A little sapphire cab

[stracci2000]

I went to visit my favorite local gem shop today. I bought a few things just for fun.
As you can see, I didn't pay much for them, as these are old prices.
The owner told me that they may soon be closing because business is terrible.
They've been in that location since 1969.
I am so sad!

Edit: the carat weight on the sapphire is actually 2.40
The emerald weighs 1.25 ct.

 

[Autumn in New England]

These are lovely, stracci... especially that sapphire! It looks like a deep blue sky on a clear day. What will you do with them? Are the sapphire and emerald similar in size? Will they be set together (earth and sky)?

 

[Mreader]

I love these! I am so sorry they might close

 

[stracci2000]

These are lovely, stracci... especially that sapphire! It looks like a deep blue sky on a clear day. What will you do with them? Are the sapphire and emerald similar in size? Will they be set together (earth and sky)?

Yes, I was thinking of setting the sapphire and ruby in a ring together, maybe a bypass style.
I suddenly got a hankering for a cab sapphire. Of course, who doesn't love emeralds too?
And I couldn't resist the tourmaline.

 

[stracci2000]

I love these! I am so sorry they might close

I am so bummed out. This place is my go- to for gems. I've been shopping here for 20 years. My very first jewelry pieces were made with gems from this store.
Cases and cases of gemstones.

 

[junebug17]

These are SO pretty @stracci2000! Lovely colors, can't wait to see how you set them!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Oh I’m so sorry they they closing.

Love your sapphire cab! And the wee emerald which looks so juicy!

Can we have more pics! It’s a beautiful blue!

 

[PrecisionGem]

It seems the past 2 or 3 years business has been really bad. Natural gems $600 to $10,000 are almost impossible to sell. The really high price still sells, but these are not the gems you normally see on Pricescope. I'm talking about $50,000 and up.
My business has become mostly lab created stones for engagement rings for young people. Any natural stones I cut for the website I have to mark at basically about what I paid for the rough to sell, and that's material I bought years ago.

Even the amount of posts on here has dried up. Some of the other forums people used to visit can go days without any new posts. After grocery shopping who has money for gems!

 

[stracci2000]

Oh I’m so sorry they they closing.

Love your sapphire cab! And the wee emerald which looks so juicy!

Can we have more pics! It’s a beautiful blue!

The color stays good , even in different light sources








These are no lines in it, (see below) those are reflections from the screen door

 

[stracci2000]

It seems the past 2 or 3 years business has been really bad. Natural gems $600 to $10,000 are almost impossible to sell. The really high price still sells, but these are not the gems you normally see on Pricescope. I'm talking about $50,000 and up.
My business has become mostly lab created stones for engagement rings for young people. Any natural stones I cut for the website I have to mark at basically about what I paid for the rough to sell, and that's material I bought years ago.

Even the amount of posts on here has dried up. Some of the other forums people used to visit can go days without any new posts. After grocery shopping who has money for gems!

This place has been a fixture in my town.
Everyone who makes jewelry knows this store.
This is the place for jewelers and hobbyists alike. Not to mention all the mineral specimens and finished jewelry they carry.
I hope they stay around for a little longer.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Yes, I was thinking of setting the sapphire and ruby in a ring together, maybe a bypass style.
I suddenly got a hankering for a cab sapphire. Of course, who doesn't love emeralds too?
And I couldn't resist the tourmaline.

The tourmaline looks like the gem embodiment of a moody enchanted forest.

P.S. I'm always saddened when a long-standing local shop closes its doors. The xmas tree farm that's been here for a hundred years, and where we've gone every year since I was a child, closed down last season. They wanted to retire, and apparently family does not want to continue with it, even though it's very lucrative. I suppose it's a lot of work. I just hope whoever buys it doesn't bulldoze all of that beautiful acreage. Anyway, sorry you're losing your favorite gem haunt!

 

[stracci2000]

The tourmaline looks like the gem embodiment of a moody enchanted forest.

P.S. I'm always saddened when a long-standing local shop closes its doors. The xmas tree farm that's been here for a hundred years, and where we've gone every year since I was a child, closed down last season. They wanted to retire, and apparently family does not want to continue with it, even though it's very lucrative. I suppose it's a lot of work. I just hope whoever buys it doesn't bulldoze all of that beautiful acreage. Anyway, sorry you're losing your favorite gem haunt!

I would love to go down there, wipe out my savings, and buy all the best gems.

They have been through hard times, but maybe it's finally taken a toll on them.
They've been broken into numerous times.
A few years ago, thieves used a stolen car to crash through their front door.
They stole all the 14k gold ring settings.

And of course COVID had a huge impact as well.

Not to mention that the city redesigned the street in front of the shop with medians so you can no longer make a left turn into their parking lot.

And their part of town is going downhill, with increasing crime and homelessness.
It's just the perfect storm, I guess.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I would love to go down there, wipe out my savings, and buy all the best gems.

They have been through hard times, but maybe it's finally taken a toll on them.
They've been broken into numerous times.
A few years ago, thieves used a stolen car to crash through their front door.
They stole all the 14k gold ring settings.

And of course COVID had a huge impact as well.

Not to mention that the city redesigned the street in front of the shop with medians so you can no longer make a left turn into their parking lot.

And their part of town is going downhill, with increasing crime and homelessness.
It's just the perfect storm, I guess.

We are hearing these stories more and more, sadly. I hope the owners are able to regroup and either find successful elsewhere or comfort in retirement.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Did you see @lulu_ma 's new turq bracelet? I thought of you. Isn't it positively glorious?!

 

[lala646]

I went to visit my favorite local gem shop today. I bought a few things just for fun.
As you can see, I didn't pay much for them, as these are old prices.
The owner told me that they may soon be closing because business is terrible.
They've been in that location since 1969.
I am so sad!

Edit: the carat weight on the sapphire is actually 2.40
The emerald weighs 1.25 ct.

Were those the actual prices??! If so, wow! I wish I were in your neck of the woods. I love cabs, but don't have access to anyplace like this, so everything I see is retail.

 

[stracci2000]

Were those the actual prices??! If so, wow! I wish I were in your neck of the woods. I love cabs, but don't have access to anyplace like this, so everything I see is retail.

Yes, actual prices! The emerald is 6x8mm, I paid $25.
This is why I'm so sad.
It's all old inventory, and old prices. The owners made trips to Tucson to replenish their inventory.

 

[stracci2000]

Did you see @lulu_ma 's new turq bracelet? I thought of you. Isn't it positively glorious?!

Yes! It's smashing!

 

[Dreamer_D]

These are lovely I hope you set them!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I would love to go down there, wipe out my savings, and buy all the best gems.

They have been through hard times, but maybe it's finally taken a toll on them.
They've been broken into numerous times.
A few years ago, thieves used a stolen car to crash through their front door.
They stole all the 14k gold ring settings.

And of course COVID had a huge impact as well.

Not to mention that the city redesigned the street in front of the shop with medians so you can no longer make a left turn into their parking lot.

And their part of town is going downhill, with increasing crime and homelessness.
It's just the perfect storm, I guess.

road works and modern town planning is killing trade all over
the councils have a lot to answer for
im very sad about your gem shop

 

[Crimson]

I am so bummed out. This place is my go- to for gems. I've been shopping here for 20 years. My very first jewelry pieces were made with gems from this store.
Cases and cases of gemstones.

It looks like a treasure trove. I can only imagine how many happy hours you might have spent there, @stracci2000 It is a great loss. So glad you bought some lovely pieces to remember them.

 

[stracci2000]

It looks like a treasure trove. I can only imagine how many happy hours you might have spent there, @stracci2000 It is a great loss. So glad you bought some lovely pieces to remember them.

I guess I'll increase my frequency of visits to support them as long as the doors stay open.
I'm sure I have room in my hoardatorium for a few more sapphires. Or rubies......or opals.....

 

[RRfromR]

I love love the sapphire and the emerald. Do they sell online?

 

[stracci2000]

I love love the sapphire and the emerald. Do they sell online?

No, they don't.
I asked the owner if she might do so in the future. She said it was an option they would consider.
It would be a monumental feat, considering the amount of gems they have on hand.

 

[stracci2000]

I took these photos in 2017, and the prices are still the same. Bargains, right?

It's killing me not to run back there today and spend $1000........

 

[Avondale]

I’m green with envy right now. Green, I’m telling ya! Maybe it’s a good thing I live nowhere near close to that store.

If they were to create some form of online presence and set up shipping options, that might just be the end of my wallet.

 

[stracci2000]

I’m green with envy right now. Green, I’m telling ya! Maybe it’s a good thing I live nowhere near close to that store.

If they were to create some form of online presence and set up shipping options, that might just be the end of my wallet.

If they ever do, I would be glad to broadcast the info here.

I would be thrilled if they went online.
However, I just love looking at the gems in person. It's easier to tell the duds from the winners.

Most of those stones look so much better when you get them out of the gem cup, too.

 

[MMtwo]

If they ever do, I would be glad to broadcast the info here.

I would be thrilled if they went online.
However, I just love looking at the gems in person. It's easier to tell the duds from the winners.

Most of those stones look so much better when you get them out of the gem cup, too.

Congratulations on the purchases. Lovely sapphire. There was a place somewhat like this locally that closed and it was a real blow.

This could be an opportunity for someone to create an online store and sell, keeping a commission that could easily be added to the price.

 

[stracci2000]

Congratulations on the purchases. Lovely sapphire. There was a place somewhat like this locally that closed and it was a real blow.

This could be an opportunity for someone to create an online store and sell, keeping a commission that could easily be added to the price.

Yes, it will be a real blow to the jewelry community in my town when this place finally closes.
Of course, the owner knows everybody in the gem business, and so she will know where to sell her inventory.

Unfortunately, I'm not a deep pocket dealer, so it won't be to me.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

this place was on my bucket list of when i win lotto and fly over to go shopping with you

i hope they stay open long enough for you to buy a few more stones
and then some

 

[stracci2000]

this place was on my bucket list of when i win lotto and fly over to go shopping with you

i hope they stay open long enough for you to buy a few more stones
and then some

Even if the shop is closed, you can come by for tea and cake. I know where there are a few bead shops