Gemscapes News
November 2008
248-327-6898
Colorful Gems For Fall
Greetings Friends,
As the weather changes where I am, I hope this finds you happy, healthy and looking forward to the coming holiday season!
I have ten gorgeous single gems that will stimulate your senses and delight your imagination.
All my best,
Sherris
All gems are listed at 2007 prices, without adjustment for higher rough costs. Unaltered and undamaged gems can be returned for any reason within 1 week of your receiving them. Shipping is by registered mail, although next day delivery is available. We take checks, Mastercard & Visa, or wire transfers.
All gems come with colored stone grading
reports from the North American Lapidary Laboratory.
To see the grading report of a 4.99 Golden Scapolite click HERE.
10.86 ct. Pink Tourmaline
(Afghanistan origin, unheated natural color)
Pink tourmaline is mined around the world, but this Afghani pink tourmaline has stolen my heart. You would search long and hard to
find a pastel pink tourmaline as crisp and bright as this one. The fluid carving is highly reflective creating shifting patterns of light within the
gem as it is moved in the light. When this gem is set into a ring or pendant, the wearer will observe these same patterns as she moves from one light to another. This delicious gem is big, bold and pastel,
a rare combination.
16.79 mm long, 14.01 mm wide, 9.09 mm deep
Retail price: $4200.00
Another shining contribution from Afghanistan, this true green tourmaline is carved with gentle curves and concave surfaces that allow an abundance of light to be reflected from the pavilion.
The result is a bright and dramatic gem that would be perfect in a ring. Straight and narrow, this tourmaline would combine well with other gems, or hold center stage easily by itself.
14.79 mm long, 6.65 mm wide, 6.16 mm deep
Retail price: $1520.00
4.89 ct. Green Tourmaline
(Afghanistan origin, unheated natural color)
12.01 ct. Rubellite Tourmaline
(Nigeria origin, unheated natural color)
This “mandala cut” rubellite is completely reversible, with the girdle
edge spaced evenly between the back and the front of the gem.
The carving is deep but intricate and creates a surprising change in appearance as you rotate the gem, or rock it back and forth (see two views). The rich color will glow in a pendant and look divine with pearls.
14.79 mm long, 14.46 mm wide, 7.65 mm deep
Retail price: $4350.00
all photos are larger than life to show detail
3.69 ct. Australian Opal
(Australia origin, unheated natural color)
This semi-transparent opal has a lovely grey background color highlighting the blue/green play of color that cascades down the
center of the gem. The graceful carving releases the dynamic color.
This opal is lovely next to all sorts of skin tones and pairs beautifully
with other gems.
19.50 mm long, 5.67-4.64 mm wide, 5.59-5.26 mm deep
Retail price: $1030.00
It is glorious color that keeps people coming back to apatite,
and this gem is no exception, the intense blue/green color is
almost neon. The elegant shape of the gem vividly displays the magnificent color and the curvaceous carving brings this gem
to life. Like all apatites, this is a soft gem, similar to opal,
and needs a protected setting and gentle wear.
14.04 mm long, 12.37 mm wide, 7.13 mm deep
Retail price: $1850.00
6.97 ct. Apatite
(Madagascar origin, heated to enhance color)
7.15 ct. Aquamarine
(Brazil origin, untreated natural color)
The rough for this gem was mined in Brazil, and luckily for us, it
was not heated to drive out the natural yellow component of the
color. I love the natural, pure hue of this blue/green gem. With
excellent clarity and an elegant tapered shape this aquamarine
will lend itself to many types of jewelry. Whether you choose to
set it in a pendant, pin or ring, it will wear well and provide a
lifetime of beauty.
16.03 mm long, 11.87 mm wide, 7.74 mm deep
Retail price: $2505.00
This Zambian Aquamarine has great depth of color and is
a fine example of heated aquamarine. Heat-treating
aquamarine drives out the yellow component of the color leaving only the
blue,
but does not alter the depth of color. The rich blue of this aquamarine is wonderfully captured in a tapered shield shape.
It would be perfect in either a tailored or freeform setting.
13.83 mm long, 11.03 mm wide, 7.51 mm deep
Retail price: $2100.00
6.53 ct. Aquamarine
(Zambia origin, heated to enhance color)
33.40 ct. Crystal Opal
(Oregon, US origin, unheated natural color)
Oregon crystal opal is one of my favorite gems to carve. It reflects
light beautifully and can be worn at any time with any color. This is
truly a neutral gem that will match a whole wardrobe. This particular crystal opal is carved to highlight some intense orange inclusions
on one side and is drilled to hang on a silk chord. Do not wear
this gem pendant on a chain however, as over time it will abrade
the hole.
31.12 mm long, 15.03 mm wide, 14.04 mm deep
Retail price: $2520.00
Occasionally I stumble across a parcel of rough that is so
spectacular I can’t believe my eyes. Such was the case with
this Namibian citrine. The color is deep, rich, and bright,
everything you could hope for from a gem. Additionally there
were some large pieces available. I was in heaven!
I don’t often carve round gems, but in this instance the rough
was best suited to that shape. I carved this citrine in
my new “sunburst” style for dramatic effect.
15.78 mm long, 15.27 mm wide, 11.10 mm deep
Retail price: $2595.00
14.22 ct. Citrine
(Namibia origin, heated to enhance color)
17.82 ct. Citrine
(Namibia origin, heated to enhance color)
I loved the 14.22 carat citrine so much I decided to try the same
style in a rectangular version. This gem is a true showstopper.
The “sunburst” style allows all it’s inner light radiate while truly showcasing the spectacular color. It would be ideal for a pendant
or pearl enhancer.
16.63 mm long, 13.87 mm wide, 11.54 mm deep
Retail price: $2970.00
10.43 ct. Bi-color Tourmaline
(Afghanistan origin, untreated natural color)
Bi-colored gems are rare and those that are found tend to split at the color line after they are mined. Relatively few bi-colors make
it through the mining and cutting process whole. The vibrant grass green and pastel blue/green in this tourmaline make it
even more rare. You won’t see a combination of bright, distinct colors like this very often. And when you consider the
size of the gem - over 10 carats - you have a true one-of-a-kind jewel.
This tourmaline was mined in Afghanistan in 1985, and purchased as rough by Charles Ellias. In 2005 he
commissioned me to carve the rough he had been saving for 20 years.
“The Tourmaline Dream”
The design that Mr. Ellias created to hold this gorgeous tourmaline speaks for itself. It reflects his love for art deco style,
and is built with 950 Cobalt platinum and 750 gray gold. It is set with 2.60 carat total weight of diamonds, including ideal cut rounds,
diamond briolettes and diamond beads. The “Tourmaline Dream” was purchased in 2006 to celebrate a 25th wedding anniversary.
If you'd like to revisit the last newsletter, click here.
If you'd like to revisit the first newsletter of 2008, click here.
Look for the new and improved gemscapes.com website coming at the end of December!
If you know other people who would be interested in this newsletter, we invite you to forward it to them.
We welcome your comments on the gems and the newsletter.
New Phone number: 248-327-6898
E-mail: sherris@gemscapes.com
