I am a UK based professional gemstone supplier and GIA graduate gemologist. I specialise in rose cut cabochons as well as standard cabochons, and I have a carefully nurtured reputation for high quality. Currently I carry mainly semi-precious stones and I also have a range of pearls in white and natural colours; strings and half-drilled, round and keshi. This blog is attached to my website - www.joopygems.com - and is where you'll find information about new arrivals in my shop, discounts and offers, as well as an opportunity to leave comments and feedback.
Well, that may be a little optimistic but we can give things a helping hand with this month’s gorgeous rutilated quartz cabochons. We’ve got a fantastic selection of different shapes and sizes with very different patterns, from angel-hair to thick, straw-like needles. We also have rose aquamarine freeforms But this post is really to say it’s newsletter time. This month we have double points, so if you aren’t signed up to our loyalty programme, then do consider it. You can sign up at our website; just go to http://www.joopygems.com and find the ‘Reward Program’ button on the bottom left hand corner. You can get 1000 points for signing up and there’s 2 points for every dollar you spend. Plus there is 20% off all bi-colour calibrated tourmaline rose cuts. You can read the newsletter here.
We have our January sale on and it’s the early bird catches the worm with up to 25% off your entire order! Remember also that we will be closing our USA office on 12th January, so anyone wanting their order to ship from the USA needs to place their order by 5.30 on that day.
It’s the first thing I say to non-jewellery-savvy people when I’m describing what a fabulous and under-used stone blue zircon is. I’m on it almost as the word is out of my mouth to try and stop the inevitable, ‘zircon…zirconia…cubic zirconia???!!!‘ Those in the know appreciate this stone for its colour, brilliance and fire. In its natural state it comes in a variety of colours; yellow, brown, orange, violet, blue, green and red; however most of the bright turquoise-blue material on the market is likely to be heated. In its clear form, it has been used in the past as a diamond simulant, due to its very strong brilliance and fire. You can see this also in the coloured material, and its distinct green-blue colour set it apart from other gemstones. Most similar is London Blue Topaz, but this lacks the liveliness of zircon. It’s been around a long time; in the Middle Ages, it was thought to promote sound sleep, drive away evil spirits and encourage wealth, wisdom and honour. It’s a beautiful stone that deserves more recognition; it looks icy-cool when paired with white metal and deep and warm with yellow. It’s also one of the December birthstones. It has reasonable hardness but is quite brittle if you’re going to put it in a ring, you’ll need to look after it a bit. I’m quite good at accidentally smashing my engagement ring into walls and zircon won’t react well to such treatment! I love the fantastically unique acid-etched meteorite bracelet with zircon pear by Jacob Albee, below.
Jacob Albee Cuff bracelet in Gibeon Meteorite with a 3.03 ct blue zircon, 24k gold inlay, diamonds, and a sterling silver sleeve
This necklace and earrings set from Lang Antiques is from the turn of the century – that is, turn of the 19th century. Its sleek lines and clean, unembellished design give it an entirely contemporary feel, however.
Lang Antiques Retro Gold and Zircon Necklace and Earring Set $2450
Our December 2017 newsletter is out and we’ve got a whole lot of news and some fairly significant pieces of information. We also have a long 15% discount on everything from now until early January. You can use code XMAS15 – and it’s a multi-use coupon so use it as many times as you like! Benefit from the new shipping system we have in Hong Kong! To read the newsletter, click here.
Alot of people were interested in these: calibrated bi-colour tourmaline rounds, ovals and pears. It’s taken me so long to get them listed, and I wanted to have them listed in time for my sale but I didn’t quite, so I’ve extended the sale. If you like these, you can get them on a 25% discount until Wednesday midnight 29th November. The rounds come in 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 7mm and the pears and ovals in 3x4mm, 6x4mm and 7x5mm. They are all priced according to weight and how good the colour is. To browse the entire collection, click here. Coupon code FIREGEM25 will get you 25% off until midnight, Wednesday 29th November EST.
This is the biggest discount I’ve ever done and it’s open from now until close of play on Cyber Monday (27th Nov). It’s a straight 25% off all gemstones, including sale items (eek!) and it really is a make the most of it situation as I keep my margins quite small, so I simply can’t offer big discounts frequently. It’s a coupon code – FIREGEM25 – and you can use it more than once if you like! Click here to browse our Hong Kong shop or here to browse our USA one. It’s also on in both Etsy shops, but you don’t need the code for those as the discount is already marked up. So get shopping and get your sparkle on!
Aaaand there’s more! I came across these little beauties earlier today and thought they need to find new and happy homes. They are pretty large freeform labradorite cabochons in the 20-30 carat, 20-30mm range. Standard grade material, so inclusions, fractures and a sort of translucent dark grey body material. But the flash is amazing – there are a couple of really striking pinstripes, and that one up in the top left corner is my favourite. I keep wanting to write a series on ‘In Praise of Inclusions’ and that stone is a real case in point – lots of fine, little fractures that look like the delicate veining on a leaf, and with a superb bright gold flash. You can find these little chaps here. Prices start from $9 per stone, and they are all on a 50% discount.
Still available in the tourmaline de-stash are a few of these strands of tourmaline rough beads. All different colours; some bi-, some parti-colours. Strands are 16 inches long and the beads are variable in size, but I would say on average in the 10mm range. They are on a fantastic 45% discount, from $35.50 to $20 per strand and you can find them here.
My de-stash sale continues, this time with a focus on tourmaline baguettes and bi- and parti-colour mixes. Up to 35% discount, and these are normal stock items, no seconds. I’ve got a lot of new tourmaline stock coming in November and I’m keen to clear out the old. Keep your eyes out over the next few days as I add more items to this section! Items are mostly only available in the Hong Kong store, but I have a free-shipping coupon running until the end of the month to make things easier: O17FS1
I am having my first ever de-stash sale – end of lines, surplus stock, plus the odd second. There’s some amazing bargains to be had, with up to 90% discounts and obviously the best stuff will go first! I’ve got single stones and lots, and to sweeten the deal even more, I’m offering a free standard ship: use code O17FS1 – this will also work to take $7.50 off your shipping should you choose express post. I’ll be continuing to add items over the next few days, so do keep checking in – you’re bound to find something! These items are only available in the Hong Kong shop, and do please check descriptions carefully – I’ve been really clear as to the reason for the discount in each case – as all items are sold on a no return basis. You can shop the sale here
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