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)
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
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.