My first post

[philongold]

Hi everyone,

My name is Phil, I have just turned 60 years old but feel like a 30 year old!

I have been a jewellery designer and maker for over 38 years. I have spent all that time working for myself. I started in a converted bedroom and ended up having my own High Street shop.

In the early days, I specialised in mostly commission work and have done some amazing pieces for quite famous people including royalty as well as for the ordinary man in the street. However, after I had my shop, I had to produce several ranges of jewellery which I designed and made myself, as commission work alone wouldn't keep me in the manner to which I had become accustomed lol!

This was back in the days when Margaret Thatcher thought she ruled the world and in her wisdom put the VAT on luxury goods (including jewellery) up to 25%. This just about killed the jewellery trade for a while.

I gave up making jewellery as a business for a while but always made the odd commission piece and a few other items mainly as a hobby. I sort of retired a few years ago due to ill health but have decided recently to bring my tools and Sievert torch out of mothballs.

I moved to France over 10 years ago so no longer have access to what used to be Johnson Matthey Metals but which is now Cooksongold and the Hockley area of Birmingham or Hatton Garden. I have lost all my contacts for stones etc and therefore would like your help.

Can anybody recommend some good well priced stone dealers? Dealers in ordinary cabs of good quality, maybe something a little different, and dealers in mid ranged precious stones. I particularly like cab tourmalines if anybody knows people who deal in these kinds of stones.

Also, I have a small Elmar Ultrasonic which I bought from Suttons a long time ago. What sort of liquids should I use for general ring cleaning after it has been on the polishing buff? I have just bought some Sea Clean 2 and wonder if this is any good in a warm water dilution.

Another question - back in the day, I never bothered much about trying to stop firescale and just used to spend ages with a buffing stick removing it. But I understand that there are things that you can paint on or dip items into to stop firescale or at least cut it down to a minimum. I was recommended some Argo-tect to use in combination with meths. Is this any good or can anybody recommend anything better and not so toxic.

I think that's probably enough of my ramblings for now. I await your replies.

Phil (philongold) :welcome:

[Patstone]

Hello Phil, i buy most of my day-to-day stones from Kernowcraft in Cornwall, but another girl that sources some magnificent stones is Joopy Gems based in Hong Kong. Pat

[Goldsmith]

Hi Phil,
Check out; http://www.manchesterminerals.co.uk/ they took over Hilton Bros. lapidary and stock some nice stones.

I use ammonia based ultrasonic cleaner fluid, but on occasions when I run out I have used dishwasher fluid and hot water quite successfully.

I look forward to seeing some photos of the amazing pieces that you have made.

James

[enigma]

Hi Phil,

Im also in France :welcome:

I buy everything from the UK though, its cheaper even with postage and the service is better than the French websites Ive found so far.
http://www.wardgemstones.com/ is another good stone supplier.

Would love to see photos of your past work!

[BarryM]

I think you will find it was Dennis Healey who introduced 25% vat rate on luxury goods, the highest rate under Maggie Thatcher was 17.5% after the 25% "higher rate" was abolished by the Chancellor Geoffrey Howe.

Welcome by the way, I can recommend Kernowcraft for semi precious cabs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[philongold]

Many many thanks to all of you that have replied so far. Keep your responses coming - the more the merrier.

I will check out all that you guys have recommended.

Barry M - you are right, but the problem remained the same!

Phil

[CJ57]

Hi Phil
Hope you find a 30 year old :)

I tend to use Marcia Lanyon for stones. If they don't have it on your website then they are really helpful and may have them in stock anyway.

I've always just polished out my firestain which is probably why I still like tripoli and rouge

[caroleallen]

Hi Phil and welcome from me. Good to have some more experience on here.

I like Kernowcraft too and of course, they're just down the road from me so I can pop in. There aren't many places I can pop into down in the depths of Cornwall!

Some people use Magic Boric for fireplace but although I've got it, I can't really be bothered and like you, I buff it out. I have a fabulous tool called a Jooltool which does it brilliantly.

[Petal]

A warm welcome from me too, 'in the middle'. I'm lucky in that I can pop into the JQ for things. Marcia Lanyon is good for stones, as is The Curious Gem.

I'd be interested to hear what it is like living in France and looking forward to seeing some pics of your work when you get time.

[Sammyjean]

Hi Phil!!
I also use Manchester Minerals and its back in my home town of Stockport. As a beginner its very inspiring to hear your bedroom to shop story! Just a welcome and hello from me!!
Sam

[Aurarius]

Hi Phil,
Check out; http://www.manchesterminerals.co.uk/ they took over Hilton Bros. lapidary and stock some nice stones.


Manchester Minerals are still owned and run by the Hilton family.


Hi Phil!!
I also use Manchester Minerals and its back in my home town of Stockport.
They moved from Stockport last year.

[Moon Willow]

Hi Phil

Welcome to the forum,

I'll leave the stones to the experts,

"The ultrasonic" I find that fairy liquid in hot water (in my ultrasonic) works just as well as some of the industrial strength mixes
I usually scrub the piece with a toothbrush at regular intervals because there's always some compound that won't let go.

I love polishing, I buff my work smooth and if I see fire stain ill use a stiff polishing mop and hit it hard dipping the piece in water
to cool it at regular intervals, I only ever use one polishing compound (works for me) Dialux Bleu.

Carlton

[pearlescence]

Try Gemporia. Steve Bennett knows his stones and has some more unusual ones ..or, if you (or anyone else knows what they want) I'm off to the Hong Kong show again at the end of next month (prob the biggest three shows in the world) and no problems with an excuse for going to the gemstone halls

[Dennis]

Hi Phil,

As firescale is an oxide of copper, it can be prevented or much reduced, by painting on or dipping in flux, preferably slightly warming the metal first. If you are worried about toxicity, then there is nothing cheaper than a saturated solution of boric acid crystals in meths.
However the container must be kept safely away from flames.

That said, as with other members above, I can't be bothered except prior to annealing sheet metal. Firescale can be removed quite efficiently with green Scotchbrite wheels used dry, but hardly shows in any case if you opt for a satin finish or a busy texture.

My composite picture shows the Scotchbrite wheels for flex shaft and lathe. The green ones are the coarser.

I'd love a try at the Jooltool, mentioned by Carole, but don't really have the volume of work to justify it.

Welcome to the Forum, Dennis.

[emsterv]

Welcome to the forum, Phil. I'll just jump in to second Joopy Gems as a stone supplier.

Also, shes got a 15% coupon listed somewhere on her site (can't remember where) for first time shoppers as well if you want to have a test run. She does carry tourmaline cabs.

[art925]

If I use anything it will be Argotect. To make it safer, mix with water and a little washing up liquid in place of meths. Welcome, what part of France are you located? Les.

[philongold]

Hi Phil
Hope you find a 30 year old :)

I tend to use Marcia Lanyon for stones. If they don't have it on your website then they are really helpful and may have them in stock anyway.

I've always just polished out my firestain which is probably why I still like tripoli and rouge

--------------------

Thanks for the info. I have dealt with Marcia Lanyon befroe.

I have looked at you website - I quite like some of the stuff by Caroline John.

Cheers.
Phil

[philongold]

Hi Dennis,

Many thanks for your in-depth reply to my posting.

Great info and I will check it all out.

Phil

[philongold]

Hi Emily,

Many thanks for the info. I have just looked on the Joopy Gems site and everything is in US Dollars. Do they have a conversion chart from USD of GBP? - is it safe ordering from them and how long do things tend to take from Hong Kong?.

I have bought from China before without any problems, but Hong Kong yet.

Cheers
Phil philongold@gmail.com

[philongold]

Hi Les,

Thanks for the info re Argotect.

I live in Central Brittany, just outside Pontivy, but I am British. Do you know this part of France?

Phil

[philongold]

Hi,
I have tried looking for Gemporia on Google, but come up with TV shopping.

Can you give me any more info - like a website link please.

Phil (philongold@gmail.com)

[philongold]

Hello Carlton,

Thanks for your reply. What do you mean - 'I leave the stones to the experts'?

Don't you use stones in your jewellery?

Great tip re Ultrasonics - your brew sounds just the job - cheap and if it works - wonderful. I will try it. Having said that, I used some stuff I bought from CooksonGold called Sea Clean 2
(or something like that) yesterday to clean a ring I had just made. I didn't give it a scrub with a brush as I would normally do, I just put it into the ultrasonic bath as it came off the buff - all covered in rouge, just to see how this new Sea Clean would work. It did a FANTASTIC job, all sparkly and clean - Just how I like it!

By the way - you should only use Pure Hair Bristle brushes to brush jewellery - and old badge hair shaving brush is the best - or a proper cleaning brush from Suttons Tools B'ham or somewhere of that ilk.

What sort of jewellery do you make? I hope to post some of my older pieces as well as my new stuff soon - If I can work out how to post images on this forum.

All the very best
Phil (philongold@gmail.com)

[emsterv]

Phil, just took a peek and if you scroll down to the bottom and look at the bottom left of the page, you can change the currency to GBP :)

So far I have had no problems ordering from her and things usually take .. hmm .. around 7-10 days to arrive. I assume you can also pay for rush delivery, but I always take the cheapest shipping route possible ;) which for me is usually around $6 (Canadian) which isn't bad at all.

[Patstone]

I live in Devon, England and Joopy takes about the same time to get to me, around 7 - 10 days. Never been disappointed with her stones. If its something she doesnt have in stock she will source it for you.

[Moon Willow]

Hi Phil
Stones are used in probably 2% of the Jewellery I manufacture and then is sent across the road to the setter while I carry on churning out the next order.

When I'm working for myself I make the odd piece of jewellery with stones, so I'm no expert, if I want the odd stone I'll walk out into the JQ Brum and go to LA Overseas or Julie's.

I use a toothbrush in my ultrasonic because my shaving brush is way too soft, when the compound is removed I give my work a dry polish and put it back into the ultrasonic for one more blast.... Job done

Carlton

[CJ57]

I've always used toothbrushes too :)

[trialuser]

..... If you are worried about toxicity, then there is nothing cheaper than a saturated solution of boric acid crystals in meths.....


Boric acid is on the REACH regs svhc list (substances of very high concern).
Might not be a good idea to eat it if you are thinking of reproducing.
Probably safe for me and you then Dennis :-)

[FineJewelleryandArt]

If you eat boric acid you get what you deserve and the same goes for drinking the meths.

[LydiaNiz]

Hello!
All been said but my favourites are Wards and Kernowcraft are good in that you can ask for specifics when ordering online, Manchester Minerals are cheap, but the variation in stone quality is amazing - it's pot luck really. I've ordered a 5mm cabochon emerald from them on different dates at the same cost - one was 4mm, but amazingly beautiful, clear and perfect emerald green. The other was irregularly shaped, almost entirely opaque with a huge muddy inclusion. I ordered ten carnelians recently as I only needed two - the variation in stone depth, clarity and colour was immense. There were luckily two about the same! I find their faceted stones more reliable, but their opals are always good. The gemporia one is gemcollector.com

[philongold]

Are you the lady I see on Cookson's YouTube videos? I also have my own YouTube channel at philonthefly - nothing to do with jewellery making.

Thanks thanks for your in-depth reply.

It must be a bit of a pain if you don't get consistency from Man Mins. I think I would rather pay a little more per stone and know what I was getting.

I looked at Kernowcraft and thought it was a place where one might buy 'tumble polished' stone or where holiday makers and these people that 'glue' stones onto pre-formed ring blanks would go. Maybe I have done them a injustice and better look again.

Since I posted my original item, I have been put onto Designer Cabochons in Hatton Garden and a guy called Roderick Booth, who I understand does some amazing stuff. Have you dealt with them at all.

I have another question - how did you get to do videos for Cooksons? As I said, I make my own videos and publish them on my YouTube Channel (I am also linked to a couple of other very well know websites). I have though about making some videos on jewellery making and designing. I have over 38 years experience and ran my own very successful jewellery design company in the Cotswolds for may years. Do you think there is a need and if so what type of videos are needed. I have seen lots of your videos so I know you have experience at this as well, that is why I am asking your opinion.

It would be great to hear back from you if you have the time.

Meanwhile, keep up the great work.

Phil (philongold@gmail.com)




Hello!
All been said but my favourites are Wards and Kernowcraft are good in that you can ask for specifics when ordering online, Manchester Minerals are cheap, but the variation in stone quality is amazing - it's pot luck really. I've ordered a 5mm cabochon emerald from them on different dates at the same cost - one was 4mm, but amazingly beautiful, clear and perfect emerald green. The other was irregularly shaped, almost entirely opaque with a huge muddy inclusion. I ordered ten carnelians recently as I only needed two - the variation in stone depth, clarity and colour was immense. There were luckily two about the same! I find their faceted stones more reliable, but their opals are always good. The gemporia one is gemcollector.com

[art925]

Hi Les,

Thanks for the info re Argotect.

I live in Central Brittany, just outside Pontivy, but I am British. Do you know this part of France?

Phil
No I once renovated an old barn to a 3 bedroom house down in Bergerac, I now live in the middle of nowhere in the Netherlands.

[LydiaNiz]

Hi Phil,
I have heard designer cabs. are fab, cannot for the life of me remember who had used them. Please let me know how you get on.
I had been nagging via email for review videos so had to put my money where my mouth was (in my case usually swiftly followed by my foot). I am just starting to do some basic editing now so I hope the future ones will be a bit better.
You can apply here: http://www.cooksongold.com/home/static.jsp?page=join-our-review-team

[philongold]

Good Morning Lydia

I was looking at Desiger Cabs this mornig and thought you might be interested in the attached - see this

7209

I hope this worked - I have never done this before on this site.

Have a great day.

Phil

[CJ57]

I've dealt with designer cabachons once and also met them at a show. They have a fb page and a website. They are as their description and their stones are mostly big u usual statement ones but they will also cut to order.

[Tabby66]

Welcome Phil, hope you enjoy the forum!!

I've had stones from Designer Cabochons, good service, good quality stones, as Caroline says, they tend to be larger stones, and you do pay for the quality, descriptions and images are very accurate.

I also buy from AE Ward, Marcia Lanyon, Marcus Macallam, You can often get a few unusual pieces from Cabochon who are based in the states.....

Tabby

[philongold]

Thanks Tabby - I will check out the ones you suggest - at least the ones I don't know of.

Cheers
Phil



Welcome Phil, hope you enjoy the forum!!

I've had stones from Designer Cabochons, good service, good quality stones, as Caroline says, they tend to be larger stones, and you do pay for the quality, descriptions and images are very accurate.

I also buy from AE Ward, Marcia Lanyon, Marcus Macallam, You can often get a few unusual pieces from Cabochon who are based in the states.....

Tabby

[Stacey]

Curious Gems has a good but small selection of cabachon

[philongold]

Thanks Stacey

Do you have a website address for Curious Gems please?

I have found someone in Edinburgh called The Curious Gem but I don't think that is who you mean.

Thanks in anticipation
Phil

[Dennis]

Thanks StaceyDo you have a website address for Curious Gems please?Phil

I looked them up too and they have quite a good loose gemstone section, on the left under 'cut gemstones'. Dennis.

http://www.thecuriousgem.co.uk/

[philongold]

Thanks - I will have a good look.

I you ever tried Designer Cabochons? I bought nine stones from them - every one is amazing and well worth the money.

Cheers
Phil