An Exceptional Cat’s-Eye Emerald
Those in the gem trade often recall a memorable experience, gemstone, or business connection. A Brazilian cat’s-eye emerald (see above) presented at the AGTA show by estate dealer Doug Liebman (Scottsdale, Arizona) conjured all three.
Liebman shared the story of how in 1983, early in his career, he forged a long-term relationship with Albert Sabbagh, cofounder of Ben Sabbagh Bros. in Brazil. Liebman’s early buying trips to Brazil revealed a wide variety of gemstone offers at all price points, including the magnificent cat’s-eye emerald.
Emeralds have been mined sporadically and in small quantities in the Brazilian state of Goiás for more than 100 years. In 1981, the deposits were found to produce emerald of a desirable quality. This prompted more steady mining, which has been continuous ever since. The emeralds occur in a talc schist as stubby crystals usually less than 1 cm long. Their color ranges from pale to dark green, often with a bluish overtone. The best faceted stones are rarely over one carat.
Last year, at GJX 2023, Liebman visited the Ben Sabbagh Bros. booth and spoke with Albert’s sons Samuel and Clement. They showed him a cat’s-eye emerald from Goiás that had been part of their late father’s private collection. Liebman recalled the emerald from his early days with Sabbagh. While impressed by the stone, he left the booth without buying.
After some reflection, Liebman returned to GJX first thing the next morning. He said yes to the emerald before they even told him the price.
The 5.11 ct cat’s-eye emerald is extraordinary for its color, clarity, legacy, and allure, with no additional light source needed to display the centerline cat’s-eye effect. What goes around often does come back around, at the right time, in the right place: Tucson, Arizona.
