Curated Acquisition
Hand-selected stones matched to your brief, sourced through a network of mine-level relationships in New York, Antwerp, Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, Burma, Africa, Madagascar and more.
The right stone is rarely on a website. It is sitting in a safe in Bogotá. It is held in inventory by a dealer in Bangkok who only shows it to people he trusts. It is in a private collection in Geneva whose owner is quietly looking to release one or two pieces. Curated Acquisition is the practice of finding those stones, on behalf of clients who have a specific brief and the patience to wait for the right answer.
This service is the reverse of selling from our inventory. You describe what you need — origin preferences, shape, carat range, treatment status, report requirements, deadline, budget — and we go and find it. The work is half network and half judgment. Most engagements run from a few weeks to a few months. One memorable matched pair of no oil octagon Muzo emeralds ran nine months. The timeline is determined by the brief, not by us.
What's included
Brief intake
We listen, ask the questions that surface unstated requirements, and document the brief in writing.
Network outreach
Cutters in Bogotá, brokers at Jaipur, dealers at Hong Kong and New York, and a small number of private holders whose names we do not share.
Candidate review
Three to six candidates mApre-vetted by us, each physically inspected and photographed, with our written recommendation.
Closing & delivery
We negotiate the final price, arrange reports if needed, coordinate insured transport, and deliver with the full original report hard copy.
Not just sourcing. Curated acquisition—where every stone is selected with intention, purpose, and passion.
The process
Four stages, one to two months typically
-
01
Brief
A conversation at our office or by video. We surface the explicit parameters and the implicit ones (intended use, milestone date, taste). We note down all the requirements in writing and begin the search.
-
02
Network outreach
Typically one to two months. We do not push the supply chain to deliver candidates faster than it wants to move; that produces inferior candidates. You receive a written status update every fortnight.
-
03
Candidate review
Once three or more candidates fit the brief, we present them with photographs, report copies, and our written assessment of each. We present the stones in person for those who are in Hong Kong or able to travel to Hong Kong. For those who are overseas, we can arrange a video call to verify the item.
-
04
Closing
Once you have chosen, we negotiate, route the stone through report if needed, arrange transport, and deliver — typically within four weeks of selection depending on the payment status.
Recent sourcing
Three briefs, three stones found
-
Before
After
-
Before
After
-
Before
After
Who this is for
Curated acquisition serves clients across the full spectrum—from high-end collectors and family offices to jewellers, investors, and individuals seeking a meaningful stone for everyday wear. Whether you are completing a thematic series, designing a bespoke commission, building a precision portfolio, or celebrating a milestone, our commitment is the same: we find you the right stone, not the cheapest one. Quality, patience, and purpose guide everything we do.
Frequently asked
What if you cannot find a stone that matches the brief?
About one engagement in twelve closes without a purchase. In those cases, we provide a written market briefing explaining what is available, what is not, and what your brief would need to flex to find a match. You keep the briefing — which often informs the next iteration of the brief.
Can you source non-emerald stones?
Yes. While emeralds are the largest part of our practice, we can also source colour diamonds, fine sapphires (Kashmir, Burmese, Ceylon), rubies (Burmese, Mozambique), and on occasion white diamonds, spinel, and Paraíba tourmaline.
What is the typical timeline?
The narrower the brief, the longer the engagement. A general request typically closes in six to ten weeks. A specific request — a matched pair, a rare origin, a strict no-oil requirement — can run two to three months. We give you a realistic estimate as part of the brief.