Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we offer international shipping via FedEx. Please note that customs duties and import taxes are the buyer's responsibility and may vary by destination.

How long does shipping take?

Domestic orders usually ship via FedEx Overnight and arrive within 1–2 business days. International delivery times vary depending on the destination.

Can I pick up my purchase in person?

Yes, local pickup is available at our New York City showroom in the Diamond District at 44 West 47th Street. Walk-ins are welcome, but scheduling an appointment is encouraged. New York sales tax applies to in-person pickups.

Do you offer insured shipping?

Yes, all shipments are fully insured for the purchase price during transit.

Are your diamonds natural or lab-grown?

We exclusively offer natural, earth-mined diamonds. Spectra Fine Jewelry does not sell lab-grown or synthetic diamonds.

Do your items come with gemological certification?

Select items include gemological certification. For diamonds, we use GIA (Gemological Institute of America) reports. For colored gemstones — including sapphires, rubies, and emeralds — we rely on SSEF (Swiss Gemmological Institute), Gübelin Gem Lab, or AGL (American Gemological Laboratories). These three laboratories set the global standard for colored stone origin and treatment disclosure. Certification details are noted in the product description and included with your purchase.

Do you offer financing or payment plans?

Yes, we offer financing options through Affirm, allowing you to pay over time. For more details, visit our Financing page.

What is your return policy?

We accept returns within a specified period as long as the item has not been customized, altered, or resized. Please review our Return Policy for full details.

What makes a Kashmir sapphire special?

Kashmir sapphires come from the Padar Valley in the Himalayas, a deposit that has been essentially exhausted since the early 20th century. Their defining characteristic is a velvety cornflower blue caused by microscopic silk inclusions that scatter light, producing a soft glow unlike any other sapphire origin. Unheated Kashmir sapphires with origin reports from SSEF or Gübelin are among the rarest and most valuable colored gemstones in the world.

What does 'unheated' mean for sapphires and rubies?

Heat treatment is applied to the vast majority of sapphires and rubies on the market to improve color and clarity. An unheated stone retains its natural color as formed in the earth, which collectors and connoisseurs prize as authentic and rare. Unheated status is confirmed by laboratory report from SSEF, Gübelin, or AGL. Unheated Kashmir sapphires and unheated Burmese pigeon's blood rubies command significant premiums over heated equivalents.

Lawrence Paul

I have worked in the jewelry trade since 2009. I'm the owner of Spectra Fine Jewelry, the New York business I founded in 2011.

What I write about

Diamonds and colored gemstones, estate and vintage jewelry, and the evidence used to describe signed pieces — Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Harry Winston, David Webb, and Tiffany & Co./Schlumberger. My subject is the individual object: its materials, attribution, condition, and documentation.

The business behind the byline

Spectra Fine Jewelry sells the jewelry on this site. An article under my name is editorial — it's how I think through a piece, not a lab report for every object it mentions. If you want the documentation behind something specific, send me the reference number.

Read my jewelry notes · Ask about a piece