I have never shopped for jewellery in S''pore (I live in the US now), but will check out these 2 places the next time I''m back.I''m so out of touch that I don''t even know what Larry is like. Care to say a few words?

 

[simplysplendid]

Date: 5/19/2007 12:58:46 AM
Author: Harriet

Date: 5/18/2007 10:39:26 PM
Author: simplysplendid
Hi Harriet,

My regular is Brilliant Opals that I mentioned above as well as Canary Diamonds at Delphi Orchard. Brilliant Opals is a very small shop with excellent custom work. They are regularly visited by a number of people in the banking and finance as they have quality stuff at very reasonable prices. Canary is the ''ex-Larry'' jeweler.. apparently they fell out with Larry and started their own jewelry shop. They have lots of gorgeous gems there (unheated sapphires and rubies, imperial jade, fancy coloured diamonds in huge sizes etc) and lots of tai-tais support. So far they are one place who can show me at least 10-20 unheated sapphires and rubies. Some places I have been such as Raffles and Youth at Mandarin Hotel do not even carry such quality gems..

What about yourself and Lien, where else do you shop in Singapore?

Thanks for the info. I have never shopped for jewellery in S''pore (I live in the US now), but will check out these 2 places the next time I''m back.I''m so out of touch that I don''t even know what Larry is like. Care to say a few words?

Haha... still overpriced.. as always..

 

[Harriet]

Is it still obiang?

 

[simplysplendid]

Date: 5/19/2007 2:17:15 PM
Author: Harriet
Is it still obiang?

Actually, I have not really liked the designs of their jewelry, maybe except for the Lazare diamonds ones. I had not thought their designs were obiang... but, hmm...

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 5/17/2007 1:50:23 PM
Author: Chrono

Date: 5/16/2007 6:33:23 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 5/16/2007 10:12:12 AM
Author: Chrono

Date: 5/16/2007 9:46:51 AM
Author: lienTN
or do you mean ''cut'' as in good cut, excellent cut etc.?

In the gemstone world, cut is usually the shape (but not always). Rounds will always be the most brilliant. Gemstones are not judged by sparkliness, but by colour and brilliance. Ovals are most common and is usually quite brilliant if well cut. I like square shapes, so cushions and barion cuts (considered a fancy cut) are my favourites!

Lien,
This is what I meant.

Chrono,
What is a barion cut?

I don''t know how to describe a barion cut, but you can see it here:
http://www.customgemstones.com/TOURMALINE/to882.html

Rather technical explaination but here it is:
Among the first mixed cuts was the Barion cut, introduced in 1971. Invented by South African diamond cutter Basil Watermeyer and named after himself and his wife Marion, the basic Barion cut is an octagonal square or rectangle, with a polished and faceted girdle. The total facet count is 62 (excluding the culet): 25 on the crown; 29 on the pavilion; and 8 on the girdle. This cut can be easily identified by the characteristic central cross pattern (as seen through the table) created by the pavilion facets, as well as by the crescent-shaped facets on the pavilion. A similar cut is the Radiant cut: It differs in having a total of 70 facets. Both it and the Barion cut exist in a large number of modified forms, with slightly different facet arrangements and combinations.

WoWW, Chrono, thanks so much for all the detailed infor. I am gonna have so much fun reading up on all this stuff, together with the 2 books Nicrez recommended!!

 

[Harriet]

Simplysplendid,

Maybe I've been away for too long? Btw, are they considered the most atas shop in town?

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 5/19/2007 1:01:35 PM
Author: simplysplendid

Date: 5/19/2007 12:58:46 AM
Author: Harriet

Date: 5/18/2007 10:39:26 PM
Author: simplysplendid
Hi Harriet,

My regular is Brilliant Opals that I mentioned above as well as Canary Diamonds at Delphi Orchard. Brilliant Opals is a very small shop with excellent custom work. They are regularly visited by a number of people in the banking and finance as they have quality stuff at very reasonable prices. Canary is the 'ex-Larry' jeweler.. apparently they fell out with Larry and started their own jewelry shop. They have lots of gorgeous gems there (unheated sapphires and rubies, imperial jade, fancy coloured diamonds in huge sizes etc) and lots of tai-tais support. So far they are one place who can show me at least 10-20 unheated sapphires and rubies. Some places I have been such as Raffles and Youth at Mandarin Hotel do not even carry such quality gems..

What about yourself and Lien, where else do you shop in Singapore?

Thanks for the info. I have never shopped for jewellery in S'pore (I live in the US now), but will check out these 2 places the next time I'm back.I'm so out of touch that I don't even know what Larry is like. Care to say a few words?

Haha... still overpriced.. as always..

WowWW, that's really helpful, Simplyspendid! I will definitely check them out. Eye-candy, here I come!!

Harriet, Larry's has been around for a while, it's quite big in HK (I think bigger than in S'pore). I like some of their jewellery but not all and yes, SS, the Lazare stuff is much better, though I've seen larger stones "fly" out of Larry's (I once saw a 4ct princess and within a week or two it was gone).

I shop at different places, I think The Carat Club has some really great designs but after their cr..y custom job (my thread "Jewellery Collection") on my eternity ring, I am not in a hurry to rush back. I personally think HK is much much better a place to shop for diamonds or other jewellery or clothes for that matter!! Sorry, Harriet! (I still love S'pore and love you tho, honey!!

). What do you think, SS? Sounds like you live in S'pore. Do you?

Btw, SS, we should meet up some time, it'd be fun to ogle our bling and chit-chat!! Hey, Harriet is back in August, perhaps we should do a S'pore get together, Harriet, you, Sparkles and myself and anyone else who might care to join us? But we should meet up before this if you are in S'pore.

SS, Harriet, what's "obiang"? Is this Hokkien slang?

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/19/2007 10:49:52 PM
Author: lienTN
WowWW, that''s really helpful, Simplyspendid! I will definitely check them out. Eye-candy, here I come!!

Harriet, Larry''s has been around for a while, it''s quite big in HK (I think bigger than in S''pore). I like some of their jewellery but not all and yes, SS, the Lazare stuff is much better, though I''ve seen larger stones ''fly'' out of Larry''s (I once saw a 4ct princess and within a week or two it was gone).

I shop at different places, I think The Carat Club has some really great designs but after their cr..y custom job (my thread ''Jewellery Collection'') on my eternity ring, I am not in a hurry to rush back. I personally think HK is much much better a place to shop for diamonds or other jewellery or clothes for that matter!! Sorry, Harriet! (I still love S''pore and love you tho, honey!!

). What do you think, SS? Sounds like you live in S''pore. Do you?

Btw, SS, we should meet up some time, it''d be fun to ogle our bling and chit-chat!! Hey, Harriet is back in August, perhaps we should do a S''pore get together, Harriet, you, Sparkles and myself and anyone else who might care to join us? But we should meet up before this if you are in S''pore.

SS, Harriet, what''s ''obiang''? Is this Hokkien slang?

Except that I can''t really bargain in Cantonese.
Aw shucks.
Yay, I get to meet some tai tais.

Yes, "obiang" or "obit" is Hokkien slang for "in bad taste". It''s a particular kind of bad taste that I can''t explain. Elle, Simplysplendid, Sparkles, please help!

 

[Rae~]

Date: 5/15/2007 1:50:49 PM
Author: Nicrez
That said, what CAN help is getting two books that i recommended to Harriet, as I have to say they are the best so far and easiest to understand...

I''ll try and post them again later...

Nicrez, I did a search and couldn''t find your post to Harriet so if you do have the time to repost those books here, I for one would be very grateful. Thank you very much!