Somebody's gotta buy this stone, "If I won the lottery" edition

[VividRed]

Vivid in diamonds seems to mean something else…

 

[demantoidz]

Vivid in diamonds seems to mean something else…

Yeah, I think GIA grades FCDs relative to what FCDs can achieve. There is no cornflower-sapphire colored diamond.

 

[JewelledEscalators]

It's a matter of time before someone comes up with 'vivid grey' diamonds.

 

[JewelledEscalators]

@demantoidz, @VividRed, the dog house is now at 16k

 

[demantoidz]

On the topic of blue diamonds, I enjoyed this side by side comparison of the Oppenheimer Blue and an emerald cut zircon.

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[JewelledEscalators]

The blue diamond feels so overrated.

 

[T L]

On the topic of blue diamonds, I enjoyed this side by side comparison of the Oppenheimer Blue and an emerald cut zircon.

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I think the blue diamond, or most blue diamond I see, look more like blue spinel than blue zircon. I love that diamond soooooooo much. Red diamonds are super overrated to me, but that mellow medium toned blue, ahhhhhh!

That being said, I think the Hope diamond is overrated, way too dark in tone. The Oppenheimer is gorgeous to me!

 

[demantoidz]

@demantoidz, @VividRed, the dog house is now at 16k

32k and ends in 7 hours!

 

[JewelledEscalators]

32k and ends in 7 hours!

Oooh, exciting!

 

[JewelledEscalators]

It went for 44k in the end.

 

[demantoidz]

Huge 12+ct and relatively clean no treatment Pezzottaite... too unusual not to share. I've only seen decent ones an AJSgems and one or two on Palagems in much smaller sizes.
Price is not listed on the site but is 56k on their IG store.

Natural Pezzottaite 12.21 Carats With GIA Report

Raspberyl - it's a thing! Pezzottaite is also called raspberry beryl, a rare newcomer to the world of fine gems. It's a separate mineral species from beryl because of its lithium content, originally found in Madagascar and more recently in Afghanistan. Manganese is the dominant source of this...

heritagegemsandjewels.com

Vid:

 

[demantoidz]

Probably because of the color of the pezzottaite, I remembered this video of a stunning 16ct rhodochrosite which was posted on PS yrs ago... anyone else remember it? Luckily it was easy to find.

 

[demantoidz]

Yeah I'm spamming this thread, but not sorry about it.

If I can't have the 15+ct vivid blue from the previous page, I would settle for this 1ct which seems to have an antique style cut (or a hybrid of antique and modern). I love a large culet.

Starting at 550k with a 750k-1m estimate.

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/fine-jewels-4/fancy-vivid-blue-diamond-ring

 

[demantoidz]

The price seems absolutely ridiculous, but this opal has a very beautiful paintbrush stroke-like pattern. Don't think I've seen this before.
Almost 12ct opal, 3.5cttw Hauyne melee. 308k.

Homepage - TamsenZ

Our Story Ann Ziff has had a life-long love affair with jewelry and has a connoisseur’s eye for the world’s most exceptional gems. As a child, Ziff was fascinated by the elaborate jewelry worn by her mother, famed American opera singer Harriet Henders Learn more TZ20 The TZ20 Collection...

www.tamsenz.com

 

[VividRed]

Yeah I'm spamming this thread, but not sorry about it.

If I can't have the 15+ct vivid blue from the previous page, I would settle for this 1ct which seems to have an antique style cut (or a hybrid of antique and modern). I love a large culet.

Starting at 550k with a 750k-1m estimate.

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/fine-jewels-4/fancy-vivid-blue-diamond-ring

I simply don’t get this sort of pricing. It’s a pale blueish grey and GIA calls it fancy vivid blue.

 

[demantoidz]

I simply don’t get this sort of pricing. It’s a pale blueish grey and GIA calls it fancy vivid blue.

People pay those prices, so that is how they are priced.
Up to the buyer to determine whether they only care about GIA grades or how the stone actually looks. Imo, the one I posted is quite nice for a vivid blue. I have seen worse (just go one page back!). However, if too pale, you can find darker vivid blues or deep blues which some prefer (they will still have a grey cast), for example:



Another darker one:

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/magnificent-jewels/a-superb-fancy-vivid-blue-diamond-and-diamond-ring

Uni Kim on Instagram: "Throwback to these perfect blue and pink hearts that each sold for more than 81 million and 63 million HKD each - the sweet, sweet pink colour I couldn’t really capture with a camera but deserves a video (swipe left!) . . . 이번

1,556 likes, 24 comments - uni.fun on July 19, 2020: "Throwback to these perfect blue and pink hearts that each sold for more than 81 million and 63 million HKD each - the sweet, sweet pink colour I couldn’t really capture with a camera but deserves a video (swipe left!) . . . 이번 시즌의 하이라이트 중...

www.instagram.com

I find this screenshot kind of funny (sad?) re:GIA grades.
I still find blue diamonds can be charming.

 

[demantoidz]

I simply don’t get this sort of pricing. It’s a pale blueish grey and GIA calls it fancy vivid blue.

I will add, I find old cuts on blue diamonds to be many times more charming than crushed ice/modern cuts. For example this vivid blue, which is far from vivid imo. I think TL hit the nail on the head that the colors are like blue spinels. As for why GIA grades them this way, and why people accept it, I don't know. But I still admire them.

A SENSATIONAL COLORED DIAMOND RING, BULGARI

www.christies.com

Optimum Diamonds LLC on Instagram: "Old, sexy blues make my knees tremble…"

255 likes, 23 comments - optimumdiamondsnyc on January 20, 2022: "Old, sexy blues make my knees tremble…".

www.instagram.com

If the images are accurate, I think this is one of the most saturated blue diamonds I have seen, but it could be me confusing saturation with darkness.

0.55 carat, Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond, Cushion Shape, SI2 Clarity, GIA, SKU 246791

A stunning 0.55ct Fancy vivid Blue diamond with a mesmerizing royal blue pure saturation color embodies a fiery cushion with fine SI2 clarity- completely eye clean. An extremely rare and desirable collector diamond meticulously. For more information about this item please contact our customer...

www.leibish.com

However, add a green modifier and they can be more vivid and medium tone.

0.04 carat, Fancy Vivid Green Blue Diamond, Marquise Shape, VS2 Clarity, GIA, SKU PLI411

0.04cts Marquise shape Fancy Vivid Green-Blue diamond. This amazing diamond has a mesmerizing ultramarine color face up. An extremely rare collector's piece. VS2 clarity. For more information about this item please contact our customer service department.

www.leibish.com

 

[VividRed]

People pay those prices, so that is how they are priced.
Up to the buyer to determine whether they only care about GIA grades or how the stone actually looks. Imo, the one I posted is quite nice for a vivid blue. I have seen worse (just go one page back!). However, if too pale, you can find darker vivid blues or deep blues which some prefer (they will still have a grey cast), for example:



Another darker one:

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/magnificent-jewels/a-superb-fancy-vivid-blue-diamond-and-diamond-ring

Uni Kim on Instagram: "Throwback to these perfect blue and pink hearts that each sold for more than 81 million and 63 million HKD each - the sweet, sweet pink colour I couldn’t really capture with a camera but deserves a video (swipe left!) . . . 이번

1,556 likes, 24 comments - uni.fun on July 19, 2020: "Throwback to these perfect blue and pink hearts that each sold for more than 81 million and 63 million HKD each - the sweet, sweet pink colour I couldn’t really capture with a camera but deserves a video (swipe left!) . . . 이번 시즌의 하이라이트 중...

www.instagram.com

I find this screenshot kind of funny (sad?) re:GIA grades.
I still find blue diamonds can be charming.

Of course blue diamonds can be charming. But that stone is not blue. I totally understand a 20ct vivid pink diamond (Winston Pink legacy, for example) selling at 50m. I saw it in person and it was magnificent. Truly a wonderful stone!

But half a million for a pale grey 1ct diamond? I don’t get it, and I don’t get the GIA grade either lol

 

[T L]

I simply don’t get this sort of pricing. It’s a pale blueish grey and GIA calls it fancy vivid blue.

Have you ever seen the Hope? This stone is actually a discernible blue next to that gem.

 

[T L]

STARLANKA on Instagram: "Glittering GRSCertified 12ct Unheated Demantoid Garnet from Africa ✨ — Follow @starlanka for #finegems Indoor Lighting — #garnet #demantoidgarnet #horsetail #garnetjewelry #garnetring #greengarnet #finejewelry #highjewelry

1,275 likes, 83 comments - starlanka on March 8, 2022: "Glittering GRSCertified 12ct Unheated Demantoid Garnet from Africa ✨ — Follow @starlanka for #finegems Indoor Lighting — #garnet #demantoidgarnet #horsetail #garnetjewelry #garnetring #greengarnet #finejewelry #highjewelry #luxury...

www.instagram.com

 

[demantoidz]

For those interested in more info on auction colored diamonds - here is a trove of information-
They provide their opinions on quality (on color, cut), rarity (how often a similar stone enters the market), an alternative grading system to GIA's, and most importantly extra videos/images to drool at.
Some of the info is available publicly in these links.

Home page | FCRF

FANCY COLOR DIAMONDS - Our research materializes into reports and services for those who want to become experts in buying or selling natural color diamonds

www.fcresearch.org

Michael Taiber, Author at FCRF

www.fcresearch.org

Home page | FCRF

FANCY COLOR DIAMONDS - Our research materializes into reports and services for those who want to become experts in buying or selling natural color diamonds

www.fcresearch.org

Home page | FCRF

FANCY COLOR DIAMONDS - Our research materializes into reports and services for those who want to become experts in buying or selling natural color diamonds

www.fcresearch.org

For the 1.02ct vivid blue diamond I posted above, along with a video of it, they said the following:

Indeed, I have noticed that many modified antique or step cut diamonds have those crushed ice corners pointing inwards with more color concentration, creating uneven color overall.

Of course blue diamonds can be charming. But that stone is not blue. I totally understand a 20ct vivid pink diamond (Winston Pink legacy, for example) selling at 50m. I saw it in person and it was magnificent. Truly a wonderful stone!

But half a million for a pale grey 1ct diamond? I don’t get it, and I don’t get the GIA grade either lol

Oh - I overall I agree with you. Sorry if I made it sound like I think you dislike blue diamonds.
GIA grades sometimes make no sense, especially with blue diamonds which objectively are always greyish compared to what is considered vivid in, say, sapphire or tanzanite.
But what makes less sense to me is the industry and market's attachment to these grades.
In 2005, a scandal showed small-scale bribery in GIA with colored diamond gradings. Not saying this ever happened outside of this case, just some trivia.

The World of Diamonds: GIA Manhattan Diamond Grading Lab Faces Bribery Inquiry

 

[demantoidz]

STARLANKA on Instagram: "Glittering GRSCertified 12ct Unheated Demantoid Garnet from Africa ✨ — Follow @starlanka for #finegems Indoor Lighting — #garnet #demantoidgarnet #horsetail #garnetjewelry #garnetring #greengarnet #finejewelry #highjewelry

1,275 likes, 83 comments - starlanka on March 8, 2022: "Glittering GRSCertified 12ct Unheated Demantoid Garnet from Africa ✨ — Follow @starlanka for #finegems Indoor Lighting — #garnet #demantoidgarnet #horsetail #garnetjewelry #garnetring #greengarnet #finejewelry #highjewelry #luxury...

www.instagram.com

Same stone? Unless they have multiple 12ct demantoids lying around

Green Demantoid Garnet 12.58ct - 14mm #DG0094

Natural Loose Basil Green Demantoid Garnet weighing 12.58ct & measuring 14.26 x 14.19 x 8.92 mm from Namibia. The Demantoid Garnet is cut in an ideal shape which compliments the gemstone very well. GRS Certificate also available. Demantoid Garnet gemstones are beautiful for all occasions and...

www.starlanka.com

 

[T L]

Same stone? Unless they have multiple 12ct demantoids lying around

Green Demantoid Garnet 12.58ct - 14mm #DG0094

Natural Loose Basil Green Demantoid Garnet weighing 12.58ct & measuring 14.26 x 14.19 x 8.92 mm from Namibia. The Demantoid Garnet is cut in an ideal shape which compliments the gemstone very well. GRS Certificate also available. Demantoid Garnet gemstones are beautiful for all occasions and...

www.starlanka.com

Yes, probably, and that stone is definitely “basil” green. Love the clarity, tone, cut and dispersion, not to mention the size. The color is a bit yellowish, but demantoids are more beautiful in person.

 

[demantoidz]

AGL prominent to strong CC (80-90% CC, excellent to very good), 2.5ct Russian alexandrite.
Not an easy stone to find with good clarity.
RomanovRussia had a similar 1.3ct one and it was listed for around 35k per carat.

Someone has to buy this only so that in some years their kids can ask on this forum, 'is this a genuine Russian alexandrite?' and for the first time ever, the answer will be yes!

Antique Natural 2.50-carat Russian Alexandrite Ring

At Jogani, we adore gemstones for their beautiful blend of colors and internal character, each one unique and an extraordinary manifestation of earth’s geological processes. Antique stones, in particular, catch our interest as we appreciate how they were fashioned to maximize light-play and...

jogani.com

 

[demantoidz]

Eye clean, untreated red beryl that was also a sample in a GIA study.
1.58ct, 31.6k
Color seems very dark red. I would hope its nicer than the poor photos (and that the seller is legit, since its all they have listed). I have seen a few amazing ones in museums. The GIA report pic suggests a ton of extinction, and the material is too special for a recut.
But if I won the jackpot....

RED BERYL 1.58 CT. FACETED STONE | eBay

This stone was found at the Violet Claims and was part of a research project conducted by the GIA and published in Gem & Gemology, Vol. XX, Winter, 1984. Good luck. It is one of the rarest of the Beryl family.

www.ebay.com

 

[Nick_G]

7.5 ct unheated cornflower blue Ceylon sapphire on IG:

DINUKA DANGEDARA (GIA G.G) on Instagram: "Magnificent Gem Quality Cushion 7.50 Ct “UNHEATED” Cornflower Blue Ceylon Sapphire • • We Are Wholesale Exporters Of Fine to Extra Fine Rare One Of Kind Gemstones Of Sri Lanka Origin Directly From The Sourc

30 likes, 0 comments - ceylon_blue_sapphires on March 11, 2022: "Magnificent Gem Quality Cushion 7.50 Ct “UNHEATED” Cornflower Blue Ceylon Sapphire • • We Are Wholesale Exporters Of Fine to Extra Fine Rare One Of Kind Gemstones Of Sri Lanka Origin Directly From The Source Since 1980. •...

www.instagram.com

I've not used the vendor before so don't know how reliable they are, but that stone is a stunner.

 

[demantoidz]

A red diamond with a pure emerald cut, .i.e. not a modified emerald cut

jewel planet 公式サイト / 《PINK TENDER!ピンクテンダー》レッドダイヤモンド　FANCY PURPLISH RED 0.31ct エメラルドカット 〔GIA/中央宝石研究所〕

jewel-planet.jp

0.31ct 465k

 

[demantoidz]

This seller has a few large, fine Mahenge spinels but I think this one is my favorite for the combination of weight, color, and clarity.
8.19ct.160k - ouch.

GRS Platinum Awarded 8.19Cts Neon Pinkish Red "Vibrant" Tanzanian Mahenge Spinel For Sale at 1stDibs | mahenge spinel for sale, red spinel, mahenge spinel price

For Sale on 1stDibs - Extremely rare Mahenge spinel from Tanzania with fascinating color. The stone with such size and quality is now simply impossible to find on the market.

www.1stdibs.com

 

[CaseyLouLou]

7.5 ct unheated cornflower blue Ceylon sapphire on IG:

DINUKA DANGEDARA (GIA G.G) on Instagram: "Magnificent Gem Quality Cushion 7.50 Ct “UNHEATED” Cornflower Blue Ceylon Sapphire • • We Are Wholesale Exporters Of Fine to Extra Fine Rare One Of Kind Gemstones Of Sri Lanka Origin Directly From The Sourc

30 likes, 0 comments - ceylon_blue_sapphires on March 11, 2022: "Magnificent Gem Quality Cushion 7.50 Ct “UNHEATED” Cornflower Blue Ceylon Sapphire • • We Are Wholesale Exporters Of Fine to Extra Fine Rare One Of Kind Gemstones Of Sri Lanka Origin Directly From The Source Since 1980. •...

www.instagram.com

I've not used the vendor before so don't know how reliable they are, but that stone is a stunner.

I have been following them and despite my aversion to purchasing on Instagram, I inquired about some sapphires and the prices were outrageous (to me anyway).

 

[Zarya]

Greetings.
Blue Spinel Gem 4.15 Carat Round Loose Sri Lanka Gemstone, $24,500 at 1stDibs.com

Yes, there's a wee window, and the video gives it a richer hue than the grayish-blue of the photos below, but still.