Emeralds

[GFD6642]

This site was so helpful when I began my search for the perfect engagement ring that I''ve come back for some help.

I''d like to have a ring made for my wife. We''ll be celebrating one year of marriage next month and also will welcome our first child around the same time. I''d like to do a "past, present, future" type ring for my wife with 2 emeralds (May''s birthstone) and a diamond set in yellow gold. My concern isn''t with the diamond or the setting, it''s finding the emeralds. Would you recommend any online sites? We''re new to our area and don''t know any jewelers.

Also, I don''t know the first thing about emeralds. Is there anything I need to look for?

Thanks for any help you can offer. I hope I can get this taken care of within the next month!

George

 

[valeria101]

Are the emeralds going to be sidestones ? The other way around is not bad either (emerald with diamond sides)...

Anyway, as far as I understand these emeralds are a rather complicated buy, 'cause top quality is rather hard to find. I would strongly suggest to read a litle 'buyer's guide' about them and get an idea what top quality looks like and costs, even if you end up with something more practical than an overpriced 'collection' stone. Usually, asking for saturated color, fine clarity and minor enhancement (oil, without other types of intervention) is about the most you can ask for. If the stones you have in mind will not be large, this should be easily found by the jeweler entrusted with making the ring. Buying these online... well, I would but only from a very choice source.

Actually, I do not know of any good emerald shopping guide online! But this shop (link) and this (link) have decent collections with reasonable descriptions attached.

Here's one price guide with reasonable tips on quality (LINK) I can't recommend the shop, since I have no experience with them. But the respective table seems ok. Most likely each and every detail about grading and pricing any gem is debatable - so is this list of numbers. However, it makes a good reference, as far as I know.

 

[gct888]

Hi,
I actually ordered some emeralds for my mom, from the third site that was mentioned(esmerald.com) and am expecting them to arrive within the week. They have been fast to reply to my queries and easy to deal with, and my transaction is via online escrow(supposed to make it easier to return if the goods are not to my satisfaction). I will post pictures and specs so you can see if they're any good or not, once I have them.

Georgina

 

[GFD6642]

Valeria-

I had planned on the sidestones being emerald....to signify the 2 events we have in May (our anniversary and the birth of our child), but I may decide to do an emerald with diamond sidestones. I'm not planning on large stones if I use them as sidestones....I'm thinking in the .25-.35 range.

Thanks for posting those links-I'll be sure to check them out!

GFD

 

[GFD6642]

Georgina-

Thanks for the recommendation. I'd love to hear about your experience once you have them.

GFD

 

[katbadness]

Hi George,

Here's another info for you.

This company seems to be primarily dealing with emeralds. They have some emerald jewelry shown on their site, too.

The president's name -- Ray Zajicek -- was on the AGTA Spectrum Awards winner list for winning the classic gemstone faceting in 2002 and 2003 for the company's work on emerald.

As a side, some gem dealers deal only with the trade. If this company doesn't deal with the public, you may want to work with a local jeweler to be able to access their inventory.

I hope this helps.

Good luck... and do post pictures when you have the ring (we love pictures

!!)... It should turn out to be gorgeous!!

 

[GLudlow]

Hi!
I've been emerald shopping for about two months now. Finding two matching emeralds will not be an easy task... each stone differs in color and clarity so much it could be really difficult.

I have been dealing with almost all of the above linked merchants. All have been helpful, but I have not made a purchase yet. This board is a great resource, I hope you find the emeralds you're looking for!

PS I'm going for one center emerald, and two side diamonds (pear-shapred) for the ring

 

[valeria101]

----------------
On 4/12/2004 8:29:29 AM GFD6642 wrote:



I'm thinking in the .25-.35 range.

----------------

Aha! Those will probably be better sourced by the jeweler making the ring. They will definitely have to be bought as a matched pair: otherwise ti will be Hell (or really lucky) to match two good ones.

Given the size, there is no reason to save on quality, I suppose. Maybe an e-mail to Palagems would produce an offer for a pair? They do carry more on stock than most online stores of simmilar high profile I know of...



And yes, I am very curious about the esmeralds.com. The kind of stones they take pride in are definitely worth a check on the seller

Gee Katbadness! Some of the smaller stones (below 1ct) at Equatorialimports (example) are really, really nice ! Thanks for the tip... had no idea about these guys.

 

[valeria101]

GFD6642, does THIS look anything like what you have in mind ? Their platinum rings seem very well crafted...

Also, you may want to take a look at the first two stones on THIS page. I surely like that VVS clarity and the full details on color.


Just my 0.2, of course.

 

[GFD6642]

GLudlow-I have a feeling I may wind up with one emerald and 2 diamonds...depends on if I can find 2 that match-might be tough! Good luck with your search.

Valeria-That's similar to what I'm looking for, although I'm not sure what shape.

This is some project I'm taking on-I wish I would have had the idea to do it sooner! Oh well, it could always be a Christmas gift!

Thanks all for your help!

 

[gct888]

Hi again,
The stones from esmerald.com just arrived today. I must say that mine are not the top-rated specimens by any means, but at least you can see for yourself if they're ok for the price range. The first thing to note is that the color tone in their picture was pretty much representative of the actual product. It's not a deep green like the specimens from cherry-picked and more expensive gems, but it is a good 'fresh-cut grass' green tone. There are visible inclusions(as you'll probably see in the pic), although I understand that most emeralds except for the top ones would have. Having tried similar-priced stuff from thaigem and others(this was before I discovered pricescope & the other forums), I must say esmerald's looks a lot better. If only I had the money for the higher-ticket items

. Anyway, attached is a pic I took under natural outdoor light(afternoon), by the window. The specs are:

Pair 2.53ct total wt (this was not in their online inventory, one drawback of the website is it does not seem to be updated very often)
Single 1.26ct @ 85 =107.10 (you can still see it online as Path022, characterized as 'good' color, i4/Si3 clarity, emerald cut)

As I mentioned, dealing with them was pretty smooth. One word though about the escrow process, in case you haven't used this and are planning to for any purchase from any website : do make sure your bank informs you of ALL charges that might be deducted from the total along the way - although I had allocated for my local bank's transfer fees, for example, I was not told that intermediary banks in the states would be taking another $18 fee before the funds arrive in escrow's account. So, my payment ended up short $18, and I sent esmerald the difference via paypal.

Hope this helps you one way or another, and good luck!

Georgina

 

[gct888]

closer view of the single stone, indoors with windows open(sorry for the mediocre picture quality)

 

[gct888]

The pair (actual color is a bit lighter than the single, in case this is not evident from the picture)

 

[GFD6642]

Thanks Georgina-Looks like you made a lovely purchase.