Buying, Cutting and Evaluating Rough Gemstones

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