Topic: amazing gemstones (Read 17283 times)

I just want to comment on what Ente said about photographing gemstones.  I agree it is extremely difficult.  The main problem is that our eyes are too good at discerning color.  Modern digital camera sensors are NOT that good with colors.  Please, if you ever see a picture of a stone that I have listed for sale, read what I say about the color and do not rely on the pictures.  There is no camera yet manufactured that can do what your eyes do.  Pure hues are particularly hard to photograph.  Even modern SLR's like our Nikon 3200 (24 megapixel) with a specialized macro lens and daylight macro ring will NEVER see colors as accurately as your eye.  I try to do some post-processing to correct color errors made by the sensor, but even after this is done it is not 100% accurate.  The ruby I have listed here on the forum is a perfect case in point.  It is pure red, but the camera shows orange.  In real life you will ONLY see pure red in this stone.

Wow, Ente and Turbor- that you so much for your kind words!  Melanie and I do love gemstones, and we consider ourselves collectors.  They say that if you find a job that you love, you will never work a day in your life.  That is 110% true for both of us!!!

I just posted a new ruby that might be of interest to some of you:

https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.8800605

Our primary focus is ruby, sapphire (all colors), and emerald.  We have been seeing some truly outstanding Zambian emerald lately.  We just sold a 2 1/4 carat stone a few days ago.  Unfortunately all I have is a cellphone camera pictures because in Bangkok you are not allowed to take cameras into the Gem and Jewelry Fair.  But check this out!  



I would expect this stone to appraise for $10,000 to $14,000 in America, Australia, or Western Europe but we sold it for much less.  The client who bought it has been doing business with us for years and she re-sells the stones for a profit where she lives, and she can still undercut the local jewelry stores and has much better quality goods!

The supply chain for colored gemstones is traditionally very long.  Colored gemstones move through a lot of different hands before they finally end up in your jeweler's showcase.  We cut those middlemen out and sell directly to you, the end consumer.  Because we are right in the middle of the gemstone district in Bangkok, we have access to millions and millions of carats of ruby, sapphire, and emerald.  We don't buy low and sell high, we buy great stones at good prices and we make a modest markup so we can turn over considerable volume.  This keeps our pricing highly competitive!

The emerald in the pic above is Zambian origin and is only oiled with colorless oil.  It has not been dyed or chemically treated, nor has it been filled with resin in order to hide flaws.  It is extraordinarily clean and of exceptionally good color.  I have a superb supplier for such stones and can source these almost at will.

Thank you again guys- your comments are very much appreciated.

Business with Dave was always a pleasure.

I contacted Dave to buy a set of ruby.
It was a pleasure to talk to him. You can tell he really loves beautiful stones.
After he figured out what I have in mind, he went to scan the local markets, to find a matching set of what I had in mind.
Really putting effort into it and in contact with me, he found really great ones!
I got them lab-graded too, shipping was quick and secure.
These are completely untreated stones. Locally, I would pay several times of Daves price. Not to say that I saw ruby of that quality in any local showcase, ever.

What can I say, Dave offers awesome quality, provides outstanding service, and with an affordable pricetag!



I am a recreational, hobby goldsmith, don't blame Dave for the ring - he provided the stone only. ;-)
Also, in nature the stone has a much deeper, richer color. Those are difficult to photograph.

Ente

I can answer most questions about custom jewelry and gemstones.  Give me a try!

All new stones!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152018217409370.1073741832.523524369&type=1&l=9401f989e5

I just added another sapphire so please click that link again!

I make each piece custom, so it depends on whether you want diamonds or CZ or white sapphire, and depends on the size and weight and purity of the precious metal.  With white sapphire and 14K white gold a very rough estimate is $3500.

Very cool. Good luck

It's sad to see all of my pictures gone in this thread!  Oh well, if you want to see some of our latest gemstones and projects please visit this link on facebook, and also add me as a friend!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152014124499370.1073741831.523524369&type=1&l=165cd57000

For those of you who aren't yet my friends on Facebook but want to see my latest goodies, here is a link to some beautiful unheated sapphires from Madagascar that I just found here in the gemstone market in Bangkok:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151755585604370.1073741828.523524369&type=1&l=9326c3e0ee

But don't hesitate to send me a friend request!  I have a ton of other stones listed in my photo albums, as well as pictures of custom jewelry that my wife and I have made.  And browsing is FREE!

Thank you SaltySpitoon!   

I should probably add, Dave has the best service of any business I have ever encountered, over purchasing a moderate amount of stones, we have sent a good many pms/emails to 100% clearly communicate everything. He describes everything to a perfect Tee and informs you of anything that you could ever possibly need to know about the stones themselves or anything in general. He replies to any questions you have incredibly quickly, and I have to say half of the excitement of buying the stones had to do with just getting to talk to Dave about them. And Even Better News! As I was posting this, the mailman delivered my order! It only took 9 days to get the stones from Thailand to the U.S with registered airmail shipping package (what he offers for all orders). I can't say enough about Dave's service or professionalism, and look forward to buying more in the future. Thanks so much

Thank you so much Turbor.  It sure is a very beautiful blue sapphire!  Someone very special is very lucky!

I can vouch for Dave and his stones. He sold me a very nice blue sapphire lately . Tell him what you want and you get it. He's a top businessman.

New stones!  New stones!  I have listed new stones in both the auction section of this forum and on Bitmit.  Please take a look!  Also some of the older stones have new low, low, low prices!

Auctions are here:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=73.0

My Bitmit page is here:

http://bitmit.net/user/tiptopgemdotcom

Also note that you can see my Bitmit auctions by clicking in the link in my signature!

For you bargain hunters, I just lowered a bunch of my prices:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=73.0

Please have a peek at this tanzanite auction.  It is only 5 days, and it is starting at 1 bitcoin with no reserve:

https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/pear-shaped-tanzanite-100-cts-only-heat-5-days-only-no-reserve-76857

There are also some other auctions ending soon like fire agate and moonstone!

Don't miss the opal auctions!

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=73.0

Great gemstone auctions are going right now...and some deep discounts on ended auctions!!!!!

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=73.0

If you aren't looking at the auctions you are missing this right now:



and you are also missing this:



and who knows what else!

Please take a look:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=73.0

Great gemstone auctions and some deep discounts on ended auctions!!!!!

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=73.0

If you aren't looking at the auctions you are missing this right now:



and you are also missing this:



and who knows what else!

Please take a look:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=73.0