oldschoolrocker
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,578
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Post by oldschoolrocker on Nov 17, 2020 5:07:52 GMT -5
so other day I read about cold mountain thundereggs from Mexico and had to buy some to cut up. the article had a link to a website that I'd never come across before for cutting rough by the lb. the website is www.jhkalmore.com/I only saw one thread here about them from back in 2014 I think. so thought I'd give a more recent review. they are located in El Paso Tx and mainly specialize in mexican sourced rocks and minerals. apparently they also sell on facebook and have lots of mineral specimens listed on ebay. I purchased thru their website. the by the lb rough rock inventory list does have a lot of sold out materials atm but did have laguna lace, rosetta lace, flower of peach, and others in stock. the cold mountain thundereggs were on sale at $3lb. only other place I saw them listed was the gem shoppe for $7lb so on that I assume the price was reasonable. I ordered late night and by next morning I had tracking #. quick shipping- took 3 days (tho I live in tx) and shipping charges were standard usps frb pricing. material was packaged well and material looks promising. I will definitely buy from them again and recommend giving their site a look! |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059 
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 17, 2020 12:16:30 GMT -5
oldschoolrocker, I'm glad you had good results with this dealer. I didn't. I paid a premium price for several pounds of "cab-grade" Laguna agate, which is prized for its intense colors. What I received was "blah"-colored gray and purplish agate in shapes that are very difficult to slab. Thumbs down from me.
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Post by roy on Nov 17, 2020 12:34:34 GMT -5
Joseph Diamond is his name very well respected mexican rock dealer he is also part of our full moon rock shop team of rough rock sellers he always has good deals and quality rough !
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oldschoolrocker
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,578
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Post by oldschoolrocker on Nov 17, 2020 13:46:30 GMT -5
oldschoolrocker, I'm glad you had good results with this dealer. I didn't. I paid a premium price for several pounds of "cab-grade" Laguna agate, which is prized for its intense colors. What I received was "blah"-colored gray and purplish agate in shapes that are very difficult to slab. Thumbs down from me. ah, sorry to hear that. I can understand your dissatisfaction, especially when paying for premium material like laguna agate. I am still very much a novice in the lapidary hobby so even $10lb is quite expensive for me. so I can imagine being quite unhappy when paying multiples of that per lb and receiving subpar quality. I will keep your experience in mind should I consider purchasing higher grade material from him. |
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oldschoolrocker
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,578
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Post by oldschoolrocker on Nov 17, 2020 13:51:18 GMT -5
Joseph Diamond is his name very well respected mexican rock dealer he is also part of our full moon rock shop team of rough rock sellers he always has good deals and quality rough ! man I really need to get with the times and learn facebook so can utilize it like so many others do. seems I'm always browsing your sales and auctions days after they have closed and material claimed! tho not sure I even know how to comment on posts lol. dont get tired of looking at pics tho! |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 17, 2020 14:42:05 GMT -5
roy Joseph Diamond is his name very well respected mexican rock dealer he is also part of our full moon rock shop team of rough rock sellers he always has good deals and quality rough ! So by your response, since he "always" has quality rough, am I supposed to ignore my lying eyes (and 50 years of experience?) Diamond may well have good material in other categories but when I pay high prices for rough I expect quality. I didn't get it in this transaction so I commented in this review. I didn't return the material because I cut a piece, and I respect the time-honored policy in that regard. But fool me once...
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Post by roy on Nov 17, 2020 17:24:37 GMT -5
roy Joseph Diamond is his name very well respected mexican rock dealer he is also part of our full moon rock shop team of rough rock sellers he always has good deals and quality rough ! So by your response, since he "always" has quality rough, am I supposed to ignore my lying eyes (and 50 years of experience?) Diamond may well have good material in other categories but when I pay high prices for rough I expect quality. I didn't get it in this transaction so I commented in this review. I didn't return the material because I cut a piece, and I respect the time-honored policy in that regard. But fool me once... hey look i put up my response before i even seen your post so dont think i was bashing on you in anyway ! i just was saying that i have not had a issue with him and i have bought my fair share and all was what i expected it to be !! i know what its like to pay a fair amount for rough and have it turn out bad has happened quite a few times and from some of the most respected dealers out there! so are willing to make it right some were not !however it may be communication is all ways best at least then you know how to proceed with that dealer in the future |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 17, 2020 17:58:38 GMT -5
roy So by your response, since he "always" has quality rough, am I supposed to ignore my lying eyes (and 50 years of experience?) Diamond may well have good material in other categories but when I pay high prices for rough I expect quality. I didn't get it in this transaction so I commented in this review. I didn't return the material because I cut a piece, and I respect the time-honored policy in that regard. But fool me once... hey look i put up my response before i even seen your post so dont think i was bashing on you in anyway ! i just was saying that i have not had a issue with him and i have bought my fair share and all was what i expected it to be !! i know what its like to pay a fair amount for rough and have it turn out bad has happened quite a few times and from some of the most respected dealers out there! so are willing to make it right some were not !however it may be communication is all ways best at least then you know how to proceed with that dealer in the future Sorry roy , I thought your post was in response to mine. I wish I'd returned the rough before cutting it, but "hope springs eternal" and sometimes hopes are dashed. As things stand I'm reluctant to give that particular dealer another chance because we corresponded before the order was placed and I was assured I'd receive quality rock. Maybe we just judge rocks differently. |
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Post by MsAli on Nov 18, 2020 6:17:47 GMT -5
I've bought from Joe 4 times now, I can't say that I've always been impressed with the material, but it hasn't stopped me from buying from him. It's been usable material, just not as great as it was represented, or maybe my own expectations. Although, after my last purchase, I'm a little hesitant to do it again. The last purchase I felt like it was left over pickings.
He, however is a fantastic person to do business with and has stuff available for decent prices.
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Post by Toad on Nov 18, 2020 11:37:57 GMT -5
I should be okay for tumbling rough. Most of it is great prices
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Post by roy on Nov 18, 2020 11:41:12 GMT -5
hey look i put up my response before i even seen your post so dont think i was bashing on you in anyway ! i just was saying that i have not had a issue with him and i have bought my fair share and all was what i expected it to be !! i know what its like to pay a fair amount for rough and have it turn out bad has happened quite a few times and from some of the most respected dealers out there! so are willing to make it right some were not !however it may be communication is all ways best at least then you know how to proceed with that dealer in the future Sorry roy , I thought your post was in response to mine. I wish I'd returned the rough before cutting it, but "hope springs eternal" and sometimes hopes are dashed. As things stand I'm reluctant to give that particular dealer another chance because we corresponded before the order was placed and I was assured I'd receive quality rock. Maybe we just judge rocks differently. no im not saying we judge rocks diffrent but one thing i can say its really hard to fore tell what rough is going to be like inside i also know that if you would have let him know he most likely would have made this transaction right at least i beleive so any how ! its all good !! |
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Post by toiv0 on Nov 22, 2020 12:29:12 GMT -5
Stopped and seen Joe this mornin and bought a few things. Joe is an up right guy and said if anyone has issues with what they bought bring it back to his attention and he will make it right.
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Post by MsAli on Nov 22, 2020 17:11:36 GMT -5
Stopped and seen Joe this mornin and bought a few things. Joe is an up right guy and said if anyone has issues with what they bought bring it back to his attention and he will make it right. I'm so happy you got to see him! |
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 478
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Post by hypodactylus on Sept 16, 2021 12:11:00 GMT -5
I ordered some rock from JH Kalmore and had a great experience. The prices were good and the different varieties of rock received were great!
The rocks seem to generally be on the larger side, so make sure you have a saw (or other means) if you plan on tumbling!
I have seen mixed reviews and thought I would add my experience to this thread instead of making a new one.
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