$264Sale Price|20% Off
5.70 Carat Natural Loose Light Purple Amethyst Emerald Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.70 carat Dimensions 11.4x9.7x8.2mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 5.70 Carat Natural Loose Light Purple Amethyst is a gemston...
Amethyst
$296Sale Price|20% Off
7.00 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 7.00 carat Dimensions 11.8x10.9x9.1mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup clean Shape Cut Emerald This 7.00 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone is a stri...
Amethyst
$360Sale Price|20% Off
8.85 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Cushion Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 8.85 carat Dimensions 15.5x11.7x7.8mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Cushion Radiating timeless elegance, this 8.85 Carat Natural Loose Pu...
Amethyst
$72Sale Price|20% Off
1.50 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Trilliant Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.50 carat Dimensions 8.8x8.8x5.3mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Trilliant This 1.50 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone features a...
Amethyst
$168Sale Price|20% Off
3.40 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Baguette Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.40 carat Dimensions 9.8x7.4x6.5mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Baguette Discover the elegance of this 3.40 Carat Natural Loose Purple ...
Amethyst
$240Sale Price|20% Off
4.70 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Fancy Cushion Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 4.70 carat Dimensions 11.4x9.4x7.3mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Precision Cushion This 4.70 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst is a d...
Amethyst
$240Sale Price|20% Off
5.00 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Baguette Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.00 carat Dimensions 13.1x7.7x6.7mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Baguette This 5.00 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst is an elegant gem...
Amethyst
$280Sale Price|20% Off
4.00 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Baguette Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 4.00 carat Dimensions 10.1x7.5x6.1 mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup clean Shape Cut Baguette This elegant 4.00 carat natural purple amethyst displays a ric...
Amethyst
$440Sale Price|20% Off
24.70 Carat Natural Loose Purple Color Amethyst Round Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 24.70 carat Dimensions 20.2x20.2x11.5mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Round This 24.70 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst is a magnificen...
Amethyst
$160Sale Price|20% Off
3.05 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut African Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.05 carat Dimensions 11.4x7.0x5.5mm Treatment None Origin African Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 3.05 carat Natural Greenish Amethyst is a unique and eleg...
Amethyst
7.10 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst Stone Cushion Cut African Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 7.10 carat Dimensions 13.3x9.9x8.0mm Treatment None Origin African Clarity VVS Shape Cut Cushion This 7.10 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst is an elegant and eye...
Amethyst
$280Sale Price|20% Off
7.15 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut African Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 7.15 carat Dimensions 14.5x10.0x7.6 mm Treatment None Origin African Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 7.15 carat Natural Greenish Amethyst is a rare and elegant gem...
Amethyst
$720Sale Price|20% Off
40.00 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Pair Emerald Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 40.00 carat Dimensions 18.7x14x11.1mm Treatment None Origin Brazilian Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This remarkable 40.00 carat natural purple amethyst pair fea...
Amethyst
15.90 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Pair Asscher Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 15.90 carat Dimensions 12.0x12.0 x9.0mm Treatment None Origin Brazilian Clarity Loup clean Shape Cut Asscher This elegant 15.90 carat natural amethyst pair features ...
Amethyst
$200Sale Price|20% Off
5.35 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.35 carat Dimensions 11.3x10x6.9mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 5.35 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst is a striking gem...
Amethyst
$600Sale Price|20% Off
35.75 Carat Natural Loose Pretty Purple Amethyst Asscher Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 35.75 carat Dimensions 18.0x18.0x15.5 mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Asscher This 35.75 Carat Natural Loose Pretty Purple Amethyst is a...
Amethyst
$304Sale Price|20% Off
13.60 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Cushion Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 13.60 carat Dimensions 14.5x14.0x11.2 mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Cushion This 13.60 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst is a magnific...
Amethyst
$304Sale Price|20% Off
6.35 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut African Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 6.35 carat Dimensions 17.5x7.8x6.4mm Treatment None Origin African Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 6.35 carat Natural Greenish Amethyst is a beautifully rare...
Amethyst
$272Sale Price|20% Off
5.00 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut African Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.00 carat Dimensions 15.4x8.0x5.8mm Treatment None Origin Africa Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This beautiful 5.00 carat greenish amethyst from Africa feature...
Amethyst
25.00 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Pair Cushion Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 25.00 carat Dimensions 14.3x13.5x10.6mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Cushion This exquisite 25.00 carat natural amethyst pair showcases ...
Amethyst
$160Sale Price|20% Off
3.55 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.55 carat Dimensions 10.9x7.5x6.4mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald The 3.55 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst showcases a refined ...
Amethyst
$360Sale Price|20% Off
7.46 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Pair Asscher Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 7.64 carat Size 4.10 carat to 3.75 carat Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Asscher This 7.46 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Pair is a ...
Amethyst
38.60 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Cushion Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight: 38.60ct Dimension: 21.8x19.9x14.1mm Treatment: None Origin: Brazil Clarity: Eye-clean Shape Cut: Cushion This 38.60 carat Natural Purple Amethyst showcases a rich, ve...
Amethyst
$720Sale Price|20% Off
39.40 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Asscher Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 39.40 carat Dimensions 20.6x19.1x15.9 mm Treatment None Origin Brazilian Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Asscher This 39.40 carat natural purple amethyst is an impressive...
Amethyst
$424Sale Price|20% Off
8.45 Carat Natural Loose Royal Purple Amethyst Asscher Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 8.45 carat Dimensions 11.9x11.9x9.3mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Asscher Experience the elegance of this 8.45 Carat Natural Loose Royal...
Amethyst
$376Sale Price|20% Off
9.15 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Cushion Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 9.15 carat Dimensions 14.9x11.8x8.0mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Cushion This 9.15 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst from Brazil is a ...
Amethyst
$245Sale Price|30% Off
6.05 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Pair Cushion Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 6.05 carat Dimensions 9.3x7.4x6.4mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 6.05 carat natural Amethyst pair from Brazil presents a beau...
Amethyst
$176Sale Price|20% Off
5.00 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst Stone Cushion Cut African Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.00 carat Dimensions 11x9.2x7.9 mm Treatment None Origin Africa Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut cushion This 5.00 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst is a rare and encha...
Amethyst
$1,720Sale Price|20% Off
17.86-Carat Princess-Cut Amethyst Loose Gemstone – Merkaba Custom Jewelry
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Specifications Gemstone: Natural Amethyst Carat Weight: 17.86 ct Cut: Princess (Square) Dimensions: 16.1 × 16.1 × 11.7 mm Origin: Brazil Clarity: Eye-clean, exceptional transparency ...
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$160Sale Price|20% Off
4.15 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst Stone Baguette Cut African Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 4.15 carat Dimensions 12.2x8.1x5.8mm Treatment None Origin African Clarity VVS Shape Cut Baguette This refined 4.15 carat Greenish Amethyst features a unique, soft gre...
Amethyst
$256Sale Price|20% Off
5.70 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst Stone Cushion Cut African Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.70 carat Dimensions 12.0x10.2x7.5mm Treatment None Origin Africa Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Cushion This beautiful 5.70 carat Natural Greenish Amethyst is an eleg...
Amethyst
$280Sale Price|20% Off
6.15 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut African Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 6.15 carat Dimensions 12.0x9.9x7.9mm Treatment None Origin African Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This striking 6.15 Carat Natural Greenish Amethyst showcases a d...
Amethyst
$416Sale Price|20% Off
15.40 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 15.40 carat Dimensions 18.1x11.9x10.5mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald NA This 15.40 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst captivates wit...
Amethyst
10.45 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 10.45 carat Dimensions 13.5x11.1x9.8mm Treatment None Origin Brazilian Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 10.45 carat Natural Purple Amethyst from Brazil feature...
Amethyst
$496Sale Price|20% Off
15.90 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Asscher Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 15.90 carat Dimensions 15.1x14.3x11.1 mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Asscher This 15.90 carat Natural Purple Amethyst from Brazil showcas...
Amethyst
$560Sale Price|20% Off
26.80 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 26.80 carat Dimensions 23x14.5x11.5mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 26.80 carat Natural Purple Amethyst from Brazil is a stri...
Amethyst
$132Sale Price|30% Off
Natural Purple Amethyst 11.05 Ct Honeycomb Concave Cut Loose Gemstones- Jewelry
Located in Peshawar, PK
Purple Natural Amethyst Loose Gemstones for Necklace Pendant, Bracelet or any other Jewelry Setting-Honeycomb and Concave Oval Cut!!
Amethyst
$174Sale Price|30% Off
Natural Purple Amethyst 10.85 Ct Honeycomb Concave Cut Loose Gemstones- Jewelry
Located in Peshawar, PK
Purple Natural Amethyst Loose Gemstones for Necklace Pendant, Bracelet or any other Jewelry Setting-Honeycomb and Concave Round Cut!!
Amethyst
$400Sale Price|20% Off
18.95 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Cushion Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 18.95 carats Dimensions 20x13.7x10.5 mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Cushion This 18.95 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst is a stunning exa...
Amethyst
$296Sale Price|20% Off
8.95 Carat Natural Loose Royal Purple Amethyst Fancy Faceted Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 8.95 carat Dimensions 14.8x10.1x9.7mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Fancy This 8.95 Carat Natural Loose Royal Purple Amethyst showcases a...
Amethyst
$429Sale Price|30% Off
Purple Natural Amethyst Loose Gemstone 27.93Ct Cushion Cut-Ring, Pendant-Jewelry
Located in Peshawar, PK
Purple Natural Amethyst Loose Gemstone for Ring, Necklace Pendant, Bracelet or any other Jewelry Setting-Cushion Cut!!
Amethyst
$337Sale Price|44% Off
Purple Natural Amethyst Loose Gemstone 21.35Ct Cushion Cut-Ring, Pendant-Jewelry
Located in Peshawar, PK
Purple Natural Amethyst Loose Gemstone for Ring, Necklace Pendant, Bracelet or any other Jewelry Setting-Cushion Cut!!
Amethyst
$96Sale Price|20% Off
1.95 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Custom Precision Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.95 carat Dimensions 9.5x6.4x5.5mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Cushion Precision This 1.95 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst from Br...
Amethyst
$280Sale Price|20% Off
7.60 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Custom Precision Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 7.60 carat Dimensions 13.4x11.4x9.0mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Cushion Precision Showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, this 7.60 Car...
Amethyst
$440Sale Price|20% Off
15.25 Carat Loose Royal Purple Amethyst Emerald Cut Natural Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 15.25 carat Dimensions 15.3x13.6x11.9mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loupe Clean Shape Octagon Cut Emerald NA This exquisite 15.25 carat loose Royal Purple Amethyst...
Amethyst
$268Sale Price|30% Off
Natural Purple Amethyst 21.29 Ct Honeycomb Concave Cut Loose Gemstones- Jewelry
Located in Peshawar, PK
Purple Natural Amethyst Loose Gemstones for Necklace Pendant, Bracelet or any other Jewelry Setting-Honeycomb and Concave Cut!!
Amethyst
5.00 Carat Natural Loose Deep Purple Amethyst Baguette Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.00 carat Dimensions 12.9x7.5x6.5mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Baguette This 5.00 carat Natural Deep Purple Amethyst from Brazil showca...
Amethyst
$240Sale Price|20% Off
8.10 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Custom Precision Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 8.10 carat Dimensions 14.5x12.7x9mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Cushion The 8.10 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst is a breathtaking ge...
Amethyst
$144Sale Price|20% Off
3.60 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Baguette Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.60 carats Dimensions 11.7x7x5.7 mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Baguette This elegant 3.60 Carat Natural Purple Amethyst features a rich,...
Amethyst
$336Sale Price|20% Off
7.65 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Asscher Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 7.65 carat Dimensions 11.8x11.8x8.9mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Asscher This beautiful 7.65 Carat Natural Purple Amethyst showcases a ri...
Amethyst
$264Sale Price|20% Off
8.45 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Emerald Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 8.45 carat Dimensions 14.7x10.8x8.2 mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This striking 8.45-carat natural Purple Amethyst from Brazil d...
Amethyst
$144Sale Price|20% Off
6.80 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Hexagonal Cut African Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 6.80 carat Dimensions 12.3x11.3x9.8mm Treatment None Origin Africa Clarity VVS Shape Cut Hexagon The 6.80 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone is a striking gemsto...
Amethyst
$336Sale Price|20% Off
8.50 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Asscher Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 8.50 carat Dimensions 11.9x11.9x9.6mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Asscher This exquisite 8.50 carat Amethyst showcases a rich, royal pur...
Amethyst
8.50 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Asscher Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 8.50 carat Dimensions 11.9x11.9x9.6mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Asscher This 8.50 Carat Natural Purple Amethyst from Brazil is an eleg...
Amethyst
6.75 Carat Natural Loose Purple Amethyst Stone Fancy Cut Brazilian Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 6.75 carat Dimensions 11.2x11.1x9.6mm Treatment None Origin Brazilian Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut This 6.75 carat Natural Purple Amethyst from Brazil features a rich, ...
Amethyst
5.25 Carat Natural Loose Green Amethyst / Prasiolite Pair Cushion Cut Gemstone
Located in Peshawar, PK
Loose Green Amethyst Pair Weight: 5.25 Carats Dimension: 8.7 x 7.6 x 6.5 Mm 8.7 x 7.5 x 6.4 Mm Colour: Light Green Origin: Brazil Treatment: Non Certificate: On Demand Faceted G...
Amethyst, Other
$112Sale Price|20% Off
4.05 carats Loose Purple Amethyst Custom Precision Cut Natural Brazilian Stone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 4.05 carat Dimensions 9.6x9.6x7.4mm Treatment None Origin Brazil Clarity Loupe Clean Shape Octagon Cut Custom Precision This exquisite 4.05 carat loose purple amethyst is a...
Amethyst
There are few gemstones in the world that are both affordable and worthy of a duchess’s attention. But then not many stones are as beautiful as amethyst. Indeed, vintage and antique amethyst jewelry has innumerable fans, and February’s birthstone has many unique attributes. For the romantics, there are several tales in Greek mythology that tell the story of Bacchus and Amethyste, a maiden that he pursues yet is rescued by Diane by turning her into a white stone. Bacchus, mourning his love, pours a glass of wine over the sculpture, dyeing her purple.
Amethyst has adorned many royal jewels. One of the most enviable jewelry collections of all time belonged to Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. In 1947, the Duke gifted her with a Cartier amethyst and turquoise bib necklace. This special order piece was made with twisted 18-carat and 20-carat gold, platinum, brilliant- and baguette-cut diamonds, one heart-shaped faceted amethyst, 27 emerald-cut amethysts, one oval faceted amethyst, and turquoise cabochons. The Duchess was not the only Royal with a penchant for the purple gemstone. The tiara now owned by Queen Silvia of Sweden is set with amethysts that once belonged to the French Empress Josephine. A stunning 56-carat cushion-cut, square-shaped amethyst set in an 18-karat yellow gold necklace designed by Tiffany & Co. is now in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
The Smithsonian also has in its possession an even more rare example of fine amethyst: the 96-carat Morris Amethyst Brooch. The brooch features a deep, rich purple heart-shaped amethyst. The museum states that the piece was likely made during the Edwardian period (1901–15) “when platinum and diamonds were often used, and amethyst, a favorite stone of King Edward VII’s wife, Alexandra, was often included in jewelry of the era.”
Another amethyst necklace, with an even richer story, can be found in the Natural History Museum of London. Known as the Delhi Purple Sapphire (even though the stone is an amethyst), this stone was stolen from the Temple of Indra during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Anyone in possession of this stone is bound to have terrible luck, including its owner Edward Heron-Allen, who gifted the gemstone to the museum thinking that this would save him but ended up transferring the bad luck to the museum curators overseeing the stone.
Find a wide range of vintage and antique amethyst necklaces, bracelets and other fine jewelry on 1stDibs.
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.