Celebrate New Year’s Eve bidding on big colorful gemstones

GIA certified step-cut aquamarine, 36.48 carats, 21.91 x 18.27 x 12.56 mm, very minor inclusions visible under 10x magnification. Estimate: $17,000-$20,000. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – From certified emeralds to glowing sapphires, tourmalines and rubies, a diverse loose gemstones auction presented by Jasper52 showcases a variety of cuts, stones and a and kaleidoscope of colors. The 486-lot online auction will take place Tuesday, Dec. 31, beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern time. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

Among the biggest gemstones in the sale is a 36.48-carat blue aquamarine (above), GIA report number 5191478366. The octagonal stone is eye clean with very minor inclusion visible under magnification.

Tanzanite is much defined by its rarity as its beauty. It was named by Henry B. Platt, former president and chairman of Tiffany & Co. in tribute to the land of its birth – Tanzania. An IGI-certified 3.23-carat tanzanite in the auction is a facetted oval of deep blue color. Tanzanite is one of the best-selling colored gemstones and the quintessential “haute fashion” gem of the 20th century.

IGI certified tanzanite, 3.23 carats, 10.63 x 8.58 x 5.63 mm. Estimate: $1,100-$1,500. Jasper52 image

From the state of Paraiba state in easternmost Brazil comes a 7.18-carat natural tourmaline in a faceted oval cut.

Natural Paraiba (Brazil) tourmaline, 7.18 carats, AIG report, 17.20 x 11.62 x 4.78mm. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000

Mined in Tanzania, a matched pair of natural rubies in velvety pinkish-red weigh in at 2.61 carats each. They are nearly loupe-clean at SI2 and are certified non-heat treated.

Pair of rubies, 2.61 carats, mined in Tanzania, certified by GRS, 7.04 x 6.16 x 3.79mm, 7.13 x 6.18 x 3.30 mm. Estimate: $7,000-$8,000. Jasper52 image

Sporting the highest estimate in the sale at $247,000-$296,000 is a 5.90-carat Kashmir sapphire. This stunning gemstone exhibits a fiery rich cornflower blue and is rated VVS, loupe-clean.