Sending sapphires away to LAmberts

[gnomie]

I collected a number of small blue sapphires recently at Inverell, and would like to have them set in a silver ring.  Would Lamberts be the place to approach to have this done?  Gnomie

[Bush bunny]

I don't know lamberts, but if you live near Armidale, I know a jeweller who can set them in rings.  And she is reliable and honest and also a gemologist that has set many sapphires in rings.  I bought one from her years ago and she set it herself.

[Bucket]

Gnomie, I (and others here) have sent stuff to Lamberts before and I was very happy with the result.  The common thread seems to be that they do take a while, months rather than weeks.  Their prices are good and it's a good idea to send the stuff registered post.

[gnomie]

Do all of the sapphires have to be the same size and shape, as mine aren't?  I live at Lismore, but Armidale is not too far away.    Also, I have some great pieces of jaspar, do you know who cuts jaspar>

Thanks,   Gnomie

[Aussie Sapphire]

If you need the stones cut and they are quite small, Lamberts is the main choice most use. Some prefer to cut larger and more valuable stones in Australia - more expensive but for these larger gems, it is often worth the extra investment. Lamberts can be slow but they are reliable - DO need specific instructions though.  There have been discussions about them on here previously which may help.


After they have been cut, then setting them in a piece of jewellery is a separate job - not something Lamberts would do. If they are cut to calibrated sizes (this incurs a small extra cost but well worth it), then you can buy off-the-shelf settings and set them yourself as it is quite easy.  Or you can go to a silversmith who can do a custom job for you - more expensive but you know it will be a one-off piece just for you.


Cheers
Leah

[Bucket]

Do all of the sapphires have to be the same size and shape, as mine aren't?  I live at Lismore, but Armidale is not too far away.    Also, I have some great pieces of jaspar, do you know who cuts jaspar>

Thanks,   Gnomie

Gnome, as Leah said cutting the stones and mounting the stones are separate jobs.  Lamberts don't require all the stones to be the same size and will cut to whatever you ask them to. I had them cut to get the biggest size they could from the rough I sent, but will do any particular shape or size you ask of them.

[dughug]

I've also used Lamberts for stones I couldn't be bothered to cut myself. Very happy with the results great value for the quality of their work.  Lamberts are usually at the Anakie Gemfest (held in August) You can check them out there or have a look at their website

http://www.lambertgems.com/

[Aussie Sapphire]

Do all of the sapphires have to be the same size and shape, as mine aren't?  I live at Lismore, but Armidale is not too far away.    Also, I have some great pieces of jaspar, do you know who cuts jaspar>

Thanks,   Gnomie

There is quite an active gem club at Lismore so you may be able to find a silversmith locally with a bit of searching.

Lamberts will cut to your instructions - if you dont give them any, they tend to cut for maximum weight in any shape/size. It is often better for these smaller gems to cut to calibrated sizes so you can set them in jewellery much more easily. You can ask them to cut in a way best suited to the shape of the rough - size/shape (calibrated sizes are just a little bit extra) OR if you if want a set of matched sizes in a specific shape, they may be able to do that (possibly at additional cost because yield will be lower) but unless you are experienced enough to judge that the rough can do this, it could be tricky. They are experienced cutters and will generally do a good job with specific instructions. 

They can do other gems as well but perhaps for your jasper you might want them cabbed instead of faceted?

cheers
Leah

[Aussie Sapphire]

I had them cut to get the biggest size they could from the rough I sent, but will do any particular shape or size you ask of them.

This is a common request and one they will happily do because it is easy - however, we often get customers then come to us or other suppliers looking to set these stones in blank settings (earrings, pendants, rings). 

9 times out of 10, they will be disappointed because the "biggest size" possible will NOT be a calibrated size and therefore will rarely fit into a blank setting without modification - you are then looking at a custom made setting which can be quite a bit more expensive.

Paying for calibrated sizes is just a little bit extra and means you have lots more options when setting your gems.  If you do your own silversmithing, then no worries.  But if you just want to set a pair of 6x4 ovals into some earrings or something like that, then much easier when the gems ARE 6x4 and not some weird wonky size like 6.7 x 3.8 oval that just wont fit.

Just a handy hint based on lots of conversations with customers of Lamberts.

cheers
Leah

[mangomick]

Has anyone used Aster gem cutting service in China. Talking to a bloke out at O'briens Creek and he said he sends his stones to Aster Gems and is really pleased with them. I had a look at their web page and there are some pretty fancy cuts they can do.
 

[gnomie]

Thank you all for the advice offered.  I'm 80 and have just had my first fossicking trip, so am very enthusiastic.  Will keep you posted on how the sapphires turn out.  Gnomie

[Bush bunny]

Hi, June's Gems and Jewellery in Armidale they are in the phone book, but she doesn't cut stones only sets them. As far as I know, faceting is a specialist job and if one can't do it oneself it can be costly. I was told anything between 50 - 85 per carat.  I have heard of stones being either reset or set overseas and the original stones have actually been stolen and an inferior one put in its place.  I would plumb for one who is known to be reliable and good luck and tell us how you go.

[Bush bunny]

Gnomie, her are some examples of June Dangar's work I have had done.

L-R     Zambian Amethyst 5.6 ct I believe, can't remember.  I supplied the gold and was not charged anything.

Pearl earrings, my mother had clip earrings and I had them set in silver as I have pierced ears. Cost $50

Twin black opals given to me unset for my 50th birthday or was 60th can't remember had them set in silver cost $60.  Chain extra of course.

I was pleased with the result.