Wow, Ente and Turbor- that you so much for your kind words! Melanie and I do love gemstones, and we consider ourselves collectors. They say that if you find a job that you love, you will never work a day in your life. That is 110% true for both of us!!!
I just posted a new ruby that might be of interest to some of you:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=780829.msg8800605#msg8800605Our primary focus is ruby, sapphire (all colors), and emerald. We have been seeing some truly outstanding Zambian emerald lately. We just sold a 2 1/4 carat stone a few days ago. Unfortunately all I have is a cellphone camera pictures because in Bangkok you are not allowed to take cameras into the Gem and Jewelry Fair. But check this out!
I would expect this stone to appraise for $10,000 to $14,000 in America, Australia, or Western Europe but we sold it for much less. The client who bought it has been doing business with us for years and she re-sells the stones for a profit where she lives, and she can still undercut the local jewelry stores and has much better quality goods!
The supply chain for colored gemstones is traditionally very long. Colored gemstones move through a lot of different hands before they finally end up in your jeweler's showcase. We cut those middlemen out and sell directly to you, the end consumer. Because we are right in the middle of the gemstone district in Bangkok, we have access to millions and millions of carats of ruby, sapphire, and emerald. We don't buy low and sell high, we buy great stones at good prices and we make a modest markup so we can turn over considerable volume. This keeps our pricing highly competitive!
The emerald in the pic above is Zambian origin and is only oiled with colorless oil. It has not been dyed or chemically treated, nor has it been filled with resin in order to hide flaws. It is extraordinarily clean and of exceptionally good color. I have a superb supplier for such stones and can source these almost at will.
Thank you again guys- your comments are very much appreciated.
