$33,161
W 0.27 in D 0.17 in L 0.36 in
Natural Unheated Red Mozambique Ruby Gemstone 2.52 carats with GIA Report
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Please inquire for more videos/photos. Identification: Natural Ruby • Carat: 2.52 carats • Shape: Oval • Measurement: 9.11 x 6.82 x 4.25 mm • Color: Red • Cut: Brilliant/step • Orig...
Ruby
3.02 + 3.01 Carat Matching Pair of “Pigeon’s Blood” Rubies – GRS Certified
Located in Ramat Gan, IL
An extraordinary rarity, this matching pair of rubies weighs 3.02 and 3.01 carats respectively, both certified by GRS as possessing the coveted “Pigeon’s Blood” color. This designati...
Ruby
$12,159Sale Price|24% Off
W 0.23 in D 0.16 in L 0.3 in
GIA Emerald Natural Diamond 1.60ct F/VS1 Loose GIA XX $2000 Credit, Inscription
By GIA
Located in San Diego, CA
Exquisite loose 1.60ct emerald-cut diamond certified by GIA with laser inscription number 1175388529. F Color and VS1 Clarity with no fluorescence. The diamond has excellent polish a...
Diamond, Alexandrite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Blue Diamond, Yellow Diamond...
173.59 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
173.59 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 173.59 Carats Pieces: 14 Shape: Faceted Pear cut stone
Ruby
254.39 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
254.39 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 254.39 Carats Pieces: 19 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
118.36 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
118.36 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 118.36 Carats Pieces: 16 Shape: Faceted Pear cut stone
Ruby
206.42 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
206.42 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 206.42 Carats Pieces: 17 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
243.08 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
243.08 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 243.08 Carats Pieces: 11 Shape: Faceted Pear cut stone
Ruby
448.41 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
448.41 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 448.41 Carats Pieces: 15 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
267.02 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
267.02 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 267.02 Carats Pieces: 21 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
159.61 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
159.61 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 159.61 Carats Pieces: 11 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
172.43 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
172.43 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 85.50 Carats Pieces: 18 Shape: Faceted Pear cut stone
Ruby
88.13 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
88.13 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 88.13 Carats Size: 11X9 To 17.5x13.5MM Pieces: 15 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
90.05 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
90.05 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 90.05 Carats Size: 12X9 TO 21X15 MM Pieces: 15 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
85.50 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
85.50 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 85.50 Carats Size: 12.5x7 To 20x13 MM Pieces: 15 Shape: Faceted Pear cut stone
Ruby
96.75 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
96.75 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 96.75 Carats Size: 8x10 To 21x17.5 MM Pieces: 13 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
73.76 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
73.76 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 73.76 Carats Size: 11x10 To 14x10 MM Pieces: 17 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
58.39 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
58.39 Carats Ruby Mozambique Oval Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 58.39 Carats Size: 9x8 To 15x11 MM Pieces: 13 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
$2,480
W 0.4 in D 0.2 in L 0.4 in
Ruby Mozambique H 4.24 Carats Pink Heart Cut Stone For Jewelry Natural Gemstone
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Ruby Mozambique H 4.24 Carats Pink Heart Cut Stone For Jewelry Natural Gemstone Gemstone - Ruby Weight - 4.24 carats Shape - Heart Size - 10x10x5 MM Quantity - 1 piece ...
Ruby
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
1.25 Ct AIGS Certified Unheated Burma Ruby Pigeon Blood color eye clean no heat
By Wb gems
Located in bangkok, TH
RMA97 1.25 Ct AIGS Certified Natural Burma Ruby No heated Pigeon Blood color eye clean quality Gemstone GEM DESCRIPTION Species: Natural Corumdum Variety: Natural Ruby No heated Wei...
Ruby
5.20 Ct GRS certified Natural No heat Burma Ruby Pigeon blood (Mogok Myanmar )
Located in bangkok, TH
GG41: GRS Certificate Natural Burma Ruby Unheated Pigeon blood color Gemstone Original certificate only show private contact inquire . GEM DESCRIPTION Species: Natural Corumdum...
Ruby
$13,600Sale Price|20% Off
3.20 Ct GIA Certificate Unheated Burma Ruby Red color eye clean quality No heat
Located in bangkok, TH
RMA111 3.20 Ct GIA Certificate Natural ruby Burma unheated Red color eye clean quality Gemstone GEM DESCRIPTION Species : Natural Corumdum Variety: Natural Ruby Unheated Weight: 3.20...
Ruby
85.87 Carats Ruby Mozambique Heart Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
85.87 Carats Ruby Mozambique Heart Faceted Cut stone Layout Heated Natural Gem Weight: 85.87 Carats Size: 9.5x10 To 13x14 MM Pieces: 15 Shape: Faceted Heart cut stone
Ruby
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
1.25 Ct AIGS Certified Unheated Burma Ruby Pigeon Blood color eye clean No heat
Located in bangkok, TH
RMA97 1.25 Ct AIGS Certified Natural Burma Ruby Unheated Pigeon Blood color eye clean quality Gemstone GEM DESCRIPTION Species: Natural Corumdum Variety: Natural Ruby Unheated Weigh...
Ruby
$80,000Sale Price|20% Off
5.24 Ct Ruby Burma Mogok Unheated Vivid Red color eye clean quality No heat
Located in bangkok, TH
5.24 Ct Natural Ruby Burma Mogok Unheated Vivid Red color eye clean quality Gemstone GEM DESCRIPTION Species: Natural Corumdum Variety: Natural Ruby Unheated Weight: 5.24ct Color: V...
Ruby
$777
W 0.32 in D 0.16 in L 0.36 in
Certified 3.11 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 3.11 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 3.11 Carats Size: 9x8x4 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Cushion cut stone
Ruby
$643
W 0.4 in D 0.1 in L 0.6 in
Certified 4.12 Carats Mozambique Ruby Oval Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 4.12 Carats Mozambique Ruby Oval Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 4.12 Carats Size: 15x10x2.5 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Oval cut stone
Ruby
$615
W 0.32 in D 0.16 in L 0.36 in
Certified 3.28 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 3.28 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 3.28 Carats Size: 9X8X4 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Cushion cut stone
Ruby
$1,007
W 0.36 in D 0.12 in L 0.52 in
Certified 4.03 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 4.03 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 4.03 Carats Size: 13x9x3 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Cushion cut stone
Ruby
$357
W 0.44 in D 0.08 in L 0.44 in
Certified 3.13 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 3.13 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 3.13 Carats Size: 11x11x2 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Cushion cut stone
Ruby
25.81 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone 3 Piece Heated Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
25.81 Carats Ruby Mozambique Pear Faceted Cut stone 3 Piece Heated Natural Gem Weight: 25.81 Carats Pieces: 3 Size - 15x14-18x15 MM Shape: Faceted pear cut stone
Ruby
45.63 Carats Ruby Mozambique No-Heat Marquise Layout Fine jewelry Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
45.63 Carats Ruby Mozambique No-Heat Marquise Layout Fine jewelry Natural Gem Gemstone - Ruby Weight: 45.63 Carats Quantity - 16 Pieces Shape: Marquise
Ruby
43.45 Carats NO HEAT Ruby Mozambique Cut Stone Marquise Fine Quality Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
43.45 Carats NO HEAT Ruby Mozambique Cut Stone Marquise Fine Quality Natural Weight: 43.65 Carats Size: 4x2 MM Shape: marquise cut stone
Ruby
119.24 carats ruby Mozambique cut stone cushion 19 Pieces layout heated natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
119.24 carats ruby Mozambique cut stone cushion layout heated natural gemstone Weight: 119.24 Carats Size: 8x9 to 17x13 MM Shape: cushion cut Pieces - 19
Ruby
222.27 carats ruby Mozambique cut stone cushion 33 Pieces layout heated natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
222.27 carats ruby Mozambique cut stone cushion 33 Pieces layout heated natural Weight: 222.27 Carats Size: 9x9 to 15x14 MM Shape: cushion cut Pieces - 33
Ruby
$2,999
W 0.48 in L 0.79 in
23.88 Carat Burmese Ruby Tumbled Plain No-Heat Top Fine Jewelry Natural Gemstone
Located in Jaipur, RJ
23.88 Carat Burmese Ruby Tumbled Plain No-Heat Top Fine Jewelry Natural Gemstone Gemstone - Ruby Weight - 23.88 Size - 20x12 MM Piece - 1 Shape - Tumbled
Ruby
$1,653
W 0.4 in D 0.12 in L 0.44 in
Certified 3.78 Carats Mozambique Ruby Hexagon Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 3.78 Carats Mozambique Ruby Hexagon Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 3.78 Carats Size: 11x10x3 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted hexagon Cur stone
Ruby
$31,433
W 0.24 in D 0.18 in L 0.33 in
Natural Red Ruby Matching Pair Stones 3.98 carats with GRS Report / JupiterGem
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Please inquire for more videos/photos. Details Identification: Natural Heated Ruby Pair • Carat: 3.98 carats • Shape: Oval • Measurement: 8.14 x 5.98 x 4.49 mm, 8.28 x 5.94 x 4.32 ...
Ruby
Marvel x ECG 1.86 Carat Reality Stone Ruby Limited Edition #12 of 300
Located in New York, NY
This striking Reality Stone oval cut ruby has phenomenal clarity and depth of color. It was cut and polished by the finest gem-cutters for Marvel and East Continental Gems. The Reali...
Ruby
$613
H 0.14 in W 0.28 in L 0.46 in
Certified 3.27 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 3.27 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 3.27 Carats Size: 11.5x7x3.5 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Cushion cut stone
Ruby
$1,947
H 0.16 in W 0.4 in L 0.42 in
Certified 3.71 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 3.71 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 3.71 Carats Size: 10.5x10x4 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Cushion cut stone
Ruby
$11,745
H 0.28 in W 0.44 in L 0.6 in
Certified 10.44 Carats Mozambique Ruby Pear Faceted Cutstone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 10.44 Carats Mozambique Ruby Pear Faceted Cutstone No Heat Natural Gem Weight: 10.44 Carats Size: 15x11x7 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Pear cut stone
Ruby
$693
W 0.28 in D 0.14 in L 0.32 in
Certified 1.85 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 1.85 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 1.85 Carats Size: 8x7x3.5 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Cushion cut stone
Ruby
$663
W 0.24 in D 0.1 in L 0.36 in
Certified 1.77 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 1.77 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 1.77 Carats Size: 9x6x2.5 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Cushion cut stone
Ruby
$759
W 0.32 in D 0.12 in L 0.36 in
Certified 2.53 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 2.53 Carats Mozambique Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Weight: 2.53 Carats Size: 9x8x3 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Cushion cut stone
Ruby
$519
D 0.16 in L 0.32 in
Certified 2.31 Carats Mozambique Ruby Round Faceted Cutstone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 2.31 Carats Mozambique Ruby Round Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Gem Weight: 2.31 Carats Size: 8x4 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Round cut stone
Ruby
$432
D 0.12 in L 0.28 in
Certified 1.44 Carats Mozambique Ruby Round Faceted Cutstone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 1.44 Carats Mozambique Ruby Round Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Gem Weight: 1.44 Carats Size: 3X7 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted Round cut stone
Ruby
50.20 Carats Mozambique Ruby Hexagon Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Gemstone
Located in Jaipur, RJ
50.20 Carats Mozambique Ruby Hexagon Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Gemstone Weight: 50.20 Carats Size: 6.5x7.5 to 11x12.5 MM Pieces: 18 Shape: Faceted Hexagon cut stone
Ruby
$3,499
W 0.36 in D 0.2 in L 0.67 in
Certified 7.50 Carats Mozambique Ruby Pear Faceted Cutstone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
As we are auction partners at Gemfields, we have sourced these rubies from winning auctions and had cut them in our in house manufacturing responsibly. Weight: 7.5 Carats Size: 17x5...
Ruby
$769
W 0.24 in D 0.16 in L 0.36 in
Certified 1.94 Carats Mozambique Ruby Pear Faceted Cutstone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
As we are auction partners at Gemfields, we have sourced these rubies from winning auctions and had cut them in our in house manufacturing responsibly. Weight: 1.94 Carats Size: 9x6...
Ruby
$429
W 0.2 in D 0.12 in L 0.42 in
Certified 1.48 Carats Mozambique Ruby Pear Faceted Cutstone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
As we are auction partners at Gemfields, we have sourced these rubies from winning auctions and had cut them in our in house manufacturing responsibly. Weight: 1.48 Carats Size: 10....
Ruby
$499
W 0.24 in D 0.16 in L 0.32 in
Certified 1.69 Carats Mozambique Ruby Oval Faceted Cutstone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
As we are auction partners at Gemfields, we have sourced these rubies from winning auctions and had cut them in our in house manufacturing responsibly. Weight: 1.69 Carats Size: 8x6...
Ruby
$599
W 0.36 in D 0.14 in L 0.44 in
Certified 2.89 Carats Mozambique Ruby Pear Faceted Cutstone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
As we are auction partners at Gemfields, we have sourced these rubies from winning auctions and had cut them in our in house manufacturing responsibly. Weight: 2.89 Carats Size: 11x...
Ruby
$499
W 0.3 in D 0.12 in L 0.4 in
Certified 2.41 Carats Mozambique Ruby Oval Faceted Cutstone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
As we are auction partners at Gemfields, we have sourced these rubies from winning auctions and had cut them in our in house manufacturing responsibly. Weight: 2.41 Carats Size: 10x...
Ruby
$15,000
W 0.4 in D 0.23 in L 0.45 in
Certified 6.56 Carats Burma Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 6.56 Carats Burma Ruby Cushion Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Gem Weight: 6.56 Carats Size: 11.39x9.95x5.60 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted cushion Cut stone
Ruby
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
1.43 Ct GRS Certificate Natural Burma Ruby No heat Red Color Oval Shape Unheat
Located in bangkok, TH
RMA130 GRS Certificate Natural Burma Ruby Unheated red color oval shape gemstone GEM DESCRIPTION Species: Natural Corumdum Variety: Natural Ruby Unheated Weight: 1.43ct Color: ...
Ruby
$8,350
W 0.54 in D 0.4 in L 0.48 in
Certified 13.36 Carat Mozambique Ruby Oval Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Gem
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Certified 13.36 Carats Mozambique Ruby Oval Faceted Cut stone No Heat Natural Gem Weight: 13.36 Carats Size: 13.5x12x10 MM Pieces: 1 Shape: Faceted oval Cut stone
Ruby
This deep red gem is the color of heat and passion — vintage and antique ruby jewelry is perfect for those born in the middle of summer.
Rubies are one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money. Just consider the Van Cleef & Arpels “scarf” necklace the Duke of Windsor presented to the Duchess on her 40th birthday, in 1936 — set with diamonds and dripping with rubies, a testament to the deep-red gemstone’s power — or the slippers encrusted with 4,600 rubies that Harry Winston made to commemorate The Wizard of Oz’s golden anniversary. July babies have permission to adorn themselves with this beautiful red stone even when it’s not their birthday.
Rubies are considered precious stones — along with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds — and have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs Scale, surpassed only by Moissanite and diamonds. They are composed of corundum, a colorless mineral that is also the basic material of sapphires. In the July birthstone, the red of the gemstone — and the various hues seen in sapphires — are produced by the presence of trace elements. In the case of a ruby, this element is chromium. Rubies range in color from vermilion to a violet red. They are also pleochroic, which means that a stone’s hue can vary depending on the direction of viewing. The most sought-after color is pigeon’s blood: pure red with a hint of blue.
Rubies that are hosted in dolomite marble are the most prized: Because the marble is low in iron, so are the rubies, resulting in a more intense color. Rubies found in basalt, which has a higher iron content, are generally darker and less intense.
When shopping for antique and vintage ruby jewelry, remember that the 4Cs of selecting the perfect diamond — color, clarity, cut and carat — also apply to rubies.
According to the Gemological Institute of America, the color of the July birthstone should be a vibrant to slightly purplish red, and the stone should be clear and inclusion-free. Accordingly, the cut should show off its color and clarity. As for the last criterion, fine rubies more than a carat in weight are rare. Often, large rubies are more expensive than diamonds of comparable weights.
Find a collection of ruby necklaces, ruby rings and other accessories 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.