Where to buy Jewelry/Gems?

[new2bog]

I have had much success when it comes to purchasing diamonds. The local jewelers I used, all gave at least a 150% estimated value (for insurance purposes) of any diamond I purchased from them (2).

I am wondering if anyone has a trusted site for buying quality jewelry for a great price? I would be open to buying gems directly (specifically an emerald), from a trusted site and then have a local jewelry help customize a piece of jewelry for the gem.

This might be a strange request but hopefully some of the smart people on here could offer me some help. thank you.

[biff]

I would hit up your local cash for gold stores…We melt down nice stuff all the time. Heck, what state are you in?

[snafu]

Emerald is a particularly difficult gem as so much is manufactured/synthetic and not the mined stone. It takes an expert to know the difference. Jewellery has a huge, gigantic mark up and you must rely on the integrity of the seller. Whatever you choose, the seller must provide a latter of authenticity from a certified American Gemologist Society. The finest emeralds are mined in Columbia [imagine the corruption in the drug capital of the world], N Carolina has an Emerald village. Mostly you are at the mercy of the seller and what you know about gems particularly if you are buying with a setting, less than 1 carat in size

[new2bog]

I would hit up your local cash for gold stores…We melt down nice stuff all the time. Heck, what state are you in?

north maryland, why?

[new2bog]

Emerald is a particularly difficult gem as so much is manufactured/synthetic and not the mined stone. It takes an expert to know the difference. Jewellery has a huge, gigantic mark up and you must rely on the integrity of the seller. Whatever you choose, the seller must provide a latter of authenticity from a certified American Gemologist Society. The finest emeralds are mined in Columbia [imagine the corruption in the drug capital of the world], N Carolina has an Emerald village. Mostly you are at the mercy of the seller and what you know about gems particularly if you are buying with a setting, less than 1 carat in size

in N.Carolina, can an individual go to this emerald village and mine for their own gems?

the item i had in mind was less than 1 carat - so does that mean (like a diamond) that it likely does not have any certification because it is less than 1 carat?

thanks

[97guns]

dont know if these prices are good or not but i have never seen diamonds selling like this

http://www.providentmetals.com/bullion/diamondbullion.html

[snafu]

you totally need a certificate of authenticity and description of size, colour, clarity and carat whatever size. Try to get country of origin.

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g49211-d143892-Reviews-Hiddenite_Gems_Emerald_Hollow_Mine-Hiddenite_North_Carolina.html

[I did a semester for TADEO [Bogota] in 2000 which gave me an opportunity to learn about their ancient history of gold and emeralds]

[safari]

I can recommend jamesallen.com for purchasing diamonds. Their prices are a lot cheaper than local jewelry stores and their diamonds are GIA certified. I designed an engagement ring for my wife on their site by picking a loose diamond and a setting.

[new2bog]

I can recommend jamesallen.com for purchasing diamonds. Their prices are a lot cheaper than local jewelry stores and their diamonds are GIA certified. I designed an engagement ring for my wife on their site by picking a loose diamond and a setting.

thank you but i am not asking about diamonds. i am asking about other gems, such as emeralds. thanks though.