Choosing Aquamarines

[PrecisionGem]

Deeper tone Aquamarine in those sizes that is clean is going to be $600 to $1200 per ct. maybe more. Lighter tone is much less expensive, but the Santa Maria color is very expensive. In the rough it’s more than 10x the price of the paler material.

 

[Odyssey44]

She sold it quite a while back, it spent some time with JBG on consignment. It's now in Australia with @Jopdrop.

It's funny how we track some pieces through, space, time, and different owners. This particular stone is imprinted in my mind as well and is the reason I sigh ever so slightly whenever I see a mint garnet somewhere.

That ring is a dream. I remember it above every other thing I have seen on PS. And I have seen some very memorable, beautiful things in PS! That ring pulls everything else into its orbit. That green!! Mesmerizing!

 

[Odyssey44]

OP, if you are going down the custom cutting route, then I would strongly advise you have your needs and wants determined upfront before you approach the lapidary artists.

The bigger the stone, the higher the chances of impurities, that's just one of the laws of nature.

If you want flawless in a 14ct Aquamarine, a good colour as in a more saturated blue without any green, known location/origin such as Santa Maria, and precision cut by the likes of Jeff W and Gary B, then be prepared to pay top money for a stone.

Hence I did not believe 2.6k USD for one of the two in your first post was unreasonable, even though the origin was not specified in your posts as far as I can remember.

Good luck.

DK

I mostly have it down--ideally a 10 ct. flawless emerald cut. I would prefer a cross between the stones I have found in terms of color--so a medium blue with a green tint. Not sure how to best describe it. I actually do not like the Santa Marias. I definitely did not say origin of the vendor I am looking at other than "far"--too risky because you never know who may snipe. I have seen it happen here unfortunately.

 

[Odyssey44]

Deeper tone Aquamarine in those sizes that is clean is going to be $600 to $1200 per ct. maybe more. Lighter tone is much less expensive, but the Santa Maria color is very expensive. In the rough it’s more than 10x the price of the paler material.

Thank you Gene, super helpful. I definitely do not want the Santa Maria color. It is just too blue and does not say aquamarine to me. Medium blue that leans green? I am not sure how to describe the color I want. Not too light, not too dark, green in there somewhere.

 

[Autumn in New England]

If you prefer a green, why not try peridot, this is one I had cut.

Gosh, that's just about the prettiest peridot I've ever seen. A criminally underrated stone!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Would you consider a pastel sapphire? They are a nice blue and super hardy!

 

[Odyssey44]

Thank you Gene, super helpful. I definitely do not want the Santa Maria color. It is just too blue and does not say aquamarine to me. Medium blue that leans green? I am not sure how to describe the color I want. Not too light, not too dark, green in there somewhere.

Oh I will get one at some point for sure. I love sapphires. But this is the birthstone ring, so aquamarine it must be. Plus I would have to mortgage my house probably for a 14 ct sapphire!

 

[Odyssey44]

Thoughts on this stone? Vendor says it is internally flawless. I have asked about cut, dimensions and for video. I know this is Santa Maria color, but it is quite beautiful too and a "more likely to get worn more" 9 cts.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Gosh that's pretty! I see some green in the bottom photo.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Gosh that's pretty! I see some green in the bottom photo.

wow
now you mention it yes, its a very pretty green to

 

[autumngems]

Gosh, that's just about the prettiest peridot I've ever seen. A criminally underrated stone!

Thanks, Supat Pakistan Peridot cut by Jeff White, It's 1.75 carat, just under 7mm

 

[Odyssey44]

I am taking a break from buying on Instagram. Last experience doing so did not go well, to put it mildly. I will keep looking what comes up Stateside.

 

[Odyssey44]

Well, despite my words I am back to considering IG again. The vendor of the last stone I posted also has a web store front and it says 14 day returns. I can pay with paypal or Googlepay. They have ebay and etsy stores too. Reviews averaged 4.6--mostly positive but some complaining the color was not as good. Refunds did seem to come through for returns. They sent me this lab report and I have never heard of this lab--GFCO. I looked up the certificate number on the lab's website and it is there. It does not say much other than it is natural and has a picture. The picture looks rather dark and lifeless--is this something that should be concerning? I am wondering if I should bite or pass. What do you think? Oh, and video of stone below too. Any potential problems I may have missed?

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

I don't know about that lab but I've seen many photos on colored gem reports that don't resemble the stone. If you can return it, why not have a look?

 

[Odyssey44]

I don't know about that lab but I've seen many photos on colored gem reports that don't resemble the stone. If you can return it, why not have a look?

Just thinking about the cost of shipping both ways. The vendor is in Pakistan! So it may cost me $100+ to have a look is my only concern. I'm trying to do my best beforehand to not have to return it. If I have to, I have to, but I want to do my best to look for problems beforehand.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Judging by the gif and photos posted, no, I see zero issues. This is top of the line aqua color in the trade. It's gorgeous! I hesitate to comment on what appears to be a window in the certification photos, because as @Ibrakeforpossums said, they always seem to look awful. But you really have nothing to lose in checking it out in person. I like that you have everything sorted as far as returns and payment method, etc. Let us know if you take the plunge!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Just thinking about the cost of shipping both ways. The vendor is in Pakistan! So it may cost me $100+ to have a look is my only concern. I'm trying to do my best beforehand to not have to return it. If I have to, I have to, but I want to do my best to look for problems beforehand.

Oh, yes, that would be tricky. FYI... I think some of the best aqua comes out of Pakistan. Here's what I might do - ask for a clear video in tweezers outside. If you don't see any issues with windowing in that one, I think it might be safe to order. I'm only saying that because you're "window-sensitive." lol Otherwise, what we've already seen would likely appease me. The color looks fantastic!

 

[Odyssey44]

Judging by the gif and photos posted, no, I see zero issues. This is top of the line aqua color in the trade. It's gorgeous! I hesitate to comment on what appears to be a window in the certification photos, because as @Ibrakeforpossums said, they always seem to look awful. But you really have nothing to lose in checking it out in person. I like that you have everything sorted as far as returns and payment method, etc. Let us know if you take the plunge!

I was kind of wondering myself if that was a window on the right, or just the step down of the cut. Famous last words! haha! I asked the vendor and he said it has no windows. I will let you know for sure what I do. I know I will wear a 9 ct. stone more than a 14 ct one and the price is very good--$800. I do need a good aquamarine.

 

[Odyssey44]

Oh, yes, that would be tricky. FYI... I think some of the best aqua comes out of Pakistan. Here's what I might do - ask for a clear video in tweezers outside. If you don't see any issues with windowing in that one, I think it might be safe to order. I'm only saying that because you're "window-sensitive." lol Otherwise, what we've already seen would likely appease me. The color looks fantastic!

Good idea!! Yes, I don't want to get all itchy if exposed to a window!!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Well, despite my words I am back to considering IG again. The vendor of the last stone I posted also has a web store front and it says 14 day returns. I can pay with paypal or Googlepay. They have ebay and etsy stores too. Reviews averaged 4.6--mostly positive but some complaining the color was not as good. Refunds did seem to come through for returns. They sent me this lab report and I have never heard of this lab--GFCO. I looked up the certificate number on the lab's website and it is there. It does not say much other than it is natural and has a picture. The picture looks rather dark and lifeless--is this something that should be concerning? I am wondering if I should bite or pass. What do you think? Oh, and video of stone below too. Any potential problems I may have missed?

it looks lovely from here
but who knows ????? (till you have it in your hand)
good luck

 

[Autumn in New England]

Good idea!! Yes, I don't want to get all itchy if exposed to a window!!

Many of us suffer from that affliction!

 

[Odyssey44]

it looks lovely from here
but who knows ????? (till you have it in your hand)
good luck

Oh isn't that the truth!! Thanks!! I will report back.

 

[Avondale]

I have never heard of this lab--GFCO

There's info on PS about it, but in short, it's fine for this purchase.

The picture looks rather dark and lifeless

I have not yet found the lab that takes and prints pretty photos of gems on their lab reports. They're all horrendous, all of them.

Yes, I don't want to get all itchy if exposed to a window!!

Keep in mind large step cut stones are more prone to tilt windows, and at smaller angles. Just something to consider from the start so you're not disappointed in person.

 

[Odyssey44]

There's info on PS about it, but in short, it's fine for this purchase.

Thanks Avondale! I missed the info on PS, so will look again.

I have not yet found the lab that takes and prints pretty photos of gems on their lab reports. They're all horrendous, all of them.

I guess these lab report pictures are like Driver's License pictures for gems.

Keep in mind large step cut stones are more prone to tilt windows, and at smaller angles. Just something to consider from the start so you're not disappointed in person.

Thanks for the tip! I love the look of the emerald cut in a light stone, but a tilt window at a small tilt does give me pause.

 

[Aussiewen]

Hope you don’t mind thought I’d share my 11.56ct Asscher cut Aquamarine from Madagascar

 

[Timor]

The stone looks absolutely stunning at least in this gif! Might be good to ask for lots of pics and videos under different lighting, with the stone turned to different angles. International shipping can be a hassle.

 

[Odyssey44]

Hope you don’t mind thought I’d share my 11.56ct Asscher cut Aquamarine from Madagascar

WoWWWWwwwwWWW!! That is a stunning, stunning ring. It looks absolutely massive on you too because it looks like you have very slim fingers. I love it! I want to find a Lotus garnet or very light pink tourmaline for an Asscher cut ring. I love them and yours is a beauty. Where did you get the stone, if you do not mind me asking? I want emerald cut for my Aquamarine this go around. Stay tuned.

 

[Odyssey44]

The stone looks absolutely stunning at least in this gif! Might be good to ask for lots of pics and videos under different lighting, with the stone turned to different angles. International shipping can be a hassle.

Well, I was on vacation and ordered it to arrive so it reached home right after I did. So it is here. Will be posting pictures for opinions.

 

[Odyssey44]

Ok, here we go. This stone is an absolute chameleon. The blue looks different every time I look at it! At first I thought the stone was way too light to be the same stone I saw online. Then the darker blue appeared. It looks silver blue a lot of the time. And it does have a green flash on one side sometimes but I could not capture it. I envision this in a very simple Harry Winston type setting--platinum with diamond baguettes. What do you think of it?

 

[Autumn in New England]

Because of the light tone, you'll always see some silver, which I personally love. The color in that gif... OMG... it's stunning!!