Online vendor for loose colour stones

[cnkav]

Hello,
Would you please recommend reputable online vendor(s) for loose gem stone (aquamarine, peridot, or blue topaz)? Thank you.

 

[Harriet]

Some posters have bought from, and have been happy with:
www.multicolour.com
www.ajsgems.com

I buy from, and am happy with:
www.artcutgems.com (Richard M. is knowledgeable, generous with his expertise, and more than fair)
www.paraibainternational.com

 

[Icy Melona]

Are online vendors generally cheaper than buying stones loose from retail?

 

[Harriet]

It''s hard to say -- I don''t know any brick and mortar loose stone retailers. Maybe someone who does will chime in.

 

[FrekeChild]

I love ACS It's more expensive than the others, but described perfectly and higher quality of cutting. ACS has free shipping also.

I know some B&M loose gemstone stores, and prices seem comparable-only with ordering from some sites on the internet you have to pay for shipping, so that kind of sucks. And it's nice to see stuff in person before you purchase it. Of course my gemstone shop is in a semi-scary part of town in a low rent kind of area, but they have some pretty nice stuff.

I bought two stones combined cost of about $25 from Gemselect, but after shipping and taxes it cost me $38. Granted, it was coming from Thailand, but still....

 

[Pandora II]

I buy from Richard M at www.artcutgems.com

He is great with advice and taking a lot of trouble over finding the ''right'' stone for your needs.

I also buy from Wink Jones - www.winkjones.com

He has great sources for coloured stones - my tsavorite came from him and I have some sphene coming via him that Richard Homer found me at Tucson.

I love Palagems - www.palagems.com, but they are trade only (Wink sources from them).

Multicolour has lots of interesting pieces, but you have to look hard to find the good ones.

I don''t know that online is necessarily cheaper, but I prefer it because I have a bigger choice and more chance of finding what I like. However, I am VERY picky and 99% of the time put a lot of research and thought into every purchase. I''m not really interested in stones just because they might look pretty in a pendant etc. I will wait for one of the best of it''s type normally.

I also enjoy the hunt!

 

[chrono]

Don''t forget Gary Dutton at www.diamondexpert.com

I prefer online for the selection plus, they do tend to be a little cheaper than B&M stores.

 

[pamplemousse]

And of course, here I am to toss in the plug for Wildfish. I''m not a collector (I have one whole stone.. whee!) but Ed was a pleasure to work with and we thought their selection was great.

 

[LostSapphire]

Date: 7/1/2008 8:32:35 PM
Author: pamplemousse
And of course, here I am to toss in the plug for Wildfish. I''m not a collector (I have one whole stone.. whee!) but Ed was a pleasure to work with and we thought their selection was great.

And inquiring minds are still patiently waiting for a pic!!

Didja get your camera yet?