Buying loose diamonds/gemstones

[littlegreenfairy]

Does anyone know where you can buy cut un-set diamonds and cut gem stones? Reasonable quality and from a reputable source?

I'm going to be learning jewellery making (as if I haven't got enough to do with my time..) and want to be able to set relatively worthless gems in simple silver settings to get an understanding of it and then hopefully move onto something a bit more technical. The college course nearby is booked for the best part of forever so that isn't an option so thought I'd just teach myself....

Any advice would be great thank you

[bigandclever]

Nightmare and Lord Summerisle keep cropping up in shiny stone threads. I'm sure there are others in the PH pot too

[littlegreenfairy]

bigandclever said:

Nightmare and Lord Summerisle keep cropping up in shiny stone threads. I'm sure there are others in the PH pot too

They deal with good quality. I'm not after such good quality yet. Thinking about 2 stages up from coal Mind you, they may just know!

[Mobile Chicane]

Ebay. You can buy ready-made settings (these really need to be 'pre-notched'), stones and gem-setting pliers.

I've had passable results, but it is a lot fiddlier than you might think.

[littlegreenfairy]

Mobile Chicane said:

Ebay. You can buy ready-made settings (these really need to be 'pre-notched'), stones and gem-setting pliers.

I've had passable results, but it is a lot fiddlier than you might think.

You sound like you know what you're talking about! What kind of tools do I need? And where should I be looking to work out what I'm going to be doing?!

I love PH.

[lord summerisle]

this is probly something that's worth looking at: http://www.freecz.com/store/loosecz.php

and for very cheap CZ 1ct sized stones: http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=1...
($5 each)

[littlegreenfairy]

lord summerisle said:

this is probly something that's worth looking at: http://www.freecz.com/store/loosecz.php

and for very cheap CZ 1ct sized stones: http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=1...
($5 each)

Thanks Lord S. All those different colours!!

Found this place whilst googling http://www.cooksongold.com and there is all sorts. I wonder if that might do until I know what on earth I'm doing....