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Aquamarine Heart Shape Gem 8.39 Carat Loose Stone
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
Loose aquamarine in heart shape, mixed cut. The aquamarine weights is 8.39 carats. Origin Brazil
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Aquamarine

Aquamarine Heart Shape Gem 8.39 Carat Loose Stone
Aquamarine Heart Shape Gem 8.39 Carat Loose Stone
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W 0.63 in D 0.31 in L 0.45 in
Aquamarine Octagon Shape Gem 48.86 Carat Loose Stone
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
enchanting stone. Either in gold or titanium. Contact us to make your wish become real. Please note the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Aquamarine

Aquamarine Octagon Shape Gem 48.86 Carat Loose Stone
Aquamarine Octagon Shape Gem 48.86 Carat Loose Stone
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H 0.471 in W 0.762 in L 1.178 in
Peridot Ring Gem Loose Gemstone 5.51 Carat Unmounted Stone
By Tamir
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique 5.51 carat Peridot Shield gem, offered loose to a stone lover. Peridot dimensions: 12.70mm x
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Peridot

Peridot Ring Gem Loose Gemstone 5.51 Carat Unmounted Stone
Peridot Ring Gem Loose Gemstone 5.51 Carat Unmounted Stone
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W 0.42 in D 0.16 in L 0.5 in
Untreated Cushion Cut Blue Sapphire 0.63ct IGI Certified Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Untreated Cushion Cut Blue Sapphire 0.63ct IGI Certified Loose Gem 5.4x4.3mm Natural Untreated
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Blue Sapphire

Natural 1.53ct Vivid Purple Pink Rhodolite Garnet Oval Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Natural 1.53ct Vivid Purple Pink Rhodolite Garnet Oval 6.1x7.6mm Loose Gem Natural Loose Rhodolite
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet, Rhodolite

GRA Certified 2.06ct Green Blue Sapphire Loose Cushion Cut Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
GRA Certified 2.06ct Green Blue Sapphire Loose Cushion Cut Gem 9.3x6.4mm GRA Certified Deep Green
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Sapphire

GRA Certified 2.06ct Green Blue Sapphire Loose Cushion Cut Gem
GRA Certified 2.06ct Green Blue Sapphire Loose Cushion Cut Gem
Free Shipping
H 0.15 in W 0.37 in D 0.26 in
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

Royal Blue 0.68ct Australian VS Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Gem
Royal Blue 0.68ct Australian VS Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Gem
Free Shipping
H 0.13 in W 0.23 in D 0.19 in
13.56 Carat Aquamarine Oval-Cut Unset Loose 3-Stone Ring Gemstone
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
13.56 Carat Aquamarine Emerald-Cut Unset Loose 3-Stone Ring Gemstone Length: 10.12 mm Width: 12.74
Category

2010s Unknown Artisan Loose Gemstones

Materials

Aquamarine

34.25 Carat Aquamarine Emerald-Cut Unset Loose 3-Stone Ring Gemstone
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
34.25 Carat Aquamarine Emerald-Cut Unset Loose 3-Stone Ring Gemstone Length: 13.39 mm Width: 27.57
Category

2010s Unknown Artisan Loose Gemstones

Materials

Aquamarine

10.55 Carat Aquamarine Emerald-Cut Unset Loose 3-Stone Ring Gemstone
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
10.55 Carat Aquamarine Emerald-Cut Unset Loose 3-Stone Ring Gemstone Length: 9 mm Width: 14.10 mm
Category

2010s Unknown Artisan 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

Fine Deep Blue Natural Spinel 1.04ct Cushion Cut Loose Rare Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine Deep Blue Natural Spinel 1.04ct Cushion Cut 8.4x4mm Loose Rare Gem Natural Vivid Blue Spinel
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

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

1.48ct Titanium Purple Natural Spinel Oval Cut 8.2x5.8mm Loose Rare Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.48ct Titanium Purple Natural Spinel Oval Cut 8.2x5.8mm Loose Rare Gem Natural Purple ‘Titanium
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

0.73ct Australian Blue Green Teal Sapphire Pear Teardrop Cut Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
0.73ct Australian Blue Green Teal Sapphire Pear Teardrop Cut Loose Gem 6.6x5.2mm Fine Natural Deep
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

1.05ct Vivid Blue Ceylon Sapphire IGI Certified Oval Cut Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.05ct Vivid Blue Ceylon Sapphire IGI Certified Oval Cut Loose Gem 6.5x4.5mm Fine Blue Ceylon
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire

1.86ct Bi Colour Fine Blue Green Rare Sapphire Trillion Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.86ct Bi Colour Fine Blue Green Rare Sapphire Trillion Loose Gem 11.3x5.7mm Fine Natural Bi Color
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

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

GIA Certified 1.48ct Natural Green Emerald Octagonal Emerald Cut Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
GIA Certified 1.48ct Natural Green Emerald Octagonal Emerald Cut Loose Gem GIA Certified Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Emerald

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

Fine 'Titanium' Spinel 1.63ct Purple Blue Oval Cut Loose Rare Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 'Titanium' Spinel 1.63ct Purple Blue Oval Cut 8x6.8mm Loose Rare Gem Natural Grey Blue Purple
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

Fine Royal Blue 0.52ct Australian Sapphire Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine Royal Blue 0.52ct Australian Sapphire Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem 5x4.2mm Fine Royal Blue Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

0.54ct Fine Cornflower Ceylon Blue Sapphire Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
0.54ct Fine Cornflower Ceylon Blue Sapphire Oval Cut RARE Loose Gem 5.3x4.3mm Natural Ceylon
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Blue Sapphire

Morganite 1.45ct Peach Orange Pink Beryl Pear Teardrop Cut Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
excellent clarity. Very clean stone. Also has an excellent pear/teardrop cut with good proportions and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Beryl, Morganite

Fine Royal Blue Australia Sapphire 0.63ct Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
and excellent clarity, a very clean stone. Also has an excellent oval cut and polish to show great
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire

Fine Deep Blue Australian Sapphire 2.31ct Heart Cut Rare Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
excellent clarity, a very clean stone. Also has an excellent heart cut and ideal polish to show great shine
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

1.83ct VIVID Green Australian Sapphire Oval Cut 7.8x5.4mm RARE Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
and excellent clarity, very clean stone. Also has an excellent oval cut and ideal polish to show
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Green 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

2.03ct Fine Deep Purple Spinel Natural Oval Cut Loose Rare Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
2.03ct Fine Deep Purple Spinel Natural Oval Cut 9.5x6.5mm Loose Rare Gem VS Natural Deep Purple
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

1.91ct Fine Deep Purple Spinel Natural Oval Cut Loose Rare Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.91ct Fine Deep Purple Spinel Natural Oval Cut 8x7mm Loose Rare Gem VS Natural Deep Purple Spinel
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

Untreated Deep Blue Sapphire 0.55ct Rare Cushion Cut IGI Certified Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Untreated Deep Blue Sapphire 0.55ct Rare Cushion Cut IGI Certified Loose Gem Natural Untreated
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Blue Sapphire

1.29ct Sapphire Natural Vivid Green Oval Cut Loose Rare Gem 6.8x5.6mm VVS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.29ct Sapphire Natural Vivid Green Oval Cut Loose Rare Gem 6.8x5.6mm VVS Natural Vivid Green
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Green Sapphire, Sapphire

1.44ct Australian Vivid Blue Green Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Gem 7.3x6.2mm VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.44ct Australian Vivid Blue Green Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Gem 7.3x6.2mm VS Natural Australian
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Green Sapphire

1.05ct Fine Blue Spinel Marquise Cut Rare Gemstone 9.6x4.4mm Loose Rare Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.05ct Fine Blue Spinel Marquise Cut Rare Gemstone 9.6x4.4mm Loose Rare Gem Fine Natural Vivid
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

Fine 3.19ct Vivid Orange Red Spessartine Garnet IF Oval Cut Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 3.19ct Vivid Orange Red Spessartine Garnet IF Oval Cut Loose Gem 9.5x7.1mm Fine Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Garnet

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 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

Deep Blue Untreated Oval Cut Sapphire IGI Certified 0.61ct Loose Rare Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Deep Blue Untreated Oval Cut Sapphire IGI Certified 0.61ct Loose Rare Gem Natural Deep Blue
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Sapphire

3.41ct Fine Deep Purple Spinel Natural Oval Cut Loose Rare Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
3.41ct Fine Deep Purple Spinel Natural Oval Cut 10.2x7.4mm Loose Rare Gem VS Natural Deep Purple
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

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

1.12ct Fine Ceylon Blue Sapphire Sri Lankan Oval Cut Loose Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.12ct Fine Ceylon Blue Sapphire 7.4x5.4mm Sri Lankan Oval Cut Loose Gem VS Natural Ceylon Blue
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Blue Sapphire

0.72ct Fine Vivid Green Natural Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Rare Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
0.72ct Fine Vivid Green Natural Sapphire Oval Cut Loose Rare Gem 5.3x5mm VS Fine Natural Vivid
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

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

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

Blue Sapphire, Sapphire

1.04ct Untreated Green Sapphire IGI Certified Unheated Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
1.04ct Untreated Green Sapphire IGI Certified Unheated Oval Cut Rare Loose Gem Natural Vivid Green
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Green Sapphire

Fine 1.01ct Light Blue Ceylon Sapphire Cushion Cut Loose Rare Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 1.01ct Light Blue Ceylon Sapphire Cushion Cut Loose Rare Gem 7.3x5mm VS Light Blue Ceylon
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

Exceptional Royal Purple Amethyst Stone 6.80 Carats Loose Gems Ring Jewelry
Located in Bangkok, TH
Exceptional Royal Purple Amethyst Stone, Available for sale at wholesale price natural high quality
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Amethyst

Blue Thailand Sapphire 1.18 Carat IGI Certified Oval Cut Loose Natural Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Natural Thailand Blue Sapphire Gemstone IGI Certified. 1.18 Carat stone with a very good oval cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire

Flamingo Pink Tourmaline Stone, 2.30 Carats, Natural Pink Tourmaline, Loose Gem
Located in Bangkok, TH
Flamingo Pink Tourmaline Stone for ring, available for sale at wholesale price natural high quality
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Loose Gemstones

Materials

Tourmaline

Beautiful Indicolite Tourmaline Stone 1.90 Carats Loose Tourmaline Gems for Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
Beautiful Indicolite Tourmaline Stone, Available for sale at wholesale price natural high quality
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Congolese Modern Loose Gemstones

Materials

Tourmaline, Indicolite

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

2.03ct Fine Deep Purple Spinel Natural Oval Cut 8.5x6.3mm Loose Rare Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
2.03ct Fine Deep Purple Spinel Natural Oval Cut 8.5x6.3mm Loose Rare Gem VS Natural Deep Purple
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

1.70 Carat Total Pair of Pear Shaped Yellow Sapphires for Earrings, Loose Gems
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
brilliant gems to sit just below your ear lobe or dangle from a line of diamonds! This pair would also work
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire

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

Deep Royal Blue Untreated Oval Cut Sapphire IGI Certified 0.63ct Loose Rare Gem
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Deep Royal Blue Untreated Oval Cut Sapphire IGI Certified 0.63ct Loose Rare Gem Natural Deep Royal
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Blue Sapphire

Fine 0.87ct Light Blue Ceylon Sapphire Round Cut Loose Rare Gem 5mm VVS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine 0.87ct Light Blue Ceylon Sapphire Round Cut Loose Rare Gem 5mm VVS Light Blue Ceylon Sapphire
Category

20th Century Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire

Untreated Natural Sapphire 1.16ct Fine Green Blue Teal Heart Cut Loose Gem VS
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Untreated Natural Sapphire 1.16ct Fine Green Blue Teal Heart Cut Loose Gem VS Natural Untreated
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Sapphire

Spinel Oval Waterfall Loose Gems Set
By Emeralds Maravellous
Located in US
Spinel fancy 100% natural oval loose gems set palette from baby pink to hot pink and violet to
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Loose Gemstones

Materials

Spinel

Spinel Oval Waterfall Loose Gems Set
Spinel Oval Waterfall Loose Gems Set
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W 0.2 in L 0.25 in
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Loose Gem Stone For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the loose gem stone you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. For this particular piece, 1 Carat and 1.5 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. While most can agree that any loose gem stone from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a Sapphire version from the 15 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. An oval cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also cushion cut and emerald cut versions for sale. When shopping for a loose gem stone, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Loose Gem Stone?

On average, a loose gem stone at 1stDibs sells for $3,051, while they’re typically $730 on the low end and $58,080 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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.