Gemstone Appraisals Center

How To Tell If It Is Real Opal & Gold Question: I have just purchased a brooch from a flea market of all places, it caught my eye and I really liked it.

Opal: The Phenomenal Gemstone

Price: $40.00

It is pretty simple gold in colour with what looks like an opal in the middle but I would like to know what the markings on the back mean….. K T G F and what looks like a ‘Y’ attached to an upside down ‘T’ and the remains of 2 backwards ‘S’ joined together.

The opal looks red/dark pink when held up to artificial light?

I would just like to know how I can tell if it is a real opal and what the metal is?

I hope that I have the correct place to ask this question, if not I apologize.

Many thanks for your time.…

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Rubies and Sapphires Question: I am considering the purchase of a loose ruby and a loose sapphire for custom made pieces.

Dictionary of Gems and Gemology

Price: $238.97

I’ve done a lot of research on quality, origin, treatments, etc. It’s a little overwhelming to say the least, but after all is said and done, my question is this: all other things being equal (sort of!) is the better ruby value in a heat treated Burmese, or an unheated one from anywhere else?

Likewise for sapphires, heated from Burma or Ceylon, or unheated from anywhere else?

I’m trying to keep it under the 5 figure range. Thank you.…

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Mineral Question: Can you please tell me what you know about Phantom Quartz and Wiluite?

Thanks!

Answer: G’day Kristine and many thanks for your query.

The Complete Crystal Guidebook, A practical path to pesonal power, self development and healing using quartz crystals

Price: $49.90

Wiluite is a Siberian variation of Idocrase and depending on the color can be confused with quartz. Both of which are NOT very valuable anyway.

The Phantom Quartz is simply a Trade name or Commercial name…

Continue reading What Is Phantom Quartz and Wiluite?

Determining Which Stones Are Worth Cutting Question: Hello there, I have a number of uncut stones of different varieties (emerald, ruby, sapphire, topaz, etc.) that I have found.

Introduction to Lapidary (Jewelry Crafts)

Price: $9.96

I was trying to see how can i find out if an individual stone is worth the investment in cutting beforehand?

The reason for knowing so is that I could try to sell it for more than I put into the cutting or at least have good quality stones for personal jewelry.

I am trying to see where I can look for places to get this advice in my area.

Is there also anything an average person can look at in a particular uncut stone that might be an indicator that a particular stone is of good quality?…

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Russian Alexandrite Question: I have a ring with Russian alexandrite gem in it….it is over 40 years old and was given to me by a dear friend.

Kremlin Gold: 1000 Years of Russian Gems and Jewels

Price: $37.62 USD

The stone is the size of a dime…roughly….a little bigger…..it changes color dramatically….from teal to aqua blue to green in the daylight to deep purple at night and sometimes a touch of pink with the aqua blue…

It also has something curious deep in it that can only be seen with a 20 power magnifying glass….an etching that reads CAY or 11…not quite sure….if the last letter is a Y or not…

I had it set in a silver setting of which I am not please but want to get it appraised and not sure how to go about it.

Can you give me any insight into this beautiful ring that was acquired over 40 years ago from a jeweller in our town who actually reluctantly let it go.…

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Rare Uncut Topaz Question: I have a rare 694 carat golden topaz uncut gem.

Gemstones of the World: Newly Revised & Expanded Third Edition

Price: $15.14 USD

It was found in the Colo. Mountains in 1967. I’d like to no how to go about finding out how much it is worth and maybe sell it.

I still have the article on it so I no what it was worth back then.

Please can you help me?…

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Opal Stone in Ring Question: can you tell me what i can do about an opal stone that is very dull.

Opal Identification & Value (Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones)

Price: $47.45 USD

i brought it on e-bay for 50 pounds and am dissapointed that it has no reflection.

Many thanks

Jane…

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Gem & Jewelery Industry Question: I have a mine of gems and much jade in Thailand.

How do I contact a buyer in the USA so I can sell buy gems and jade.

Many thanks for your reply

Su…

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Ametrine VVS 1 Question: I was wondering how much a 104 carat ametrine is worth?

Please respond soon, thanks.

Healing Crystals and Gemstones: From Amethyst to Zircon

Price: $14.98 USD

David Answered… Well thanks for such a short sharp command, I guess I’d better go jump now, except you didn’t tell me ‘How High’.

Never mind, lets get down to business……

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Aquamarine color Question: I have fallen in love with the aquamarine gemstone.

Beryl (Butterworths Gem Books)

$249.95 USD

I do not understand about the color and value, etc.

I bought a beautiful, 3 ct aquamarine & 1/3 ct diamond, 14k gold estate ring from a reputable online dealer. It is VSI clarity.

I’m disappointed that it is such a very pale blue hue, it seems to have almost no color, maybe silvery?

I think many people would not recognize it as an aquamarine.

I also bought the ring because the design is so unique–it has diamond “wings” on all sides.

Q. Are the most pale hues of less value?

Q. I was told it was “genuine.” Is it likely natural or could it be synthetic?

How does this affect value?

I estimate it is about 30-40 yrs. old.

I also have an antique Art Deco filigree 2 ct. light sky blue aquamarine ring that I’m crazy about.

Many thanks,

Pauline…

Continue reading Natural Aquamarine Color