BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Fashion Jewelry Precious vs. semiprecious gems what's your view?

I posted an article tonight about my perception of precious vs. semi precious gemstones... do you agree or disagree?? Would love to hear from you!!

D

Hi Diane, I enjoyed your article. I have to disagree on Tanzanite. I do not think it is rare and feel it is a hype. All of the home shopping channels are selling it and I do not see it running out any time soon. There is a big law suit going on about Andesine. They were selling it as natural and it may be color enhanced. I belong to the forum www.pricescope.com There is a wealth of information on this forum about colored gemstones, as well as diamonds. Gem cutters chime in also, to tell us the latest about gemstones. They told us all that tanzanite is a huge hype.

Hi Padlover,

Thanks so much for stopping in and sharing this news!

I have been following and collecting tanz and andesine for the last few years and it would be a travesty if we were all duped!!

Thanks also for the link...I have visited there and you are correct...lots of good information.

I will check out the latest.

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter!!

Best regards,
D

Diane, I was duped on the Andesine also. Jewelery Television none the less. I received a letter, regarding a mass lawsuit they are being served. Direct Shopping Network is the next. Now I don't know what to do with my Andesine. The letter said we can return it to Jewelery Television for a refund, so that is what I most likely will do.

Padlover,

What color was the Andesine you purchased?... I did not purchase from any of those sites but from an independent gemologist.

Do you have any other info you can share about this turn of events?? So sorry to hear that... it is an awful feeling to be "taken".


Thanks so much!
D

Hi Diane, I am so glad to hear that you didn't purchase from TV. Mine was red. They stated they were natural, but they are color enhanced. I just looked at their website and now they are calling it color enhanced/diffused andesine. Geez. BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

I posted a website about the lawsuit, but I see they are not allowed.

So sorry Padlover... that stinks!

If you would, try to post without the http prefix and see if it will let you leave that info. I'd love to check it out.

Best,
D

Diane, I sent you a private message with the info

Diane, I agree totally with you concerning this topic! I have recently begun listing AAA Swiss Blue topaz and AAA London Blue topaz as "precious" when selling my studio overstock. Why? Because the gem cutters in India that I work with DO consider these "Precious". I'm not arguing the tradtional distinction of what constitutes a precious gem. But prices on irradiated stones like AAA swiss and london blue do reflect the additional steps required to obtain their unique colors. And in their AAA form, these gems wholesale in the $5-10 per carat range for drilled beads. Many so-called ruby and of recent emerald varieties now largely available within the trade are highly dyed and enhanced forms of low grade opaque rough selling at far lower prices per carat. In my view those low grade specimens although duly tagged 'precious' aren't even in the same class as AAA grade Swiss Blue regarding brilliance, clarity and cut. So I guess I'm saying preciousness is in the eye of the beholder! :) But knowledgable collectors recognize and appreciate the 'value' placed on certain high grade specimens. ~Anna Lee Husband www.gahooletreesupplies.etsy.com www.oraclegemdesigns.com