AJS gems is an American
owned and managed company. Arnold Silverberg, our Managing
Director, has been buying and selling gemstones for more than
20 years. His experience and knowledge have established him as
one of the main authorities in Asia. Arnold is an active
member of the Thai
Gem & Jewelry Traders Association.
Rungrawee Wongpraneekul and Sombaht Sitthisap,
our general managers, have many years of experience in
all kinds of gemstones -- precious, semi-precious, rough
and cut. There always willing and available
to help you find the exact gems you want.
AJS is
incorporated in Thailand, the center of the gem mining
and processing industry and
the undisputed
"Gemstone Capital of the World".
See our Contacting
AJS page for full details on how to visit us or contact
us.
Most jewelers and collectors
are amazed at our low prices. We can offer such great values because we personally buy our gems
directly at the mines or from the miners themselves in Southeast Asia and Africa. We pass the savings made by eliminating the middleman, to you,
so you get top quality gems at economical prices.
Why do
some similar looking gems have
different prices?
How do I know which is the best stone ?
The value of
a gem is determined by type, size, color, clarity, rarity,
and popularity. Even small differences in the hue or the intensity of
the color can make a big difference in price.
These same small differences in clarity and cut can also
create substantial price differences in gemstones.
We take original pictures of every gemstone. We
always do our best to ensure that the color and saturation
is as close as possible to the original stone.
We offer gemstones in a wide range of qualities and prices. Please use our pictures and our
prices to compare for quality and value.
You can be assured that all our stones represent good
value for the money.
Remember that a $100.00 stone will always be better than a
$50.00 stone. So shop and compare, we are confident you will be
happy with our prices and our quality.
The gems on your site look good and your prices are great but how
can I be sure that I'll receive a top quality stone?
All our stones represent
good
value for the money.
We guarantee our description will be as accurate as
possible.
We take original pictures of every gemstone.
We also guarantee
that the gem as you view it on our website will resemble the
actual stone you buy as closely as possible.
"I believe
as far as Value, we try and perhaps
are the Best on the Net as we are a Source Supplier. But
Please
remember that all Gemstones have a wholesales market value and
no one will sell you a $500.00 Gem for $50.00. If they tell you
they are, you better look elsewhere. The old adage holds
true if its too good to be true than it probably is. It's
buyer beware. Please
don't be fooled." AJS as written
We've been in the gems business
for many years and intend to continue operating for many more. Our personal and corporate policy
is to develop regular satisfied customers who choose to do all
their gem buying from AJS. That's why we back up great
stones of exceptional value with great service, and our AJS
"100% money-back " guarantee.
How do I know which is
the best stone ?
For Color saturation, light refraction, clarity and Value.
We take original pictures of every gemstone. We always do our
best to ensure that the color and saturation is as close as
possible to the original stone.
So please use our pictures and our prices to compare
for quality and value.
Our pictures also tend to accurately show light refraction
as well as imperfection and cutting characteristic, color zoning and
windowing if any.
Please feel
confident in using our pictures and prices to compare gemstone
on our site. We take great care, in pictures taking and
accurately price our stones according to quality and
value.
We offer these stones in a wide range of
qualities and prices.
Our gemstones have been carefully
graded and our price reflects the quality of each stone.
Please remember that a $100.00 stone will always be better
than a $50.00 stone. Please shop and compare we are confident you will be happy with our prices and
quality.
Gemstone certificates state that the gemstones are natural gemstones, not man made stones, they are not
appraisals of value.
We suggest that if you want a gemstone certificate you get one from an independent gemstone laboratory.
We usually don't provide our own certificates as we are not a gem lab and feel this practice is not in the best interest of our clients. We do however guarantee all our gemstones to be natural.
On request, we can provide you with our own AJS Gemstone certificate at a nominal cost of $5.00 for each item.
Regarding certificates, gemstone certificates state that the stones are natural gemstones not man made stones, they are not appraisals of value.
If that is what you want, you should get an appraisals from an independent appraiser who does not have any vested interest or reason to misinform you, because they did or did not make the sale themselves, they have no reason to tell you the stone is very good or very bad. By dealing with someone independent of the sale you will get there true idea and opinion as to the quality and value of the gemstone you're buying.
Can you please explain your
clarity grading and what it means?
All our gems are accurately graded for clarity. Please note:
Clarity grading is done when looking closely at loose unset
gemstone. Setting these gems often hides many or all of the
inclusions in the gemstone. Loupe Clean: When looking into the stone using
a 10x's magnification loupe the stone is inclusion free. Almost Loupe Clean: When looking into the stone
using a 10x's magnification loupe the stone may have some small
inclusions that can only be seen using 10x's magnification.
Eye Clean: Inclusions inside the gemstone are
not visible without magnification. Very Very Slightly Included: Inclusions inside the gemstone are
very hard to see, or can only be seen from certain angles. Very Slightly Included: The gemstone has small
inclusions that are visible but not easy to see. Slightly Included: The gemstone has small
inclusions that are visible to the eye. Moderately Included: The gemstone has more
pronounced inclusions that are visible. Included: The gemstone has many visible
inclusions. Important: Please
note that all gemstone are not created equal what is acceptable
in one stone maybe unacceptable in another. For example a few
inclusions are typical and usually more acceptable in a Burma
Ruby than a Ceylon Blue Sapphire and Rubellite Tourmaline is
commonly more included than other Tourmaline.
The treatment "HEATED" when done in a natural environment, without chemical
enhancements is accepted in the trade as a natural enhancement.... It is
not to be confused with gemstones that have been heat treated with light
elements or other chemical enhancements that may alter the color of the stones....
Most natural colored gemstones are heat treated to intensify the color,
diminish imperfections or improve durability. Heating gemstones in an oven
is a treatment that has been done to fine gemstones for hundred of years.
Treatments
are disclosed in our stone descriptions except in cases
where the information is unavailable.
Enhancement/Lattice diffusion Any corundum that shows indications of having undergone heating accompanied by the introduction/diffusion of a chemical elements(s) (facilitating the modification or creation of color) from an external source shall be described as species, natural corundum, variety, sapphire/ruby; comments: indications of heating, lattice diffusion of a chemical element(s) from an external source or, the introduction of a chemical element(s) from an external source.
Certainly! And you
can be sure that on the AJS Gems website, "What you see is what you
get!" We shoot a new
photo of every stone we offer on our site and
NEVER use old photos for
new stones.
Our staff works hard
using the latest technologies and cutting-edge
equipment to ensure that digital images of all AJS gems
are as close as possible to the color and appearance of
the actual stones!
Customer satisfaction is our top priority. However, if you are not completely satisfied, we are pleased to offer a ten (10) day return policy on all purchases. If within 10 days of receiving your gemstone you become dissatisfied with it, return it in its original, undamaged, unaltered condition for a refund or a credit. In case you want to return a gem, Please Send us an Email asking for Shipping Instructions. The shipping & insurance fees are not refundable. All returned merchandise must only be sent by registered mail (no FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc..).
If you decided that you do not want the merchandise after it has been shipped, but before it arrives, PLEASE DO NOT REFUSE FEDEX OR POSTAL DELIVERY. Items must be returned to us only via registered mail, we must insure these items using the registered mail receipt number. If the merchandise is refused, you will be liable for the full value of the item or items if lost, and all brokerage charges and duty incurred upon its return.
2. We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER or eCheck through PayPal only (which we believe to be the most secure way to accept credit cards).
Pay me securely with any major credit card through PayPal!
3. You can WIRE FUNDS (or make a direct deposit at any branch) to our bank account:
Bank of America, USA
OR
Hongkong Bank; HSBC, Hong Kong
Please email us for account details.
Customer satisfaction is our top priority. However, if you are not completely satisfied, we are pleased to offer a ten (10) day return policy on all purchases. If within 10 days of receiving your gemstone you become dissatisfied with it, return it in its original, undamaged, unaltered condition for a refund or a credit. Please Send us an Email asking for RETURN Instructions. The shipping & insurance fees are not refundable. All returned merchandise must only be sent by registered mail (no FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc..) Appropriate return packaging and registered mail fees are the responsibility of the customer, returning the merchandise, we will insure all returned items at our own expense. After 10 days all sales are final (the return package must be postmarked within 10 days, of the day/date you received the stone).
If you decided that you do not want the merchandise after it has been shipped, but before it arrives, PLEASE DO NOT REFUSE FEDEX OR POSTAL DELIVERY. Items must be returned to us only by registered mail, we must insure these items using the registered mail receipt number. If the merchandise is refused, you will be liable for the full value of the item or items if lost, and all brokerage charges and duty incurred upon its return.
Do you take new photographs
of every stone on your sight?
Absolutely!!!
Our staff works hard using
the latest technologies, software and equipment to
ensure that the digital images of all AJS gems are as
close as possible to the color and appearance of the
actual stones!
Some companies use the same old
photo of a particular type of gem every time they offer that
type of gem for sale. But
at AJS we do our best to ensure that "What you see is what you
get!" We shoot a new photo of every stone we offer on our site
and NEVER use old photos for new stones.
However, no two computer monitors display
a digital image exactly the same. Differing ambient light
conditions will cause digital images on even properly
calibrated monitors to display the same image
differently.
Gem beauty is the result of
light. Light temperature is inconsistent. An actual gem
looks different depending on time of day, geographical
location, weather and lighting conditions. A gem you see
on a clear day at 10 am in Bangkok will look different
at the same time on a similar day in New York.
Why
are BURMA RUBIES more expensive than African and Thai rubies?
Because simply
they are consider the best world
wide. They display the best red to pink red color with little
or no brown over tones. As with every colored gemstone the
most important thing is thecolor and BURMA RUBIES
are the
best.
Although
African ,Thai and Burmese rubies are the same in terms of
chemical and physical properties, they do differ noticeably in
color and hue. Burmese rubies are usually a more true red
in color in most kinds of light. While African and Thai
rubies are usually a darker color with brown overtones somewhat
garnet like in color.
Most
rubies have been heated to enhance the color. This treatment
is generally excepted in the trade and gem labs would classify
these stones as natural rubies. In case the stone is more violet
or brownish than it is red, it would be called a natural fancy
sapphire.
Why
do I have to include my phone number and the phone number of the
person to whom I want to ship my order?
The
phone numbers allow us to contact you if there's ever a question
about your order. In addition, the shipping companies that AJS
GEMS uses require the phone number of the intended recipient of
the package so that they can contact them if there is any
problem with the delivery.
I have never ordered
a stone from
overseas and am a little nervous?
Don't worry about
ordering from AJS Gems. The stones can be returned
and I am sure you will find our quality and service
the best. Check out our
customer
feed backs and our money back guarantee.
With Pairs (2 stones)
and Sets of stones: The weight given is the total
weight of the lot. The size is an approximate size
(of each stone) as the stones will vary slightly. In mixed lots; The weight is given in a range
say, .50-1.20cts. but no size is given as the sizes
in mixed lots will vary with the weight and shape
of the stone.
Stars and Cat's
Eyes can be seen in some Gemstones. They can be seen
if you look at the stones in direct sun light, or
in dim light by shining a flash light on the stone,
or by looking under a spot light, you should then
be able to see the Star or Cat's eye effect. This
is the normal way to look at these gemstones. Under
most normal indoor lighting conditions you will not
see a star, this is quite normal with natural stones....the
star is a phenomena cause by a reaction to! direct
light.
What is the general difference between Step cut and Portuguese cut or any other style of cutting?
It's just a different style of cutting, there is no one style that is the right style of cutting for every stone.
We use many different styles of cutting to make the finished stone as nice as possible. To see different cutting styles click here
