Resources for the Professional Lapidary
Articles about the business-side of lapidary arts as well as jewelry making and/or selling.
An Interview with “Diamond Wizard” Maarten de Witte: Part 4
The American Rose Brilliant Cut© is an innovative design by diamond cutter Maarten de Witte. Learn how he created it...
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An Interview with “Diamond Wizard” Maarten de Witte: Part 2
“Diamond Wizard” Maarten de Witte faced many obstacles getting into the diamond trade. In this interview, he explains how he...
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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...
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An Interview with Jade Expert Jeff Mason of Mason-Kay
Jade expert Jeff Mason of Mason-Kay discusses the US and Chinese jade markets and what to look for in fine...
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Gemstone and Jewelry Marketing: The Duh Factor
What can you learn about gem and jewelry marketing from other businesses? Tracking your inventory and requests for what you...
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Gemstones That Make Money
What kinds of gems can novice faceters cut to make a profit? Learn which gemstones make money reliably and which...
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Selling Gems to Jewelers: Basic Rules
Are you ready to sell your cut gemstones to local jewelers? Here are some basic rules for selling gems that...
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Writing Effective Advertising for Gems and Jewelry
If you’re in the gem and jewelry business, you’ll need to write effective advertising. These techniques will help you succeed....
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Marketing and Selling Rare Gemstones
You need a good strategy for marketing and selling rare gemstones, in order to succeed in this niche market. Learn...
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What Faceted Stone Sizes Will Sell Best?
How can a custom gem faceter compete with commercial cutting houses? Learn how cut stone sizes, gem quality, and expert...
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Starting a Jewelry Business? Some Questions to Consider
Starting a jewelry business takes a lot of planning. Answer these questions about your inventory and services now and save...
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Advice for New Gem Cutters
How can new gem cutters succeed in the gemstone business? Learn how rough buying and custom cutting can give you...
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Tips for Mailing Gems Safely
Whatever your reasons for mailing gems, follow this advice from competition faceters. These tips will help protect your gemstones from...
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The Gemstone Business: Stories and Observations
There are no shortcuts in the gemstone business. Learn why newcomers need to identify clear goals before investing in gems...
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Buying Gem Parcels and Quality Rough
To make money, novice faceters have to buy gem parcels as well as hand-picked quality rough. Learn how a combination...
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Selling Stones to Jewelers
Novice faceters may worry if they’re selling stones to jewelers too cheaply. Learn the best way to approach pricing and...
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Faceting a Gemstone Pendulum to Feature Inclusions
Showcase the amazing inclusions in minerals like rutilated quartz in a gemstone pendulum design. Learn how to facet these gems...
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A Tribute to Bench Jewelers
Bench jewelers work very hard with little or no acknowledgement, creating and repairing treasured possessions. These stories pay tribute to...
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Basic Business Rules: Buying Rough
Buying rough is the foundation of the gem cutting business. Learn the basic rules novice faceters need to know in...
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Some Pointers on Selling Gemstones
What does it take to succeed at cutting and selling gemstones? Jeff Graham offers newcomers some advice on treating faceting...
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Can You Make Money Cutting Synthetic Gemstones?
Selling lab-created cut gems can be quite difficult. Learn what makes this market hard to crack and the best ways...
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Basic Rules for the Gem Cutting Business
What do you need to know about starting a gem cutting business? These basic rules cover topics from buying and...
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Gem Pricing Advice for Faceters
Gem pricing isn't easy, and guidelines aren't always fixed. Learn what factors gem cutters should consider to determine a fair...
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An Interview with Sapphire Expert Jeffery Bergman
In a recent interview, Jeffery Bergman talks about his decades-long career as a sapphire expert and connoisseur and offers his...
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An Interview with Pearl Expert Jim Grahl
Curious about natural pearls? Hear what pearl expert Jim Grahl has to say about natural pearls and pearl jewelry design,...
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An Interview with Ruby Expert Richard Hughes
Richard Hughes has been a leading ruby expert for decades. Learn how he got started and his tips for newcomers...
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An Interview with Opal Expert Joel Ragan
Opal expert Joel Ragan has worked with these gems for 45 years. Learn how he got started and his top...
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How to Estimate Rough Gemstone Value
Can you tell if gem rough is too expensive? Learn how to estimate rough gemstone value by considering your gem...
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Can You Make a Living Cutting Gems?
How much and how fast do you have to work if you want to make a living cutting gems? Jeff...
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Precision Faceting a Story Gemstone: Custom Faceting Advice
Your prized gemstones deserve custom faceting. Learn the benefits of working with precision faceters and tips for starting your own...
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Precision Faceting A Story Gemstone: The Faceting Process
The faceting process turns rough stones into finished gems. Learn the steps custom faceters take to create unique gemstones that...
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Precision Faceting A Story Gemstone: Faceting Equipment
Today's custom gem cutters use faceting equipment for precision work and design inspiration. Take a look at the toolkit of...
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Precision Faceting A Story Gemstone: Gem Design
In the gem design stage of jewelry making, faceters evaluate a stone's qualities. Learn how to choose a cut for...
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Precision Faceting A Story Gemstone: Choosing Rough
A precision faceter can turn a rough stone into a story gemstone as unique as each client. Choosing the right...
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Master Faceter
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what a "master faceter"...
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The Effects of a Declining Business
Jeff R Graham, "Just Ask Jeff" talks about what is up with manufacturers' declining business and the effects it causes...
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Figuring Rough Cost
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics on Just Ask Jeff. Figuring rough cost on Just...
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Perspective on the Gem Rough Market
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on the gem rough market. Read more on some very important perspective to be...
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Supply of Gemstones and Rough
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics on Just Ask Jeff. See what his answers are to How...
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Cut Stones Cost
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See his answers to Why is some...
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Carats vs. Grams
Just Ask Jeff: Carats vs. Grams? Which is best? Most people can count and are not going to pay more...
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Commercial and Rough Stone Prices
Jeff R Graham shares about commercial and rough stone prices. See his answers to Why does rough cost almost as...
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Making Money Faceting
The first thing you need to know is that making money faceting is not a very hard thing to do....
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Customer Multiple Orders and Returns
Just Ask Jeff shares his frustrations on customer multiple orders and returns which is a common customer problems among rough...
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Dishonest People and Hidden Agendas
Jeff R. Graham shares his two cents on Dishonest People and hidden agendas" of some people that he had to...
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The Hassles of Customer Picture Requests
Jeff R Graham shares his thoughts and insights on the hassles of customer picture requests and why most dealers do...
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Finding Honest Experts
Jeff R. Graham covers the gemstone industry and says do not believe everything you hear. Just Ask Jeff shares his...
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Buying Gemstones from Shopping Networks
"Just Ask Jeff" gives his opinions and comments and detailed explanation on Buying Gemstones from shopping networks. Read on for...
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Profit Making from Rough Gems
Just Ask Jeff answers "Can I make money cutting that rough?". Profit making from rough gems is an important issue...
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A View From Africa
In South Africa, illegal mining is being put to an end with the compromise between government and big businesses.
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Finding a job in the gem or jewelry business
This is a quick story about finding employment (a job) in the gem or jewelry industry. It explains why starting...
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The History of Lapidary
A full and complete history of the lapidary arts, from 70,000 BC to present day. The origins of faceting, bruting,...
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BOOK REVIEW, Gem Dealers Secrets
A book review on "Gem Dealers Secrets". It is always a treat to find a book that lives up to...
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