Coin shops and unlikely treasures

[KurtS]

This is another hobby I've developed recently, coinciding with people redeeming jewelry for spot metal prices.
In the process, the stones in the jewelry are being discarded by coin dealers--basically anything that doesn't test quickly as diamond.
It must be all colored glass set in 18K--right? Luckily, a friend is catching the discards for me, sending them my way. 

It's handy that I have the lab equipment and time to make an analysis.
The "glass" stone below is a natural sapphire, probably from Australia due to internal structure. It's about 1.5ct. 

[arthrene]

Thanks for sharing Kurt! That's a really neat find. I have a beginners interest in gemstones and I've loved reading about your finds here and on CCF.

[TwoShadows]

Just what I need! Another hobby! My dealer buys a lot of gold, well in spurts, but I have never seen him remove any stones. Guess he and I need to do a litte talking? I will say this is a very interesting "side" hobby that interestingly enough blends right in with you coin shop visits. Pretty cool idea!

[scottishmoney]

I have never thought of that, should ask my local dealer for the stuff he pops out and file 13s.

[KurtS]

As a bit of continued awareness of what's getting discarded at coin shops, here are a group of diamonds of weights ranging from .1 to .4 carats:
It never hurts to check! 

[ElleKitty]

I actually had a ring that was broken, and not worth the trouble of having repaired.  The thing cost me a whole $25 about fifteen years ago, and the gold in the ring was worth more than that.  Since I never wear them anymore, I took it up to my coin dealer and sold the gold to him.  The stone however, they popped out and let me take back home.  Since I got $75 back on it, I think that was a pretty good deal. 

[KurtS]

Here are a few more examples of what gets by coin shops when people bring in jewelry to melt. The stones I've shown here are just from one dealer source, so it boggles my mind to think what else has been discarded.  And here are three (tested natural) sapphires discarded from jewelry sold for "melt".

Color-change sapphire:


star sapphire:


yellow sapphire:

[ElleKitty]

You're killin' me Kurt!  Those are so beautiful.  I wish I had the opportunity to nab stones like that from my coin store. ><

[arthrene]

You're killin' me Kurt!  Those are so beautiful.  I wish I had the opportunity to nab stones like that from my coin store.

I agree! Thanks for sharing these beautiful stones with us though!

[KurtS]

ElleKitty, Arthrene-
If I happen to have any nice extra stones, perhaps we can manage a trade for coins? I would be totally flexible here.
I'll probably keep anything that tests as diamond, ruby, sapphire--but I might have some other stones if that interests either of you. 

[arthrene]

This could prove very interesting Kurt! Please let me know when you find some that you'd be interested in trading and what you'd like to trade for.

[ElleKitty]

Ditto.  I'm more than willing to trade coins for gems, although I'm not sure what exactly I will do with them except hoard them and drool.    I'm partial to Peridot and Emerald (or any other green stone), but any stone really is fine with me.  Just poke an email or PM my way, to let me know what coins you are interested in. 

[KurtS]

I'm partial to Peridot

Me too, so much I'm afraid I won't let these go (see below). I do have some small emeralds I might be inclined to trade.  I'll look at what I have.

[ElleKitty]

  Peridot is my birthstone.  I do have a small collection of those lovely stones.  In fact, someday I want to go to Hawaii where there is a beach that is green, due to all the Olivine in the sand.  I think Olivine actually -makes- the sand...

[KurtS]

In fact, someday I want to go to Hawaii where there is a beach that is green, due to all the Olivine in the sand.

If you ever do, I can point the way. I have been to the Big Island many times--and know that specific beach. It's a very cool place, especially since you can pick small, luminous green peridots from the sand. Interestingly, it's also the southernmost point of the US, but usually very windy and somewhat cool!

[arthrene]

Kurt,
I'd be interested in blue stones and then maybe some reds or purples. Thanks for looking! This could be a fun trade!

[KurtS]

Arthrene,
Any interest in a trade for a very nice 5.15 ct Kunzite? Very pretty, clean stone with cool pink/purple color effect that changes in the light:
Admittedly, this is probably a bit much and hard to quantify towards a coin trade. Thanks for the interest all the same.