Can someone please help me re: Emeralds?

[newbieemerald]

I am new to gems and have been reading up on emeralds in particular. My wife, who is from Colombia S.A., has family in the lapidary business back in Colombia. Her family exports only to Europe and has asked my wife and I to help them establish some trade here in the USA.

I have included a pic of one of the emeralds. I had them measured and weighed by a local jeweler but can find no one here locally in WV that can grade them for me. I contacted the AGL but their pricing seems too high for the size of the emeralds (perhaps I am wrong.... I''m still so new I''m dangerous at it!). Anyways, the jewelers I had look at them said they were of very good quality and workmanship (sorry, my terminology... not theirs, I can''t remember proper terms.). The color of the pic does not do the stone justice as far as color goes... I don''t have a good digital camera so I used my scanner instead. The actual stone is a bluish but what I''d call a medium green.

Now for my three questions....
1) I have seen where people offer a 7-30 day review period for a prospective buyer to examin a stone and return it if not satisfied. Is this the norm for selling stones? And is there a big chance of getting something switched of lesser value?

2) Does $125.00/carat seem reasonable for a stone of this size and color? I realize there is more to pricing a stone than size and color. The pricing is their suggestion.

3) Can anyone point me in the right direction of who to contact to try to sell some of these emeralds? I have sent emails to jewelers around the country I have researched on the net and have been unable to get a reply back.

I have been told that the stones are only treated with clear oil. This family has been in business for several generations and I trust what they tell me about the stones.

Any help would most greatly be appreaciated.

I have been reading posts here for several weeks now and have learned more on this site than all my other research.

I look forward to anyone''s help.

Thank yo so much!

 

[pyramid]

I am just a consumer here but have not seen this type of question answered much on any diamond discussion forum. I think you would need to do some networking yourself perhaps on a dealers forum.

 

[MerKaBa]

You should consider going to some gem and minerals shows, particulary large ones where people sell such goods. You can not only price compare there but you can also show your goods and potentially meet a buyer or two. I would definitely price compare first. There are a couple of circuit shows that go across the U.S. I can't remember all of the names right now but one is Gem-Fare. Also, the Tucson show guide may be an excellent source for you to network. It is available on-line and at the Tuscon show in February. There are many many dealers that could provide you with information and potentially buy from you.

As for pricing, it is hard to tell without seeing the stones how they would be graded (color and clarity) which are both major detrmining factors of value.

I would not "memo" your goods until you established some reliable relationships.

If you are really serious about this, the Tuscon gem show is a must go. It is such an experience even if you aren't into gems.

Anyway, I hope that helped a little.

Good Luck and Best Wishes

 

[newbieemerald]

Thanks pyramid and MerKaBa for your insight and thoughts. I know I have a very long way to go but at least I am taking the first steps. I will reseacr the Tuscon and Gem-Fare shows.

I really appreciate your time and knowledge. Thanks a million!