Gemstones Loose Gemstones
21st Century and Contemporary Malawian Modern Loose Gemstones
Garnet
2010s American Art Deco Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
2010s Tanzanian Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Loose Gemstones
Spinel
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Loose Gemstones
Spinel
2010s American Loose Gemstones
Topaz, Imperial Topaz
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Loose Gemstones
Spinel
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Rhodolite
2010s American Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Bolivian Loose Gemstones
Other
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s African Artisan Loose Gemstones
Amethyst
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Sri Lankan Loose Gemstones
Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Loose Gemstones
Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Loose Gemstones
Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Zambian Loose Gemstones
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Emerald
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Gemstones Loose Gemstones For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Gemstones Loose Gemstones?
Finding the Right Loose Gemstones for You
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.
- What is a mystic gemstone?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A mystic gemstone is a striking gemstone that features a thin metallic coating infused within the gemstone and is mined as a naturally occurring stone. Mystic gemstones are used in the design of watches and jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and anklets.
- What is Prasiolite gemstone?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Prasiolite, also known as green amethyst or veramarine is a type of green quartz. While it is rare in nature, the stone can be produced by heat treating amethyst.
- What gemstone is light blue?2 AnswersRoman Malakov DiamondsMarch 22, 2021Many gemstones come with a light blue color. The most common light blue gemstones in the market today are aquamarines, light blue topaz, and light blue sapphires.1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021The gemstone that is light blue is called aquamarine. Often affordable in price, there is a wide variety of vintage, new and antique aquamarine jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Madeira citrine gemstone is a precious quartz stone named after the Brazilian word for wood. It refers to the vibrant orange-yellow color of the stones. Find a range of Madeira citrine gemstone jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A sugarloaf cut gemstone or cabochon cut involves one of the oldest stone-cutting techniques. It sees that the doming and polishing of a gemstone are carried out, which gives it a flat edge that is best suited for a fine jewelry setting. It is most popular for displaying the natural colors of stones in their pure state. Shop a diverse range of vintage sugarloaf cut gemstone rings on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023Yes, a wedding band can have gemstones. In fact, many men and women choose rings set with gemstones as their wedding jewelry. Some gemstones commonly used in wedding bands include diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and amethysts. Any type of ring can be used as a wedding band if it appeals to you. Shop a wide range of gemstone wedding bands on 1stDibs.
- Does Effy use genuine gemstones?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024Yes, Effy uses real gemstones. Specifically, the jewelry maker uses genuine rubies, emeralds and sapphires in its pieces. The brand incorporates more than 150,000 carats worth of gems into its jewelry each year, and artisans handpick every stone to ensure quality. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Effy jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021The best gemstone for an engagement ring is really a matter of preference. Diamonds have extraordinary brilliance, a hardness of 10, and are more scratch-resistant than any other gemstone. Emeralds and sapphires are also popular gemstones for an engagement ring. Shop a collection of vintage and modern engagement rings from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.