Question for those in the trade re: rough

[yennyfire]

I was browsing on eBay and saw quite a few listings for rough, accompanied by photos. How do you evaluate rough (i.e. how do you tell what quality/color stones each piece/parcel of rough will produce)? Can you do it from photos alone? If not, what value is there to selling rough on eBay? Would any consumers purchase it and for what purpose?

Thanks for answering my inane question...it just really struck me as odd that rough was being sold on eBay....

 

[denverappraiser]

Evaluating rough is a whole artform in itself. People buy rough diamonds either as a mineral specimen or to set as a rough diamond into something where the design calls for it. I have YET to see a reasonably cutable piece of rough being sold on ebay but that doesn't mean that no one will want it, nor does it mean that it never happens.

 

[yennyfire]

Thanks Denverappraiser. I guess the real question is how do you evaluate rough? Can you tell from looking at a photo if the rough will yield good color/clarity stones? Surely it's not luck of the draw? I have no intention of purchasing this from eBay, but was really curious. If it's listed, I'd guess SOMEONE is buying???

 

[should i be here]

There is so much rough uncut diamond jewelry on places like Etsy - I always assumed those craftspeople are the ones who bought rough off eBay, etc.

 

[denverappraiser]

Thanks Denverappraiser. I guess the real question is how do you evaluate rough? Can you tell from looking at a photo if the rough will yield good color/clarity stones? Surely it's not luck of the draw? I have no intention of purchasing this from eBay, but was really curious. If it's listed, I'd guess SOMEONE is buying???

In a word, no.

Nor can you evaluate cut stones that way.

People buy all manner of odd things on ebay and this isn't even among the most strange in my opinion. How about a cheese sandwich with the face of Jesus?

 

[nflor001]

I've been wanting to buy one and start grinding away in my garage and see what I can get.

 

[yennyfire]

Really?? You saw a listing for a cheese sandwich with the face of Jesus??? That's crazy (IMO)....thanks for the explanation da...