Colored gemstones....underrated and who loves them?

[Littlesharon]

YES! the first time I was engaged I had a Georg Jensen all silver ring!!! And I just adored it! Second time around I came across the steal of the century and now wear a diamond.

Chaz, you keep on preaching, we are a very willing choir, and you are so interesting. I love your story of how you got your big er. and how you are so helpful in your sharing. Some people like to keep all their secrets to themselves. Im like you, an open book, and I love if I can help someone else especially for jewellery. I want everyone to enjoy it.

Now, this topic is so interesting because even a year ago I would have skipped it out of disinterest. But lately I have a new found love for color. I want color everywhere. My home has gone from white and neatrals to shocking color, bright artworks, electric colored glass sculptures etc. And its like I am craving for some color to make me feel alive!!!!!

My h. sells Aust. opals etc.....and before now I have NEVER even looked twice at them. All of a sudden I am in love with them all.....and I want aquamarine like its my long lost love or something!!!!

Maybe its a bug you catch, or an age thing, or maybe its to do with being more educated about jewellery in general. I mean anyone can love diamonds, that is drummed into us, but the colored gem is an aquired taste.

This reminds me of a very funny scene in a movie once. It involved a very rough around the edges uncooth woman who was discusted with her gift of black pearls which she laughed at because they were black.....you know, she was unaware that they cost more than the white!!!!

I think that is how I have been about colored gems till now...but I have seen the light. The next time I go to a jewellery fair, I will be buying some pieces for myself and starting a collection. I am dying for a huge emerald cut aquamarine or something similar. I will let the stone find me!!!!!!

 

[chaz]

Dy'know Sharon ,its so true that people keep trade stuff to themselves and its a shame as so many can be educated,made a little more knowledegable and wiser with it,and it can help to deepen pleasure and enjoyment of it all!! After I gained my FGA and DGA, and got field experienced,I began to love it all the more,as well as the fascinating science and physics side of it,the interesting bits and peices of knowledge you can pick up,do make it a continually enjoyable thing wether its a hobby or more professionally orientated.One of my biggest bugbears is people getting mis-led or ripped off by jewellers who play on the fact that the training and knowledge skills take so long to aquire that they use this to thier advantage and come out with ridiculous things or withhold facts to suit their purpose!! GGGGRRRRRR!!!!!

I have had a few instances where I have been admiring some thing or another and the seller has come out with some complete bulls**t,and then gone onto say do you have this interest as a hobby or something,to which I reply no I'm an FGA,DGA they then sometimes put on a real conspirational tone and say 'well,you have to say this sort of thing don't you,you know as you been in the trade you know what I mean',my reply is always a bit knee jerk and offended!''No you damn well don't and I damn well don't know what you mean if it means being deceptive!!'' If its a case of someone not really quite getting it right and they feel they are being honest and its obvious that they love what they do,I'll politely keep my trap shut!!

As for loving colored things,I know what you mean,my house has started getting injections of color from art and objects all over it.(I still play safe with cream walls tho! can't seem to quite get over that!)

And for colored gems,it reminds me of a time my first employer showed me a baby blue un-treated step or trap cut blue topaz 7 1/2 cts in the most gorgeous 18ct w/gold Art Deco setting with teeny diamond accents,it was absolutely beautiful,I was a bit unsure of my sense of style and taste and declined his offer of letting me buy it.Then this fabulously trendy woman in black combat pants and black roll neck top bought it,in that instant when I saw her put it on I knew I'd made a massive mistake,I prayed she would'nt buy it,and my boss saw my face,and he knew I had realised.But being a professional he did'nt change his chat,and did'nt try to put her off at all. I have kicked myself so hard over the years on it that my legs face backwards now.The trendy(and lovely) lady walked out with it on her hand,she wanted to wear it immediately as she loved it so much.It cost her £750,an absolutely gorgeous steal.

Its color was so lovely even my boss remarked it was almost a rival for quite a fine colored Aqua,oh dear...................................

 

[kittykittycatcat]

ilzabet-your ring is gorgeous!!

I love some gemstones too, my favourite is definitely sapphire (its my birthstone)..they are so pretty and I love each colour.

I loveee the david yurman stuff too b/c they make so much beautiful jewellery with gemstones.

 

[MomofQtees]

I love love love CHAZ and LITTLESHARON!!! They keep me grounded in this forum

This thread seems to be an enabler LOL Im loving colored gemstones even more now!!! Hope it doesnt lead to an obssession LOL

 

[chaz]

I love love love CHAZ and LITTLESHARON!!! They keep me grounded in this forum

This thread seems to be an enabler LOL Im loving colored gemstones even more now!!! Hope it doesnt lead to an obssession LOL

We love you too!!!And you know if you buy something new we want to see pics right?!!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ooo another little interesting grain for you,did you know that the inclusions or 'jardin' in an emerald are so typical to each location you can pretty much tell which country they have come from,even down to which mine!!!! There are two mines in Columbia,one produces stone with three phase inclusions in it( means it has a liquid,crystal and a gas bubble in it),the other mine produces stones with two phase inclusions in it,liquid and a crystal,and so typical are the shape of the cavities that contain these elements you can literally put money on it!!!!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[MomofQtees]

We love you too!!!And you know if you buy something new we want to see pics right?!!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ooo another little interesting grain for you,did you know that the inclusions or 'jardin' in an emerald are so typical to each location you can pretty much tell which country they have come from,even down to which mine!!!! There are two mines in Columbia,one produces stone with three phase inclusions in it( means it has a liquid,crystal and a gas bubble in it),the other mine produces stones with two phase inclusions in it,liquid and a crystal,and so typical are the shape of the cavities that contain these elements you can literally put money on it!!!!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

chaz, colored gemstones dont really hold their value as much as diamonds right? I mean when it comes to trading them in or upgrade? But why do some of these gemstones seem to be more expensive at the shops than diamonds though? Educate me please

 

[chaz]

chaz, colored gemstones dont really hold their value as much as diamonds right? I mean when it comes to trading them in or upgrade? But why do some of these gemstones seem to be more expensive at the shops than diamonds though? Educate me please

The rarity is a huge factor,and good rubies,tanzanites,emeralds,aquas are getting rarer to find of good clean quality. No gems realy hold their value that well unless they were bought years ago(I'm talking a good 50 or so years) then their value will have increased,but not massively,if you buy from new,you take a hit straight away,it has to sit and wait for that overtake it and then it slowly gets into making up its value.

Whenever a client posed the question about buying diamonds as an investment I had to be honest,in the short term no,in the long term yes,but you are probably going to get a better return on that amount of money if you talk to a financial adviser and invest on the stock market.

Other gems have to be of quite an important size to command good buy back prices,but again you are always taking a hit buying new,unless you keep them a little while. If you buy,say a fabulous ruby,the retailer,supplier etc all have to make a slice on it for it to be viable for them,its that mark up you initially lose give it time and the value of the stone will eventually overtake it.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[MomofQtees]

The rarity is a huge factor,and good rubies,tanzanites,emeralds,aquas are getting rarer to find of good clean quality. No gems realy hold their value that well unless they were bought years ago(I'm talking a good 50 or so years) then their value will have increased,but not massively,if you buy from new,you take a hit straight away,it has to sit and wait for that overtake it and then it slowly gets into making up its value.

Whenever a client posed the question about buying diamonds as an investment I had to be honest,in the short term no,in the long term yes,but you are probably going to get a better return on that amount of money if you talk to a financial adviser and invest on the stock market.

Other gems have to be of quite an important size to command good buy back prices,but again you are always taking a hit buying new,unless you keep them a little while. If you buy,say a fabulous ruby,the retailer,supplier etc all have to make a slice on it for it to be viable for them,its that mark up you initially lose give it time and the value of the stone will eventually overtake it.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Oooohh!!! Thanks for the info!!!

 

[CastoCreations]

I can't believe I haven't checked in this week to see this thread.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE colored gemstones and use them in my work - generally in bead form.

Beads made of gem stones are hardly ever the same gem quality as faceted cut stones - if they are high enough quality to be faceted and set they won't want to waste any of the stone by making beads. However I have found and used some outstandingly gorgeous bead gemstones.

Alexandrite has to be one of my very favorite stones - it is exceedingly rare but incredibly stunning - and expensive. lol My coworker has one worth well over $10k.

I love when there are inclusions in stones - even diamonds. Unless a stone is supremely expensive and flawless and certified natural - I assume any perfectly clear emerald or ruby is lab created. Emeralds should generally have *some* inclusions.

But diamonds are a girl's best friend.

 

[chaz]

I love bead jewellery,I think beads scattered on wires are just so pretty,especially when you use a couple of complimentary colors!! And Casto,its just shows how busy you are at the mo,always reassuring when a jeweller is busy,tells me their good and thier designs are sought after!!!!xxxxxxxxx

 

[boobeary]

I want a pink sapphire in my e-ring (I would forgo my diamond ban if it were a pink or yellow diamond).

My friend has a tanzanite e-ring and I would love to invest in a great tanzanite necklace.

I really love this sub-forum. Chaz and the rest of you gals are so knowledgeable! I may have to ask you for help in researching my pink sapphire e-ring my wonderful, but non-profit working (I want to be sensitive to his and our future finances) SO will be getting me!

 

[Littlesharon]

Dy'know Sharon ,its so true that people keep trade stuff to themselves and its a shame as so many can be educated,made a little more knowledegable and wiser with it,and it can help to deepen pleasure and enjoyment of it all!! After I gained my FGA and DGA, and got field experienced,I began to love it all the more,as well as the fascinating science and physics side of it,the interesting bits and peices of knowledge you can pick up,do make it a continually enjoyable thing wether its a hobby or more professionally orientated.One of my biggest bugbears is people getting mis-led or ripped off by jewellers who play on the fact that the training and knowledge skills take so long to aquire that they use this to thier advantage and come out with ridiculous things or withhold facts to suit their purpose!! GGGGRRRRRR!!!!!

I have had a few instances where I have been admiring some thing or another and the seller has come out with some complete bulls**t,and then gone onto say do you have this interest as a hobby or something,to which I reply no I'm an FGA,DGA they then sometimes put on a real conspirational tone and say 'well,you have to say this sort of thing don't you,you know as you been in the trade you know what I mean',my reply is always a bit knee jerk and offended!''No you damn well don't and I damn well don't know what you mean if it means being deceptive!!'' If its a case of someone not really quite getting it right and they feel they are being honest and its obvious that they love what they do,I'll politely keep my trap shut!!

As for loving colored things,I know what you mean,my house has started getting injections of color from art and objects all over it.(I still play safe with cream walls tho! can't seem to quite get over that!)

And for colored gems,it reminds me of a time my first employer showed me a baby blue un-treated step or trap cut blue topaz 7 1/2 cts in the most gorgeous 18ct w/gold Art Deco setting with teeny diamond accents,it was absolutely beautiful,I was a bit unsure of my sense of style and taste and declined his offer of letting me buy it.Then this fabulously trendy woman in black combat pants and black roll neck top bought it,in that instant when I saw her put it on I knew I'd made a massive mistake,I prayed she would'nt buy it,and my boss saw my face,and he knew I had realised.But being a professional he did'nt change his chat,and did'nt try to put her off at all. I have kicked myself so hard over the years on it that my legs face backwards now.The trendy(and lovely) lady walked out with it on her hand,she wanted to wear it immediately as she loved it so much.It cost her £750,an absolutely gorgeous steal.

Its color was so lovely even my boss remarked it was almost a rival for quite a fine colored Aqua,oh dear...................................

My, you can sure tell a story. I was just about crying over the pain of that (horrible woman!) buying `your` ring!!!! I wanted to go back in time, run after her, and snatch it right off her finger. How dare she be so sure of herself to buy it straight away and not even go away to think about it for a day.

 

[chaz]

My, you can sure tell a story. I was just about crying over the pain of that (horrible woman!) buying `your` ring!!!! I wanted to go back in time, run after her, and snatch it right off her finger. How dare she be so sure of herself to buy it straight away and not even go away to think about it for a day.

Does'nt it just prove that you should follow your heart and not let your head talk you out of it!!! I have been looking and searching for something similar ever since,and it must be getting on for thirteen years ago now?!!I think when something strokes your heart in such a way it flutters,it really does'nt pay to ignore it!!xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Littlesharon]

Does'nt it just prove that you should follow your heart and not let your head talk you out of it!!! I have been looking and searching for something similar ever since,and it must be getting on for thirteen years ago now?!!I think when something strokes your heart in such a way it flutters,it really does'nt pay to ignore it!!xxxxxxxxxxxx

I hear you.

On the topic of colored gemstones and following your heart, this is my absolute favourite whymsical quirky brand that I wear all the time. Its a French brand called GAS Bijoux. Its very funky and unique. Have you heard about it?

Its not cheap, but it bridges the gap between what I want and what I dont have in a substantial way. It entertains me to wear the pieces and Im like a kid in a candy store when the new seasons stock arrive a few times a year. One of the desperate housewives was seen shopping there lately!!!!

 

[chaz]

I hear you.

On the topic of colored gemstones and following your heart, this is my absolute favourite whymsical quirky brand that I wear all the time. Its a French brand called GAS Bijoux. Its very funky and unique. Have you heard about it?

Its not cheap, but it bridges the gap between what I want and what I dont have in a substantial way. It entertains me to wear the pieces and Im like a kid in a candy store when the new seasons stock arrive a few times a year. One of the desperate housewives was seen shopping there lately!!!!

oooooooooo,now that sounds very interesting..............not the desparate housewives bit!!!!Do they have a website to have a nose about on,sounds like its a bit like Stephen Webster stuff here,not the same designs probably but the same quirky and funky edge that makes it really desirable!!!xxxxxxx