Unset Gem Stones
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Artisan Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine
2010s Unknown Artisan Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine
2010s Unknown Artisan Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Amethyst
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Artisan Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine
21st Century and Contemporary Zambian Artisan Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Zircon, Blue Zircon
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Zircon
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Loose Gemstones
Zircon
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Artisan Loose Gemstones
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Peridot
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Mandarin Garnet
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Tsavorite
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Modernist More Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Blue Topaz, Topaz, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Modern Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Artisan Loose Gemstones
Pink Sapphire, Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire
2010s African Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline, Paraiba
2010s African Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline, Paraiba
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Rhodolite, Garnet
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Artisan Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Blue Zircon, Zircon
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Amethyst
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Topaz, Blue Topaz
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Unset Gem Stones For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Unset Gem Stones?
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.