How to BUY GEMSTONES online & not get scammed! 8 tips and tricks
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ส.ค. 2022
- How to buy gemstones online?? Here are my favourite tips and advice that I hope will help you source good sellers and find quality gemstones! Stay tuned for more videos in these small series: buying gemstones on Instagram, top tips and where to buy gemstones!
⭐️ Follow me on Instagram! 😊 / stardustmine.art
⭐️WATCH THIS before you buy gemstones online: about the importnace of screenshots, photos and communicating with sellers: • Watch this before you ...
⭐️ Enjoyed this video?? Why not check out other from the series!
- How to source gemstones? SUMMARY & tips: • BUYING GEMSTONES: tips...
- How to find gemstone sellers? Tips from JEWELRY MAKERS: • BUYING GEMSTONES: How ...
- How to attend a gem show: • HOW TO ATTEND A GEM SH...
- How to source gemstones, tips from lapidary artist and gem cutter, Mineral Rare: • BUYING GEMSTONES: How ...
⭐️ Here's one of my most trusted shops with Turquoise: Turquoise Moose: bit.ly/3zZFExR
(use code BASIA to receive a discount of $30 off your purchase!! Minimum purchase is $55, the code can be used once per customer)
⭐️ Additional resources can be found on my Patreon page!
Find out more about becoming a Patron and ways to support the production of the videos: / stardustmine
⭐️ JEWELRY MAKING TUTORIALS:
UNISEX RING step by step tutorial: • HOW TO MAKE A RING - t...
BEZEL step by step tutorial: • SILVER BEZEL for caboc...
RING from start to finish: • How to make a ring - f...
LABRADORITE RING: • How to make a ring wit...
EASY STACKIG RINGS: • How to make EASY STACK...
AN EASY PENDANT: • HOW TO MAKE A PENDANT ...
STUD EARRINGS: • How to make Alpaca ste...
STEAMPUNK RING: • STEAMPUNK ring - turni...
GOLD FILLED STUDS: • How to make GOLD FILLE...
⭐️ TOOLS, MATERIALS, RESOURCES:
Metal starter pack: • BASIC METAL for silver...
Most Basic Tools: • MOST BASIC SILVERSMITH...
Basic silversmithing tools: • Learn silversmithing: ...
Books to learn silversmithing: • Silversmithing BOOKS &...
DIY workbench: • Easy DIY JEWELER'S BEN...
How to fill a butane torch: • Learn silversmithing: ...
Sawing for beginners part 1: • Silversmithing For Beg...
Sawing for beginners part 2: • Silversmithing For Beg...
Soldering surfaces: • My SOLDERING SURFACES ...
Rotary tool and flex shaft attachments: • Pendant motor ATTACHME...
How to use jump ring maker: • How to make JUMP RINGS...
How to use ring bending tool: • Pepetools RING BENDING...
How to find gemstone sellers? Tips from JEWELRY MAKERS: • BUYING GEMSTONES: How ...
How to source gemstones, tips from lapidary artist and gem cutter, Mineral Rare: • BUYING GEMSTONES: How ...
How to source gemstones? SUMMARY & tips: • BUYING GEMSTONES: tips...
⭐️ LET’S CONNECT!
My website: stardustmine.art/
Instagram: / stardustmine.art
Facebook: / stardustminejewellery
Pinterest: / thestardustmine
#gemstones #howtobuygemstones #jewelrymaking
Sub count: 79,583 - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
![ไม่ต้องมีที่ที่ให้ฉันอยู่ แต่ขอแค่มีฉันอยู่ก็พอ (Spaceless) - getsunova [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4N8idbxZ-7M/mqdefault.jpg)
As a hobbyist cab cutter I recommend contacting local lapidary clubs, often times you can meet the artist and see their gems and the rough they are cutting the stones from in person, and even though the stones maybe slightly more expensive than lets say getting them from India or China, you can be assured of the authenticity of the stones plus you can develop a working relationship with the artist and get the prices down, and get help sourcing some of the harder to find stones.
I absolutely LOVE this tip!! Thank you so much for sharing this 🙏 And I completely agree, sometimes paying a bit more is worth it, because you get amazing quality in return ❤️
@@TheArtOfMetalsmithing Hi Basia, just letting you know that you have scam bots impersonating you in the comment thread like the one above this comment, you may want to put out a community notice or something to let your subs know to watch out for them.
As an Opal cutter, I can say the reason for the rounded backs on some of the cabochons, is to make sure the stone doesn't break or chip on the edges when being set in harder metal like sterling silver. Or because the jeweller used too much solder. It's a huge issue for soft stones and especially Opal. If it is pretty largely rounded though, that just means it's for an open back or double sided bezel setting. The problem with Opal is sometimes, it tells you how it gets cut.
I have a couple with round backs. Most do manage to be flat with a little bevel on the bottom edge though. If you get Opal with a completely flat back and the bottom edges haven't been beveled it will likely(99%) break. Get a lapidary person to bevel it's edge or send it back for a refund before you break it.
I don't cut other stones either, so can't say if any of this transfers to them or not.
I see, thank you for sharing this! Very good to know that.
The stones I was referring to are actually the ones, that are harder to break, like ametrine, amethyst, crystal, rose quartz. Unless they are meant to be visible on both sides, like you mentioned, there is no reason for not finishing them properly by making their backs flat. Considering they are sold as cabochons that are meant to be flat on the back and the listing didn't state otherwise. If it did, then that's absolutely fine. Or at least an additional photo that shows them from the side. Then we can make an informed decision. But the photos in those listings were exclusively from the top, so I assumed the stone I was buying will be the same as others, flat on the back. Then the batch arrived and some gems were randomly flat and others not. This tells me that it was an unfinished job, rather than intended design and cutting 😁 Thought I'd explain this in more detail, because I can see that context matters in this case.
@@TheArtOfMetalsmithing oh, then yes in that case, definitely an issue. I have little experience with harder stone's, but don't see any excuse for a rounded back if not otherwise stated like you have said. Thanks for clearing this up.
Basia, this is an EXCELLENT video, it really speaks of the actual journey of buying from beginner to.....definitely not a beginner. Really good information, I WISH I'd had this video years ago, I have learned these hard lessons too. Example: I specifically asked a seller on IG if their "natural zircon" was actually CZ. The seller insisted in 7 separate answers (I was thorough) that all stones were natural. Finally I asked if the stones were determined to be CZ after I had them tested (if I bought), would he refund me double the price. He back pedaled and finally admitted that he has "zirconia" (CZ) naturally cut by a stone cutter, not machine-cut; and "sorry for the mix-up" came next.... I, of course didn't buy. On IG especially, scam sellers are the standard, good stone sellers are the exception. Also, I have had great success with rounded back cabs by open back setting them, sometimes with a thin round wire bearing under the cab. Thanks for great video.
@ Stardust Mine Jewelry. About the cabs that are rounded on the back, I know it's not ideal but they don't need to go to waste. If you just put a wire on the inside of the bezel, or an inner bezel, then the stone will sit up off the bottom and rest on the wire or bezel and you can set it as normal:) You probably already knew this but just in case. I absolutely love you and your channel!!! :)
I completely agree! :) There is absolutely no need for the gemstones to go to waste. Many wire wrapping artists can use these gems, as the technique they use doesn't require for the gem to be completely flat. The solution you proposed is also great and can work well in some cases and designs! :)) The gems can also be sent off to the lapidary artist or gem cutter, who can fix them and make their backs flat for us. Thank you for mentioning this and thank you for watching! 🌷😍
Thank you ☺️ yes Ma’am ...
Great advice, as a newby who will/may move to gemstones in time, what you say makes sense.
It is refreshing to have someone advise the pitfalls and how to (hopefully) avoid them.
Very happy to hear that! Thank you so much, I appreciate it a lot ❤️ And working with your own gems sounds amazing, I would love to do that in the future too 🥰 Good luck!
I'm loving your channel. I'm just starting out and all of your videos have been super helpful. Looking at your comments to people have also been really helpful and you don't normally see this in other channels so thank you!! I love your art style and your insight ❤️❤️
Your videos are so useful!
Thank you for such informative information!❤️
I'm so glad I found you! I've watched a couple videos and i already learned so much. Thank you! you are wonderful.
I'm so happy to hear that, thank you! 🥰 I hope my other videos will be helpful too. Take care
You are giving excellent advice. There are a few that you’ve mentioned that I didn’t even think about like going to Pinterest but on Instagram I always ask the business selling gemstones to send me pictures in the messages I want to see what they look like in their hands instead of seeing them in a video with them, waving them, back-and-forth attached to a card, also, this gives me a chance to look to see if there are cracks in their gemstones. Because oh boy, I have really lost a lot of money on some bad purchases so I had to learn the hard way. It’s so good that you’re giving this advice to everyone. I wished I would’ve thought of it first big hugs, Autumn Michelle
I just love your channel
I'm very happy you, it means a lot! Thank you ❤️
Hiya again,
I've just been reading through the comments again, getting to read them is so interesting and I learn a lot from them. The number of people who have read these and given thumbs up is I think the highest I've ever seen. So many people sharing so much wonderful infomation and such complementry comments is inspiring. The lenth of some of the comments is growing too, some of your replys are like mini essays almost, quite perfect and so full of pertinent infomation I've learned so much more from reading them, they really complyment the infomation in the video. I wish I speak to every one of your viewers and recomend reading every comment, now and as they are added as they are so worth following for the extra knowledge they inpart. You have such a high standard of followers Basia, it speaks most highly to the quality of your work, research and presentation. Take the subject of round back cabs, you explain why it is a problem, you highlight possible 'fixes' but also share why it might happen, and that is what we want, to learn. Yet again the oil on stones, how many purchases have been conned over the very many years? Yet again you share the why of the practice with quotes.
A facinating video dear lady with such wonderful additional infomation, and all at the best price there is, free. Thank you for all your facinating work and for continuing to share with us after publishing, you do know you are the best don't you???
Your friend and admirer Steve...
That's a great video and packed full of useful information. I've been a bit scared of using/buying gemstones until now but your video has given me the confidence to start. Thankyou. :)
I'm very glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for watching and I hope this video will encourage you to place some orders :) Remember that you don't have to order a lot right from the start! Try a few gems first, to test the seller :) Good luck!
⭐ Enjoyed this video?? Why not check out other from the series!
- How to source gemstones? SUMMARY & tips: th-cam.com/video/cfnPK91CbVA/w-d-xo.html
- How to find gemstone sellers? Tips from JEWELRY MAKERS: th-cam.com/video/xrGksdZ6piQ/w-d-xo.html
- How to attend a gem show: th-cam.com/video/iJyTC2RJIE4/w-d-xo.html
- How to source gemstones, tips from lapidary artist and gem cutter, Mineral Rare: th-cam.com/video/R8YF8tWbo-I/w-d-xo.html
Great tips, thank you 👍😊
Thank you so much! Happy you liked the video :)
Thanks for your advice, they are very valuable.
you are a great inspiration.
greetings from Mexico.!!
😃😀
That's wonderful to hear! Thank you so much ❤️🙏
Cześć ☺️ bardzo pomocny filmik♥️
Hiya yet again dear lady,
As is my habit I'm re-watching some of your videos to relearn and also further learn things I missed on other viewings. Where you say to follow a jeweller you admire and try to find where they get their gems from is great advice. So where do you get all yours from??? Also, I've found a TH-cam content created I'm starting to really admire who takes his videos to the big US gem shows and spends time, with the vendors' consent, showing the gems and explaining a lot about the type of stone and where it comes from. He also shares about what can be done to fool us, like using oil to hide cracks. But he shares on screen a business card from the stall showing us the contact details, where they are based and if they ship internationally etc. So like Basia he shares most of what you need to make an informed choice about a seller and their goods. Stabilised gems, I never wanted to buy these assuming they were being used to pass off inferior gems as being better than they actually were. Turquoise is a prime candidate for this. But Dave, sorry yes his screen name is, Lapadery Dave, anyway, he is as the name suggests also a cutter so who better to explain what it all means. Turquoise is a chalk-like substance in some of its forms and therefore prone to crumbling when forming on a wheel. Therefore having it stabilised is just making it hard enough to be worked to how we want and need it to be.
Information is king. knowing what an expression really means and how it affects the gem and therefore your use of it is paramount in being able to produce jewellery that lasts the time we want it to. So using the information that Basia and Dave give us for free allows us to buy a product that will enhance our work, and allow us to go on to produce a better and better product. Reading the comments on Daves' channel, most especially his live feeds from a major gem show will show you a great many people in the industry both as cutters and jewellers who trust and admire his work. Hearing him talk to the sellers showed me how much he knows and how liked he is in the industry. As is Basia getting to be. Large manufacturers don't go to just anyone and give them hundreds of pounds/dollars of equipment to try out on a whim but rather because they admire the person and the size of their following, and trust their Integrierte too.
But enough of my waffling about people I've never met but admire because of their work and personality.
Stay safe, Steve...
Hiya Lady Stardust,
Another woderful example of your skill and your willingness to share for free infomation that cost you to gain. Thank you, for that and infact the video itself. Perfectly editing again as uaual.
Thank you Basia for this, you've once again helped us to not make as many mistakes as we would normaly do. I love the simple advice like photographing the entery you end up purchasing so that you have documented proof of what it was you ordered and paid for. Also the simple steps to find out where someone else may have got their gems, worth doing and free. Using any method to hunt down reputable sellers must be worth wile and save you the agro of being misled, or even outright cheated. Your advice is easy to follow but very much worth following to help us build a collection of trustworthy supliers.
You did say you would own up as to the ink, I can see more this time and I'm even more impressed with your artwork and your choice of who did the work. Excelent workmanship from what I can see.
Thank you for revisiting this topic and taking us even further into safe purchasing habbits.
Stay safe you two, Steve xx...
Glad you liked it, Steve! Thank you so much for watching and, as always, for your kind and appreciative comment! It means a lot!
There's so much to share and I struggled to decide how to do it, whether I should just release one, mega video with EVERYTHING or break it down into series of smaller videos, that will focus on a certain aspect. Ended up going with the latter and soon will share even more videos on the subject! :) I know many people would like me to just drop names. "Share my sellers", but that's not sustainable. One - the sellers may not be there when someone searches for them in a couple of months or next year. Or the seller might have changed their practice and not offer good stones anymore. Different things happen. Two - if we all go now to buy from one particular seller, there won't be any gems left to buy anymore. So what I prefer to do is give people tools, tell them HOW TO find sellers themselves, how to establish those relationships for themselves and how to know when you're being scammed or when the seller is very good. That being said, I will share some of my favourite sellers that I want to give a shoutout to in one of the future videos :)
As for the tattoo, I completely forgot! hahaha :) I was going to show you the photo 😂 Anyway, I'm super happy with it, it's exactly what I wanted for the longest time and my tattoo artist, Marta (@facetka_tattoo on Instagram) did an excellent job! :) She's very talented indeed
Thank you Steve! Take care xx
@@TheArtOfMetalsmithingcompletly forgot? Ha! It does look very good, I'm sure she coppied your design? She is very talented indeed, but then would you choose someone who was not? I knew a lady a few years ago who had, "Lucky you!" tatooed above her pubic mound, say it like it is I guess!
I agree with the break it up into smaller videos as you have done, much easier to find on your listing page. I also totaly agree about naming names being possably, not dangerous but fraught with posible fallout with you being blamed if anything goes wrong or changes. I can imagine the seller going out of stock and you being left with no gems, bummer... You did list sellers before but you have so very many followers now that over subscribing could lead to... Hmmm.
It's wonderful to find videos from you appearing more often again, less withdrawl symtoms this way. You have been missed, and not just by me. Welcome back.
How is Jarek?
Stay safe, Steve xx...
@Stephen Coster oh no, sorry! There must've been a misunderstanding, it's her own design :))
As for that lady, oh dear 😁 an interesting one indeed haha :)
Thank you so much Steve, I'm glad to be back, I'm hoping to be able to upload weekly again, in the following weeks. I've decided to not pressure myself to upload if I feel that the video isn't finished properly or if I experience a block. It is to avoid burn out that happened recently. I'd rather wait a bit longer and then publish a well made and interesting video. Though the goal is weekly uploads, of course! :)
Jarek is doing very well! Thank you for asking. He has lots of work and he helps me a lot too :)
@@TheArtOfMetalsmithing I should think he should help you, it's why he's there after all. hehehe. Sorry I asumed as you were such an artist it was your design, she's very good.
I would be happy with one of your normal excelent videos twice a month than a bad one every week. Can you make bad ones? You understand what I mean. Please don't sucome to pressure even just from you to output now, now, now... Take your own time and only do it when you are happy with the finnished product, it's your name on it, not ours after all. No more burn out please you are far to prescious to us, and your work too.
have you seen Argentium is going to 940 instead of 935? Even whiter, even less fire stain. Did you know you can put it in an oven to harden it, heat hardening. I don't know about work hardning as well.
Steve...
thank you so much for this video
Do you have recommended sellers? I’m still 1 year into my silversmith craft and love trying new sellers to see if I love the stones ! Thanks! This video was also helpful!!
Good video🎉 🎉 Ceylon Gem stone seller from Australia
Oh my God! Basia, you are awesome! First of all, great tattoo, beautiful you! Secondly, what a great earrings! So unique and sophisticated!
Finally, thank you for a sctructured information which is very useful for beginners and more qualified jewellers! J'adore you videos and your style! Thank you for wonderful 15 minutes. Wish you a bright breath of inspiration!
Thank you so much lovely! Your comment made my day, I'm super happy you enjoyed the video 😍 And I'm even more happy you like my tattoo, it was a dream come true! And my earrings, also a dream design by a Polish jewelry maker. Thank you so much for taking the time to watch my video today, more videos with tips on buying gemstones will be coming soon! :)
@@TheArtOfMetalsmithinggood...
As always wonderful video! A couple of unrelated questions.
1)What kind of light are you using that casts a pink over your studio? Love it!
2)what kind of leaves are on your left arm tattoo? That’s the kind of wispy leAf I’m always looking for in stamps!!! Love it also
Thank you so much! ❤️ As for your questions, the light is by Neewer, the RGB lamp that offers white and warm light as well as RGB colours :) The leaves on the tattoo, I'm afraid aren't any particular kind, they are a free form my tattoo artist designed, combined with Magnolia flowers 😁
@@TheArtOfMetalsmithing thank you! I’ll look for the light! Your tattoo is so pretty (and I’m not a tattoo girl, but yours is so nice!) and I LOVE LOVE LOVE your videos. Thank you for your instruction content and for making it so enjoyable and peaceful. Oh! One more question? Do you have some of your calm music linked anywhere ? Or what “genre” can I look up on pandora?
Thank you
Thank you! ❤️
Yes!
Thank you! :))
Hello 👋🏼 thanks for sharing this useful info👍🏼 Can you advice about a safe amount to order in a lot?
I ordered 15 pieces in a lot😅 unfortunately I've just watched your video) hopefully the stones are not bad.
Very good
Thank you! ❤️
I would love to know what that press is on your desk.
I've bought some gems, Montana sapphires and ametrine which look nice the sapphires arent very bright and some inclusion and the ametrine looks perfect but they have this round riple rainbow sheen spot on the top and I can't find anything about this on anything. They don't feel like glass. Which I initially thought and the sellers seemed legit.
It sounds like they're real, natural gemstones, it should be alright :) but it's good you're careful! There are several ways to tell if the stone is real, I'll include these tips in one of my next videos, which may be helpful in the future too 🙏❤️
That rainbow sheen sounds like the Schiller effect, which occurs in many natural stones.
@@Jess-iv2wn true! I also spotted it on many stones, I actually really like this effect
Halo...love all yr earing.😽
Thank you! 😊
Here I have to correct you Basia .. When the cabochon has a round back side it's because it shouldn't sit on the plate .. these sit nicely on clowsetting and when the round back fills in nicely the way you have made of wire or plate which you saw out the back side ... so .. what I mean .. these round should be open back not closed back of jewelry .. I learned via having several such type round or like that at the edge was like a step . and when I tried to put it in jewelry that was closed at the back, it was so wonky, but when I sawed out the so-called raised part that should mate with the stone, it worked well ... so it's not waist of money or poor quality or unfinished cut .. it's meant to be used on the open back ...
I see what you mean and I agree in that context. However, what I was referring to was an actual cabochon a stone cut in a way, that is meant to be flat on one side and was decribed as such in the listing. It boils down to what info is shared by the seller. If they sell a gem as a "cabochon" then the gem must have features of a cabochon, unless stated otherwise in the listing (for example 'back slightly rounded').
In my order, some gems from that group were completely flat, while others were not. They were all the same gem (Ametrine) and had identical description. It was random which ones were unfisnished. Of course, some gemstones look very nice with rounded backs and can be used in various ways and in different types of settings. It is not to say that a rounded stone is a waste. But a gemstone, that was clearly meant to be a cabochon (flat on one side), is not suppose to have uneven surface. Unless we agree that we buy cheap stones and don't look for quality, then, of course, we have to accept whatever the seller gives us. I buy gemstones for particular projects and designs, too. I won't accept a gem, that is unusable in my project, because it turned out to be different to what was listed. If you buy gemstone first, and then figure out a design, that gives you far more laverage.
Here's some more info to further explain my point:
The very definition of a quality cabochon is as follows: "cabochon cut, method of cutting gemstones with a convex, rounded surface that is polished but unfaceted. Opaque, asteriated, iridescent, opalescent, or chatoyant stones are usually cut en cabochon. The back of a normal cabochon-cut stone is flat, but it may be hollowed to lighten the colour" [Britannica].
Additional info from the International Gem Society: "A cabochon should have an even curvature to its surface. Look at the cab from both ends and both sides. The shape (the curvature) should be a mirror image from side to side. No area should be thicker than its opposite. There should be no bulging."
I think it all depends on what we are looking for and how much we're willing to spend. If we're looking for quality gemstones and honest seller and we're willing to spend more, then we should expect quality product and clear product descriptions. If we're beginners, who may not be able to spend much and purchases lower grade, cheaper stones to get started - of course that's when we can't expect high quality from these gems.
Cutting and finishing takes time, that's why better gems cost more.
And to sum it up - the seller is responsible for including all information in their listing. The stone is a cabochon, but doesn't have a flat back? That info has to be listed. And photo from the side of the gemstone is mandatory. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
What is this mill you are using? It dèms small and portable.
This one is by Pepetools 😀
Great video :)
I have a question: I have purchased stones from an Etsy seller and when they arrived they came wrapped in plastic and covered in some sort of oil. I had to actually clean each title stone in soap to remove the grease. The seller seems really legit, they were good quality stones and on the pricier side. But I have no idea why they would have come packaged like that. Has anyone else had this experience?
Unfortunately, it is a common practice among sellers on Etsy (majority of them sell from India and this practice is especially popular there, from my own experience). Even with those we consider good sellers, they still do it with better quality gemstones. Here's part of an article by Ron Ringsrud:
"The application of treatments and processes to enhance the beauty of gemstones is almost as old as the discov-ery and appreciation of gems themselves. Records of actual oiling of gem crystals go back as far as ancient Greece [Sinkankas, 1981). The principle of oiling is simply that while air-filled fractures in gemstones are highly visible, a fracture filled with a transparent oil or some other suitable material will be much .less apparent. While the oiling changes only the clarity characteristics of the gemstone, the color will naturally be intensified because of the fewer apparent flaws blocking the passage of light". So Oiling is a type of temporary treatment done to the stone to make it look nicer :)
I personally usually don't go back to shops that sent me oiled gems, because now I know that the stones I see in their photos will not be as pretty when I wash them. I go back to shops that didn't send me oiled stones. Of course I can't be sured they they weren't oiled for photos though - but most of the time you are able to see it, the stone will appear wet and oil can be sometimes visible on the surface.
I hope this helps! :))
@@TheArtOfMetalsmithing thanks for your explanation, that is really insightful!
Can’t you just leave the back open on a cabochon that’s maybe not flat on the back. I like cabs that maybe are meant to see through.
Of course you can! That's a great solution when a stone is nicely finished on the back or is see-through :)
Hi Basia,I'm writing you to advise that your gemstones seller's free list needs a review.Many seller's sites has closed or not find . Have some upgrades for us?? 😊
Thanks for letting me know :) I was making some upgrades and the lists and detailed posts are available on my Patreon :) I also plan to make an updated, free list in the future :)
too late!! i bought this week some pretty gemstones for cheap, which are def fake lol i know nothing about gemstones so yeah, at least if they're pretty up close too it''ll be alright.