What to do with gems and stones?

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renkenbw

Active member
Joined
May 1, 2019
Messages
31
Hey everyone,
I have been collecting a small amount of stones/gems from my refining. Some are artificial, but some are real. There are (fake or real versions of) diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, opal, pearl, etc.
I am not sure what to do with them. I am not trying to get money out of them (though I would like that), but want them to get put to some use.
Where can I go to find a home for these? Or, what is a good use for them? They are all from gold jewelry, not costume. My guess is that their small size probably speaks well to their authenticity. The biggest looking diamond is from a very old gold ring or unknown origin, but I have not way to test it.
Thanks for any advice!
 

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Unfortunately in many cases they are useless and worthless without a housing. Get a ring or bracelet made for that special someone.
 
I send mine to my niece to make jewelry from. She makes stuff to sell at flea markets and such for extra money.
 
Hey everyone,
I have been collecting a small amount of stones/gems from my refining. Some are artificial, but some are real. There are (fake or real versions of) diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, opal, pearl, etc.
I am not sure what to do with them. I am not trying to get money out of them (though I would like that), but want them to get put to some use.
Where can I go to find a home for these? Or, what is a good use for them? They are all from gold jewelry, not costume. My guess is that their small size probably speaks well to their authenticity. The biggest looking diamond is from a very old gold ring or unknown origin, but I have not way to test it.
Thanks for any advice!

I might be interested in this stuff, send me a PM and we will see what we can do


Dave
 
Find someone with a Gemological Institute of America pedigree. They are usually jewelers too. Make a good old boy deal ( develop a relation ship ), and I think if there is any thing of value, you will both win.
 
Rule of thumb.
if the item is stamped 10k probably not much of value unless a lager diamond you might find.

9k - might be valued

14 kt - 18k more likely higher values if natural stones.



Good luck
 
That precious opal may be the most valuable stone of the lot. The large round stone might be a diamond, but if it is, it is very poorly cut - the table is far too large.

A few look like garnets, but it is hard to tell with them all stacked on top of each other.
 
I bought an old engagement ring at a yard sale for $100. Marked 18K, with a large Deep blue 4.7 carat Saphire. Turned out the Saphire was man made, and worth maybe $50.oo. Man made Saphires have been produced foremost 150 years. Broke even on the deal, lesson learned.
 
Imitation gems have been around for centuries but so have real stones , there are ways to determine whether a stone is real or fake but the equipment needed isn’t cheap especially for colored stones ,many jewellers can’t spot a fake or man made stones especially with colored stones . There are buyers for stones but finding a good one isn’t easy . If you collect a large volume of possibly real colored stones but basically ruby ,sapphire , emerald and tanzanite then it might be worth having them examined, for white stones a diamond tester can be purchased relatively cheaply.
 
Small Diamonds are salable if you build up larger enough batches.
The problem with the smaller rubies and sapphire is that it really requires a specialist with the correct equipment to tell nice glass from a naturally occurring example.
Even then they are of little value.
It is just not worth their time messing around with small stones all the larger stones are well-documented.
I give all the colored stones I get in to the local children to use in their artwork.
There are some very sparkly bits of cardboard adorning the backs of Devon fridges.
 
I bought an old engagement ring at a yard sale for $100. Marked 18K, with a large Deep blue 4.7 carat Saphire. Turned out the Saphire was man made, and worth maybe $50.oo. Man made Saphires have been produced foremost 150 years. Broke even on the deal, lesson learned.
I didn't think they figured out how to grow synthetic sapphire until the 1960's.
 
Small Diamonds are salable if you build up larger enough batches.
The problem with the smaller rubies and sapphire is that it really requires a specialist with the correct equipment to tell nice glass from a naturally occurring example.
Even then they are of little value.
It is just not worth their time messing around with small stones all the larger stones are well-documented.
I give all the colored stones I get in to the local children to use in their artwork.
There are some very sparkly bits of cardboard adorning the backs of Devon fridges.
Many stones can be separated from glass by use of an inexpensive refractometer. Natural stones can often be separated from simulants/synthetics with a magnifying glass/microscope by examining the growth rings and inclusions. A diffraction grating is also often helpful.
 
Many stones can be separated from glass by use of an inexpensive refractometer. Natural stones can often be separated from simulants/synthetics with a magnifying glass/microscope by examining the growth rings and inclusions. A diffraction grating is also often helpful.
If you are selling something in the UK you have to insure what you are selling is what you think it is.
I have a very good Gemoigist I work with, more letters after his name than his name actually has.
It costs me nothing for his opinion, but it still is not worth farting about with.
Jewelers make a lot of money selling metals and aggregate at inflated prices.
We are not so lucky.
 
The Presidium Gem tester works well for quickly sorting cut stone's, it also gives passable results on rough though Jade tends to confuse it somewhat at times
I've used one for years.
Unfortunately it can't tell real from man made but a good microscope will often show features and flaws that can identify natural stones

Cheers Wal
 
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