Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19

Thread: Buying rough gemstones, in the UK

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    67

    Default 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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    491

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    67

    Default

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

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    cotswolds
    Posts
    3,383

    Default

    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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    London
    Posts
    502

    Default

    these guys any use?

    http://www.rockshopwholesale.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Central London
    Posts
    8,841

    Default

    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    67

    Default

    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

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    London
    Posts
    502

    Default

    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!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    1,086

    Default

    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.
    Author: Pearls A Practical Guide
    www.pearlsapractical.guide
    www.Pearlescence.co.uk

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    yate,bristol
    Posts
    137

    Default

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

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •