Buying rough gemstones, in the UK

Hi
I want to buy single rough uncut gemstones in the uk (to avoid steep postage and VAT handling fees).
-Can anyone recommend some good suppliers?
-In particular I want one, or a few, rough spinel with more or less pefect octahedral dimensions in the 1-3 carat/ 6-10 mm range, but I'm not too concerned about clarity/inclusions.
Something similar to this but a bit bigger would be nice:
http://prettyrock.com/php/facet-roug...-spinel.php%3F
Thanks for your help
Matt

Is this any use?

http://www.aewgems.co.uk/Price%20Lis...ce%20Lists.htm

Thanks Lucie- A.E Ward seems to be only cut stones- I'm after uncut stones.
Cheers Matt

One of rock and gem fairs would be a good bet - there are a few coming up: http://www.rockngem.co.uk/show-dates.html - their exhibitors list might also provide some good sources, though the current list seems very incomplete as it seems to include only people who've filled out their questionnaire.

these guys any use?

http://www.rockshopwholesale.com

Googling Lapidary Suppliers brought up a number of companies, including this:

http://www.ukge.com/en-GB/Lapidary/R...FUoOwwoddX0AUw And this:

http://www.manchesterminerals.co.uk/...eralRange.html

Changing the search to Uncut Gemstones brigs this:

http://nortonsafe.search.ask.com/web...t=sb&qsrc=2869

So I don't think you need do more than try other key words. Dennis.

Thanks for the links- I have tried the rock n gem fair but only found a few poor examples (I brought one, but it was really so included and cracked it would shatter if I tried to set it)- perhaps I should go back and engage more fully with the exhibitors so they look out for what I want!!
All the UK suppliers that I try from my web searches seem to only stock tumble rocks and the cheap readily available stones of the quartz variety- where they do stock the more valuable gem material it tends to be very low grade and a limited selection. The USA seems to be the only place that has type of stone I am looking for (but the postage + VAT + VAT handling fee would push the price up to more than 3 or 4 times the price of the actual stone!!)- pehaps I need to venture into the european websites with google translate to hand, as there might be historical links to the producing countries (eg French for Vietnamese spinel) such that they have more examples. I might also pose this question on a specialist faceting website.
Thanks for your help
Matt

looks like you need to make a trip to Tucson for the gem fair there, where you will get anything you need!!! I mean anything!

Try Genuine Gemstone company. I know steve sells good quality small rough which it sounds as if that is what you want, in precious and semi precious.
I know some members have bought finished stones from him.

http://www.gemrockauctions.com/ i use this site for my rough.And ready cut stones.

Thanks everyone

In the end I have bit the bullet and brought the stone I wanted from the states- I then brought a few more pieces to make the charges worthwhile (fool that I am, but excited too!- a set of 4 lovely raw emeralds).

I have wondered about gemrock auctions- I assume duty is still paid when they come in to the UK? I always resent the £10 the courier charges to handle the duty- they look like a great site.

I've used the Genuine Gemstone company- or at least the "gem collector" site and found them to be good, didn't realise they do rough too. I have also had good results for finished stones from gem select in Thailand.

I'd love to go to Tucson, but I get told off enough for just a few tools or a stone- I'd be in the bad books for months if I went to Tuscon!!! :)

Cheers Matt

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Originally Posted by MMM Jewellery

Thanks everyone

In the end I have bit the bullet and brought the stone I wanted from the states- I then brought a few more pieces to make the charges worthwhile (fool that I am, but excited too!- a set of 4 lovely raw emeralds).

I have wondered about gemrock auctions- I assume duty is still paid when they come in to the UK? I always resent the £10 the courier charges to handle the duty- they look like a great site.

I've used the Genuine Gemstone company- or at least the "gem collector" site and found them to be good, didn't realise they do rough too. I have also had good results for finished stones from gem select in Thailand.

I'd love to go to Tucson, but I get told off enough for just a few tools or a stone- I'd be in the bad books for months if I went to Tuscon!!! :)

Cheers Matt

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those stones on that site are… well… pretty!

I bought some stuff from gem rock and didn't have to pay any import. Lucky maybe.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by midascraft89

We are manufacturers and exporter of all kind of Handicrafts, fashion beaded jewelry, loose beads,crystal Bracelet, silver bracelet, Gold Bracelet, scarves, shawls, jewelry box, home furnishing and fashion accessories supplies from India and China.

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Oh. Good for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by midascraft89

We have an extensive experience of more than 10 years. We strictly follow and respect TAT

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So…to summarise….would you say you have an extensive range of…er... tat?

I follow and respect The Jedi.

To their credit, there was no attempting to pretend they were anything else...

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Originally Posted by ps_bond

To their credit, there was no attempting to pretend they were anything else...

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.....that gives them credit Peter??......tut, tut (I take your point, but still shaking my head....[-X)

This thread is sooo last year dear.

you could always ask on this facebook group for rough or cut stones all uk based
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1654557401500400/

I have three trays of polished Opel's to unload. Interested?

lightingridge

Photo's, prices, quality, carats ??