Tell me how much I overspent

[Module]

I have a question on the certificate. Say a vendor is selling a “minor oil” emerald without cert, if the lab report doesn’t come back so, who would eat up the the lab cost in common practice? The vendor or the buyer?

 

[lovedogs]

I have a question on the certificate. Say a vendor is selling a “minor oil” emerald without cert, if the lab report doesn’t come back so, who would eat up the the lab cost in common practice? The vendor or the buyer?

Buyer, unless it was arranged ahead of time. Vendors like this would tell a buyer that he or she needed to buy the stone, and then pay to get it certified.

 

[Module]

Hmm, I think it is fair to let the buyer pay if the lab comes back as what’s originally said, but if it isn’t, it kind of like paying ~180 to just get information on something you’re not buying, just my thoughts.

 

[T L]

That’s why one should never purchase an expensive gem that is often treated, without a reputable lab report (they’re not really certificates by the way).

 

[kruler2113]

With all this mania, I’m now considering tsavorite garnets, potentially more up my alley. Though they don’t seem to be commonly emerald cut (above 1.4 l/w) Thoughts?

Edit: Once this whole thing clears up, I will comprise a list of my options. Thanks everyone for your contributions so far!

 

[2Neesers]

With all this mania, I’m now considering tsavorite garnets, potentially more up my alley. Though they don’t seem to be commonly emerald cut (above 1.4 l/w) Thoughts?

Edit: Once this whole thing clears up, I will comprise a list of my options. Thanks everyone for your contributions so far!

I have a beautiful emerald green tsavorite I purchased from Tsavorite USA and I would highly recommend contacting Bruce Bridges if you are considering tsavorite. His email is in this link http://www.tsavorite.com/contact/ . If you tell him your budget and what you are looking for, he will pull stones from his inventory for you to look at. Good luck getting everything sorted out!

 

[kruler2113]

I have a beautiful emerald green tsavorite I purchased from Tsavorite USA and I would highly recommend contacting Bruce Bridges if you are considering tsavorite. His email is in this link http://www.tsavorite.com/contact/ . If you tell him your budget and what you are looking for, he will pull stones from his inventory for you to look at. Good luck getting everything sorted out!

I will look into that. Thanks!

 

[strawrose]

I have a beautiful emerald green tsavorite I purchased from Tsavorite USA and I would highly recommend contacting Bruce Bridges if you are considering tsavorite. His email is in this link http://www.tsavorite.com/contact/ . If you tell him your budget and what you are looking for, he will pull stones from his inventory for you to look at. Good luck getting everything sorted out!

Are they still selling directly? If so, that’s great news.

RIP Campbell Bridges.

 

[IcePhoenix]

I found these loose stones selling on IG, maybe you can look at their stories and contact them to see some pics or more details. The 2.95 one seems really nice perhaps a bit lighter than you want

 

[kruler2113]

I found these loose stones selling on IG, maybe you can look at their stories and contact them to see some pics or more details. The 2.95 one seems really nice perhaps a bit lighter than you want

I actually quite like that one. Only problem is I wouldn’t have the cash on hand until I can get this refund sorted out.

 

[AV_]

I am likely behind with prices, but under one carat for 5K I would expect top colour, nothing there clarity and no treatment. IMHO, small stones can have it all much more easily than larger ones, and holding a small proof of why emerald is one of The Five is one nice idea.

 

[2Neesers]

Are they still selling directly? The son is taking care of the business. RIP Campbell Bridges.

@strawrose I think he will still sell direct. They are still in the recommended vendor sticky, but I'm not sure if anyone here has reached out to purchase from him recently. I purchased my tsavorites from Campbell's son Bruce in 2017 and emailed him through the email address in the link and he was really fantastic to work with and had beautiful stones to select from. I know at the time I was working with him he was getting ready to go show at the Tucson Gem show and my impression at the time was that they are trade for the most part, but will sell to individuals if you reach out to him.

 

[T L]

I found these loose stones selling on IG, maybe you can look at their stories and contact them to see some pics or more details. The 2.95 one seems really nice perhaps a bit lighter than you want

This is the company that I posted a stone from a few pages back with surface cracks. They said it was “top gem.” I do think they have a huge selection, but I would not buy from them without really REALLY educating myself on emeralds. Those are the paler Chivor type stones in the photo.

The only thing tsavorite has in common with emerald is that it’s green. It’s a totally different creature, but if all your gf wants is a dark green stone, it’s a great option.

 

[kruler2113]

This is the company that I posted a stone from a few pages back with surface cracks. They said it was “top gem.” I do think they have a huge selection, but I would not buy from them without really REALLY educating myself on emeralds. Those are the paler Chivor type stones in the photo.

The only thing tsavorite has in common with emerald is that it’s green. It’s a totally different creature, but if all your gf wants is a dark green stone, it’s a great option.

There are a few on their site I really like.

 

[T L]

Tsavorite is typically untreated, although included material is sometimes clarity enhanced. Darker stones are easier to find in your size and price range, and they are not as prone to fractures and chips like emeralds. They’re more durable. I think tsavorite is a great option for your gf unless she has her heart set on an emerald. Dark emeralds are more difficult to obtain in nicer quality in your budget, and then you have the mine field of treatment to consider.

 

[T L]

Here’s that video of the stone that “JR Columbian Emeralds” (also “ColumbianEmeralds in IG) denote as top gem. The surface cracks can easily be seen when the light reflects off the surface of the table as it moves. I would be careful that they’re not advertising their emeralds the correct quality level. Top gem is a huge stretch for this piece. The surface cracks on the table devalue it considerably.

 

[chroman]

Go @lovedogs go!

I know its not an EC, but...
https://www.earthstreasury.com/product/2-88-carat-ethiopian-emerald/

I like the idea of looking at tsavorite - they wont lean blue, but do green very well. Lets see..

 

[MollyMalone]

Not to mention that they charge the sales tax rate of your area at time of shipment.

Wondering why the rolling eyes on this particular aspect of BE's stated Layaway option? Deferring the assessment of sales tax until the final payment has been made doesn't strike me as anti-consumer. What am I overlooking?

 

[strawrose]

Wondering why the rolling eyes on this particular aspect of BE's stated Layaway option? Deferring the assessment of sales tax until the final payment has been made doesn't strike me as anti-consumer. What am I overlooking?

Nothing, really. I just find it funny they’re already treating it as sold and final.

 

[MJO]

Of course, if we were talking about them I would aggree. But BE is not anywhere close to them in customer service or stone quality

Sorry I posted a link to a Paraiba International Stone that said slightly oiled I thought that was what you were talking about.

 

[Anne111]

Somebody should add it to the sticky threads:
No lab report = no deal
(at least for commonly treated gems, a list getting longer by the day)

 

[T L]

Somebody should add it to the sticky threads:
No lab report = no deal
(at least for commonly treated gems, a list getting longer by the day)

No reputable lab report=no deal

Too many vendors use in house appraisals and “certificates” or smaller labs that are unable to test for everything, or worse, fake labs.

 

[icy_jade]

Somebody should add it to the sticky threads:
No lab report = no deal
(at least for commonly treated gems, a list getting longer by the day)

But a lot of the recommended vendors /PS favorite vendors don’t provide certs?

 

[lovedogs]

Sorry I posted a link to a Paraiba International Stone that said slightly oiled I thought that was what you were talking about.

Aha. Gotcha. I totally trust Adam, so that wouldn't worry me.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Somebody should add it to the sticky threads:
No lab report = no deal
(at least for commonly treated gems, a list getting longer by the day)

The reality is, only Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald carry a premium for untreated stones. For everything else there is no difference in price. Most of the stones being purchased by people on pricescope look to be under $500. It doesn’t make sense to spend $100 on a report that will state your Rhodolite garnet is a rhodolite garnet. Even on the big 3, I would not consider a report on anything less than $1000.

Good to see back MJO!

 

[T L]

The reality is, only Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald carry a premium for untreated stones. For everything else there is no difference in price. Most of the stones being purchased by people on pricescope look to be under $500. It doesn’t make sense to spend $100 on a report that will state your Rhodolite garnet is a rhodolite garnet. Even on the big 3, I would not consider a report on anything less than $1000.

Good to see back MJO!

Actually it’s not just heat you have to worry about, but
Synthetics
Clarity enhancement
Irradiation
Coatings
Origin (some origins carry a huge premium hence the need for a lab report)
Diffusion

Inexpensive red family garnets are safe for now, and other lower cost gems are probably not worth an expensive lab report. I agree.

Expensive emeralds, rubies, sapphires, alexandrite, Paraiba, and spinels should have a reputable lab report.

 

[scouty]

Actually it’s not just heat you have to worry about, but
Synthetics
Clarity enhancement
Irradiation
Coatings
Origin (some origins carry a huge premium hence the need for a lab report)
Diffusion

Inexpensive red family garnets are safe for now, and other lower cost gems are probably not worth an expensive lab report. I agree.

Expensive emeralds, rubies, sapphires, alexandrite, Paraiba, and spinels should have a reputable lab report.

What price threshold for these stones would you expect a report? Just asking for my own education. TIA!

 

[T L]

What price threshold for these stones would you expect a report? Just asking for my own education. TIA!

It depends on you. I once sent out a gemstone that I paid $120 for to AGL, and I spent more on the lab report then the stone. It was a 2.4 carat blue sapphire. I got it for a price that was too good to be true, but I knew it was worth getting the lab report.

I think it depends on three factors:
1) The type of gem (Gene gave the example of rhodolite garnet which I agree doesn’t need a lab report, but the others I mentioned are really suspect for all sorts of treatment, origin issues and, synthetics)
2). The price YOU think is expensive. That’s subjective.
3) Do you think it’s worth sending no matter what you paid, like in my sapphire example above.

 

[PrecisionGem]

I use a few different professional price guides including maybe the most popular “The Guide”. And there is no price difference for stones other than ruby, sapphire and emerald and Paraiba Tourmaline based on treatment or location. Location or treatment for Aquamarine may mean something to you TL, but not to the trade. Of course if you are worried that you bought a natural stone, and it’s really a piece of glass, then that’s something different, but maybe you should deal with people you trust a little more than to sell you glass.

Now if you as a non trade member are trying to sell an expensive garnet, then it may help you sell it if you had a report so that people could trust you.

I would guess that if I offered an option for an AGL report for every stone I cut at an adder of $100 no one would pay the extra for anything other than ruby, sapphire, emerald.

 

[PrecisionGem]

This is for a 3 ct Rubellite tourmaline. Notice that no matter the treatment the price per ct is the same. However going from Fair cutting to Excellent increases the price.