admin answers:

The thing to do is go to a jeweler who makes jewelry. You can't buy a necklace pre-made without stones and expect your stones to fit. So, find a reputable jeweler. He/She can show you your options for setting and will make the necklace for you.

Http://www.paynesjewelry.com/ this is just one site offering custom-made jewelry. If you want to search online, just Google "custom-made jewelry"

admin answers:

If you want to simply identify what gemstones do you have ( stones varieties, names) and you don't want to spend weeks reading books, then your best move will be to visit your local gem dealer and pay him some small fee for reviewing your collection. Your local custom jeweler maybe able to help you as well.

You can also visit local Gemological Institute of America (GIA) campus and ask students to help you. They should be glad to practice with your gemstones , especially if they doing identification course. Many cities have local gemological clubs, as well, some are associated with universities.

If you want to check whenever your gemstones are natural ( gemstone identification), then your only option is to use gem lab and pay for the identification reports. Depending of the lab, stone size and type of report it will cost you betwen 15 USD to 150 USD per gemstone.

Here is a link to GIA at http://virtualcampus.gia.edu/lab-reports-services/index.html

Or do a search for Gem labs.

admin answers:

Gemstones in a bag are more of an investment, than a gift...

Pick a few of them out and have a set of earrings, or a ring made at a jewelers. Give her the rest of them and let her decide what she wants to do with the remainder of the stones.

admin answers:

Ask for quotes from a number of jewelers. Depending on the value - you may still want to try eBay or other auction site - just stick to your reasonable offering price. Otherwise...

Look for gem shows in your area. While most of the vendors there are not interested in small quantities, some maybe. This is where you will have your best chance of finding someone looking for just one or two stones, and willing to pay fair value for them.

If you have a flea market in your area you might try offering them for sale there, or consigning them to a reputable vendor.

And, finally, your local custom jeweler maybe able to use those stones and give you a fair price.

admin answers:

A lot depends on whether you're expecting retail or wholesale prices, or something in between. Also, a lot depends on the quality and cut of the stones as well as their size. How about advertising on Craig's List?

You might, before you seriously try to sell them, ask a jeweler in the area for an estimate of the value of each, wholesale as well as retail, along with the size and description of the cut of each. You'll want an estimate of the jeweler's charge for the information you need up front. He/she won't do it for free.

One major thing to remember is that loose stone, natural or man made, aren't nearly as valuable as set stones. The mountings are frequently what make the stones and the value of same to soar. It would be very helpful to have the info I'm mentioning on the stones before you get seriously involved in trying to sell them.

I hope this helps. I made and sold my handcrafted jewelry for a number of years. I wish you luck.