Hi everyone! I am planning a trip to Colombia and I was thinking about buying some emeralds while I am there. I wouldn't want to buy finished stones, because, as a novice, I am not likely to get a good deal (in a best case scenario), but I am willing to take a risk and buy a few pieces of rough. If they turn out to be good, I can have them cut and mounted on rings, which would make a great gift. My experience in gemology is very limited. I took GIA Colored Stone Essentials online course once after watching Gem Hunt on TV and visiting Hiddenite emerald mine in North Carolina. I live in NYC, so it was the closest gem mine, I guess. I came back with a several bags of rubies, sapphires and emeralds, so I know how rough stones look like. Not 100 per cent sure, though, as I suspect that Brazilian rough they use to entertain visitors has no value at all. What I want might look different. Since it is a forum for professionals and I am not, I am not sure if anyone has time to answer dozens of questions I have regarding gem trade, let me just try to ask a few: Is there a sure way to tell rough natural emerald from fake, whatever the fake could be? Portable testing equipment? Where to look for the stones? Is it possible to go straight to a mining areas, like, Muzo? Any responds will be appreciated.
Post subject: Re: buying rough emeralds in colombia
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:37 pm
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2015 3:42 pm Posts: 2
Well, thank you, guys. I don't know why I just couldn't Google "gem identifications tools" and read about refractometers and Chelsey filter etc. Now I know. I only wonder if they are always reliable. I have read several warnings from experts online about risk of buying gems at the source and elsewhere. I particularly remember reading interview with Ron LeBlanc who said that many professionals and himself often make mistakes of buying fakes. I wonder how someone with a trained eye AND the tools can be fooled? Why do people in Asia always try to sell synthetics to first time buyers when they know that buyer can pull some sort of testing equipment from his bag or pocket? Isn't there a significant risk of "losing face", which is so important to them?
The blog about Colombian emeralds you recommended is great. After reading it I googled more info on a subject and now I'm getting cold feet about going to Colombia. I don't think I can afford it. Rough emeralds, it turns out, are most difficult to judge their quality and difficult to cut also. As for a finished stones, good quality emeralds start at $1000 a carat and even at that price they won't be considered to be rare, therefore they won't have much of investment value. I am not ready for that kind of prices.
Post subject: Re: buying rough emeralds in colombia
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:02 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Good call ilia! So many underestimate what is involved in the Colombian Gem Trade, not to mention the risks involved....not just loosing $, but loosing your life.
Post subject: Re: buying rough emeralds in colombia
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:00 pm
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:48 am Posts: 584 Location: Odenton, Maryland
dstojan wrote:
Losing your life while gem buying? Do you mean there's a chance that the deal could go sour and they might... dispose of you?
I suppose that's possible, but I'd be willing to bet she's talking about the general security risks involved in wandering around in unfamiliar cultures/cities, especially since a lot of gem locales (especially if you're visiting the mines) are off the beaten path. You can bet that everyone in those towns knows that foreigners in bright clean clothes are probably richer than they are. Different types of people do different things with that knowledge.
Post subject: Re: buying rough emeralds in colombia
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 4:35 pm
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:48 am Posts: 584 Location: Odenton, Maryland
Barbra Voltaire wrote:
I'm specifically referring to Colombia.
Oh yeah, that too
In Nigeria, I know where Boko Haram badness is going on relative to the locations of some mines & gem markets, but I don't know much about Columbia, as far as FARC & other hoodlums are concerned.
Post subject: Re: buying rough emeralds in colombia
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 6:49 pm
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:11 pm Posts: 657
Thankyou Barbra, for helping Ilia to understand how crazy the notion of going to Colombia and trying to buy emeralds is. The Queensland Sapphire mines, are a safe place to visit, and buy rough gems. Sure, not as exotic as some other places, but politically stable, and producing some of the worlds most beautiful sapphires. Pay us a visit, you won't regret it!! Barry.
Post subject: Re: buying rough emeralds in colombia
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:39 am
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:10 am Posts: 584
You could also stay with in this country ,USA, and come dig for your own gemstones in san diego....February and march are the most beautiful time of the year here also. http://www.intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?month=3
http://www.digforgems.com/ There is a wonderful hotel and casino just at the bottom of the hill from the ocean view mine...less then five miles away.20 miles up the road to the east of that you can dig the tailings of the world famous Himalaya tourmaline mine at lake henshaw. http://www.highdesertgemsandminerals.co ... e_dig.html If you like an American outback experience look up the spectrum and dust devils mines in south central Oregon where you actually dig in the mines themselves and see a wonderful gemstone fall out of 13 million year old crumbling lava flows and be the first person ever to lay eyes on it. http://www.dustdevilmining.com/fee_digging.htm for the spectrum mine see the above link to the himalaya
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum