ALTMANN
Jewellery dealer — Paris
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Rare provenance

Sell rubies, sapphires and emeralds in Paris

Burmese ruby, Kashmir sapphire, Colombian emerald: stones of rare provenance are read, valued and bought directly at 22 rue Drouot, by a trained gemmologist.

The house of Altmann

Provenance is the price

Two rubies of the same weight can differ tenfold in value: origin, treatment and colour decide. A trained gemmologist, Ariel Altmann reads the stone itself and knows what the international market pays for each provenance — then makes a firm offer, with immediate payment. See also diamond appraisal.

What we look for

The stones we buy

Free appraisal, immediate offer, immediate payment.

Rubies

Burma (Mogok), Mozambique, Thailand. Unheated Burmese rubies above all.

Sapphires

Kashmir, Burma, Ceylon, Madagascar. Padparadscha and fine blues, heated or not.

Emeralds

Colombia (Muzo, Chivor), Zambia, Brazil. Minor or no oil preferred.

Natural pearls

Saltwater natural pearls, strands and single pearls, with or without a report.

Spinel, alexandrite, Paraíba

Rare gems with documented provenance.

Fancy colour diamonds

Pink, blue, yellow — certified or not.

Key facts — September 2026

What to know before you come

Verifiable facts, reviewed in September 2026.

Provenance makes the price

Unheated Burmese ruby, Kashmir sapphire, Colombian emerald: origin and the absence of treatment are paid for. For a significant stone, an independent laboratory report (SSEF, Gübelin, GRS, LFG) attests them.

Common treatments

Heating of rubies and sapphires, oiling of emeralds: long-standing, accepted practices — always disclosed, never at the price of an untreated stone.

Loose or mounted

Both are appraised. Never unset a stone before the opinion: a period or signed mounting can be worth more than the stone alone.

Frequently asked questions

Selling precious stones in Paris

What makes the price of a ruby, sapphire or emerald?

Origin and the absence of treatment, first. An unheated Burmese ruby, a Kashmir sapphire, a Colombian emerald with minor oil: these are the stones the international market pays for. Then colour, clarity, cut and weight.

Do I need a laboratory report?

For a significant stone, yes: an independent laboratory (SSEF, Gübelin, GRS, LFG) attests origin and treatment. We tell you when a report is needed, and which one. We are a dealer, not a laboratory.

Are heated stones worthless?

No. Heating rubies and sapphires, and oiling emeralds, are long-standing, accepted practices — always disclosed, and never at the price of an untreated stone.

Loose or mounted?

Both are appraised. Never remove a stone from its setting before the opinion: a period or signed mounting can be worth more than the stone alone.

How does the sale proceed?

Free verbal appraisal at 22 rue Drouot, firm offer on the spot, no fees or commission, immediate payment. From abroad, a first opinion from photographs within 24 hours.

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Have your stone appraised

Free and confidential appraisal, reply within 24 hours.

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