Please help a first-time buyer with a <$200 purchase!

[gms2011]

Hello lovely people of Pricescope,

I've been a long-time lurker, and am finally going to purchase a colored stone. (A student budget isn't very big, so it's taken awhile!)

I'm looking for a large (>8 mm if round, but other shapes are OK too) precision cut purple or blue stone for a pendant. I'm thinking about amethyst or apatite, but any blue or purple stone would work. I looked through all of the recommended vendors' websites, but didn't see a large selection.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[michellechan2211]

Definitely ask Jeff Davis. He has a large selection of amethyst and I once asked about a ~9mm aqua trillion which was about $60, if my memory serves me right. I'm not sure if his jeweler does work in silver, but I would think that setting it in silver would be good, given the budget.

 

[chrono]

Often times, not all their inventory is listed, particularly for lapidaries so you'll have to contact them individually. I think Gary of Finewater still has very beautiful large amethyst rough that he should be able to cut for you that meets your 8 mm round and $200 budget requirements.

 

[Niel]

http://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/4-dot-45-ct-amethyst-by-barry

 

[carmen1]

I'm looking for a large (>8 mm if round, but other shapes are OK too) precision cut purple or blue stone for a pendant. I'm thinking about amethyst or apatite, but any blue or purple stone would work. I looked through all of the recommended vendors' websites, but didn't see a large selection.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

There are actually 2 large round amethysts on the facebook auction page right now -

Jeff Davies has one which ends tonight at 8:35pm - the starting bid is $75 and there are currently no bidders -

3.09ct - Amethyst - Uruguay
10 x 6.58 mm
nice cut, eye clean,
starting $75 with $2 increments - Free shipping


Jim McCormick also has one which ends tomorrow night at 10:00pm - the current bid is $40 -
Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsYQyGmb0w8
Zambian Amethyst 3.16 cts
Color - Medium dark tone purple. GIA Gemset 6/4 (Moderately strong saturation)
Clarity - Eye clean
Cut - Round/Portuguese
Dimensions - 9.40 mm x 6.90 mm
Weight - 3.16 cts
Treatment - None
Origin - Zambia, Africa
Free shipping via USPS priority mail in USA.
7 Day return policy once you receive the stone. You're money back if not satisfied.

 

[gms2011]

Thank you guys sooooo much!

For the eventual setting, I'd like to do an 18k yellow gold bezel, so I'm not sure how that would work with some of less smooth edges (my terminology is wrong, but I'm not sure what that's called.)

Really appreciate it.

 

[gms2011]

Hey guys,

I was set on Makingthegrade's lovely amethyst, but then I saw this one from Jeff Davies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckIGkBlPFzo&feature=youtu.be

Why is there only a $50 price between a 4.45 carat stone and a >10 carat one? Could someone please explain this to me?

Thanks!

 

[chrono]

Colour and size. MTG's stone is richer in colour and shows both blue and red flash. Jeff's stone is a lighter in tone and less saturated, showing blue but not red flash. Also, after a certain size, in particular 10 carats in this case, it becomes rather challenging to set due to the depth and amount of metal required.

 

[gms2011]

Thanks for explaining Chrono!