toymantodd
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2022
- Messages
- 19
Hello, I am a longtime reseller of toys/collectables. I have sold estate jewellery at times and always have been drawn to gemstones, without previously exploring or gaining much knowledge. A friend is into geodes and my brother and I went to a gem show with him. The wheels started spinning as I was thinking about an addition to our side business. Looked into schooling costs and started looking at the "free" information online, soaking things up. Glad to have found this forum 
Had some gemstones that I had bought a few years ago at auction as well as some swap meet finds and online finds. Spent next to nothing for all of it, so I didn't expect much. Found a local jewellery store that was willing to work with me after I explaind my "American Pickers" type side hustle. Took 6 of the stones in to be looked at. Within a few minutes he gave me a "read" on all of them. A large 45 ct Peridot was said to be just a piece of glass, a Ruby was said to be a gemstone, but not a Ruby (can't remember what he stated) and so on and so forth. However one piece was stated to be either Auqumarine or Topaz and another was for sure Tanzanite. The interesting thing is that the Tanzanite was found at an auction and I paid only a few dollars. The Auqumarine/Topaz piece was bought for around $5 and he put a price/value of $30-$50.
I have since purchased some testing equipment and am planning to take some classes.
Specific question about eBay and other online sites I see with Indian dealers selling stones. Some stones sell for pennies on the dollar. I have bought several with mixed results. Some are just glass, some are stone, but not the stone advertised, yet some are the real deal and a "score" I would think by anybody's thinking. So, how is it possible for a dealer in India to auction off a stone for a few dollars and send it to the USA with free shipping? I mean, even if it is 100% fake/costume it still makes no financial sense and when it turns out to be real...I just don't get it.
Question about retail/wholesale of gemstones as compared to other businesses. I visited a retail store selling a little bit of everything from rocks to jewellery making supplies and faceted gemstones. He had a box/shelf display of Perridot. It was listed as $50 a ct. for any piece. I saw a simmilar box/display at the gem show in the room of a person claiming to be a true wholeseller. He was selling for $25 a ct. I am wondering from the expert crowd here where the best place to buy gemstones truly is? Who is the real wholeseller here in the USA?
Percentage of your business? Wondering if those of you in business do more selling of loose gemstones or set in jewellery. Also wondering how much of a market there is for collectors of loose gemstones? I myself think they are awesome and thinking about where they came from/the work involved for me to be holding it in my hand is remarkable...but I don't know how many share my thoughts/passion.
Anyway, I am rambling. I am brand new, just trying to learn and gather knowledge. Your comments/stories/insight are welcomed.
If nothing else happens, I will gain some knowledge and build a collection for my own enjoyment. If I can find an angle I might be able to gain a paying hobby as well, something that is never a bad idea.
Cheer's and thank you!
Had some gemstones that I had bought a few years ago at auction as well as some swap meet finds and online finds. Spent next to nothing for all of it, so I didn't expect much. Found a local jewellery store that was willing to work with me after I explaind my "American Pickers" type side hustle. Took 6 of the stones in to be looked at. Within a few minutes he gave me a "read" on all of them. A large 45 ct Peridot was said to be just a piece of glass, a Ruby was said to be a gemstone, but not a Ruby (can't remember what he stated) and so on and so forth. However one piece was stated to be either Auqumarine or Topaz and another was for sure Tanzanite. The interesting thing is that the Tanzanite was found at an auction and I paid only a few dollars. The Auqumarine/Topaz piece was bought for around $5 and he put a price/value of $30-$50.
I have since purchased some testing equipment and am planning to take some classes.
Specific question about eBay and other online sites I see with Indian dealers selling stones. Some stones sell for pennies on the dollar. I have bought several with mixed results. Some are just glass, some are stone, but not the stone advertised, yet some are the real deal and a "score" I would think by anybody's thinking. So, how is it possible for a dealer in India to auction off a stone for a few dollars and send it to the USA with free shipping? I mean, even if it is 100% fake/costume it still makes no financial sense and when it turns out to be real...I just don't get it.
Question about retail/wholesale of gemstones as compared to other businesses. I visited a retail store selling a little bit of everything from rocks to jewellery making supplies and faceted gemstones. He had a box/shelf display of Perridot. It was listed as $50 a ct. for any piece. I saw a simmilar box/display at the gem show in the room of a person claiming to be a true wholeseller. He was selling for $25 a ct. I am wondering from the expert crowd here where the best place to buy gemstones truly is? Who is the real wholeseller here in the USA?
Percentage of your business? Wondering if those of you in business do more selling of loose gemstones or set in jewellery. Also wondering how much of a market there is for collectors of loose gemstones? I myself think they are awesome and thinking about where they came from/the work involved for me to be holding it in my hand is remarkable...but I don't know how many share my thoughts/passion.
Anyway, I am rambling. I am brand new, just trying to learn and gather knowledge. Your comments/stories/insight are welcomed.
If nothing else happens, I will gain some knowledge and build a collection for my own enjoyment. If I can find an angle I might be able to gain a paying hobby as well, something that is never a bad idea.
Cheer's and thank you!