where can i find good gem stones

I'm getting into making some jewellery and taking class's currently and wanted to know where i can go to find reasonably priced cab stones to practice with - went to a gem show last month and only picked up a few thinking i might not get into (turns out i was wrong)

 

1for1 has heaps at very good prices!
Send him a pm

 

I have heaps of cabs (and other cuts) at good prices, send me a PM

 

Here is my first attempt from my class

 

Made this today, finally have most of the gear at home now

 

Here is one of the stones I got from a forum member

 

Made this last night/today . It's fossilized coral set in silver. I think I'm getting better, and the plus side is the mother in laws gift for Christmas is now done

 

Just putting it out there, I'm looking for an aquamarine cab cut stone asap if possible

 

Hi, sharing some of mine, thank you.

 

From South Africa

 

I love the weight abt 22 grams from South Africa 14K gold choker

 

set in 14K as gold pendant from South Africa As well

 

Diamond ring 14K "illusion" from South Africa

 

I buy for the weight 18K at abt 26 grams

 

Been many places because i'm travelling a lot, but the shortest way to buy cheaper gems direct from Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia and Thailand. India shows well but lot of fakes. Philippines can sure be good source for south sea pearl, been in Fair Trade Show for pearls. In Ukraine and Russia, seen lot of Ambers and easy to buy, Italy seen some good stores selling Corals. I bought some diamonds in Mozambique and South Africa. Gemselect, an online seller from Thailand shows variety if you require exact size for your jewelries to be made but i hate custom regs in our country, probably just be putting an appointment during family vacations, i used to check their online prices for a reference per carats during my travels. Otherwise, local sellers, auctions, pawnshops and gem shows are the only means. Hard to buy in one time, need discipline of keeping money to buy good one when an opportunity comes. Gem collecting needs lot of motivation to accumulate.

Anyway, good luck for your jewelry making class, wish you best and success. I probably will do same when retiring as part of my hobbies. BTW, Its a beautiful piece that you made, surely took my attention.

Got lot of cross-es, pendants gold/silver, most set with stones, but with my wife collection, i used to give her a present from time to time for 20 years. Will open a thread soon when i took some photos.