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How much should a good aquamarine (or zircon) cost?

winnietucker

Ideal_Rock
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Jan 4, 2019
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Aqua is my husband’s birthstone and I want one. My birthstones are zircon and tanzanite. I might entertain a zircon too but I’m loving aquas. Tanzanite is pretty but too fragile for me.

Can someone tell me what to look for/ what price point I should be at for both?

I’ll probably pull the trigger mid-next year (unless I find a great deal) and want to know what to look for/ what price point to be around because I’m not comfortable with colored stones.
 
It is difficult to generalise, as prices vary significantly amongst different shades of Aqua.

For example, deeper blue ones cost significantly more than pale ones with a hint of green.

Like diamonds, the larger the stone, the more expensive it will be.

Would you know what size you are looking for, and the shade of Aqua that you prefer? And the cut you prefer too?

I prefer my Aqua pale with a hint of green, and like it to be emerald cut requiring the stone to be quite clean without too much visible inclusions.

Jeff W cut this one for me back in 2016, rough unseen, he just described it to me as pale with a hint of green and would cut a very clean EC, and I said yes right away. It is over 6ct, however, I cannot remember the exact specifications, bargain at about 700 USD to me at the time.

587148 587150

A deeper and bluer stone will cost significantly more!

I shall post separately about blue Zircon.

DK :))
 
It is difficult to generalise, as prices vary significantly amongst different shades of Aqua.

For example, deeper blue ones cost significantly more than pale ones with a hint of green.

Like diamonds, the larger the stone, the more expensive it will be.

Would you know what size you are looking for, and the shade of Aqua that you prefer? And the cut you prefer too?

I prefer my Aqua pale with a hint of green, and like it to be emerald cut requiring the stone to be quite clean without too much visible inclusions.

Jeff W cut this one for me back in 2016, rough unseen, he just described it to me as pale with a hint of green and would cut a very clean EC, and I said yes right away. It is over 6ct, however, I cannot remember the exact specifications, bargain at about 700 USD to me at the time.

587148 587150

A deeper and bluer stone will cost significantly more!

I shall post separately about blue Zircon.

DK :))

Thanks DK! You’re always a great resource and I appreciate it!

I noticed aqua prices are all over the place but this makes sense!

EA24CF74-1571-4CD2-9CEA-E3C450F9C557.jpeg543ABA5B-2769-488A-9106-234B86857B76.png

I’d like to redo something like this. So emerald cut, cushion, maybe a scissor cut would work. I want large! There was one aqua I loved but I thought it was kind of spendy. I have to go find it again, maybe it isn’t?
 

Didn’t take me very long to find it... this is my fave aqua. I’d definitely like feedback on price/ color.
 
^ There have been some PS threads about Clear Cut Gems' photography not correlating with IRL experience ... since there is a 5-day return period (less shipping), you would have time to check it out in your own environments to see if color/performance meets your expectation. FWIW, that Aqua has been listed for many months.
 
^ There have been some PS threads about Clear Cut Gems' photography not correlating with IRL experience ... since there is a 5-day return period (less shipping), you would have time to check it out in your own environments to see if color/performance meets your expectation. FWIW, that Aqua has been listed for many months.

Oh darn. I’ll go look for and read through those threads.
 
Those are gorgeous stones, sorry, I have no technical input, I'm just drawn to the pretty colours! (I do wish the vendors would list their prices though)
 
Those are gorgeous stones, sorry, I have no technical input, I'm just drawn to the pretty colours! (I do wish the vendors would list their prices though)

I’ve noticed that about IG vendors. Kinda annoys me.
 
The cut is nice, with big/deep shoulders.

And it looks very clean.

Not my preferred colour for Aqua, however each to their own.

My budget for this stone would be no more than 400 USD, 500 tops.

DK :))

I like the color in the first video but the vendor said the second video is the truest color and that it will look more like the first video once it’s set.

After seeing your stone I also decided to reach out to Jeff White. I figured it has to take some time to source some rough and then cut so the timeline would work for me. I’m waiting for his response as well.
 
^ There have been some PS threads about Clear Cut Gems' photography not correlating with IRL experience ... since there is a 5-day return period (less shipping), you would have time to check it out in your own environments to see if color/performance meets your expectation. FWIW, that Aqua has been listed for many months.

I found him/ the stone on IG. The color is different in his listing vs. his video.
 
I like the color in the first video but the vendor said the second video is the truest color and that it will look more like the first video once it’s set.

After seeing your stone I also decided to reach out to Jeff White. I figured it has to take some time to source some rough and then cut so the timeline would work for me. I’m waiting for his response as well.

JW has a vast rough collection that he does not list. Good job too as he has not been able to travel to source roughs this year.

Hopefully, he has something that suits your requirements.

Gary is the same, can't go anywhere.

DK :))
 
For blue Zircon, and I am assuming we are talking about blue Zircon, the same applies, price varies depending on colour, clarity and size.

I picked up a couple from the eBay shop of Jeff Davies, the heart is 3.76ct, the oval is 5.71ct, and they did not break the bank.

572307 585342

The finished rings:

585347 707078

I bought this preloved precision cut 8mm OEC from another PSer. The colour is similar to the two above (may be slightly lighter), and the cut makes it very sparkly, and I love it as I can see the big fat facets at the cutlet. I love OECs and this is the first OEC that I have.

765629

Jeff Davies has a few blue Zircons listed in his eBay/Etsy shop. They look a bit too pale for my liking, however, each to their own.

DK :))
 
According to Jeff W, this is a top quality Aqua in terms of colour as well as clarity, however, it is not for me as it is too saturated and I can't see any green in it. Again, each to their own and all that.

569461

DK :))
 
According to Jeff W, this is a top quality Aqua in terms of colour as well as clarity, however, it is not for me as it is too saturated and I can't see any green in it. Again, each to their own and all that.

jwaqua3_30ct.jpg

DK :))

Thank you again!

That aqua is gorgeous! Unfortunately it’s probably more than I’m willing to spend on this project.

I’m thinking doing an aqua in the style I posted previously and maybe next year I can do a cluster ring with a zircon center stone. I’m obsessed with birthstones right now. And I’m obsessed with cluster rings. Unfortunately the opal one didn’t work out but hopefully I can do something similar with a zircon down the road.
 
Thank you again!

That aqua is gorgeous! Unfortunately it’s probably more than I’m willing to spend on this project.

I’m thinking doing an aqua in the style I posted previously and maybe next year I can do a cluster ring with a zircon center stone. I’m obsessed with birthstones right now. And I’m obsessed with cluster rings. Unfortunately the opal one didn’t work out but hopefully I can do something similar with a zircon down the road.

Just wondering, would you consider using Moissy or lab/MMD for the cluster ring to reduce the cost?

DK :))
 

Didn’t take me very long to find it... this is my fave aqua. I’d definitely like feedback on price/ color.

Hmmmm, I know the stone in the photos is magnified, however, the inclusion right in the middle would bother me.

Also, it looks kind of grey to me, perhaps it may have something to do with the lighting.

DK :))
 
Just wondering, would you consider using Moissy or lab/MMD for the cluster ring to reduce the cost?

DK :))

Maybe MMD if the price difference is significant. Although part of me is thinking I should just buy the dang aqua ring I keep going back to since that would be cheapest way to get that ring - but it’s in the UK & it’s platinum so I’m not completely sold right now.
 
Hmmmm, I know the stone in the photos is magnified, however, the inclusion right in the middle would bother me.

Also, it looks kind of grey to me, perhaps it may have something to do with the lighting.

DK :))

I actually didn’t really notice the inclusion until you mentioned it...

I’m clearly no good at this.
 
Hot off the press, Jeff W has finished the Asscher Zircon for me, 7.04ct 9.25 x 9.25mm (depth unknown).

No photo yet, just the video and I love it! :kiss2: :kiss2: :kiss2:

7.04ct Asscher Zircon

This stone cost just over 1.2k USD, and I believe he still has more roughs.

DK :))
 
I’m thinking doing an aqua in the style I posted previously and maybe next year I can do a cluster ring with a zircon center stone. I’m obsessed with birthstones right now. And I’m obsessed with cluster rings. Unfortunately the opal one didn’t work out but hopefully I can do something similar with a zircon down the road.

For a cluster zircon I would be looking online for old pins and brooches that could be remade into a ring (there may even have been one on LT over the past month or so). But that will depend on preferences and whether or not you enjoy 'the hunt'.
 
Hot off the press, Jeff W has finished the Asscher Zircon for me, 7.04ct 9.25 x 9.25mm (depth unknown).

No photo yet, just the video and I love it! :kiss2: :kiss2: :kiss2:

7.04ct Asscher Zircon

This stone cost just over 1.2k USD, and I believe he still has more roughs.

DK :))

Ooh that’s gorgeous! I hope you post some pics!


For a cluster zircon I would be looking online for old pins and brooches that could be remade into a ring (there may even have been one on LT over the past month or so). But that will depend on preferences and whether or not you enjoy 'the hunt'.

That was prob mine. It was too small for my taste and I sold. I’ve been looking but so far nothing interesting to me has popped up for either stone in pins.
 
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