$304Sale Price|20% Off
1.65 Carat Natural Loose Mint Green Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.65 carat Dimensions 8.7x5.2x4.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 1.65 Carat Natural Loose Mint Green Tourmaline is a refreshing gem...
Tourmaline
$480Sale Price|20% Off
2.40 Carat Natural Loose Light Green Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 2.40 carat Dimensions 10.4x5.6x4.9mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 2.40 Carat Natural Loose Light Green Tourmaline is a refre...
Tourmaline
$680Sale Price|20% Off
3.65 Carat Natural Loose Bicolor Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.65 carat Dimensions 11.0x7.1x5.4mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 3.65 Carat Natural Loose Bicolor Tourmaline is a captivating gems...
Tourmaline
$544Sale Price|20% Off
12.25 Carat Natural Loose Pink Kunzite Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 12.25 carat Dimensions 13.3x10.9x9.1mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This exquisite 12.25 Carat Natural Loose Pink Kunzite is a cap...
Kunzite
$7,840Sale Price|20% Off
14.75 Carat Natural Loose Blue Color Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 14.75 carat Dimensions 23.1x10.0x7.1mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 14.75 Carat Natural Loose Blue Tourmaline captivates wit...
Tourmaline
$336Sale Price|20% Off
1.85 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.85 carat Dimensions 8.7x5.6x4.2mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 1.85 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline is a rare a...
Tourmaline
$280Sale Price|20% Off
1.70 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.70 carat Dimensions 10.8x5.6x3.4mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 1.70 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline from Afghanistan...
Tourmaline
$456Sale Price|20% Off
2.20 Carat Natural Loose Blue Greenish Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 2.20 carat Dimensions 11.6x5.8x3.6mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 2.20 Carat Natural Loose Blue Greenish Tourmaline is a mesmerizi...
Tourmaline
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
15.00 Carat Natural Loose Pretty Blue Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 15.00 carat Dimensions 16.8x11.3x8.7mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This magnificent 15.00-carat natural blue tourmaline is a tru...
Tourmaline
$456Sale Price|20% Off
2.35 Carat Natural Loose Lagoon Green Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 2.35 carats Dimensions 10.1x4.9x3.9 mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 2.35 Carat Natural Loose Lagoon Green Tourmaline features a capt...
Tourmaline
$416Sale Price|20% Off
3.55 Carat Natural Loose Green Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.55 carats Dimensions 7.1x5.2x5.0 mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 3.55 Carat Natural Loose Green Tourmaline displays a vivid and r...
Tourmaline
$256Sale Price|20% Off
1.15 Carat Natural Loose Emerald Stone Cushion Cut Gemstone From Afghanistan
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.15 carat Dimensions 6.6x5.8x4.5mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Cushion The 1.15 Carat Natural Loose Emerald Stone is a rare beauty, ethically so...
Emerald
$176Sale Price|20% Off
0.85 Carat Natural Loose Emerald Stone Oval Cut Gemstone From Afghanistan
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 0.85 carat Dimensions 7.1x5.6x4.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Oval The 0.85 Carat Natural Loose Emerald Stone is a timeless beauty, sourced fr...
Emerald
$344Sale Price|20% Off
1.15 Carat Natural Loose Lagoon Blue Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.15 carat Dimensions 12.1x4.0x2.5mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 1.15 Carat Natural Loose Lagoon Blue Tourmaline is a stunning ge...
Tourmaline
$440Sale Price|20% Off
5.00 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.00 carat Dimensions 17.4x6.1x5.0mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Emerald This 5.00 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline displays a mesmerizin...
Emerald, Tourmaline
$336Sale Price|20% Off
1.70 Carat Natural Loose Light Green Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.70 carat Dimensions 8.8x5.0x4.6mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 1.70 Carat Natural Loose Light Green Tourmaline is a charmin...
Tourmaline
$448Sale Price|20% Off
3.80 Carat Natural Loose Green Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.80 carat Dimensions 10.9x7.4x5.8mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald The 3.80 Carat Natural Loose Green Tourmaline is a vibrant gemstone tha...
Tourmaline
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
41.50 Carat Loose Pretty Blue Tourmaline Emerald Cut Natural Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 41.50 carat Dimensions 35.2x13.2x9.6mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This stunning 41.50 Carat Blue Tourmaline showcases an elegan...
Tourmaline
$656Sale Price|20% Off
8.55 Carat Natural Loose Yellowish Green Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 8.55 carat Dimensions 13.1x9.5x7.6mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eyes Clean Shape Cut Emerald NA This 8.55 Carat Natural Loose Yellowish Green Tourmaline is a c...
Tourmaline
$760Sale Price|20% Off
11.90 Carat Loose Tricolor Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Natural Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 11.90 carat Dimensions 21.1x10.2x5.5mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Emerald NA This 11.90-carat natural Tricolor Tourmaline is a stunning and rare gem...
Tourmaline
$456Sale Price|20% Off
2.15 Carat Natural Loose Seafoam Blue Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Expertly emerald-cut, the stone features clean lines and crisp facets that highlight its brilliance, clarity, and natural charm.
Tourmaline
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
3.80 Carat Loose Lagoon Blue Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.80 carat Dimensions 10x8x5.6mm Treatment None Origin Afghanistan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Octagon Cut Emerald NA This 3.80-carat natural Tourmaline gemstone showcases ...
Tourmaline
$336Sale Price|20% Off
10.45 Carat Loose Pink Kunzite Stone Emerald Cut Natural Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 10.45 carats Dimensions 15.7 x 8.6 x 7.7 mm Treatment Heated Origin Afghanistan Clarity Loup clean Shape Cut Emerald NA This 10.45-carat natural Kunzite gemstone is a ...
Kunzite
$228Sale Price|20% Off
1.00 Carat Natural Loose Bluish Green Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.00 carats Dimensions 6.9x5.1x3.8 mm Treatment none Origin Afghanistan Clarity VVS Shape Octagon Cut Emerald The 1.00 carat Bluish Green Tourmaline stone, meticulousl...
Tourmaline
$520Sale Price|20% Off
5.50 carats Bi Color Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Natural Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.50 carat Dimensions 15.4 x 6.2 x 6.1mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Octagon Cut Emerald NA The 5.50 carats Bi color Blue Tourmaline Stone showcases a me...
Tourmaline
6.90 Carat Natural Loose Pink Afghan Kunzite Stone Emerald Cut For Jewelry
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 6.90 carat Dimensions 10.0x8.9x8.6mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 6.90 Carat Natural Loose Pink Afghan Kunzite showcases a d...
Kunzite
10.60 Carat Natural Loose Bicolor Pink Kunzite Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 10.60 carat Dimensions 18.1x7.1x8.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This exceptional 10.60-carat natural Bicolor Pink Kunzite from Afgha...
Kunzite
9.15 Carat Natural Loose Purplish No Heat Kunzite Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 19.15 carat Dimensions 16.2x11x12.1mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This exceptional 9.15-carat natural Purplish Kunzite from Afg...
Kunzite
1.70 Carat Natural Loose Lagoon Tourmaline Pair Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.70 carat Dimensions 6.7x4.3x3.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Emerald This 1.70 carat natural Lagoon Tourmaline pair from Afghanistan features a...
Tourmaline
$246Sale Price|20% Off
Natural Mint Green Loose Tourmaline 2.60 carats Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 2.60 carats Dimensions 10.6x5.8x4.9 mm Treatment none Origin Afghanistan Clarity VVS (Very, Very Slightly Included) Shape octagon Cut emerald The Natural Mint Green ...
Tourmaline
$197Sale Price|20% Off
1.15 Carats Loose Green Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Natural Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.15 carats Dimensions 6.1x5.7x4.4 mm Treatment none Origin Afghanistan Clarity eye clean Shape octagon Cut emerald The exquisite Green Tourmaline stone, boasting a w...
Tourmaline
3.20 Carat Natural Loose Light Blue Green Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.20 carat Dimensions 12.3x6.7x4.6mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Emerald This 3.20 Carat Natural Loose Light Blue Green Tourmaline showcases a c...
Tourmaline
2.30 Carat Natural Loose Fine Quality Bluish Green Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 2.30 carat Dimensions 7.8x7.3x5.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 2.30 carat natural bluish-green tourmaline offers a striki...
Tourmaline
22.95 Carat Natural Loose Purplish No Heat Kunzite Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 22.95 carat Dimensions 17.9x12.1x11.4mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This exceptional 22.95 carat natural kunzite displays a captivati...
Kunzite
$14,400Sale Price|20% Off
30.35 Carat Natural Loose Indicolite Tourmaline Gem Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 30.35 carat Dimensions 28.2x13.8x9.1mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This striking 30.35 Carat Indicolite Tourmaline is a true coll...
Tourmaline, Indicolite
15.35 Carat Natural Loose Purplish No Heat Kunzite Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 15.35 carat Dimensions 16.1x9.8x10.5mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 15.35 carat natural purplish kunzite displays a captiva...
Kunzite
$468Sale Price|20% Off
5.09 Carat Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline Pair Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstones
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.09 carats Dimensions 10.3x5.3x4.9 mm Treatment none Origin Afghanistan Clarity VVS Shape octagon Cut emerald This exquisite pair of fine quality Greenish Blue Tourma...
Tourmaline
12.10 Carat Natural Loose Baby Pink Kunzite Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 12.10 carat Dimensions 13.5x10.4x9.5mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 12.10 carat natural Baby Pink Kunzite displays a soft, ...
Kunzite
$760Sale Price|20% Off
26.10 Carat Natural Loose Pink No Heat Kunzite Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 26.10 carat Dimensions 19.4x13.7x11.9xmm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This exceptional 26.10 carat natural kunzite showcases a ...
Kunzite
8.60 Carat Natural Loose Pink No Heat Kunzite Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 8.60 carats Dimensions 11.2x10.6x9.1mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This beautiful 8.60-carat natural kunzite showcases a soft, ro...
Kunzite
$544Sale Price|20% Off
3.55 Carat Natural Loose Hot Pink Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.55 carat Dimensions 12.1x6x5.5mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 3.55 Carat Natural Loose Hot Pink Tourmaline showcases an exception...
Tourmaline
$216Sale Price|20% Off
1.45 Cts Natural Loose Seafoam Tourmaline Emerald Shape Afghan Mine
Located in Peshawar, PK
Loose Tourmaline Weight: 1.45 Carats Dimension: 7x5.4x4.8 Mm Origin: Afghanistan Shape: Emerald Color: Light Green / Seafoam Treatment: Non Seafoam tourmaline, a variety of tourm...
Tourmaline
42.35 Carat Natural Loose Baby Pink Kunzite Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 42.35 carat Dimensions 34.0x15.9x13.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghanistan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 42.35 Carat Natural Loose Baby Pink Kunzite is a bre...
Kunzite
16.85 Carat Natural Loose Hot Pink Kunzite Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 16.85 carat Dimensions 17.9x11x10.2mm Treatment Heated Origin Afghanistan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 16.85 carat Natural Hot Pink Kunzite is a striking ...
Kunzite
89.30 Carat Natural Loose Top Quality Pink Kunzite Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight: 89.30 carat Dimension: 30.2 x17.1x17.8mm Treatment: None Origin: Afghan Clarity: VVS Shape Cut: Emerald This 89.30 carat Natural Pink Kunzite is an extraordinary gemsto...
Kunzite
$632Sale Price|20% Off
3.25 Carat Natural Loose Tri Color Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.25 carat Dimensions 19.4x4.4x3.6mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald Introducing a striking 3.25 Carat Natural Tri-Color Tourmaline, expert...
Tourmaline
$416Sale Price|20% Off
9.75 Carat Natural Loose Light Pink Kunzite Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 9.75 carat Dimensions 11.3x10.2x9.7mm Treatment Heated Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 9.75 carat Natural Light Pink Kunzite from Afghanistan sho...
Kunzite
1.85 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.85 carat Dimensions 10.2x5.1x4mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 1.85 Carat Natural Loose Bi-Color Tourmaline is an elegant gemstone ...
Tourmaline
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
76.00 Carat Natural Loose Purple Color Kunzite Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 76.00 carat Dimensions 28.0x22.1x17.5mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 76.00 Carat Natural Loose Purple Kunzite is a magnifice...
Kunzite
5.70 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Pair Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.70 carat Dimensions 7.5x7.8x5.8mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Emerald This 5.70 Carat Natural Loose Bi-Color Tourmaline Pair from Afghanistan s...
Tourmaline
$481Sale Price|20% Off
1.90 Carat Natural Loose Seafoam Blue Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.90 carats Dimensions 9.06x5.60x4.31 mm Clarity Eye Clean Treatment None Origin Afghanistan Shape Octagon Cut Step Emerald The 1.90 carat weight adds substance to its vi...
Tourmaline
4.60 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 4.60 carat Dimensions 12.0x6.6x6.4mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 4.60 Carat Natural Loose Bi-Color Tourmaline from Afghanist...
Tourmaline
2.05 Carat Natural Loose Tourmaline Emerald Shape Gem From Afghanistan
Located in Peshawar, PK
Loose Tourmaline Weight: 2.05 Carats Dimension: 8.9 x 5.8 x 4.8 Mm Colour: Yellowish Green Origin: Afghanistan Certificate: On Demand Treatment: Non Tourmaline is a captivating ge...
Tourmaline
$424Sale Price|20% Off
12.95 Carat Natural Loose Light Pink Kunzite Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 12.95 carat Dimensions 15.3x9.8x9.1mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 12.95 carat Natural Light Pink Kunzite from Afghanistan showcases...
Kunzite
$280Sale Price|20% Off
0.90 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 0.90 carat Dimensions 8.0x4.1x3.4mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 0.90 carat Natural Bi-Color Tourmaline features a striking blend o...
Tourmaline
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
4.35 Carat Natural Loose Blue Color Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 4.35 carat Dimensions 11.4x7.8x5.6mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 4.35 Carat Natural Loose Blue Tourmaline displays a captiv...
Tourmaline
$600Sale Price|31% Off
3.00 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Fancy Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.00 carat Dimensions 17.8x4.8x4.1mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 3.00 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline from Afghanistan fe...
Tourmaline
Very few gems dazzle quite in the manner that tourmaline does — vintage and antique tourmaline jewelry is a showstopper, and you can blame this on its wide range of spectacular colors. In fact, when Dutch traders brought stones back home from Sri Lanka that they couldn't identify, they called them "toramalli," a Sinhalese term for "mixed gems."
If you could transform the ocean to a gem, this is what it would look like: a clear, translucent azure, bordering on turquoise, hypnotizing in its depth and sparkling in the sun.
There is, in fact, such a stone, although it comes from deep in the copper-rich mountains of Paraíba, Brazil, and not from the oceans along its coast. Far rarer than diamonds, Paraíba tourmaline, a kind of tourmaline discovered only in the 1980s, is treasured as much for its extraordinary color as its scarcity, both of which contribute to its high value.
While diamonds generally sell for about $6,000 per carat, a carat of Paraíba tourmaline is likely to fetch about $16,000. Fans of the gem are said to include singer Taylor Swift and actress Zooey Deschanel, as well as some of the finest jewelers.
“No other stone can have a color as magnetic and captivating as Paraíba tourmaline,” says Vania Leles of VanLeles Diamonds, who combines the stone with diamonds and other gems in several of her designs.
You don't have to stop at Paraíba tourmaline jewelry — on 1stDibs, find the most extraordinary antique and vintage tourmaline rings, tourmaline and diamond earrings and other accessories.
Are you shopping for diamonds and other loose gemstones to create your own custom jewelry?
Why might you purchase a diamond or gemstone “loose” — that is, on its own, not mounted in a piece of jewelry? Perhaps you’re a connoisseur looking to acquire a unique investment. The scarcity of high-quality colored diamonds, for instance, especially pink diamonds, means that their value increases over time; the same is true of rare Kashmir sapphires and Burmese rubies. Far rarer than diamonds, Paraiba tourmaline, discovered only in the 1980s, is treasured as much for its extraordinary color as its scarcity, both of which contribute to its high value.
A more common scenario would be that you’re hoping to create a very special piece of custom jewelry, such as an engagement ring or a milestone-birthday present, and want to personally select the most beautiful, unusual, or ultra-rare stone you can find and afford. Doing so adds to the romance and substance of the gift and can be a part of the story told as the jewel is passed from generation to generation.
If this sounds like you, read on for tips on becoming one of the world’s savviest gem hunters.
Educate yourself: When buying any piece of gem-set fine jewelry, you should familiarize yourself with the factors that determine a stone’s price. This will enable you to streamline your search for the perfect gem and have intelligent, productive conversations with sellers.
There is a wealth of information online, such as our diamond-buying guide and this overview of colored gemstones for engagement rings. The buying guides of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), searchable by stone type, are also a widely trusted source for consumers venturing into the world of diamonds and gems for the first time.
Vet your vendor: If you peruse 1stDibs with any regularity, you know there is no shortage of vendors who deal in top-quality loose gemstones. (Read about our vetted sellers.) Finding a trustworthy, established dealer may be as easy as getting a recommendation from friends or family. And, although it may sound obvious, it pays to Google your candidates — and consult customer reviews — before making contact.
Harakh Mehta, designer and founder of the Mumbai, India–based fine-jewelry brand Harakh, has an innate understanding of proper client relations, especially when the customer is in unfamiliar territory. “Start chatting with the dealer, get to know them better," he says. "It’s very important to establish a comfort level. We never push a sale, as we want it to be a carefully considered purchase. So, if the client is not in a rush, we do it over a few virtual meetings or phone calls.”
Request documentation: The best dealers go to great lengths to furnish clients with documents verifying the quality rating, natural origin and provenance of a stone — showing, for example, that loose emerald hails from the famous Muzo mine in Colombia — and disclosing any treatments applied to enhance its appearance. (And who doesn't love emerald jewelry? The most valuable emeralds are the ones that have a deep bluish-green to true green color and no visible inclusions.)
If no grading report is available for a stone you are interested in, the dealer should be able to provide an authenticity document, such as an appraisal or info sheet, that has been signed by an in-house gemologist or professional appraiser. Google those names, too, for extra peace of mind.
Ask for videos and visuals: When transacting with a gem dealer online, you should always request real-time videos and photographs, since professional photos of a stone, usually on a white background, have likely been retouched for optimal presentation.
Read more about how to buy loose gemstones and find your dream gems today on 1stDibs.