Chapter 239 This Is Not Emerald
Over at Zalune Market, the cutting continued.
Isabella's stones were cut open one by one, and the results were the same as before - all top-quality gems.
Casey's side only produced one decent gem, but it was far from enough to make up for his earlier losses.
Everyone looked at Isabella like she was some kind of god.
They couldn't help but come forward to ask for advice. "Can you tell me where you bought these stones from? I'm so jealous!"
"Exactly! When there's money to be made, we should all share. Tell us which dealer you bought these stones from."
Isabella naturally couldn't tell them.
Each of her stones was bought from a different dealer. You have to understand, some dealers with poor business had inventory that hadn't sold for years.
All the best gems from various mining sites in recent years were now hers. After her sweep through the market, it would probably be very hard for anyone to find good stones on these streets again!
Isabella finally understood why Veridian's government was so resistant to Novaria people entering the rough stone market - because this was seriously disruptive market behavior!
Isabella deflected all their questions.
Since most of Casey's stones were waste material, the cutting on his side went much faster than Isabella's.
In the blink of an eye, Casey only had one stone left.
It was that 100-pound rough stone that everyone had high hopes for.
"This stone is worth eight million dollars on the market!"
In other words, even before cutting it open, this stone would be highly sought after in the gem appraisal market. It was recognized by everyone as good rough stone, with people willing to pay eight million dollars for it.
So this was the biggest hope among this batch of stones.
Everyone couldn't help but look toward this 100-pound boulder.
Casey was also eagerly anticipating it, specifically instructing the stone cutter, "Be extra careful when opening this stone."
Rhett rubbed his hands together. "Okay, I'll be careful!"
He picked up the stone and placed it under the cutting blade, glancing at Casey. "Should I start?"
"Go ahead."
Everyone watched Rhett's movements, unable to stop discussing.
"This desanded rough already shows a layer of green on the outside, and the exposed parts of the rough stone all show this color. This stone is very likely to be completely green. Once opened, there's a high probability it's emerald inside."
"If it's all emerald inside, a 100-pound rough stone - this would shake up the entire gem appraisal world."
"..."
Isabella watched their movements, but her face showed no emotion.
She didn't think her judgment would be wrong. Besides, if Celestial Jewels had really produced an emerald in her previous life, the news would have spread far and wide - she couldn't have not known about it. So this stone definitely couldn't produce an emerald!
Emerald is recognized as the king of gems. Emerald is the highest grade of green, extremely rare. If a 100-pound emerald appeared, its value would be immeasurable.
So everyone present was very excited!
Rhett's cutting movements were also very careful.
When the cutting machine's sound finally stopped, under everyone's expectant gaze, Rhett opened the stone, fully displaying its internal structure before everyone—
Inside was full of emerald!
Everyone's eyes went wide!
"This is..."
"Emerald!"
"It's emerald!"
Casey looked at the emerald filling the inside and was so excited he nearly fainted.
He won!
Hahaha!
He won!
He guessed right - this stone was emerald, it was emerald! He struck it rich! Really rich!
"Hahaha! This is great, this is just great!"
He reached out to touch that mirror-like transparent green cut surface, his eyes glowing, unable to put it down. "So this is emerald. Indeed, the king of greens - this color is so magnificent! So noble!"
The pure emerald green color made people feel that just one look was worth a lifetime!
The onlookers were envious and jealous, wishing they could claim such a large emerald for themselves!
Isabella frowned.
How could this be?
In her previous life, Celestial Jewels never produced an emerald. How did one appear in this life?
And she had touched that stone - at the time she felt what was inside didn't seem like a gem...
Isabella walked over and reached out to touch the cut surface again.
After releasing her hand, she said with a serious expression: "This isn't emerald."
Even though the color was identical to emerald, this stone actually wasn't a gem at all.
Hearing Isabella's denial, Casey's expression immediately changed. He glared fiercely at Isabella. "What do you know? If this isn't emerald, what is it? This is emerald!"
He couldn't be wrong - this was pure emerald!
Casey felt that Isabella was only saying this because she was jealous of him, jealous that he had produced an emerald, jealous that he had bought Royce's stone!
Alfonso also sneered. "Ms. Taylor, can't you even recognize emerald? If this isn't emerald, what is it? Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand."
He knew Isabella didn't understand anything. She couldn't even recognize such pure emerald - her eyes were wasted on her!
The surrounding spectators also chimed in: "This is definitely emerald, no mistake about it."
Isabella frowned, wanting to say something but not knowing how to explain. After all, she really couldn't explain this phenomenon, and she couldn't tell them about her feeling.
Casey looked at her speechless state and sneered. "Just admit defeat."
"Remember our bet? If I won, you wouldn't come to Celestial Jewels anymore."
He said proudly: "Now I've produced an emerald. My one stone is worth more than all your stones! So just do as we agreed and get out of Celestial Jewels!"
Casey knew he wouldn't lose.
Finally, he could drive away this Isabella who didn't know her place. He felt all his previous frustration had been relieved.
However, at that moment, someone in the crowd suddenly spoke:
"This really isn't emerald."
Casey froze and looked toward the speaker.
The speaker was an elderly man around eighty, trembling slightly, with a thin face and a long beard.
Casey looked at him with dissatisfaction. "Who are you? What makes you say this isn't emerald?"
Before the old man could speak, Royce stepped forward and whispered in Casey's ear: "He's one of Veridian's top gem appraisal experts, Everett Stevens."
Casey's pupils contracted slightly at these words.
He had naturally heard of Everett's reputation. This man was a titan in the gem appraisal world who had never been wrong.
But this highly accomplished Veridian gem appraisal expert was actually saying his emerald wasn't emerald?
Casey still couldn't believe it. He narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Everett. "What makes you say this isn't emerald?"
Everett smiled meaningfully and pulled a palm-sized stone from his sleeve, handing it to Casey. "Look at this and you'll understand."