AboutDavid Fortier Expertise I can answer questions about gemstone physical attributes, uses in jewelry, cleaning concerns, and synthetics and treatments.
Experience I own a gemstone wholesale and retail company that operates from the world's colored stone center in Chanthaburi, Thailand. I specialize in ruby, blue sapphire, and other fine collector-quality stones like rare garnet and tourmaline. I am constantly seeking the best values in gemstones for my customers who are other wholesalers, individual collectors, and retailers in North America, Europe, South Africa, and Asia.
Organizations Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association
Education/Credentials I have earned a Graduate Gemologist Diploma with the Gemological Institute of America. I have studied rocks, minerals, and gemstones for most of my life- beginning in elementary school. I have worked in jewelry retail and wholesale for over fifteen years.
Expert: David Fortier Date: 5/16/2008 Subject: Rubies
Question Hello,
I'm currently serving in Afghanistan, and i have made friends with a local gem vendor. He is not the typical bazaar gem seller, he actually has a shop and doesn't try to pressure and haggle like the guys at the Bazaars. Anyways point being I'm looking at buying a ruby/emerald because i have heard success stories of other troops buying for cheap and selling back in the US for 3x's or more the amount. I guess what I'm wondering is what to look for when buying, from what i have read everything says color first then clarity, and i seen an answer to someone else question where you asked if light can pass through it, is this good or bad. He said he usually prices 35-60 US dollars a carat. He seems legit but i don't know enough about rubies and emeralds to make a wise purchase. Can you help?
Answer Hello Joshua!
Thank you for your question. The unfortunate answer is that you should not buy a colored stone and expect to make a profit. But is it possible for you to buy a colored stone in Afghanistan and make a profit? Yes, it is possible. Is it likely? No, it is not likely.
If this dealer showed you a hydrothermal emerald would you be able to tell the difference between it and a natural emerald? What if he showed you a flame-fusion ruby? Could you tell which is the synthetic (or man-made) stone and which came from the ground?
Many people think that the closer you are to the mines, the fewer synthetics you will see. The truth is exactly the opposite. The closer you are to the mine, the MORE synthetics you will see. And the more synthetics will be offered for sale to you as real stones. This is a fact of gem dealing that you learn after you have lost a lot of money.
Now, is all hope lost? No, surely not. I can tell a synthetic stone from a natural one, and if I can do it Joshua surely you can too. The key is education, experience, and equipment. Of those three, it is hard to say which is the most expensive. But this is how I would start if I were in your shoes.
Go to gemologyonline.com and read as much as you can, especially from other soldiers who are in Afghanistan. Yes, other soldiers have had the same idea as you and managed to find the forum. Learn all that you can learn. Talk to your "friend" a lot about what you are learning and try to learn from him. But in this business, we don't trust people we only trust stones. Never forget that.
As you learn about stones you might find that they are very interesting indeed and you want to be a gem dealer when you leave the military! I can't imagine a more exciting and interesting job than this one, but you may be different. Oh, and yes- if light can pass through it that is good. Opaque is bad.
The first tool you should buy is a good quality 10X loupe and maybe your friend can help you find one there. Then ask him to sell you a flame-fusion synthetic and have him show you how to tell it is flame-fusion. Then ask him to sell you a solution-process synthetic and study that one. Then have him sell you a natural stone that is low-quality and study that one. He should be able to accommodate all of these requests with very little trouble and very little money.
If he is really a friend, you will know in time. Don't rush it. And if you come across a stone that you can make money on, you will also know in time. Again, don't rush it. If you have any follow-up questions Joshua please don't hesitate to ask- but make sure you do your homework and study gemologyonline.com. It is a great resource.
Best of luck,
David Fortier, GG
Staff Gemologist
tiptopgem.com
800-607-1425
