Help for a Noob...

[Nutkin-Nuva]

Hi all!
I'd like to start collecting coloured gemstones for fun and figured this was the place to start. I read the guide for noobs that's recommended all over the site and It was great! However, I'm not sure where to buy my first gemstone from... I'm looking at gemselect, Africa gems and ats gems. All have mixed reviews and prices. I figured I'd start small and get some smokey quartz because I love this gem and it doesn't cost too much. Only gemselect has a good selection of this unheated but the reviews for this site are shall we say... mixed. Ats appear to have the same things as africa gems but at wayy wayyyyy lower prices. Anyone know why this is?
Anywho, I'm really just lookiong for some advice and comments based on my thoughts here... thanks to all!!!!

 

[minousbijoux]

Good stone to start with! You may not know the answer to this, but do you know yet whether precision cutting is important to you? I ask because there are some sites that have a big selection of stones (and likely smokey quartz) but they not be anything special cut-wise.

Wow, just checked out multicolour.com as I was going to send you there, but am surprised that they don't seem to carry smokey quartz at all Hmm, will have to think on this a bit...

 

[Nutkin-Nuva]

Thanks so much for your reply!
I would like the cuts to be pretty spectacular! This all started you see when I went the natural history museum in London and viewed all of their museum quality cut stones. I've collected minerals and fossils my whole life and thought I'd love to venture into this. I'm essentially looking for the best of the best. With some stones that would cost the earth but I hoped with more common stones such as smokey quartz, getting the best of the best wouldn't be as much of an issue. I'm not cheap by any means but I'd like to start at the bottom in terms of how common the stone is and get more expensive ones as I learn more. I don't know which stones would be along the same price range as smokey quartz but I'm open to suggestions... I just have a love for that one stone especially.

Any help would be great, thanks

 

[lovedogs]

Hi there!

I'd recommend looking at Jeff Davies' "clearance" section. He has very reasonably priced stones with great cuts

http://jefferydavies.com/categories/clearance/

I particularly love his lavender quartz and amethyst options I know it's not smokey quartz, but just wanted to show you these as affordable ways to get your "feet wet". Also, he has a page on eBay (http://www.ebay.com/sch/jeffdvs101/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&rt=nc) although it's less active now I think because he's putting more time into his site. But his eBay page has some really great auctions and you can often get amazing pieces at great prices. Also he's a very nice guy and trusted here.

 

[Nutkin-Nuva]

Thanks for your reply mate!
I've had a look at his stuff...
It's beautiful!!!
I'm also glad that it isn't all heat treated.
I may just buy my first piece from him, some amethysts caught my eye...
We'll see if anyone else chimes in for smokey quartz but I'll definitely get some bits and bobs from him.
Really appreciate the recommendation mate

 

[lovedogs]

bah! Can't believe I didn't recommend Doug Menaude--must not have been thinking clearly yesterday

He's amazing and does custom cut stones all the time at very reasonable prices. Here are the few he has available on his website: http://www.bespoke-gems.com/SacredGeometrics_Gemstones_SmokeyQuartz.php#image_c32

Keep in mind prices are in AUS, and right now the USD is relatively powerful, so it will be cheaper than posted if you are in the US. Also you can ask him what he has available in terms of rough (looks like he has some http://www.bespoke-gems.com/SacredGeometrics_Gemstones_QuickList_Available_Rough.php#SmokeyQuartz). I'd check with him about sizes/cuts/ etc and see about pricing--you'd be surprised at how relatively inexpensive his stuff is given that it's all cut by him, and he's a true master

Also it helps that he's INCREDIBLY nice! If you search him on this forum you'll find tons of positive feedback. Hope this helps!

 

[Nutkin-Nuva]

Cheers mate!

 

[dk168]

If precision cut is desired, then have a look at Bespoke Gems as it has a few cut stones listed:

http://bespoke-gems.com/SacredGeometrics_Gemstones_SmokeyQuartz.php

Doug also has roughs in different sizes and colour available:

http://bespoke-gems.com/SacredGeometrics_Gemstones_Rough_SmokeyQuartz.php

It is worth contacting him to see what he can do for you.

He is great to deal with, highly recommended.

I am also a big fan of Jeff Davies, especially his eBay auctions, however, I do not recall seeing many smokey quartz being listed. It is worth contacting him to enquire. Again, he is great to work with.

DK

 

[vinastudio]

Doug is showing the cutting progress of a nice smoky on fb right now. maybe you want to have a look ...
www.facebook.com/doug.menadue?fref=nf