Post
by FarmMom » 9 months ago
@MaeWest1953
I believe the most recent mention was the AAA Tanzanite thread that was just deleted (also possibly why it was taken down).
@Spinoza
As others mentioned, you cannot sell to local jewelers. They won't take it. They don't know it's not treated, mistreated, fabricated, etc, and most don't have time to sit and study every gem that heads their direction. Even my local jeweler I walked in and asked if he'd like another reputable source for gemstones (my overseas guys are always asking if I know anyone else who would like to do business... I think the gem industry is hurting right now with the recession), he laughed at me and said he only buys from one guy, and now he's going to retire soon anyway.
You could try selling on either of the two E sites, but it could be a needle in a haystack.
There are exceptions . . .
Gems are a type of "mineral specimen", and there are LOTS of people who buy and sell them (minerals though a bit harder to fake, so easier tp re sell). If you become a well known gemologist and write books and articles on the subject, and have a vast collection of fine specimens, THEN your entire collection could be auctioned off and get a decent amount for it (in theory). I have seen it done with minerals...
I saw a post on another forum about a guy who went to an estate sale and bought an "opalite" pin from the 1800's. He took it home and realized maybe it wasn't opalite. It ended up being actual moonstone from Sri Lanka, and at 30cts in perfect condition it was worth at least $50,000, perhaps the largest one ever found. Now THAT could be auctioned off I would think because the mines closed long ago, but again, there are not too many big auction houses that do gems, so who would know it was for sale? You'd have to hit a gem show maybe..
It's not easy to re-sell, bottom line. But you can buy them as displays, just like the mineral people do, and no shame in that if it's just for fun.