An Interview with “Diamond Wizard” Maarten de Witte: Part 1
Maarten de Witte is one of the world’s premiere diamond experts. In this interview, he discusses how he got into the trade.
Maarten de Witte is one of the world’s premiere diamond experts. In this interview, he discusses how he got into the trade.
Jade expert Jeff Mason of Mason-Kay discusses the US and Chinese jade markets and what to look for in fine jadeite jade jewelry.
What can you learn about gem and jewelry marketing from other businesses? Tracking your inventory and requests for what you don’t stock is a start.…
What kinds of gems can novice faceters cut to make a profit? Learn which gemstones make money reliably and which ones have limited potential.
Are you ready to sell your cut gemstones to local jewelers? Here are some basic rules for selling gems that will help you get started.
If you’re in the gem and jewelry business, you’ll need to write effective advertising. These techniques will help you succeed.
You need a good strategy for marketing and selling rare gemstones, in order to succeed in this niche market. Learn how to reach potential customers.…
How can a custom gem faceter compete with commercial cutting houses? Learn how cut stone sizes, gem quality, and expert cutting can make a difference.…
Starting a jewelry business takes a lot of planning. Answer these questions about your inventory and services now and save yourself time and money…
How can new gem cutters succeed in the gemstone business? Learn how rough buying and custom cutting can give you a competitive edge.
Whatever your reasons for mailing gems, follow this advice from competition faceters. These tips will help protect your gemstones from damage…
There are no shortcuts in the gemstone business. Learn why newcomers need to identify clear goals before investing in gems and training.
To make money, novice faceters have to buy gem parcels as well as hand-picked quality rough. Learn how a combination of both approaches can lead…
Novice faceters may worry if they’re selling stones to jewelers too cheaply. Learn the best way to approach pricing and selling your gems to your…
Showcase the amazing inclusions in minerals like rutilated quartz in a gemstone pendulum design. Learn how to facet these gems into stunning jewelry…
Bench jewelers work very hard with little or no acknowledgement, creating and repairing treasured possessions. These stories pay tribute to…
Buying rough is the foundation of the gem cutting business. Learn the basic rules novice faceters need to know in order to purchase quality gem materials.…
What does it take to succeed at cutting and selling gemstones? Jeff Graham offers newcomers some advice on treating faceting like a business.
Selling lab-created cut gems can be quite difficult. Learn what makes this market hard to crack and the best ways to make money cutting synthetic…
What do you need to know about starting a gem cutting business? These basic rules cover topics from buying and cutting rough to getting along with…
Gem pricing isn’t easy, and guidelines aren’t always fixed. Learn what factors gem cutters should consider to determine a fair price for their…
In a recent interview, Jeffery Bergman talks about his decades-long career as a sapphire expert and connoisseur and offers his advice for beginners.…
Can you tell if gem rough is too expensive? Learn how to estimate rough gemstone value by considering your gem yield and the prices for your faceted…
How much and how fast do you have to work if you want to make a living cutting gems? Jeff Graham has some advice for those who want to enter the business.…
Your prized gemstones deserve custom faceting. Learn the benefits of working with precision faceters and tips for starting your own jewelry project.…
The faceting process turns rough stones into finished gems. Learn the steps custom faceters take to create unique gemstones that tell a client’s…
Today’s custom gem cutters use faceting equipment for precision work and design inspiration. Take a look at the toolkit of the new lapidary renaissance.…
In the gem design stage of jewelry making, faceters evaluate a stone’s qualities. Learn how to choose a cut for a gemstone as unique as your personal…
A precision faceter can turn a rough stone into a story gemstone as unique as each client. Choosing the right rough is the first step in the design…
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what a “master faceter” is in Just Ask Jeff: What is a Master?…
Jeff R Graham, “Just Ask Jeff” talks about what is up with manufacturers’ declining business and the effects it causes like the lack of product support.…
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics on Just Ask Jeff. Figuring rough cost on Just Ask Jeff: How do I figure rough cost?…
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on the gem rough market. Read more on some very important perspective to be aware of on the gem industry.
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics on Just Ask Jeff. See what his answers are to How does the supply of gemstones and rough actually…
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See his answers to Why is some rough stone like Topaz the same cost of cut stones?…
Just Ask Jeff: Carats vs. Grams? Which is best? Most people can count and are not going to pay more for a stone just because it is weighed in carats.…
Jeff R Graham shares about commercial and rough stone prices. See his answers to Why does rough cost almost as much as commercially cut stones sometimes?…
The first thing you need to know is that making money faceting is not a very hard thing to do. Most people that learn to facet make some money.
Just Ask Jeff shares his frustrations on customer multiple orders and returns which is a common customer problems among rough dealers.
Jeff R. Graham shares his two cents on Dishonest People and hidden agendas” of some people that he had to have dealings with in the industry.
Jeff R Graham shares his thoughts and insights on the hassles of customer picture requests and why most dealers do not bother to send them.
Jeff R. Graham covers the gemstone industry and says do not believe everything you hear. Just Ask Jeff shares his opinion on finding honest experts…
“Just Ask Jeff” gives his opinions and comments and detailed explanation on Buying Gemstones from shopping networks. Read on for more!
Just Ask Jeff answers “Can I make money cutting that rough?”. Profit making from rough gems is an important issue for all who want to facet and make…
In South Africa, illegal mining is being put to an end with the compromise between government and big businesses.
This is a quick story about finding employment (a job) in the gem or jewelry industry. It explains why starting a store is likely not your best bet!…
A full and complete history of the lapidary arts, from 70,000 BC to present day. The origins of faceting, bruting, and carving.
A book review on “Gem Dealers Secrets”. It is always a treat to find a book that lives up to expectations and is entertaining to read. This is such a…
IGS Become Member