Buying, Cutting and Evaluating Rough Gemstones
What to consider when considering buying rough gemstones and how to decide what cutting technique is best.
Gem Rough Orientation: Looking Beyond the Obvious Cut
Gem rough orientation isn't always simple. Sometimes the obvious cut may not be the best choice. Learn how orienting rough...
Read More
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...
Read More
Getting the Best Gem Yield from a Crystal
Cutting crystals for the best gem yield is a critical skill for faceters. This walkthrough can help novices learn how...
Read More
How to Identify Synthetic Rough in Gemstone Parcels
Telling synthetic rough from natural stones in a gem parcel can be challenging. These tips can help you find some...
Read More
Choosing and Orienting Rough Gemstones
Selecting and orienting rough gems can be challenging for new faceters. These tips can help you choose the right tools...
Read More
A Look at African Paraíba Tourmaline Rough
Distinguishing African paraíba from Brazilian paraíba tourmalines is difficult. This gallery showcases bright neon specimens from Nigeria.
Read More
Aquamarine Color and Heat Treatment
There's more to aquamarine color than blue. Most natural stones start blueish green and are heated to blue. Learn the...
Read More
The Minimum Cutting Technique for Gemstones
The minimum cutting technique will help you get the largest gems possible from rough. Learn how to deal with internal...
Read More
A Faceter’s Guide to Rough Gem Stress
Gem stress can cause stones to break during faceting. Learn what techniques may reduce the odds of fracturing and how...
Read More
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...
Read More
A Faceter’s Guide To Dark Saturated Rough Gems
Can you turn dark saturated rough gems into facetable material? Learn how to pick the right cuts and heat treatments...
Read More
Buying Gemstones in Afghanistan: A Beginner’s Guide
Considering buying gems in Afghanistan? Learn which Afghan gemstones to seek out, which to avoid, and prepare for a “buyer...
Read More
Figuring Rough Cost
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics on Just Ask Jeff. Figuring rough cost on Just...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
Siberite Tourmaline Material
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what his answers are...
Read More
Cut Stones Cost
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See his answers to Why is some...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!