Welcome to the Members' Area for the 10/26/23 edition of the Gem Scoop Newsletter!

Fine Rough for Custom Cutting

This Gem Scoop features another batch of top notch gemstones that are being made available to our subscribers for commissioning before being offered broadly elsewhere. If you'd like to discuss having us cut anything that you read about below, just send a quick email via the "Contact" link above, reply to the email you received, or contact us through the app.

Also, keep in mind that the photos here typically show a sample of what is available, not the full parcel. Don't fret if you don't see anything in a photo that fits your particular need. There may be many other possibilities not pictured. Be sure to contact us for more information.

"Jumbo" Aquamarine

Recently, I had the opportunity to pick up several very large pieces of aquamarine. Delicate in color and absolutely HUGE in size, these amazing chunks of light blue will make statement pieces of finished jewelry for some lucky Gem Scoop subscribers. There are several pieces available, two of which are shown here.

This rough should cut finished gems in the 10 to 60 ct. range. Pricing of finished gems will be around $175 to $275 per ct.

Pastel Pyrope Garnet

Several years ago, a parcel of newly RE-discovered garnets hit the market. Dubbed "pastel pyrope" garnets, these were originally unearthed from a one-time pocket in 1987 by a group of miners in Morogoro, Tanzania. At that time, dark red garnets were all the rage, and due to anticipated lack of popularity (since these are lighter in color), this parcel sat in storage for many years. Several years ago, the parcel was rediscovered in Tanzania and sold to several prominent gem rough dealers. I was fortunate to be able to grab a number of the finest pieces from that initial offering, and from time to time, I'm able to snag additional pieces, ALL coming from that initial find back in 1987. This material cuts an amazing, lighter purplish-pink stone and is finally getting the recognition it deserves!

This rough will cut finished gems in the 1.5 to 4 ct. range. Pricing of finished gems will be around $250-450/ct.

Arizona Peridot

Peridot is one of those classic gems that never seems to go out of fashion. One of the world's most significant deposits of peridot is actually right here in the USA, at a place called Peridot Mesa, in the San Carlos Apache Reservation of Arizona. Much of the production is quite included, but I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a very nice parcel of really clean material recently. The color of this material is a rich "apple green," and the rough will accommodate a number of different shapes.

This rough should cut finished gems in the 2 to 5 ct. range. Pricing of finished gems will be around $75 to $150 per ct.

Ilakaka Sapphire

Those of you who have been following my work over the last few years know about my love affair with fancy sapphires from Ilakaka, Madagascar. When Mother Nature produces colors like these, it isn't hard to see why.

This fresh batch of rough has an amazing array of colors, from more traditional blues to pinks, purples, lavenders, and a few earthy colors.

This parcel will produce finished gems in the 1 to 2 ct. range. Pricing of finished gems will be around $500 to $1,500 per ct.

Tunduru Spinel

Spinels have grown and grown in popularity over the last few years, as more consumers learn about this wonderful gemstone. Tunduru, Tanzania has long produced fine spinels, but production is often sporadic. I was excited to have the opportunity to purchase a fairly large lot of really nice material recently, in blues, purples, lavenders, periwinkles, and even a pink or two. Absolutely gorgeous material that will cut some amazing stones in a very popular size range for jewelry applications.

This rough will produce finished gems in the 1 to 4 ct. range. Pricing of finished gems will be around $400 to $700 per ct.

Zircon

I just love zircons - incredibly brilliant and dispersive, and available in a number of different colors. Zircon has the misfortune of often being mistaken for cubic zirconia, the synthetic. In reality, one has nothing to do with the other. Zircon is 100% made by Mother Nature :-) This little parcel represents some of the more unusual colors available in zircon - green and greenish-yellow. There is even one bright yellowish-orange in the mix. Don't let the dull look of these little pebbles fool you, there is fire trapped inside, just waiting to get out!

This rough will produce finished gems in the 2 to 6 ct. range. Pricing of finished gems will be around $100 to $200 per ct.