Hi,
I do most of my gemstone buying at Tucson once a year and add to that from a few select dealers throughout the year.
I’ve had bad luck buying online.
That said can anyone recommend a good quality gemstone dealer. My designs/price points supports ~$6 carat quality which has served me well.
So I’ve come up with a couple designs that require ~!10mm round colored stones. Spectrolite/rainbow moonstones work best but I find almost 100% of buying on line is worthless for me. Uneven cloudy or healed fractures (yes I know this is part of them but more often just too much!) detract from my designs. If I use say garnets or whatever the cuts are poor…I really have to buy in person to satisfy myself but I found a market for one of my desgins and running out of the 10mm round gems to fit in.
Any suggestions for a good honest dealer that may work for me?
Hi, I get quite a few gemstones from Wardgemstones in the UK (Gemstones for jewellery wholesale supplies and for bespoke jewellery designing and making). I live at the bottom of the world and their shipping is fast and on the whole good quality. When I have had issues it is a no quibble refund. In addition they are very helpful - a bonus!
Good luck. Mieke
Neither of these company’s websites are super helpful with specifics, but they give you the contact info. I’m also not sure if either of these companies will have what you’re looking for?
You’re right! Buying gems online is hit or miss. Because buying stones online is hit or miss, a lot of companies will send you stones on “memo”. You can look them over and return what you don’t buy.
I don’t buy a lot of lapidary material as I make most of it from my own rough. Learning to cut and polish stones is a big investment in equipment and time and not for everyone. It is a lot of fun once you get into it. I do buy direct from other cutters and dealers at our rock club’s local show. In Syracuse it will be at the State Fair grounds July 7-9. There are a lot of rock and mineral clubs and each one has a show that will likely be worth going to where you can look before you buy and even buy from the person who cut it. There may also be a wholesale area, so go with your tax exempt certificate. There are many online directories for these clubs, here is a sample. Geology365. I do buy small rounds from Rio as the cost is a lot less than if I make them…Rob
Yes! I just answered that rolling mill post. Sorry for the delay. There was a big storm where I live and my driveway washed out a bit! It’s always something!!
