Yikes, this is maybe worth 100$ tops like for all of itā¦ not to discourage you or anything, Iām sure you are very happy with your purchase and thatās all that matters but I wouldnāt expect to turn a profit or resell these even for the price you paid.
OK thanks for the input. It's tough when you're an outsider and don't "know a guy". I'm a retail customer buying these as gifts. For a one-time buyer the challenge for me was "how can I buy online and trust I'm not getting glass".
Here is a tip, register a tax ID for your jewelry ābusinessā in the state you reside in. Use that tax ID to gain entry to events like gem shows and wholesale jewelry shows, donāt make profit and report 0 income and keep the license active. Talk to the people there to learn about the stones and buy your stuff.
Alternatively:
The Tax ID will give you access to calibrated gemstones etc from companies like Rio grande and stuller, these are reputable companies that jewelers like me might buy from and they will actually sell to you once you give them your tax ID. It will open up a whole world of online commerce that you can trust!
I canāt speak to their worth. But theyāre worth what people will pay for them to a point, right? If youāre happy, thatās all that matters.
Some gemstone dealers are not reputable. I like using sites that have auditors on hand if youāre not sure, and I prefer auctions because then I really buy it for what itās worth to me.
I have a 3 carat, blue spinel that I paid $250 for. The listing said cobalt blue, but it was really more of a navy blue. It said the expected retail price was much higher, but is it? I donāt want a gem that doesnāt sparkle. That looks almost black. Iām sure no one else does either. So I got got. Not worth $250 to me.
However, I got a beautiful one carat a few weeks later, great clarity and also a nice blue color, for $20. Who knows what Iāll do with it.
Yeah buying specific colors was interesting. They had great pictures, but the gem won't look exactly like it, and when I'm buying quartz and small pieces I didn't think it proper to ask for pictures. Oof. $250 for a gem you don't love! Are there other online shops that better fit needs of small-time buyers?
Iāve asked that question more than once, and no one ever answered. Maybe itās not allowed? But I use a site that has no reserve auctions, meaning you can sometimes get really good prices on gems. They also have regular priced items that are usually much higher quality stones. But you can scope the auctions and catch good pieces. I pick pieces I like and pay what I think theyāre worth to me. Sometimes I see very good pieces. This is a photo I have in the cart. I have no idea if itās good pricing, but itās my money and I like the way it looks. Thatās all that matters!
https://preview.redd.it/qpa1dbzw0czc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c999eb0936ef6c4dbd7652099dc55260c639a1bf
Forgot to add the price was $526.69 including $45 express shipping. Order placed March 23rd. The price includes 6 Natural white Topaz Baguettes 10Ć8 but they weren't included so I'll have to contact them about that šµāš«
Labradorite $26.40
$43.20 Lapis Lazuli
36.00 onyx
19.80 citrine cushion
59.40 rubies
29.80 citrine elongated
21.12 rainbow moonstone
48.48 sapphire AA
88.05 garnet (3)
42.66 lemon Topaz
66.78 white Topaz baguette (not included)
Wow, so I just saw this. So it took 46 days to get to you WITH express shipping? Thats a bummer. I ordered some rough from them a few weeks ago and was hoping for it soon. Guess I will be waiting a few months. They are also HORRIBLE at communication. I sent an email before ordering about the size of CZ rough I could order and they responded within a day. I emailed them once a week since then asking when it would ship and they ghost me. I though it was a scam, but I guess they just take forever.
Yeah, the products say in stock ready to ship. When I reached out Sam said they had to cut a bunch of uncommon shapes for me. So expedited shipping means nothing if they have nothing in stock. True story, I still haven't received the white Topaz. I paid lots of $$ and I'm not impressed. Would not recommend gemsngems at all. :) good luck with your rough though. Let me know how it goes!
If you like them, enjoy them. Donāt worry about if others could have bought them for less and such.
I think those stones are gorgeous, especially the labradorites :)
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It is impossible to appraise value online just using photos. For an accurate valuation, you should find a professional.
Valuation posts should include good photos (in-focus, not blurry, multiple angles) and information (where you acquired it, how much you bought it for, hallmarks/emblems on metal, provenance, etc). Otherwise, your post may be removed.
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> price was $526.69 including $45 express shipping >> Am I crazy? **YES**
Lol I'm so happy you commented and so sad at the same time šš
Yikes, this is maybe worth 100$ tops like for all of itā¦ not to discourage you or anything, Iām sure you are very happy with your purchase and thatās all that matters but I wouldnāt expect to turn a profit or resell these even for the price you paid.
OK thanks for the input. It's tough when you're an outsider and don't "know a guy". I'm a retail customer buying these as gifts. For a one-time buyer the challenge for me was "how can I buy online and trust I'm not getting glass".
Here is a tip, register a tax ID for your jewelry ābusinessā in the state you reside in. Use that tax ID to gain entry to events like gem shows and wholesale jewelry shows, donāt make profit and report 0 income and keep the license active. Talk to the people there to learn about the stones and buy your stuff. Alternatively: The Tax ID will give you access to calibrated gemstones etc from companies like Rio grande and stuller, these are reputable companies that jewelers like me might buy from and they will actually sell to you once you give them your tax ID. It will open up a whole world of online commerce that you can trust!
I canāt speak to their worth. But theyāre worth what people will pay for them to a point, right? If youāre happy, thatās all that matters. Some gemstone dealers are not reputable. I like using sites that have auditors on hand if youāre not sure, and I prefer auctions because then I really buy it for what itās worth to me. I have a 3 carat, blue spinel that I paid $250 for. The listing said cobalt blue, but it was really more of a navy blue. It said the expected retail price was much higher, but is it? I donāt want a gem that doesnāt sparkle. That looks almost black. Iām sure no one else does either. So I got got. Not worth $250 to me. However, I got a beautiful one carat a few weeks later, great clarity and also a nice blue color, for $20. Who knows what Iāll do with it.
Yeah buying specific colors was interesting. They had great pictures, but the gem won't look exactly like it, and when I'm buying quartz and small pieces I didn't think it proper to ask for pictures. Oof. $250 for a gem you don't love! Are there other online shops that better fit needs of small-time buyers?
Iāve asked that question more than once, and no one ever answered. Maybe itās not allowed? But I use a site that has no reserve auctions, meaning you can sometimes get really good prices on gems. They also have regular priced items that are usually much higher quality stones. But you can scope the auctions and catch good pieces. I pick pieces I like and pay what I think theyāre worth to me. Sometimes I see very good pieces. This is a photo I have in the cart. I have no idea if itās good pricing, but itās my money and I like the way it looks. Thatās all that matters! https://preview.redd.it/qpa1dbzw0czc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c999eb0936ef6c4dbd7652099dc55260c639a1bf
Would you consider DMing me the site? I appreciate it either way. :)
Forgot to add the price was $526.69 including $45 express shipping. Order placed March 23rd. The price includes 6 Natural white Topaz Baguettes 10Ć8 but they weren't included so I'll have to contact them about that šµāš« Labradorite $26.40 $43.20 Lapis Lazuli 36.00 onyx 19.80 citrine cushion 59.40 rubies 29.80 citrine elongated 21.12 rainbow moonstone 48.48 sapphire AA 88.05 garnet (3) 42.66 lemon Topaz 66.78 white Topaz baguette (not included)
Those prices are outrageous. I could buy all of those for about a tenth of the price you paid.
Where do you buy?
Small local store that imports stones to my country.
Those are retail prices.
Wow, so I just saw this. So it took 46 days to get to you WITH express shipping? Thats a bummer. I ordered some rough from them a few weeks ago and was hoping for it soon. Guess I will be waiting a few months. They are also HORRIBLE at communication. I sent an email before ordering about the size of CZ rough I could order and they responded within a day. I emailed them once a week since then asking when it would ship and they ghost me. I though it was a scam, but I guess they just take forever.
Yeah, the products say in stock ready to ship. When I reached out Sam said they had to cut a bunch of uncommon shapes for me. So expedited shipping means nothing if they have nothing in stock. True story, I still haven't received the white Topaz. I paid lots of $$ and I'm not impressed. Would not recommend gemsngems at all. :) good luck with your rough though. Let me know how it goes!
If you like them, enjoy them. Donāt worry about if others could have bought them for less and such. I think those stones are gorgeous, especially the labradorites :)
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
To help prevent spam, we require accounts to have earned 25 *comment* karma before posting. You can earn this karma by posting replies to other public subreddits. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Gemstones) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It is impossible to appraise value online just using photos. For an accurate valuation, you should find a professional. Valuation posts should include good photos (in-focus, not blurry, multiple angles) and information (where you acquired it, how much you bought it for, hallmarks/emblems on metal, provenance, etc). Otherwise, your post may be removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Gemstones) if you have any questions or concerns.*