Gemstone suppliers for cabs

[Faith]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any good recommendations for gemstone suppliers for cabochons?

I live within reach of the jewellery quarter in brum, so have scoured those in the phone book there, largely ive found little in the way of precious / semi-precious cabs except for at Wards - and while a magical wonderland - I'm not looking at the way expensive end of the spectrum. I want nice stones, but say sub £25 each, lest I demolish them during setting.

Usually I use cooksons or Manchester minerals, but for example, you can't buy a decent sized topaz or aquamarine cab from either. Etsy have them, but I feel like I wanna know where the etsy folks get them from....

Online is good to as I work and while taking a day off to go see stone merchants that only open mon-fri is delicious, it's not always possible.

Many thanks

Faith :)

[Dennis]

Well try Kernowcraft Faith: http://www.kernowcraft.com/

They have a kind of rock and gem shop in Cornwall and stock tools, findings and beads as well. Dennis.

[Faith]

Oooooo, for a moment I was dissapointed, thinking I've already been there, but I meant this Wards http://www.wardsmandjgems.co.uk the one you linked too looks rather amazing!

I'm insane jealously that you can actually go there :) What did we choose to live in the silly countryside for?!

Thanks Dennis, that's a fab tip :)

Faith

[Faith]

No! Don't edit out A E Ward! So glad I looked at my phone :) the A E Ward web shop may now be my very favourite thing!

Thanks for Kernowcraft too tho :)

Faith

[Maree Hart]

Have you tried www.wardgemstones.com? I don't think they are connected to the site you mention above.

They have a vast range. I haven't used them yet, though will as soon as I can afford to. I registered an account with them and it seems that there is an automatic 50% discount on their prices when you actually order.

[Maree Hart]

Now I look silly - the site I linked to is A E Ward!

[Faith]

Hi Maree,

No it's okay :) I think we've all been crossing messages on this thread! Thanks for the second recommendation of A E Ward - it is different to the other "Wards M & J Gems" that I'd looked at before - and certainly for the tip about the discount, that makes it even more appealing :)

Faith

[Dennis]

No! Don't edit out A E Ward! So glad I looked at my phone :) the A E Ward web shop may now be my very favourite thing!Thanks for Kernowcraft too tho :)Faith

Aren't we all going round in circles? Lucky you saw that before I had second thoughts and scrubbed it out. Gem stones have suddenly become much more expensive 'though, and you will note from my album that I am using more CZs and Spinel (that's glass to you) also from AE Ward. Dennis.

[enigma]

I use all the above but I must admit I like Etsy too and buy quite a bit through them.
For opals I buy direct from the opal auctions in Australia, I can spend hours on there ( I like opals lol)
https://www.opalauctions.com

[Faith]

Hi Sarah, I see what you mean - that website should have some kind of addiction warning, just look at the boulder opals.... great suggestion thanks.


Aren't we all going round in circles?.

Only a little bit :) - there are clearly too many "Ward" variants selling gemstones! But its okay, I've got some fab new places to look at, so thank you.

Faith

[diamonddan121]

This is the second of third time I've seen people mention/recommend AEWard. I've not heard of them - anyone mind describing what their deal is, the link above isn't working for me for some reason. Will check them out again after work.

[Dennis]

AE Ward is a Long established family firm now situated in Hatton garden. http://www.aewgems.co.uk/. Dennis.

[Faith]

Hello,
Has anyone used this website perchance for stones: http://www.thecuriousgem.co.uk/ ? They look nice and reputable in their team photo, and carry a few sizes of cabs I couldn't find anywhere else...
Faith

[mizgeorge]

The Curious Gem are great - and often have some very pretty cabs, especially in some interesting semi-precious stones. I've been buying from Victoria for years, and have never been disappointed.

[Patstone]

Joopy Gems in Hong Kong is good too, I have had several stones from Julia, only problem is being so far away, you have to plan well in advance.

[Faith]

Thanks George,
Its great to have a recommendation - I've been really impressed with the range of sizes they carry for some of the more unusual stones.

Thanks Pat too - I'd seen Joopy come up in some of my searches as well, good to know about the lead time though - not that I often have deadlines, but I am remarkably impatient ;)

Faith

[Patstone]

It doesnt take that long, but even if she posted next day it would take a few days to get here, so have to allow a week or so.

[1711]

Faith depending what size you need jewellerymaker TV channel is good for inexpensive cabs.. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170117/21ef4535b8caebe2ac337ac61e3ac3a0.jpg

This labradorite was one of 24 I bought for under £20.

You do have to persevere and buy when in stock.. But they do restock regularly..

I also bought 3 beautifully marked malachite cabs for around £18 the smallest is 22mm x 18mm.. Quite a bargain compared to the tiny ones cooksons list on their site..

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

[J Allison]

I use all the above but I must admit I like Etsy too and buy quite a bit through them.
For opals I buy direct from the opal auctions in Australia, I can spend hours on there ( I like opals lol)
https://www.opalauctions.com

Hi Enigma there are a few suppliers of Opals in the UK , Who are probably a lot cheaper than opal auctions australia, I myself (John Allison Lapidary ) cut them but have not actually listed many yet , also Rich Dover( My Precious Gems) and Shannon Weiss ( 7 Forever Precious) , We all have Etsy Shops and Facebook groups each and are all members of a couple of Facebook lapidary / Smithing groups
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1654557401500400/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1413911112256201/

We also supply other stones too .

[enigma]

Thanks John, I will look them up :)