redpoll
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2023
Posts: 6
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Post by redpoll on Oct 24, 2023 16:23:21 GMT -5
I know there are loads of online shops to buy raw rocks/stones, but there is just so much choice on Etsy, and you can find pretty much any stone imaginable on there. I've purchased a lot of things from Etsy before, including several gemstone rings, and everything has been good quality. Is it advisable to buy raw rocks/stones from Etsy to tumble?
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 288
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Post by geoff59 on Oct 24, 2023 18:54:19 GMT -5
I buy some rough on Etsy. Not all I get by any means. Know what you want, what your budget is, and shop around. Read the seller’s reviews from those who have purchased.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Oct 24, 2023 22:42:00 GMT -5
I do buy on Etsy. I personally prefer to stick with US sellers. I read their reviews and check their descriptions to ensure they are taking the time to be informative. I expect good thorough photos and a description. I think probably you aren’t necessarily going to find low prices or great deals on Etsy. Usually I am seeking out a material in particular and that is one place I’ll look. Sellers who have nice looking shops and seem like they put a lot of effort into their business, I’ll favorite so I see updates when they get new listings up.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 24, 2023 22:48:20 GMT -5
I'm 100 percent with the other suggestions of reading the reviews from buyers. It's also easier to trust sellers with a fair amount of sales. (I say that...and I have an Etsy store with only 11 sales! LOL)
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Post by velodromed on Oct 26, 2023 13:08:46 GMT -5
I had poor luck a few times buying rough rock on Etsy when I first started rock tumbling. I also had a couple ‘okays’ and a one ‘good’ experience. I’ve bought from a dozen different online stores, a couple real stores and a few sellers here on the forum. I’ve also enjoyed trading rock with others on the forum as well. My family and I do a lot of local rock hunting and occasional trips including nearby rock yards with ‘location labeled’ statewide Texas rock. We love all rocks, but I enjoy tumbling the ones we find and trade for best.
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Post by pebblesky on Oct 26, 2023 14:44:42 GMT -5
From etsy, I recently purchased some pre-tumbled Botswana Agates rough - I have heard in some countries, the roughs have to be tumbled and polished to some extent to be exported - and they are of great quality and price. Makes my tumbling work a bit easier since they came as already showing windows of nice bands.
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller 
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,240
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Post by quartzilla on Oct 26, 2023 21:29:09 GMT -5
Check out The Rock Shed. They have a website of course and their grit and polish can’t be beat. I’ve had good experiences with buying tumbling rough from them too! Whatever the shipping is quoted it’s almost always less because they cram everything into flat rate boxes. I don’t think you will get any jaw dropping rough from them but it will be as advertised, relatively fracture free, and all around good stuff! Give em’ a look.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Oct 28, 2023 7:51:55 GMT -5
I have trolled (the good trolling, not the acting like a jerk trolling) Etsy. I do find a lot of nice rock, but the prices really put it out of my comfort range (price wise). I have found that between this forum, Kingsley North, the Rock Shed, and the Gem Shop, I have been able to get 99% of the rock I want to tumble. I have only had a couple negative issues (heat treated rock that just fractured apart, poorly sized rock, rock that did not tumble like I expected). I have literally purchased, traded, been gifted with over a ton of rock (yes over 2000 lbs!) Of all that rock I have only had negative experience with approx. 200 Lbs. Of that 200 lbs I have only given up or tossed out maybe 10 lbs.
The best deal I ever got was old stock Crazy Lace for 50 cents a lb. The worst deal was some "river flint" that was nothing more than a plain brown seam limestone. That came from a different forum. The member swore it was super high quality and was a well respected member, needless to say I left that forum shortly after calling them out on the rock. It was also 50 cents a pound lol. It all ended up as driveway fill. I have NEVER had a sour deal on this forum, and have people actually refuse to accept my PayPal payment (I know who you are and I will get you back someday lol) At one point I had spent about $300 on this site, and only $100 was ever claimed! There are some very thoughtful members on here.
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