Caramel Calcite
Gemstone Quality Standard
About Caramel Calcite
Caramel Calcite® was discovered in 2019. It features a beautiful mixture of different shades of brown, sometimes mixed with black patches.
After chemical testing, we know now that Caramel Calcite® is a limestone that was formed by extremely fine calcite grains settling on the seafloor hundreds of millions of years ago. The different shades of brown are layers of grains with slightly different sizes. And the mixed-up pattern originates from small microcurrents swirling up the layers before the grains finally settled.
This decorative stone has a beautiful polish and shows a slight phosphorescence. Under UV light the whitish contents of the stone do increase their contrast and after switching off the UV light they do show a weak green afterglow (phosphorescence).
Rarity
Caramel Calcite is only known from Peru.
Availability
We dont know how big the reserve of this material is. So far it can be readily delivered. We offer the sale of rough rock, preselected jewelry-grade slabs, cabochons, custom cut cabochons and finished jewelry.
Ethical and environmentally friendly mining
Caramel Calcite is not mined but surface collected in the southern Peruvian desert. It occurs in nodes. No habitat destruction occurs.
Color
A beautiful mixture of different shades of brown, sometimes mixed with black patches.
Jewelry-grade material makes up approximately 50% of the rough material and is characterized by a strong contrast of shades of brown.
Impurities
No impurities
Polishable
Beautiful glass-finish is possible.
Cutting Quality
Advantages:
Caramel Calcite does not tend to break or chip. Experienced cutters therefore can obtain very sharp unchipped edges between the backside and bezel as well as between the bezel and dome.
Top-cutting-quality is characterized by:
- a polished backside
- a sharp unchipped edge between the backside and the bezel
- a very straight and even highly polished bezel
- a sharp unchipped edge between the bezel and the dome
- a well-shaped dome, not showing any deformation
- Top-quality polish
Pricing
Adequate pricing must take into account the cost factors to obtain top-quality cabochons:
- Acquisition of top-grade Caramel Calcite.
- Selection of material discarding more than 50 percent of the rough rock as unsuitable for jewelry.
- A usual material loss of approximately 90 % of the selected material during the cutting and shaping process.
- The level of experience required by a cutter to produce a flawlessly shaped and highly polished cabochon from such a soft material.
- Our Jewelry Grade (A)
- Our Top-Quality Jewelry Grade (AA)
- Our Premium Jewelry Grade (AAA)
- Market research
Jewelry Grade Material:
Well-defined shades of brown with strong contrast
Cutting Quality:
- Straight bezel (minor irregularities possible), 3 mm high
- Perfect dome (3-5 mm high)
- Edges between bezel and dome, as well as bezel and backside: sharp and crispy, minor chips on lower edge possible
- Backside flat at 280 grit, unpolished
Pricing:
Recommended Retail Price (A): 0.39 USD per carat
Jewelry Grade Material:
Well-defined brown shades with strong contrast.
Cutting Quality:
- Straight bezel, 3 mm high
- Flat and perfect dome (3 mm high)
- Edges between bezel and dome, as well as bezel and backside: sharp and crispy, minor chips on lower edge possible but very rare.
- Backside flat, at 280 grit
Additional quality (AA+): Backside polished
Pricing:
Recommended Retail Price (AA): 0.69 USD per carat
AA+: 0.79 USD/c
Jewelry Grade Material:
Well-defined brown shades with strong contrast and beautiful pattern
Cutting Quality:
- Straight bezel, 3 mm high
- Flat and perfect dome (1-3 mm high)
- The edges between the bezel and dome, as well as the bezel and backside, are sharp and crispy, with no chips on the lower edge.
Additional quality (AAA+): Backside polished to 3000 grit
Pricing:
Recommended Retail Price (AAA): 0.99 USD per carat
AAA+: 1.09 USD/c
To the best of our knowledge, Gemrock is the only Peruvian company offering Caramel Calcite
Is there anything you wish to know about:
Shipping cost and logistics, Payment options, Product quality, Packaging, Shipping damage, Refunds, etc. ?
Cutting services
Do you need reliable high-quality cutting services for a reasonable price? Are you looking for a service provider that is willing to develop new products according to your requirements? Would you like to get expert advice in order to improve your product? Do you wish for someone to optimize the process and get the most out of your rough? Just talk to us.
Get in Touch
+51 994104206
gemrockinternational@gmail.com