julieooly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2018
Posts: 714
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Post by julieooly on Jan 12, 2019 8:58:32 GMT -5
I got a lot of solid advice last evening from a family member who designs jewelry. One thing she told me is that it's important to offer some "higher-end" pieces when I open my Etsy shop.
I really need some help here about types of materials, any tips you may have working with them, where I can buy them and what I can expect to pay for them. I see there's a buy/sell area on this forum but haven't explored it yet.
I'm looking for someone who can throw together a mixed box at a reasonable price if possible. I hate paying for shipping so the fewer sources I use the more I'll get for my money. I envision cabs roughly 25-35mm long by no more than 7mm high. Probably ten pieces and no more than two pieces of any one type of stone. I don't mind buying more material than I need right now, if I can afford them that is.
If you have slabbed materials to offer please PM or post on this. I'll most likely be asking second opinions about material I intend to buy, I don't mind paying a fair price but I can't afford to make mistakes at this time.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 12, 2019 9:16:55 GMT -5
julieooly You should post your "want" as WTB in the selling section. I'm thinking roy can probably hook you up.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2019 15:44:03 GMT -5
I suspect that your family member is thinking of rarer, hard-to-find materials that are still well enough known to command high prices in finished form. If you are cutting gems and plan on making a profit, I agree. There are many quite beautiful gem materials that you'll never make any $ for the effort you put into them: they are either material that is widely available and many people cut, or varieties that would put you into price competition with Third World cutters who cut for pennies per piece.
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Post by vegasjames on Jan 12, 2019 18:23:28 GMT -5
It should not matter much. If the material and piece is beautiful to someone they will likely buy it. Just like your friend who wants a piece from mason jar glass. Most people are not going to know what the higher stones are or their value.
Another option is to do some trading for cabbing or finished pieces to get up a wider variety of materials.
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Post by MsAli on Jan 12, 2019 21:03:55 GMT -5
James pretty much said what I was going to. My suggestion is pay attention when someone posts slabs for sale There are several members here that offer quality material for really good prices and they go fast
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,773
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 12, 2019 22:10:46 GMT -5
It all depends on how one defines "high end" and the market demographic you plan to sell to. Some stones I'd define as "high end" include Pietersite, so-called "gem silica," blue and purple chalcedony, quality chrysoprase, precious opals, better cab grade tourmalines, fine rutilated and tourmalinated quartz, and many more. Some will disagree with those choices and offer their own.
The problem is that some gems appeal only to limited although motivated consumer segments. And many such stones are either expensive or difficult to obtain in top quality. What sort of jewelry does your relative design? What is the market she sells to? How do you define your proposed market? You'll have to decide what is high end for your particular client demographic.
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Post by stephan on Jan 13, 2019 0:39:25 GMT -5
And then, to further complicate things, there are various grades of material for things that are often considered higher end:
Stone Canyon and Poppy jasper can range from spectacular to so fractured that they are unusable without stabilizing. The same thing is apparently true for Tiffany stone Ocean jasper can be just the "B grade" green and white (which can still prduce very nice pieces) to the far more colorful. The rough price reflect that. Owyhee can be stunning or grainy. Opals are all over the map.
Anyway, you get the idea. And, as several people have said, "high-end" is in the eye of the beholder. I tend to just let people know whether or not the stuff is common, rare, or becoming rare (due to a change in collecting status, for example). I agree with the suggestion of getting some specific examples.
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Post by roy on Jan 16, 2019 11:46:49 GMT -5
I got a lot of solid advice last evening from a family member who designs jewelry. One thing she told me is that it's important to offer some "higher-end" pieces when I open my Etsy shop. I really need some help here about types of materials, any tips you may have working with them, where I can buy them and what I can expect to pay for them. I see there's a buy/sell area on this forum but haven't explored it yet. I'm looking for someone who can throw together a mixed box at a reasonable price if possible. I hate paying for shipping so the fewer sources I use the more I'll get for my money. I envision cabs roughly 25-35mm long by no more than 7mm high. Probably ten pieces and no more than two pieces of any one type of stone. I don't mind buying more material than I need right now, if I can afford them that is. If you have slabbed materials to offer please PM or post on this. I'll most likely be asking second opinions about material I intend to buy, I don't mind paying a fair price but I can't afford to make mistakes at this time. lets dance !!pm me your number so we can text threw this i can offer you alot at a fair price but high quality and highly desired material isnt cheap but if given a budget ill get you hooked up for what your willing to pay
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