Can't Please Everyone.... (But We Try!)
We frequently receive emails with attachments of gemstones, jewelry and other gem related materials from those who have found us on the internet. They ask questions about these items, typically seeking to know if we are interested in purchasing them, where they can sell them, what labs would we recommend, what could the item be worth, etc. We do attempt to help them out or point them in the right direction.
A recent email was received with a subject of "pezattoitre" with photos of a piece of rough. We assumed that they meant Pezzottaite and his spelling was probably a French version of that mineral, but there are a few diferent versions of the spelling; we haven't encountered this one before. In the two line email "what would eventually be the market value of a 167 ct rough pezzottaite please find attached pics" it becomes clear that we are talking about the same mineral, a fairly new find of Beryl from Madagascar. The photos were not that clear and one cannot see if there is any clean sections to facet gemstones or even create cabs. It is a thin slab, which looks like what most people would call a rock. There could be some crystal faces or part of a flat tabular crystal structure present.
This is an item which may have one value to a collector, another value based on any faceted or cabbed gems that could be created. This material is typically highly included with many gemstones, including the faceted ones, looking like plastic because there are so many inclusions.
Larger nicer gemstones that are "somewhat" clean would be unusual.
We have no idea as to the value of a piece that we cannot hold and examine in person. Even then, we would only be able to determine if there some cutting sections. We currently don't have any point of contact to send this person to for more information, and they too, would be at a loss without seeing the item in person. The true intent of the emailer is questioned as to what is meant by "what would eventually be the market value" - we would assume he means now and not a number of years in the future, but we could be mistaken as he might be hoping that it will increase in value with time.
Due to the difficulty in trying to help him out, there was some thought as to not replying. Not to disappoint him and to be professional, we did reply. Our reply was short as we couldn't recommend contacting others, we didn't have the item in hand, we were not sure if this was a specimen or something that could be fashioned. We were honest and just indicated "Sorry. Really no idea. Best way to tell is that when you sell it, you have found the market price." That is sometimes the best way to determine value - advertise it's availability and see what it sells for. Many people place items that they have (items that are antiques, art, collectibles, etc.) and the best way to find out the market price is to sell it by placing it into a local auction or on ebay or similar sights. People, collectors, those with knowledge and others, will determine what something is worth. That would be the true definition of market value - what that particular item sells for on the market.
Unfortunately, our response did not please him and he went off on a tirade. So here is a case of where probably whatever we said, or even if we didn't respond, he wouldn't have been pleased. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished or damned if you do and damned if you don't!...
We are sorry that we couldn't be of help and that was deemed unacceptable by the person seeking more specific answers.
A recent email was received with a subject of "pezattoitre" with photos of a piece of rough. We assumed that they meant Pezzottaite and his spelling was probably a French version of that mineral, but there are a few diferent versions of the spelling; we haven't encountered this one before. In the two line email "what would eventually be the market value of a 167 ct rough pezzottaite please find attached pics" it becomes clear that we are talking about the same mineral, a fairly new find of Beryl from Madagascar. The photos were not that clear and one cannot see if there is any clean sections to facet gemstones or even create cabs. It is a thin slab, which looks like what most people would call a rock. There could be some crystal faces or part of a flat tabular crystal structure present.
This is an item which may have one value to a collector, another value based on any faceted or cabbed gems that could be created. This material is typically highly included with many gemstones, including the faceted ones, looking like plastic because there are so many inclusions.
Larger nicer gemstones that are "somewhat" clean would be unusual.
We have no idea as to the value of a piece that we cannot hold and examine in person. Even then, we would only be able to determine if there some cutting sections. We currently don't have any point of contact to send this person to for more information, and they too, would be at a loss without seeing the item in person. The true intent of the emailer is questioned as to what is meant by "what would eventually be the market value" - we would assume he means now and not a number of years in the future, but we could be mistaken as he might be hoping that it will increase in value with time.
Due to the difficulty in trying to help him out, there was some thought as to not replying. Not to disappoint him and to be professional, we did reply. Our reply was short as we couldn't recommend contacting others, we didn't have the item in hand, we were not sure if this was a specimen or something that could be fashioned. We were honest and just indicated "Sorry. Really no idea. Best way to tell is that when you sell it, you have found the market price." That is sometimes the best way to determine value - advertise it's availability and see what it sells for. Many people place items that they have (items that are antiques, art, collectibles, etc.) and the best way to find out the market price is to sell it by placing it into a local auction or on ebay or similar sights. People, collectors, those with knowledge and others, will determine what something is worth. That would be the true definition of market value - what that particular item sells for on the market.
Unfortunately, our response did not please him and he went off on a tirade. So here is a case of where probably whatever we said, or even if we didn't respond, he wouldn't have been pleased. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished or damned if you do and damned if you don't!...
We are sorry that we couldn't be of help and that was deemed unacceptable by the person seeking more specific answers.
posted by All That Glitters at 2:18 PM
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