International Importers of Quality Gemstones – Specializing in Fine Faceted Colored Gemstones

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All That Glitters
272 Broadway #732
Methuen, MA 01844
Telephone/Answering Service: 978-975-2272

Email All That Glitters

Fooled Again!....Story of 'another' on-line gemstone purchase

Well, the owner of All That Glitters couldn't help but wonder and hope that a Neon Orange Zircon as seen in a photo on-line, was indeed as neony orange as the photo showed. After all, the description by the company selling it stated "Vibrant Orangey Pink", so even if the photo was off slightly, this stone sounded like it would glow!

If the Zircon was true to the photo and description, it would be a real find, as this color would be very unique. Like all gemstones, there are sometimes those that are very rare and special in size, color and clarity - this is All That Glitters' forte. This is also why trade magazines, journals, other magazines, newspapers and even books on gemstones have sought out gemstones from All That Glitters:
< Recent or to be Published ATG Gemstones >

We were skeptical because when ones sees an overseas company (or any company for that matter), whose garnets, zircons, tourmaline, quartz and many other gemstones, have unusual colors that the owner of All That Glitters had never seen in over 25 years in the gemstone business, one has to asssume that the colors have been enhanced. The Zircon was purchased and unfortunately, as has always been the case in the past when something similar had been seen on-line, it was a disappointment. The color was not neon, it was not vibrant, it was not Orange really at all. It was a more saturated color and at best, could be described as a smoky peach. Under certain lights, it is quite sparkly and more of a color expected of a Zircon. We can purchase similar rough, and by the time we finish faceting it, our cost and price to the public would be less than what we paid for this piece - but still not bad for someone in the retail market who wanted a Zircon of this color. However, this is the not color described or in the photo.

Below, are photos of the Zircon discussed above:

On the left is the photo appearing on-line; on the right is the actually gemstone that we photographed. Described as a Vibrant Orangey Pink, we would describe it as a smoky peach. It is a difficult color to describe, but it is certainly not a Vibrant Orangey Pink as described or as photographed!

Before this page went active online, we decided to purchase a purple Tourmaline. It was guaranteed to be an accurate photo, and the color was verifed as being purple. Below, is the photo as it appears online, and on the right hand side is the gemstone that was received - a far cry from the photo or even the purple that they had said it was when an email was sent prior to purchase:

We personally realize that everyones monitor is different, and everyones color perception differs. How businesses can believe that they can modify a photo so dramatically, as to create a gemstone that doesn't exist, and expect the customer to be happy, is beyond our comprehension. On our monitor in our office, the gemstone photos that appear on our website are quiet accurate. However, everyones monitor is different and the subtleties do affect the colors that one sees. One of our West Coast collectors/investors, who purchased many of our important gemstones, actually color corrected this monitor by looking at the gemstones he purchased from us, and modified the monitor to display color that was similar to his purchases. In this way, he was insuring a closer approximation of the color on the monitor to the gemstones that he would be receiving/purchasing.

We rarely modify our photographs as we take them, but sometimes they have to be tweeked because the camera does not see the color that the eye is seeing. This is not to deceive, but to color correct and to insure that the gemstone more closely resembles what our customers will receive. Of course, if the gemstone that you receive from us is not to your liking in any away, we do have our 7 Day 100% Customer Satisfacton Guarantee, as well as a LifeTime Guarantee:

http://www.atggems.com/Guarantee_Lifetime.htm

http://www.atggems.com/Guarantee_Satisfaction.htm

For those who wish to give better color to the gemstones they sell, and deceive a customer, it is quite easy to do, and this is exactly what has happened with the recent purchase on-line as described above. We personally don't understand why any legitimate business would want to do this in any way.

The example below, is a photograph of a nice Yellow Beryl, from Brasil, faceted by a cutter in Los Angeles many years ago (and is currently available for purchase!). It is then followed by photo enhancement.



If only beryl truly came in these wonderful vibrant colors!!!!

Again, the bottom line as has been mentioned in previous Monthly News as well as on our Learn More page - Know your dealer. Important factors are:

Time in Business

Professionalism

Education/Experience/Background

Reviews/Feedback from other Customers

Referrals

Return Policy

Common Sense based on just some of the bullets above!

We hope that this has been an education for our customers, as it is certainly one for us. We are always learning, seeking gemstones from new finds, and willing to make a purchase to learn the truth about something - that is why we also have an article on Fading Orangy Topaz that will appear in a future edition of Gems & Gemology Magazine published by the GIA!

For other related internet stories from the All That Glitters Archives, visit any of the following topics:

More and More deception is being seen on the internet. See some of the cases that All That Glitters has encountered. Most of it is hard to believe!
< Online Gemstone Decepton >

Buyer Beware - What is not told to the customer can hurt them!