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Loose Gems

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1.38ct Australian Green Sapphire Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.38ct Australian Green Sapphire Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem 7.3x6mm Natural Green Australian Sapphire
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Green Sapphire

Fantastic Purple Amethyst Loose Gem 9.30 Amethyst Ring Amethyst Jewelry
Located in Bangkok, TH
Fantastic Purple Amethyst Loose Gem, Available for sale at wholesale price natural high quality at
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Amethyst

2.76ct Fine Reddish Pink Rhodolite Garnet Cushion Cut Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
2.76ct Fine Reddish Pink Rhodolite Garnet Cushion Cut 9.5x6.5mm Loose Gem Fine Natural Vivid
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet, Rhodolite

Deep Green Tourmaline 2.12ct Octagon Emerald Cut Loose Gem
Located in Birmingham, GB
Deep Green Tourmaline 2.12ct Octagon Emerald Cut Loose Gem 7.6 x 7mm Natural Deep Green Tourmaline
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Tourmaline

9.13 Carats Natural Cornflower Blue Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Gem
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
9.13 CTS NATURAL CORNFLOWER BLUE OVAL CUT GENUINE SAPPHIRE LOOSE GEM STANDARD HEAT ONLY TREATEMENT
Category

2010s American Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire

Natural Light Blue Aquamarine 2.84ct Fancy Cushion Cut Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Natural Light Blue Aquamarine 2.84ct Fancy Cushion Cut Loose Gem 9.7x6.8mm Natural Light Blue
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Aquamarine

Fine 2.70ct Purplish Pink Rhodolite Garnet Heart Cut Loose Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 2.70ct Purplish Pink Rhodolite Garnet Heart Cut Loose Gem 8.4x7.6mm VS Fine Natural Rhodolite
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet, Rhodolite

2.12ct Pink Purple Natural Rhodolite Garnet Oval Cut Loose Gem VVS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
2.12ct Pink Purple Natural Rhodolite Garnet Oval Cut Loose Gem 7.7x6.7mm VVS Fine Natural
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet, Rhodolite

Fine 1.88ct Purplish Pink Rhodolite Garnet Heart Cut Loose Gem 7.8x6.5mm
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 1.88ct Purplish Pink Rhodolite Garnet Heart Cut Loose Gem 7.8x6.5mm Fine Natural Rhodolite
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet, Rhodolite

Apple Green Loose Gem Peridot, Natural High-Quality Peridot for Ring, 3.30cts
Located in Bangkok, TH
Apple Green Loose Gem Peridot, Available for Sale at wholesale price natural high quality 3.30
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Loose Gemstones

Materials

Peridot

Fine 1.06ct Green Blue Natural Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Gem 6.4x5.6mm
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 1.06ct Green Blue Natural Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Gem 6.4x5.6mm Fine Natural Blue Green
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

Fine 1.93ct Vivid Pink Purple Rhodolite Garnet Oval Cut Loose Gem IF
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 1.93ct Vivid Pink Purple Rhodolite Garnet Oval Cut Loose Gem IF 8x6.4mm Fine Loose Rhodolite
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet, Rhodolite

Fine 1.80 Vivid Pink Purple Rhodolite Garnet Oval Cut Loose Gem VVS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 1.80 Vivid Pink Purple Rhodolite Garnet Oval Cut Loose Gem 7.7x6.3mm VVS Fine Loose Rhodolite
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet, Rhodolite

Fine 1.51ct Vivid Purple Pink Rhodolite Garnet Oval Cut Loose Gem VVS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 1.51ct Vivid Purple Pink Rhodolite Garnet Oval Cut Loose Gem 7.6x6.2mm VVS Fine Loose
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet, Rhodolite

Spinel Palette 7.20 Carats Round 5mm Loose Gems Set
Located in US
Burma Spinel Palette 7.20 Carats Round Loose Gems Set Multi-color palette natural spinel set( 15
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

Indigo Blue Sapphire 0.75ct Natural Australian Cushion Cut Loose Gem
Located in Birmingham, GB
Indigo Blue Sapphire 0.75ct Natural Australian Cushion Cut Loose Gem 5.8x4.5mm Natural Australian
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Loose Gemstones

Royal Blue 0.68ct Australian VS Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Royal Blue 0.68ct Australian VS Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Gem 5.6x4.8mm Natural Australian Blue
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

Vivid Lime Green Australia Sapphire 0.70ct Oval Cut Loose Gem 6x4.3mm
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vivid Lime Green Australia Sapphire 0.70ct Oval Cut Loose Gem 6x4.3mm Natural Lime Green
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Green Sapphire

Natural Light Blue Aquamarine 3.43ct Fancy Cushion Cut Loose Gem
Located in Birmingham, GB
Natural Light Blue Aquamarine 3.43ct Fancy Cushion Cut Loose Gem 9 x 8mm Natural Light Blue
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Aquamarine

Unique 0.71ct Natural Green Blue Sapphire Cushion Rare Loose Gem 6.4x5mm VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Unique 0.71ct Natural Green Blue Sapphire Cushion Rare Loose Gem 6.4x5mm VS Unique Natural Green
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Sapphire

Fine Morganite 3.63ct Peach Orange Pink Morganite Oval Cut 11.5x9.3mm Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine Morganite 3.63ct Peach Orange Pink Morganite Oval Cut 11.5x9.3mm Loose Gem Fine Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Morganite

Natural Australian Deep Blue Sapphire 0.67ct Oval Cut Loose Gem
Located in Birmingham, GB
Natural Australian Deep Blue Sapphire 0.67ct Oval Cut Loose Gem 5.6 x 4.2mm Natural Australian
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Blue Sapphire

2.33 Carat Deep Orange Red Spessartine Garnet Heart Cut Loose Gem IF
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
2.33ct Deep Orange Red Spessartine Garnet Heart Cut Loose Gem 8.4x7.4mm IF Fine Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet

Fine 1.03ct Natural Green Sapphire Pear Teardrop Cut Loose Gem
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 1.03ct Natural Green Sapphire Pear Teardrop Cut Loose Gem 7.4x5mm Fine Natural Green
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Green Sapphire

Fine 1.10ct Deep Blue Sapphire Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 1.10ct Deep Blue Sapphire Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem 6.5 x 4.8mm Fine Natural Deep Blue Sapphire
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

Natural 1.14ct Light Blue Ceylon Fine Sapphire Pear Cut Loose Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Natural 1.14ct Light Blue Ceylon Fine Sapphire Pear Cut 7x5.7mm Loose Gem VS Natural Ceylon Light
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire

Fine 2.45ct Vivid Purple Pink Rhodolite Garnet Round Diamond Cut 7.8mm Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 2.45ct Vivid Purple Pink Rhodolite Garnet Round Diamond Cut 7.8mm Loose Gem Fine Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite

Fine 2.80ct Vivid Pink Purple Rhodolite Garnet Round Diamond Cut 7.5mm Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 2.80ct Vivid Pink Purple Rhodolite Garnet Round Diamond Cut 7.5mm Loose Gem Fine Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite

Fine 2.01ct Vivid Pink Purple Rhodolite Garnet Oval Cut 8.2x6.6mm Loose Gem IF
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 2.01ct Vivid Pink Purple Rhodolite Garnet Oval Cut 8.2x6.6mm Loose Gem IF Fine Natural VIVID
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet, Rhodolite

1.37ct Vivid Pink Purple Violet Natural Spinel Oval Cut Loose Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.37ct Vivid Pink Purple Violet Natural Spinel Oval Cut 7.2x5.4mm Loose Gem VS Natural Pink Purple
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

Fine Morganite 2.89ct Peach Orange Pink Beryl Oval Cut Loose Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine Morganite 2.89ct Peach Orange Pink Beryl Oval Cut 9.2x7.5mm Loose Gem VS Fine Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Beryl, Morganite

Fine1.13ct Vivid Orange Red Spessartine Garnet Heart Cut Loose Gem 6.2x5.7mm
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine1.13ct Vivid Orange Red Spessartine Garnet Heart Cut Loose Gem 6.2x5.7mm Fine Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet

Rare 4.28ct IGI Certified Green Jadeite Jade ‘A’ Grade Oval Cabochon Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare 4.28ct IGI Certified Green Jadeite Jade ‘A’ Grade Oval Cabochon Loose Gem IGI Certified
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Jade

1.02ct Fine Green Blue Sapphire GRA Certified Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.02ct Fine Green Blue Sapphire GRA Certified Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem 6.3x5.3mm GRA Certified
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire

54.01 Carat Scapolite Massive Piece Rare Madagascar Yellow Sunlight Loose Gem
By Malpani Jewels
Located in Hung Hom, HK
54.01 Carat Scapolite Massive Piece Rare Madagascar Yellow Sunlight Loose Gem details are mentioned
Category

2010s Hong Kong Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet

Brazilian Aquamarine 120.50 Carat Oval Shape Loose Gem
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
Collaborate with us to turn this beautiful gemstone into an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind work of art. An important aquamarine weighing 120.50 carats, oval cut, from Brazil Padre Pa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Aquamarine

Water Melon Tourmaline 32.66 Carat Green And Red Natural Maginificient Loose Gem
By Malpani Jewels
Located in Hung Hom, HK
Water Melon Tourmaline 32.66 Carat Green And Red Natural Maginificient Loose Gem Details are
Category

2010s Hong Kong Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones

Materials

Tourmaline

Natural Brazilian Morganite 47.05 Carat Cushion Cut Loose Gem
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
An important natural Brazilian Morganite weighing 47.05 carats, Cushion cut. the stone was personally selected in Brazil by our experts. If you are a stone collector, this beautiful...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Loose Gemstones

Materials

Morganite

Natural Ukraine Heliodor 37.72 Carat Cushion Shape Loose Gem
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
Wish to have a special enchanting heliodor in your stone collection? Please consider this natural Heliodor weighing 37.72 carats, cushion cut, from Ukraine. If you prefer to wear it...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Loose Gemstones

Materials

Beryl

Natural Ukraine Heliodor 124.44 Carat Baguette Shape Loose Gem
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
A very special important natural Heliodor weighing 124.44 carats, baguette cut, from Ukraine. The stone is a fabulous piece to be part of a stone collector. if yu are more interested...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Loose Gemstones

Materials

Beryl

Natural Brazilian Morganite 60.29 Carat Octagon Cut Loose Gem
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
Are you a collector or stones? Don't miss this beauty pink stone! Are you a jewelry lover? If you wish you can collaborate with us to turn this beautiful gemstone into an extraordina...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Morganite

Natural Ukraine Heliodor 63.59 Carat Oval Shape Loose Gem
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
Wish to add it to your stone collection? We propose you an important natural Heliodor weighing 63.59 carats, oval cut cut, from Ukraine. If you prefer to wear it as a jewel, coll...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Loose Gemstones

Materials

Beryl

Beauteous 8.20 Carats Natural Ametrine Loose Gem Cushion Shape
Located in Peshawar, PK
Faceted Ametrine Weight: 8.20 Carats Dimension: 13.7x10.5x8.5 Mm Origin: Brazil Color: Purple & Yellow Shape: Cushion Certificate: On Customer Demand Ametrine is a captivating ge...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, Multi-gemstone

Morganite 1.45ct Peach Orange Pink Beryl Pear Teardrop Cut Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine Natural Morganite Gemstone. 1.45 Carat with a beautiful pink orange (peach) colour and excellent clarity. Very clean stone. Also has an excellent pear/teardrop cut with good p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Beryl, Morganite

Fine Deep Blue Australian Sapphire 2.31ct Heart Cut Rare Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Natural Deep Blue Australian Sapphire Gemstone. 2.31 Carat with a beautiful deep blue colour and excellent clarity, a very clean stone. Also has an excellent heart cut and ideal pol...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

Tanzanite Earrings Gemstone Pair Oval Loose Gems - For Custom Earrings - Merkaba
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Your Dream We take immense pride in our capacity to transform loose gems into exquisite jewelry
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Tanzanite

Aquamarine Earring Gemstones Marquise Loose Gems Loupe Clean - Beverly Hills
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
, reminiscent of tranquil oceans and clear skies. Now, imagine two perfect gems, each cut into a sleek marquise
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Aquamarine, Beryl

Pair of Brazilian Aquamarine 99.95 Carat Octagonal Cut Loose Gems
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
0.515 cm 1.31 Loose stones or your custom made jewel will be delivered with Margherita Burgener Italian
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Aquamarine

Charismatic Hessonite Garnet Gem 2.50 carats Emerald Cut Madagascar Loose Gem
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 2.50 carats Dimensions 8x 6.8 x 5.1 mm Treatment None Origin Madagascar Clarity included (Milky inclusions) Shape Octagon Cut Emerald The Hessonite Garnet gemstone is a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet, Hessonite

Natural Brazilian 11.35 Ct Citrine Quartz Octagonal Cut Loose Gem
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
Natural Brazilian Orange Brown Citrine Quartz from Rio Grande Do Sul, carat weight 11.35 - 0.5 inches by 0.5 inches Are you a collector or stones? Don't miss this very original inte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Loose Gemstones

Materials

Citrine, Quartz

7.31tcw 12x9 Matching Colombian Emeralds - Oval Cut Genuine Loose Gems
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stone: Emerald Total Weight: 7.31-tcw Shape: Oval Cut Clarity: Transparent Luster: Excellent-Very Good Color: Medium Green Measurements: 12.43mm x 9.05mm x 5.18mm // 11.56mm x 9.08mm...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

4.27tcw 10x8 Matching Colombian Emeralds - Oval Cut Genuine Loose Gems
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stone: Emerald Total Weight: 4.27-tcw Shape: Oval Cut Clarity: Transparent Luster: Excellent-Very Good Color: Bluish Green Measurements: 10.08mm x 7.78mm x 5.18mm // 10.11mm x 7.72mm...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

7.49tcw 11x9 Matching Colombian Emeralds - Oval Cut Genuine Loose Gems
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stone: Emerald Total Weight: 7.49-tcw Shape: Oval Cut Clarity: Transparent Luster: Very Good Color: Light Green Measurements: 11.44mm x 8.98mm x 4.90mm // 11.40mm x 8.98mm x 6.97mm G...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

9.02tcw 13x9 Matching Colombian Emeralds - Oval Cut Genuine Loose Gems
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stone: Emerald Total Weight: 9.02-tcw Shape: Oval Cut Clarity: Transparent Luster: Very Good Color: Medium Light Green Measurements: 12.60mm x 9.33mm x 5.58mm // 12.61mm x 9.43mm x 6...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

30.12tcw 20x14 Matching Colombian Emeralds - Oval Cut Genuine Loose Gems
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stone: Emerald Total Weight: 30.12-tcw Shape: Oval Cut Clarity: Transparent Luster: Very Good Color: Medium Dark Green Measurements: 19.40mm x 13.92mm x 8.45mm // 19.41mm x 13.95mm x...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

19.15tcw Light Green Colombian Emeralds Oval Cut - Genuine Loose Gems
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stone: Emerald Total Weight: 19.15 Carat Shape: Oval Cut Clarity: Transparent Luster: Very Good Color: Light Green Measurements: 20.21mm x 17.77mm x 8.34mm Geographic Origin: Colombi...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

2.01tcw 8.5x6 Matching Colombian Emeralds - Pear-Cut Genuine Loose Gems
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stone: Emerald Total Weight: 2.01-tcw Shape: Pear Cut Clarity: Transparent Luster: Very Good Color: Medium Light Green Measurements: 8.29mm x 5.79mm x 3.87mm // 8.54mm x 6.02mm x 3.4...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

4.77tcw 11x8 Matching Colombian Emeralds - Pear-Cut Earthy Loose Gems
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stone: Emerald Total Weight: 4.77-tcw Shape: Pear Cut Clarity: Semi-Transparent Luster: Good Color: Medium Green Measurements: 11.06mm x 7.87mm x 5.43mm // 10.68mm x 7.75mm x 5.21mm ...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

2.49tcw 10x6 Matching Colombian Emeralds - Pear-Cut Genuine Loose Gems
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stone: Emerald Total Weight: 2.49-tcw Shape: Pear Cut Clarity: Transparent Luster: Excellent Color: Light Green Measurements: 9.96mm x 5.83mm x 4.43mm // 9.69mm x 5.85mm x 4.47mm Geo...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

10.62tcw 16x9 Pear-Cut Matching Colombian Emeralds - Genuine Loose Gems
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stone: Emerald Total Weight: 10.62-tcw Shape: Pear Cut Clarity: Transparent Luster: Very Good Color: Medium Green Measurements: 16.33mm x 8.89mm x 6.77mm // 16.08mm x 9.27mm x 7.30mm...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

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Loose Gems For Sale on 1stDibs

Browse a vast assortment of loose gems for sale on 1stDibs. These distinct designs — crafted with great care and often made from 18k Gold, Gold and Platinum — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 3 vintage editions and 324 modern creations to choose from as well. Our inventory is broad and distinctive, with accessories on offer that were made as long ago as the 18th Century to those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Our collection of loose gems includes designs that are universally popular, but Contemporary and Modern styles, specifically, are sought with frequency. Merkaba, Sarosi By Timeless Gems and Tamir each produced beautiful examples of these items that are worth considering. Browse our collection of 87 Tourmaline versions today to add the perfect touch to your look. A selection of oval cut, cushion cut and emerald cut can be found today on these pages. When shopping our range of loose gems, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men today than there are for women.

How Much are Loose Gems?

Prices for loose gems start at $65 and top out at $325,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $5,721.

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.