tags: #publish links: [[Gemstone Faceting]], created: 2022-07-22 Fri --- # Gemstone Rough Also see [[Gemstone Fossicking Locations]] ## Which rough to start with ### Beginners [Jeff Graham's advice](https://www.gemsociety.org/article/faceting-equipment-essentials/#Gemstone_Rough_for_Beginners) is: quartz or beryl or garnet. Advises against cubic zirconia or lab sapphire or topaz. Others say: Start with natural stones not synthetics, to learn Not quartz - even though it's cheap, not great for beginners Garnet is a good option for beginners Aquamarine, Beryl Sunstone Tourmaline Topaz (but can have some cleavage issues) Spinel ### Next steps Sapphire ## Suppliers ### Natural #### Australia Quality Gem Rough - Glenn Huntley https://www.facebook.com/Quality-Gem-Rough-Supplies-363868673759008/ met at some gem shows B R Gemstones BRGemstones - Brian Pepperal - QLD https://www.gemsociety.org/business/brgemstones/ [email protected] - suggested in a thread somewhere, met at some gem shows NanoHouseStore (etsy?) - Nano Ceramic Glass https://thegemcartel.com/ https://bespokefacetting.com.au/collections/facet-rough https://www.etsy.com/au/market/facet_rough https://www.gemworld.com.au/products/show/401/rough-rock https://skippysgems.com/product-category/gemstones/australian-sapphires/rough/ *sapphires* https://www.lawsongems.com/collections/gemrough *QLD - good variety* https://chromagems.com/product-category/faceting-rough/ *QLD - sapphires, tourmaline, garnet* https://tropiculture.com.au/collections/gems-crystals *QLD - randomly has some blue topaz* https://bad2mad.com/collections/in-stock-now Anthony Fitzgerald has the odd parcel of rough http://ashworths.com.au/DoorToLapidary.php?addr=http://ashworths.com.au/PricesLFacetRough.html *is it real? Ashworths does seem to still exist.* https://gemhunters.com.au/gemstones/all-rough/ *currently closed* http://www.glittersgemstones.com/ *this sadly appears to be defunct, latest stuff is 2012* https://mineralstore.com.au/ *mostly not faceting stuff but have bought rough from them at gemshows* #### Overseas https://www.facebook.com/groups/2222265178052594/?ref=share Facet Quality Rough moderated group US - https://joehenleyrough.com/collections/facet-rough (reasonable shipping) https://cuttingedgesupply.store/collections/facet-grade https://www.coppercanyonlapidary.com/ https://storiedgemstones.com/ Synth, natural and beginner advice A list of reputable small suppliers https://www.facebook.com/groups/503927076607644/permalink/1987369314930072/ https://www.yaqoobgems.com/ https://www.facebook.com/john.garsow https://www.neweragems.com/ Steve Ulatowski https://www.facebook.com/steve.ulatowski https://www.facebook.com/NewEraGems https://www.milsteadgemstones.com/ Matthew Millstead Tom's Box of Rocks (Etsy) https://www.unlimited-gems.com/ ### Synthetics Glenn Huntley, above https://cutandslice.com.au/collections/synthetic-rough https://www.gemcuts.com.au/synthetic-gemstone-faceting-rough - CZ and nanosital https://www.australianlapidarysupplies.com.au/faceting-rough-c-341_326/ *synthetic carborundum* http://www.creativegems.com/ - Warren Harris, US **Turtle's Hoard** https://www.turtleshoard.com/ and Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/TurtlesHoard Steven Challener, US but ships international - *exotic synthetics from scientific applications* https://www.gemsngems.com/product-category/rough-stones/ Labtastic