Hello from Michigan

[FacetRoughGuy]

Hello, my name is David, I've recently started faceting gemstones mostly for a hobby, but would like to possibly sell my cut stones to keep the hobby growing. I'm always looking to gain knowledge about the many different stones and techniques involved in faceting, so I've joined to hear what others are doing these days and also share what info that I come across. One major challenge I'm finding is to where to purchase good quality facet rough stones, so if anyone has any recommendations of good people or places or opinions on where to stay away from, please feel free to let me know.

[Desertwind]

Welcome from southern New Mexico.

[Alvin]

welcome from Maine. There are a number of good sellers on in this group. I have bought from a number of them. I have bought a lot from the Idaho rock shop. The Gem Shop always has nice stuff. Always able to find what I need. Some members here sometime offer some special stones they have acquired. Always good buys. Best of luck.

[Steve]

  ...........to the................ .................from New Mexico................

[Charles]

  from Southern Oklahoma. Pull up a chair and join in the

[James D. Farrow]

Welcome from Canada!

 

James

[Hummingbirdstones]

Welcome, David!

Unfortunately, we don't have a large number of faceters on this board, but there are a few.  Natural rough is extremely hard to find nowadays, as you know, and it's also extremely expensive.  My suggestion to you is to join the US Faceting Guild at https://usfacetersguild.org/ and ask on their discussion boards.  They just launched their brand spanking new website (which is really nice) and for $18/yr. you have access to all of their resources, including all their newsletters going back to their inception.

They also have a Yahoo group, which you can also join for free.  You may get a better response there to start, as that list has been going for years now and the website just was rolled out a week or two ago.

Another good place to ask would be the forums at Gemology Online (www.gemologyonline.com).  Lots of faceters there that will hopefully be able to help.

Good luck!