crystals

[vanterminator]

i see a few crystals of large sizes being sold by ebay sellers and even websites like this one:
http://www.mineralminers.com/html/indxminf.htm

the odd thing that i noted is that they sell crystals and cut stones.
so is it right to assume that any crystal they are selling is something they couldnt cut themselves, i.e. when buying a crystal, should i assume that they are uncut-able? i mean if a crustal is like 80 carats, why sell it as a crystal and not as a stone of 40 carats or something?

 

[Michael_E]

Many crystals are more valuable as crystals than as cut stones even if they are facetable. Many crystals are just not facet material since they many have internal fractures or other inclusions which make the cab grade material. Some stones are cuttable and sold as such by a seller who is focused on selling stones and has probably never cut one. It's really hard to tell what the reasons may be for the stone not having been cut, but you can often let price be your guide. If the crystal looks good but is priced low with a description that skirts the question of cuttability, then it is most likely included in a way which would only garner small, clean stones or cabs. If the price is high, then it's either a great crystal specimen, a good cutter or the seller is asking too much...it's anybody's guess when buying on E-bay.

 

[Largosmom]

Some people are into the "powers" of healing or spirit that some stones may have and seem to prefer them in crystal form for that purpose. I love the polish, shine and glimmer...to each their own!

Laura

 

[Lee Little]

Hi Vanterminater,
That is a good question but one cannot assume that a crystal is uncuttable because they are selling it as a specimen rather than cutting it, however, often that is the case. Also many times I will sell a crystal as a specimen simply because I can turn a profit on it without putting any real work into it. Cutters often buy these and they can have fun cutting them as I am too busy to cut everything. Most cutters have stock of rough crystals piled up and often they will just get tired of looking at all the stuff they will never get around to cutting so they sell some of it.
Some pieces I keep stocked as they are a mixed emotion for me such as a ruby crystal from Burma that has several terminated crystal ends in a nice configuration so it is a beautiful specimen but it has one facet grade area that may yield a pretty 2 carat unheated Ruby. I was offered good money for the specimen by a collector but turned it down as I may want to cut that one someday. It doesn't eat anything so I will just keep it for now.
Some clean quartz crystals are facet grade but the labor to cut it is perhaps higher than the faceted stone is worth. Best regards, Lee

 

[vanterminator]

Thank you very much for all your replies. I bought a peridot crystal, its supposed to be around 60 carats, which obviously points that either a big stone cant be put and the little stones would take too much effort, or that its just useless.
i will take pictures and maybe post them to get a better opinion.
also, once i get it in my hand, I can gauge by looking at it in a loop....

any more opinions based on the extra information I provided...

 

[chrono]

There are several reasons why sometimes it is better to leave a crystal as it is. Sometimes, there is more value leaving it as is due to a special characteristic such as a naturally clean termination, has an interesting matrix or is in-situ or etc.

Are you planning to facet the peridot rough yourself?

 

[vanterminator]

Thanks chrono.

No, I am not planning to facet it myself. I have zero training; Im a novice in the true sense of the word in collecting and nonexistent ability in cutting. I just found something interesting and thought I would buy it and if it turned out good, I might get it cut, depending on the price.