starting a collection
- Thread starter hatsumomo
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2008
- Messages
- 3,988
Certainly not on jewelry TV! 
I would with educating myself, before making any purchase (I didn't, which is why there are some stones locked away where no one can see them). Read a lot of the threads here - you can see everything from budget gems to high end stones and see what was considered on each stone bought or rejected, discussions on treatment, cutting, colour as well as setting and design. Research stones that look interesting to you. There is a lot of good information on the web. Getting into coloured stones without information is usually a recipe for buying over priced, mediocre stones, at least until you get the information you need.
You also need to think about what do you want to collect. Are you after just pretty gems? Stones to set? Or perhaps a more cientific collection, focusing on one family of stone or one colour or, prehaps, phenomenal stones? What sort of budget do you plan on? Do you want to buy a few spectacular stones or many more inexpensive ones?
This will also help you to develop some parameters. What treatments will you consider acceptable (this is a huge topic by itself, as each type of stone has different possibilities and acceptability)? Are you looking for precision cut stones or are good native cuts fine by you? Do you have a minimum size you want?
Well, I have raised a lot of questions and concerns. Since I don't want to scare you away (we are great people - really!), here are some interesting links to get you started. Remember, in the end, what is important is what you find beautiful that matters most. Ask lots of questions. Be an informed collector. And have fun!
This list is by no means exhaustive, nor is it sorted, ordered or selected in any other way than what came to my mind at 2am when I have insomnia. In other words, I am sure I missed a lot of great sites and will kick myself later.
Precision cutters - these cutters use a lot of mathematics, physics and excellent cutting skills to optimise the cut of a stone.
- http://www.precisiongem.com
- http://www.acstones,com
- http://www.finewatergems.com
- http://www.customgemstones.com
Concave, carved and other unusual techniques
- http://www.concavecutgems.com
- http://www.osirisgems.com
Top of the line
- http://www.rwwise.com
- http://www.whitesgems.com
- http://www.swalagemtraders.com
Other dealers
- http://www.thegemtrader.com for unusual stones (as in, 98% of people have never heard of them!) and informative descriptions
- http://www.multicolour.com
- http://www.litnon.com
Gemology
Barbara Smigel's course (cientific approach!): http://www.bwsmigel.info/
I would with educating myself, before making any purchase (I didn't, which is why there are some stones locked away where no one can see them). Read a lot of the threads here - you can see everything from budget gems to high end stones and see what was considered on each stone bought or rejected, discussions on treatment, cutting, colour as well as setting and design. Research stones that look interesting to you. There is a lot of good information on the web. Getting into coloured stones without information is usually a recipe for buying over priced, mediocre stones, at least until you get the information you need.
You also need to think about what do you want to collect. Are you after just pretty gems? Stones to set? Or perhaps a more cientific collection, focusing on one family of stone or one colour or, prehaps, phenomenal stones? What sort of budget do you plan on? Do you want to buy a few spectacular stones or many more inexpensive ones?
This will also help you to develop some parameters. What treatments will you consider acceptable (this is a huge topic by itself, as each type of stone has different possibilities and acceptability)? Are you looking for precision cut stones or are good native cuts fine by you? Do you have a minimum size you want?
Well, I have raised a lot of questions and concerns. Since I don't want to scare you away (we are great people - really!), here are some interesting links to get you started. Remember, in the end, what is important is what you find beautiful that matters most. Ask lots of questions. Be an informed collector. And have fun!
This list is by no means exhaustive, nor is it sorted, ordered or selected in any other way than what came to my mind at 2am when I have insomnia. In other words, I am sure I missed a lot of great sites and will kick myself later.
Precision cutters - these cutters use a lot of mathematics, physics and excellent cutting skills to optimise the cut of a stone.
- http://www.precisiongem.com
- http://www.acstones,com
- http://www.finewatergems.com
- http://www.customgemstones.com
Concave, carved and other unusual techniques
- http://www.concavecutgems.com
- http://www.osirisgems.com
Top of the line
- http://www.rwwise.com
- http://www.whitesgems.com
- http://www.swalagemtraders.com
Other dealers
- http://www.thegemtrader.com for unusual stones (as in, 98% of people have never heard of them!) and informative descriptions
- http://www.multicolour.com
- http://www.litnon.com
Gemology
Barbara Smigel's course (cientific approach!): http://www.bwsmigel.info/
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2004
- Messages
- 38,363
Definitely avoid the TV gemshows and even eBay (unless you already know what you are doing). I know it might sound unexciting but please read up on gemstones in general first (how to judge colour, cutting, clarity, durability, care, treatment, general cost, etc), then delve down into the one you like most. Just as one doesn't just purchase a car before learning to drive, gems are the same way. Take your time and enjoy the process to avoid wasting your money on something that you eventually decide it isn't for you a year later.
Largosmom
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2009
- Messages
- 1,010
Just hanging out here has been very educational...I have read for hours and then researched online when things interested me.
First thing to do is get yourself a 10X triplet loupe magnifier for looking at gemstones. I bought one at my local jeweler and now have two. Second thing is a set of jewelry tweezers and/or a stone holder which has wire prongs to hold the gem for viewing. It's great fun looking into the stones to see what is in there, zones and swaths of colors, bubbles, little bits of other crystals, cracks called "feathers", and on and on. You can enjoy what you get more if you look at it closely. I wish I had purchased tweezers with a groove in the tip to hold the edge (girdle) of the stone...I tend to grip them too tightly and ping them out of the tweezers which scares the heck out of me. Mine have a sliding "lock". Go into a nice local mom and pop store and ask them to show you how to use a loupe and tweezer if they have time (go on a slow time), and you'll know right away if they are eager to help you learn. I've been lucky to have two stores near me that were eager to show me their stones.
I recommend picking a stone that interests you and is inexpensive to start with. If you like purples, then amethyst is very reasonable and fun to research. It has different colors from different regions of the world. It can be cut into many shapes and sizes.
I ended up starting with mostly spinel..it's a very good stone for setting and comes in a wide range of colors that are similar to sapphires but less costly. It's not a cheap stone, but it is reasonably priced and likely to go up based on comments I have read here, so might be a good one to start collecting.
Don't plan to collect to make money...that won't happen so collect for what makes you happy. Some people like gemstones for their beauty, some like to set them in jewelry (me), others tend to collect specific types of stones.
Two books I can recommend both of which were available at a local Barnes and Noble (you can check online or order and pick up in their store...probably the same with Borders), and Amazon of course is a good source.
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann
Smithsonian Rock and Gem
Both I have found interesting.
I am currently obsessed with sphene, amethyst, and somewhat with zircon and garnets.
Sorry if I ramble, but I was there myself a few months ago.
First thing to do is get yourself a 10X triplet loupe magnifier for looking at gemstones. I bought one at my local jeweler and now have two. Second thing is a set of jewelry tweezers and/or a stone holder which has wire prongs to hold the gem for viewing. It's great fun looking into the stones to see what is in there, zones and swaths of colors, bubbles, little bits of other crystals, cracks called "feathers", and on and on. You can enjoy what you get more if you look at it closely. I wish I had purchased tweezers with a groove in the tip to hold the edge (girdle) of the stone...I tend to grip them too tightly and ping them out of the tweezers which scares the heck out of me. Mine have a sliding "lock". Go into a nice local mom and pop store and ask them to show you how to use a loupe and tweezer if they have time (go on a slow time), and you'll know right away if they are eager to help you learn. I've been lucky to have two stores near me that were eager to show me their stones.
I recommend picking a stone that interests you and is inexpensive to start with. If you like purples, then amethyst is very reasonable and fun to research. It has different colors from different regions of the world. It can be cut into many shapes and sizes.
I ended up starting with mostly spinel..it's a very good stone for setting and comes in a wide range of colors that are similar to sapphires but less costly. It's not a cheap stone, but it is reasonably priced and likely to go up based on comments I have read here, so might be a good one to start collecting.
Don't plan to collect to make money...that won't happen so collect for what makes you happy. Some people like gemstones for their beauty, some like to set them in jewelry (me), others tend to collect specific types of stones.
Two books I can recommend both of which were available at a local Barnes and Noble (you can check online or order and pick up in their store...probably the same with Borders), and Amazon of course is a good source.
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann
Smithsonian Rock and Gem
Both I have found interesting.
I am currently obsessed with sphene, amethyst, and somewhat with zircon and garnets.
Sorry if I ramble, but I was there myself a few months ago.
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2009
- Messages
- 2,974
Ditto to Chrono. I have about 100 stones now in a sea shell on my counter I use as decoration. These are my learner stones I bought when I first started.
About 800$ later of learner stones and fakes, and learning what I was doing, I finally learned how to buy REAL stones. It takes lots of education not to get scammed. I call the gemstone industry the snake pit, because it is full of venomous vendors just waiting to prey on the uneducated.
Learn, learn and learn more!
About 800$ later of learner stones and fakes, and learning what I was doing, I finally learned how to buy REAL stones. It takes lots of education not to get scammed. I call the gemstone industry the snake pit, because it is full of venomous vendors just waiting to prey on the uneducated.
Learn, learn and learn more!
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 25,228
klewis
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2008
- Messages
- 871
I must have been lucky - I think I've only dealt with one dodgy vendor - my first
Hatsumomo- It's good that you've found Pricescope at the beginning of your collecting, there are plenty of people here who can offer good advice.
I recommend the book Secrets of the Gem Trade by R W Wise and also the buying guide at Palagems website is very worth visiting. One way to begin a collection might be to look at all the possible gems available in your favourite colour and then narrow that range down to the type that is going to suit your budget and then read as much as you can about that type.
Best of luck.
Hatsumomo- It's good that you've found Pricescope at the beginning of your collecting, there are plenty of people here who can offer good advice.
I recommend the book Secrets of the Gem Trade by R W Wise and also the buying guide at Palagems website is very worth visiting. One way to begin a collection might be to look at all the possible gems available in your favourite colour and then narrow that range down to the type that is going to suit your budget and then read as much as you can about that type.
Best of luck.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2009
- Messages
- 7,589
I do not know if Dana from mastercutgems has been mentioned here. Bob Kast (google him and you'll find his website) is worth while mentioning. The reason I am recommending them is because of their prices, which are low, so even if you buy a gem you do not like, it should be easier to return it back.
I made a mistake by starting my collection with the help of jewelers and buying the most expensive stones. They are quite nice because jewelers have a reputation. But sometimes you can get much better deals online. Actually, cheapos are a better way to train your eye for color and cut. I would not totally disregard ebay but please use toolhaus.org before you buy from a vendor not known to you. Many of ebay vendors have a 100% rating, but if you read through the Toolhaus, you may see certain patterns...
I would also say that there are many minerals sold on ebay, even rough, they may be quite cheap, and recently I found out that it is great learning material. Especially if you want to understand the role of inclusions and stone's "performance" in different lights. Many pictures on ebay are made using fluorescent light, so this is one more question to aks when you buy.
I made a mistake by starting my collection with the help of jewelers and buying the most expensive stones. They are quite nice because jewelers have a reputation. But sometimes you can get much better deals online. Actually, cheapos are a better way to train your eye for color and cut. I would not totally disregard ebay but please use toolhaus.org before you buy from a vendor not known to you. Many of ebay vendors have a 100% rating, but if you read through the Toolhaus, you may see certain patterns...
I would also say that there are many minerals sold on ebay, even rough, they may be quite cheap, and recently I found out that it is great learning material. Especially if you want to understand the role of inclusions and stone's "performance" in different lights. Many pictures on ebay are made using fluorescent light, so this is one more question to aks when you buy.
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2007
- Messages
- 429
Largosmom
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2009
- Messages
- 1,010
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