Unmounted Gemstones
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Pink Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Namibian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Alexandrite, Chrysoberyl
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Alexandrite, Chrysoberyl
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Stud Earrings
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Congolese Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Garnet, Mandarin Garnet
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Mandarin Garnet
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Loose Gemstones
Amethyst, Quartz
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Amethyst, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl, Multi-gemstone
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Modern Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Congolese Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Rhodolite
21st Century and Contemporary Congolese Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Beryl, Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Modern Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Purple Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Green Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Purple Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Modern Loose Gemstones
Garnet
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Beryl, Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary More Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Drop Earrings
Tourmaline, Paraiba
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Beryl, Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Padparadscha Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Engagement Rings
Tourmaline, Paraiba
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Indicolite
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Tourmaline
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Unmounted Gemstones For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Unmounted Gemstones?
Finding the Right Loose-gemstones for You
Are you shopping for diamonds and other loose gemstones to create your own custom jewelry?
Why might you purchase a diamond or gemstone “loose” — that is, on its own, not mounted in a piece of jewelry? Perhaps you’re a connoisseur looking to acquire a unique investment. The scarcity of high-quality colored diamonds, for instance, especially pink diamonds, means that their value increases over time; the same is true of rare Kashmir sapphires and Burmese rubies. Far rarer than diamonds, Paraiba tourmaline, discovered only in the 1980s, is treasured as much for its extraordinary color as its scarcity, both of which contribute to its high value.
A more common scenario would be that you’re hoping to create a very special piece of custom jewelry, such as an engagement ring or a milestone-birthday present, and want to personally select the most beautiful, unusual, or ultra-rare stone you can find and afford. Doing so adds to the romance and substance of the gift and can be a part of the story told as the jewel is passed from generation to generation.
If this sounds like you, read on for tips on becoming one of the world’s savviest gem hunters.
Educate yourself: When buying any piece of gem-set fine jewelry, you should familiarize yourself with the factors that determine a stone’s price. This will enable you to streamline your search for the perfect gem and have intelligent, productive conversations with sellers.
There is a wealth of information online, such as our diamond-buying guide and this overview of colored gemstones for engagement rings. The buying guides of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), searchable by stone type, are also a widely trusted source for consumers venturing into the world of diamonds and gems for the first time.
Vet your vendor: If you peruse 1stDibs with any regularity, you know there is no shortage of vendors who deal in top-quality loose gemstones. (Read about our vetted sellers.) Finding a trustworthy, established dealer may be as easy as getting a recommendation from friends or family. And, although it may sound obvious, it pays to Google your candidates — and consult customer reviews — before making contact.
Harakh Mehta, designer and founder of the Mumbai, India–based fine-jewelry brand Harakh, has an innate understanding of proper client relations, especially when the customer is in unfamiliar territory. “Start chatting with the dealer, get to know them better," he says. "It’s very important to establish a comfort level. We never push a sale, as we want it to be a carefully considered purchase. So, if the client is not in a rush, we do it over a few virtual meetings or phone calls.”
Request documentation: The best dealers go to great lengths to furnish clients with documents verifying the quality rating, natural origin and provenance of a stone — showing, for example, that loose emerald hails from the famous Muzo mine in Colombia — and disclosing any treatments applied to enhance its appearance. (And who doesn't love emerald jewelry? The most valuable emeralds are the ones that have a deep bluish-green to true green color and no visible inclusions.)
If no grading report is available for a stone you are interested in, the dealer should be able to provide an authenticity document, such as an appraisal or info sheet, that has been signed by an in-house gemologist or professional appraiser. Google those names, too, for extra peace of mind.
Ask for videos and visuals: When transacting with a gem dealer online, you should always request real-time videos and photographs, since professional photos of a stone, usually on a white background, have likely been retouched for optimal presentation.
Read more about how to buy loose gemstones and find your dream gems today on 1stDibs.