Where to Buy Emeralds?

[gabbyisadog]

Going on a South America cruise in Dec. leaving from RIO and going to BA , Montevideo and around the horn.

 

Anyone with experience in buying emeralds- either a nice stone or a ring. Looking for good quality at a fair price.

 

Thanks.

[owl61]

Natural emeralds are not only the most expensive gemstones, but also difficult to evaluate as they can be fused and otherwise artifically treated/enhanced. You would do well to read a little about emeralds if you plan on spending a significant amount. You can start here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald

Buy only from a certified gemologist who will provide a written guarantee as to the natural quality of the stones. If you are not going to be in Columbia, then Brasil is probably best location to shop. Stern and Amsterdam Sauer, the two behemoths, will have the high end merchandise for which you will pay top dollar. Somebody has to pay for all those free taxi rides and caipirinhas.

I suggest you try to locate a jewelry store owned by a certified gemologist who has been in business for a while especially if you are not looking for something spectacular. There are 3 or 4 reputable ones in the zona sul area of Rio usually near the luxury hotels. Be wary of individual recommendations. Chances are a commission is involved. Negotiate wisely.

[coldinreno]

Natural emeralds are not only the most expensive gemstones, but also difficult to evaluate as they can be fused and otherwise artifically treated/enhanced. You would do well to read a little about emeralds if you plan on spending a significant amount. You can start here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald

Buy only from a certified gemologist who will provide a written guarantee as to the natural quality of the stones. If you are not going to be in Columbia, then Brasil is probably best location to shop. Stern and Amsterdam Sauer, the two behemoths, will have the high end merchandise for which you will pay top dollar. Somebody has to pay for all those free taxi rides and caipirinhas.

I suggest you try to locate a jewelry store owned by a certified gemologist who has been in business for a while especially if you are not looking for something spectacular. There are 3 or 4 reputable ones in the zona sul area of Rio usually near the luxury hotels. Be wary of individual recommendations. Chances are a commission is involved. Negotiate wisely.

 

There is a lot of good information in the above post. Five years ago we spent two days in Rio trying to find a nice emerald pendant. We visited all the well known stores & then some. Our opinion was that the prices were completely ridicules so we decided to wait until we visited Columbia again.

Two years ago we spent a day in Cartagena. There is an area with many jewelery stores including two or three recommended by the ship. We knew what we wanted & after about three hours of comparisons & negotiations we bought a beautiful three+ carat pendant for a little over $3,300. The color was better than anything we saw in Rio at seven times the price. We had the item appraised on return home by a certified gemoligist, valued at almost $16,000.

 

My advice, wait until you go to Columbia to buy emeralds & study closely before you go. As the above poster said, someone must pay for the free taxis & extreme overhead of the Rio jewelers. Not only that we like the color in the Columbian stones a lot better...