$9,760Sale Price|20% Off
18.10 Carat Natural Loose Baby Pink Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 18.10 carat Dimensions 16.8x13.3x11.0mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Cushion This stunning 18.10 Carat Natural Loose Baby Pink Tourmaline...
Tourmaline
$680Sale Price|20% Off
2.10 Carat Natural Loose Mint Green Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 2.10 carat Dimensions 7.6x7.0x5.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Cushion This 2.10 Carat Natural Mint Green Tourmaline from Afghanistan fe...
Tourmaline
$1,424Sale Price|20% Off
5.60 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Collectors and jewelry designers value Afghan tourmaline for its authenticity and timeless appeal.
Tourmaline
$1,240Sale Price|20% Off
3.65 Carat Natural Loose Blue Greenish Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
A true masterpiece, this Afghan tourmaline is both rare and enchanting.
Tourmaline
$760Sale Price|20% Off
3.35 Carat Natural Loose Mint Green Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
A true collector’s stone, this Afghan tourmaline offers timeless beauty, versatility, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Tourmaline
$9,760Sale Price|20% Off
14.50 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
A true treasure for gem connoisseurs seeking exceptional color, quality, and rarity this Afghan tourmaline celebrates nature’s artistry in its purest form.
Tourmaline
$768Sale Price|20% Off
5.05 Carat Natural Loose Lagoon Green Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
This exquisite gemstone originates from the famed mines of Afghanistan, known for producing some of the world’s most vivid and rare tourmalines.
Tourmaline
$480Sale Price|20% Off
2.80 Carat Natural Loose Hot Pink Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Sourced from the renowned gemstone mines of Afghanistan, this premium tourmaline boasts superb clarity and vibrant color saturation, qualities highly prized by collectors and designe...
Tourmaline
$336Sale Price|20% Off
1.45 Carat Natural Loose Mint Green Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.45 carat Dimensions 6.5x6.5x4.9mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Cushion This 1.45 Carat Natural Loose Mint Green Tourmaline is a delicate and r...
Tourmaline
$600Sale Price / item|29% Off
3.60 Carat Natural Loose Peachy Pink Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.60 carat Dimensions 10.1x8.1x6.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Cushion This 3.60 Carat Natural Loose Peachy Pink Tourmaline is a truly c...
Tourmaline
$520Sale Price|20% Off
2.35 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 2.35 carat Dimensions 9.1x5.7x5.2mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Cushion This 2.35 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline is a stri...
Tourmaline
$304Sale Price|20% Off
1.50 Carat Natural Loose Green Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.50 carat Dimensions 7.4x 5.9x4.6 mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Cushion This lovely 1.50 Carat Natural Green Tourmaline showcases a fresh, liv...
Tourmaline
$280Sale Price|20% Off
1.50 Carat Natural Loose Bluish Green Tourmaline Asscher Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Sourced from the rich gemstone deposits of Afghanistan, this natural tourmaline is prized for its brilliance, clarity, and refined elegance.
Tourmaline
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
8.60 Carat Natural Loose Bubblegum Pink Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Perfect for collectors, jewelers, and gemstone enthusiasts, this Afghan tourmaline is both a timeless treasure and a symbol of elegance.
Tourmaline
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
10.20 Carat Loose Natural Greenish Tourmaline Pair Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 10.20 carats Dimensions 11.2x8.7x6.5mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Cushion This 10.20 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Tourmaline Pair features a s...
Tourmaline
$584Sale Price|37% Off
3.55 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Symbolizing balance, harmony, and creativity, this Afghan tourmaline is a timeless investment for gemstone enthusiasts.
Tourmaline
$584Sale Price|20% Off
12.70 Carat Natural Loose Stylish Purple Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
This Afghan tourmaline is a timeless treasure, perfect for jewelers and gemstone lovers seeking rarity, style, and natural brilliance.
Tourmaline
$280Sale Price|20% Off
1.70 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.70 carat Dimensions 10.8x5.6x3.4mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 1.70 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline from Afghanistan...
Tourmaline
$576Sale Price|20% Off
1.50 Carat Natural Loose Reverse Color Tourmaline Pair Fancy Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.50 carat Dimensions 6.7x4.7x3.5mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Precision Cut Presenting a rare 1.50 Carat Natural Reverse Color Tourmali...
Tourmaline
$384Sale Price|20% Off
1.50 Carat Natural Loose Indicolite Color Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.50 carat Dimensions 7.4x5.9x4.8mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Cushion This Natural Loose Indicolite Color Tourmaline from Afghanistan d...
Tourmaline, Indicolite
$640Sale Price|20% Off
1.65 Carat Natural Loose Emerald Color Tourmaline Emerald Cut From Afghanistan
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.65 carat Dimensions 8.6x5.7x4.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 1.65 Carat Natural Loose Emerald Color Tourmaline showcases a rich...
Emerald, Tourmaline
Natural Specimen Of Bi Color Tourmaline Crystals Form Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
Specimen Type: Bi color Tourmaline Weight: 181 grams Dimension: H: 9 x W: 4.2 x D: 3 cm Origin: Paprok Mine, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan Treatment: None This beautiful natur...
Crystal, Tourmaline
$468Sale Price|20% Off
3.05 Carat Natural Loose Sea Form Tourmaline Pair Round Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.05 carats Dimensions 7.7x7.65x4.8 mm Origin Afghanistan Treatment none Clarity loupe clean Shape round Cut round brilliant This exquisite pair of Afghan tourmaline ...
Tourmaline
Natural Specimen Bicolor Blue Cap Tourmaline Crystal On Albite From Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
Specimen Type: Tourmaline Weight: 62 grams Dimension: H: 6.5 x W: 4.8 x D: 4.8 cm Origin: Afghanistan Treatment: None This exceptional natural specimen features a bicolor Blue Ca...
Crystal, Tourmaline
$416Sale Price|20% Off
1.65 Carat Natural Loose Green Tourmaline Stone Scissors Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.65 carat Dimensions 7.5x6.1x5.1mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Scissors Unveil the brilliance of this 1.65 Carat Natural Loose Green Tourmali...
Tourmaline
1.70 Carat Natural Loose Lagoon Tourmaline Pair Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.70 carat Dimensions 6.7x4.3x3.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Emerald This 1.70 carat natural Lagoon Tourmaline pair from Afghanistan features a...
Tourmaline
$337Sale Price|25% Off
1.40 Carat Natural Loose Blue Color Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.40 carat Dimensions 8.8x5.7x3.4mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Cushion Introducing a beautiful 1.40 Carat Natural Blue Tourmaline, exper...
Tourmaline
$441Sale Price|30% Off
2.45 Carat Natural Loose Baby Pink Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 2.45 carat Dimensions 8.8x7.1x4.9mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Cushion Introducing a delightful 2.45 Carat Natural Baby Pink Tourmaline,...
Tourmaline
$680Sale Price|20% Off
4.80 Carat Natural Loose Deep Blue Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 4.80 carat Dimensions 8.7x8.5x7.0mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Cushion This 4.80 Carat Natural Deep Blue Tourmaline from Afghanistan is a striki...
Tourmaline
$304Sale Price|20% Off
1.70 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Stone Baguette Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.70 carat Dimensions 7.8x5.4x5mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Baguette This 1.70 Carat Natural Loose Bi-Color Tourmaline from Afghanistan feature...
Tourmaline
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
4.60 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 4.60 carat Dimensions 12.0x6.6x6.4mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Eye Clean Shape Cut Emerald This 4.60 Carat Natural Loose Bi-Color Tourmaline from Afghanist...
Tourmaline
$528Sale Price|40% Off
24.95 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Stone Asscher Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Expertly Asscher cut, it reveals remarkable brilliance and depth through its crisp geometric facets. Mined in Afghanistan, a region celebrated for producing fine-quality tourmalines,...
Tourmaline
$280Sale Price|20% Off
0.90 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 0.90 carat Dimensions 8.0x4.1x3.4mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 0.90 carat Natural Bi-Color Tourmaline features a striking blend o...
Tourmaline
$584Sale Price|20% Off
3.40 Carat Natural Loose Hot Pink Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Known as a stone of love and emotional healing, pink tourmaline symbolizes compassion and positivity. This 3.40 carat Afghan tourmaline is a timeless treasure, combining natural beau...
Tourmaline
$440Sale Price|20% Off
5.70 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Pair Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.70 carat Dimensions 7.5x7.8x5.8mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Emerald This 5.70 Carat Natural Loose Bi-Color Tourmaline Pair from Afghanistan s...
Tourmaline
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
12.60 Carat Natural Loose Baby Pink Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Add a touch of feminine charm and timeless luxury to your collection with this exquisite Afghan tourmaline masterpiece.
Tourmaline
$360Sale Price|20% Off
4.50 Carat Natural Loose Mint Green Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 4.50 carat Dimensions 11.8x7.0x6.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Cushion This 4.50 Carat Natural Loose Mint Green Tourmaline is a striking gemst...
Tourmaline
$176Sale Price|20% Off
0.85 Carat Natural Loose Sea Foam Tourmaline Pair Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 0.85 carat Dimensions 4.6x3.9x3.2mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Emerald This 0.85 Carat Natural Loose Sea Foam Tourmaline Pair is a delicate a...
Tourmaline
$360Sale Price|20% Off
4.40 Carat Natural Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Stone Emerald Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 4.40 carat Dimensions 13.1x6.6x5.9mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Emerald This 4.40 Carat Natural Loose Bi-Color Tourmaline is a captivating gemst...
Tourmaline
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
12.10 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmaline Pair Cushion Cut Afghan Gems
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 12.10 carat Dimensions 9.5x9.5x8.6mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Cushion Presenting a stunning 12.10 Carat Natural Loose Greenish Blue Tourmal...
Tourmaline
5.30 Carat Natural Loose 4 Piece Tourmaline Stones Mix Lot Afghan Gemstones
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 5.30 carat Piece 4 Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Mix This 5.30 Carat Natural Loose 4-Piece Tourmaline Mix Lot features a beautifully curated selectio...
Tourmaline
$360Sale Price|20% Off
1.75 Carat Natural Loose Mix Color 3 Piece Tourmaline Lot Afghan Gemstones
Located in Bangkok, TH
Afghan tourmalines are highly sought after for their diverse color range and superior quality.
Tourmaline
$240Sale Price|20% Off
1.00 Carat Natural Loose Light Sea Foam Color Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gem
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 1.00 carat Dimensions 5.9x4.7x4.3mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity VVS Shape Cut Cushion This 1.00 carat Natural Light Sea Foam Tourmaline from Afghanistan disp...
Tourmaline
$584Sale Price|20% Off
3.60 Carat Natural Loose 5 Piece Mix Color Tourmaline Mix Cut Afghan Gemstones
Located in Bangkok, TH
Ethically sourced from Afghanistan, these tourmalines display a captivating range of hues, from refreshing greens to rich pinks and subtle, each with natural brilliance and fine clar...
Tourmaline
$22,400Sale Price|20% Off
Natural Specimen Of Bi color Tourmaline Crystals From Afghanistan
Located in Peshawar, PK
Specimen: Tourmaline Weight: 281 grams Dimensions: H: 9 x W: 5 x D: 3.8 cm Origin: Paprok Mine, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan Treatment: None This natural specimen features s...
Crystal
$14,000Sale Price|20% Off
Natural Specimen Of Bi Color Tourmaline Crystals From Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
Specimen Type: Tourmaline Weight: 98 grams Dimension: H: 6 x W: 3.5 x D: 2.8 cm Origin: Paprok Mine, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan Treatment: None This natural specimen of bi-c...
Crystal
6.95 Carat Natural Loose Deep Green Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 6.95 carat Dimensions 9.9x10.2x8.5mm Treatment None Origin Afghanistan Clarity VS Shape Cut Cushion This 6.95-carat natural deep green tourmaline is a striking example...
Tourmaline
$3,400Sale Price|20% Off
11.20 Carat Natural Loose Green Tourmaline Stone Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 11.20 carat Dimensions 12.9x11.6x9.2mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity Loup Clean Shape Cut Cushion This magnificent 11.20 Carat Natural Loose Green Tourmaline f...
Tourmaline
91.22 Beautiful Indicolite Tourmaline Crystal From Kunar, Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
91.22 Beautiful Indicolite Tourmaline Crystal From Kunar, Afghanistan Weight: 91.22 Gram Dimension: 5 x 3.2 x 3.1 Cm Origin: Kunar, Afghanistan Tourmaline is a crystalline silic...
Rock Crystal
$536Sale Price|28% Off
3.20 Carat Natural Loose Multi Color Tourmaline Lot Mix Cut Afghan Gemstones
Located in Bangkok, TH
Sourced from the rich mines of Afghanistan, these vibrant tourmalines display a spectrum of hues ranging from pinks and greens to golden and bi-color tones, making them truly versati...
Tourmaline
Natural Specimen Of Tourmaline Crystal on Danburite From Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
Specimen Type: Tourmaline on Danburite Weight: 58 grams Dimension: H: 6.5 x W: 3.8 x D: 2.5 cm Origin: Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan Treatment: None This natural specimen fea...
Crystal
Natural Specimen Of Unique Color Tourmaline on Cleavelandite From Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
Specimen Type: Tourmaline on Cleavelandite Weight: 14 grams Dimension: H: 4.3 x W: 2 x D: 1.3 cm Origin: Paprok Mine, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan Treatment: None This natural...
Crystal
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Natural Specimen Of Bi Color Tourmaline On Albite From Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
The tourmaline displays a vivid transition of color, blending rich pink hues into vibrant green tones, a hallmark of high-quality Afghan tourmaline.
Crystal
143.28 Pink Tourmaline With Cleavelandite Specimen From Paprook, Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
Weight : 143.28 Gram Dimension: 5.7 x 5.4 x 4.2 Cm Origin : Paprook Mine, Afghanistan Tourmaline is a crystalline silicate mineral group in which boron is compounded with element...
Rock Crystal
$576Sale Price|20% Off
3.40 Carat Natural Loose Bluish Green Tourmaline Cushion Cut Afghan Gemstone
Located in Bangkok, TH
Weight 3.40 carat Dimensions 9.1x7.6x5.9mm Treatment None Origin Afghan Clarity SI Shape Cut Cushion This 3.40 Carat Natural Bluish Green Tourmaline from Afghanistan is a str...
Tourmaline
$224Sale Price|20% Off
42.65 Carat Gorgeous Bi Color Tourmaline Specimen From Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
42.65 Carat Gorgeous Bi Color Tourmaline Specimen From Afghanistan Weight: 42.65 Carat Dimension: 2.7 x2.2 x 1.5 cm Origin: Afghanistan Tourmaline is a crystalline silicate miner...
Rock Crystal
12.70 Gram Gorgeous Tourmaline Crystal Cluster From Kunar, Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
12.70 Gram Gorgeous Tourmaline Crystal Cluster From Kunar, Afghanistan Weight: 12.70 Gram Dimension: 3.2 x 2.9 x 1.8 Cm Origin: kunar, Afghanistan Tourmaline is a crystalline si...
Rock Crystal
Very few gems dazzle quite in the manner that tourmaline does — vintage and antique tourmaline jewelry is a showstopper, and you can blame this on its wide range of spectacular colors. In fact, when Dutch traders brought stones back home from Sri Lanka that they couldn't identify, they called them "toramalli," a Sinhalese term for "mixed gems."
If you could transform the ocean to a gem, this is what it would look like: a clear, translucent azure, bordering on turquoise, hypnotizing in its depth and sparkling in the sun.
There is, in fact, such a stone, although it comes from deep in the copper-rich mountains of Paraíba, Brazil, and not from the oceans along its coast. Far rarer than diamonds, Paraíba tourmaline, a kind of 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.
While diamonds generally sell for about $6,000 per carat, a carat of Paraíba tourmaline is likely to fetch about $16,000. Fans of the gem are said to include singer Taylor Swift and actress Zooey Deschanel, as well as some of the finest jewelers.
“No other stone can have a color as magnetic and captivating as Paraíba tourmaline,” says Vania Leles of VanLeles Diamonds, who combines the stone with diamonds and other gems in several of her designs.
You don't have to stop at Paraíba tourmaline jewelry — on 1stDibs, find the most extraordinary antique and vintage tourmaline rings, tourmaline and diamond earrings and other accessories.
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.