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Got an offer to sell Precious stones. Should I take it?

Kokaka

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Hi all.
So yesterday a friend of my wife, who owns a big gem mine in Brazil contacted us and told us that he wants help to export gem-stones mainly to europe where we live.
Does anyone know about the gem selling business in europe, online or the rest of the world who have any tips on where to start? I was a very good salesmany a few years ago before I joined the military, but I'm retired from that field now. I don't have any experience in neither gemstones or international sales.
Any advice would be appreciated and also where to start. If it is better to sell everything online or find dealers here in Europe?
Thanks
 
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RazorCut

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I used to have a findings business (jewellery components). Are you talking precious or semi-precious stones?
 

Tourmaline

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Do you collect gems yourself? What do you know about them?
 

Kokaka

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I used to have a findings business (jewellery components). Are you talking precious or semi-precious stones?
It is semi precious stones. I dont have the specs or the info about the stones yet, he will send everything in a few days. I only have some photos on some semiprecious stones, among them a big bag of cut aquamarines.
What is a findings business? My google skills is failing me.
 
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Kokaka

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Do you collect gems yourself? What do you know about them?
I do not know nothing of them yet because this just came out the blue. I am a fast learner however.
 

RazorCut

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Azure

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It is semi precious stones. I dont have the specs or the info about the stones yet, he will send everything in a few days. I only have some photos on some semiprecious stones, among them a big bag of cut aquamarines.
What is a findings business? My google skills is failing me.

It's worthwhile to get a strong base knowledge of any industry you want to involve yourself in. Lacking knowledge of the basics invites a multitude of problems that will strangle any potential viability you may have.

This particular industry is filled to the teeth with unscrupulous suppliers, out right scam artists and ill informed, but not necessarily malicious people who have been duped by the previously mentioned people and are unknowingly passing the buck along to you.

Spend a few weeks learning the ins and outs of the trade of the particular gemstones you have access to, if possible contact some of the collectors groups in your area if they have them to get a feel for the market and state of things.

Lots of people lose big trying to chase gems without knowing what they're doing and the sharks jump on them.
 
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Kokaka

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It's worthwhile to get a strong base knowledge of any industry you want to involve yourself in. Lacking knowledge of the basics invites a multitude of problems that will strangle any potential viability you may have.

This particular industry is filled to the teeth with unscrupulous suppliers, out right scam artists and ill informed, but not necessarily malicious people who have been duped by the previously mentioned people and are unknowingly passing the buck along to you.

Spend a few weeks learning the ins and outs of the trade of the particular gemstones you have access to, if possible contact some of the collectors groups in your area if they have them to get a feel for the market and state of things.

Lots of people lose big trying to chase gems without knowing what they're doing and the sharks jump on them.
Thanks for the input. It is very true that you need to learn the market which will take alot of time and effort.
So my question is really if this is a good oppurtunity since I have a direct link to a big miner in brazil who is friend of the family. Apparently he has very good reputation and does everything by the book, easy to work with and everything is 100% legal and documented, so in essence I cant ask for a better supplier.
At the moment however I'm studying medicine at the university and working at a nursing home to pay the bills, so I would much rather sell gem stones as my income than changing diapers on old people. And who knows what the future will bring.
My scedule will let me also travel about 10 weeks during the summer and about 4 weeks during the winter.

As such I have been thinking of online marketing or try to sell directly to jewelry manufacturers.
Is this just a silly dream in my situation or is it actually feasable?
 

Tourmaline

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What sort of gems does the mine produce?

Many gems are not fit for jewelry because they're too soft. However they're used in raw, cut, and/or polished form for things like decor, collecting, and spiritual uses.

Then there's the issue of clarity, gems for jewelry typically have high clarity or else they cannot sell for very much.
 

ChrisV

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Last edited:

Jake

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I don't know anything about the European market or the market out here for that matter but I have a lot of friends in the industry and Bangkok is a major trading hub for gems. If you can tell me what you have supply for and the prices I can send it over to some guys to see if it's worthwhile.
 

Kokaka

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What sort of gems does the mine produce?

Many gems are not fit for jewelry because they're too soft. However they're used in raw, cut, and/or polished form for things like decor, collecting, and spiritual uses.

Then there's the issue of clarity, gems for jewelry typically have high clarity or else they cannot sell for very much.
I'm currently waiting for all the specifics, but so far, I understand that they mine both stones made for jewelry, industry and stones you can sell for spirutual or other uses.

NO do NOT do it. What if you want to have kids one day????

oh wait
I'm sure it will work out :)
I don't know anything about the European market or the market out here for that matter but I have a lot of friends in the industry and Bangkok is a major trading hub for gems. If you can tell me what you have supply for and the prices I can send it over to some guys to see if it's worthwhile.
Thanks that would be great. Its easy to travel to Bangkok from Sweden where I live so location wise that would work out perfect. I'm just waiting for all the specifics on the stones and hopefully thay will come shortly.
 

Scot

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I know absolutely nothing about the gem market. But what I do know, is it’s a very complex, very controlled, and very “good old boys” system.

As @Azure mentioned, it’s an industry where it’s very easy to get scammed or in over your head. Definitely take it slow.
 
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RazorCut

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I would stay well away from precious and higher end semi-precious stones as you simply do not have the experience (this is the area people are warning you about). The lower end stuff that is more suited to the craft/lower end jewellery industry would be fine to dip your toes into. It really depends on what is available to you plus what contacts you can make.

There are loads of jewellery component supply companies in Europe selling direct to the trade and others straight to the consumer. If you have images, accurate descriptions and prices it should be fairly straightforward to determine if you can make sales at a margin which makes it worthwhile to all parties concerned.
 

Kokaka

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I know absolutely nothing about the gem market. But what I do know, is it’s a very complex, very controlled, and very “good old boys” system.

As @Azure mentioned, it’s an industry where it’s very easy to get scammed or in over your head. Definitely take it slow.
I would stay well away from precious and higher end semi-precious stones as you simply do not have the experience (this is the area people are warning you about). The lower end stuff that is more suited to the craft/lower end jewellery industry would be fine to dip your toes into. It really depends on what is available to you plus what contacts you can make.

There are loads of jewellery component supply companies in Europe selling direct to the trade and others straight to the consumer. If you have images, accurate descriptions and prices it should be fairly straightforward to determine if you can make sales at a margin which makes it worthwhile to all parties concerned.

Yes if I would to start in this I would definetly take it slow so I dont get in way over my head since It will take many years I believe to learn the higher end market.

I think that would be a good way to start by selling lower end stones to supply companies.
At the moment, I only have theese pictures since this idea came very spontaneous for both parties. I will however have a few month with nothing to do for a while so it will give me time to start at new project.
 
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