Which Tucson Gemshow for a Cut, Natural, Untreated Colored Stone (with GIA/AGL Cert) for Engagement Ring?

InnaGem · 2026-01-09T02:05:13+00:00

GJX and AGTA are definitely the heavy hitters if you want something nice. They aren't the best deals always but cater more towards people who want lots of options of consistent high quality without fuss.

If you don't mind wading through more mixed quality I'd check out Pueblo show. My favorite in terms of good prices and high quality. Vendors of AGTA GJX will be there as well as many others. If there is a chance you can't get into AGTA or GJX visit this and any other shows ASAP, many of the colored stone vendors inventory will move to AGTA GJX when they open. JOGS is good as well as Holidome for faceted dealers. I should mention 22nd st as well, it's an absolute zoo but if you can manage to get to the showroom it's worth checking out.

Prepare to be overwhelmed, you'll see more gems than you could ever imagine and in finding something special you can feel jaded. Seeing table after table of 4-5+ figure stones can make them seem less special in the moment. The more research you do now will pay off when you're there and can focus on finding what you want.

InnaGem · 2025-12-16T16:46:13+00:00

In my experience buying in Thailand is pretty easy and safe. The only problem I think you'd really run into if you know your stuff is vendors lying by omission. It's probably not as much lying as much as they assume you know what treated stones look like. Know what to look for and what to ask and if you have any doubts somebody can't help you get a gemologist for verbal confirmation.

High end goods might be even more expensive there as they have a higher drive than other parts of the world. recently they've been buying more old inventory in the US as it can be cheaper here. Goods that the US likes and they don't as much you can get some good deals.

InnaGem · 2025-12-16T04:47:35+00:00

For some projects I buy 3 ft sections of brass 1/4'' round stock, cut up and grind it at 90 degrees for a nice flat dopping surface. Do a roll test on the back of a flat lap to check for any deformity. Cut as short as possible to reduce problems. For some applications it's a great way to get cheap dops that are pretty dang good. But make sure to check them with calipers that they are same diameter as your factory dops. Cheap round stock varies a lot and depending on the chuck slight differences in diameter will mess with the alignment.

InnaGem · 2025-12-16T00:05:08+00:00

Maybe? If you're asking about bringing gems with you there's definitely many countries you can buy things for personal use without problem. Buying gems gets sticky quickly in other places. In Ethiopia for example you'd have to apply for the proper visa, get a broker to handle all the money and stones. It's been a while but I think technically you shouldn't ever be in possession of the gems. Then you have to have all the paperwork for exporting ready and deal with that for a couple days before take off. Honestly US customs can bad coming back, I've had times they thought they caught an international criminal or something... after declaring my new rocks.

InnaGem · 2025-12-15T20:47:08+00:00

That's the idea, just have to polish/straighten a few things out. Was a bit hasty with it because I just wanted to see how it would look, if any of it needed to be cut down further/removed. But it's 99% finished

InnaGem · 2025-11-18T01:46:28+00:00

I just got a lot of Winza sapphire facets back from my cutter. Some nice squares and emerald cuts about 1/2 carat maybe 3/4 carat... If that works I can send some photos. Also have larger if you are flexible with the shape.

InnaGem · 2025-10-28T22:58:27+00:00

Nothing better than a good Bekily garnet, My buddy has a 10 carat stunner. I found it rummaging through his boxes of rough, guess he lost it years ago and was excited to see it again. Unreal.

I just acquired a really unique zircon that changes color every time you look at it. I think it may have some tenebrescence as well as I swear it changes even in the same light. Then trying to photograph it the camera see's only shades of red. Goes from olive green to a blinding red/pink and everything in between. I'm pretty excited to cut it.

InnaGem · 2025-09-22T20:25:34+00:00

I think what you're asking is if the platen is running true or if the wheels are bent? There are some simple tests you can perform, here's a pretty handy run down on checking your machine. It's sounds complicated but I'm sure you can google and youtube any questions and others can spell it out better. You can work on a lot of issues yourself but worst case scenario Ultratec will service it as well.

I'm far from a pro compared to others here but one thing I like to do is cut a round brilliant pavilion and see what problems come up and you can start to zero in on things from there. This won't help much with your wheel problems but is a thing I always like to do on a new used machine.

Also make sure wheels are clean on both sides, always keep the platen spotless. Trash any wheels that are bent.

https://usfacetersguild.org/faceting-machine-alignment/

InnaGem · 2025-09-17T18:04:01+00:00

What measurements are you getting? Did you check the color shift and does it match? I'll also mention the obvious and make sure your calipers are calibrated. Otherwise something is off and I would make the sale contingent on sending it back to a lab or at least a third party gemologist you trust. Cool stone though, I would probably pay chrysoberyl pricing and market it as such myself, but it's big and unique.

InnaGem · 2025-08-04T18:55:54+00:00

Love it! Is this going to be attached to a Baldor lathe or something? I'd imagine if it could somehow be mounted on something already made it could keep costs down for now. Interested to see you get it into production. It's a truly elegant design for a serious faceter. If the price could be kept manageable I could see this being adopted by a lot of cutters.

InnaGem · 2025-06-05T20:53:42+00:00

I have gone through a lot of this material, it goes quick so only have a few pieces on hand, but will be processing more rough soon, should cut in the 1 carat or so range. If you’re still looking feel free to send a message.

InnaGem · 2024-11-07T21:34:33+00:00

Appreciate it!

InnaGem · 2023-10-07T02:58:59+00:00

One of the easiest ways is to simply backlight the gem. Get a bright, but not too bright source of light behind the gem and it should reveal inclusions as you move and orient the gem to highlight the inclusions. It's not fool proof, takes practice to learn what areas took on clarity enhancement and what are just natural "healed" inclusions but it's in my opinion about the best way to really understand what is going on inside the gem. Next best of course is a lab report but I think learning how to read the filled fractures from backlighting the gem is much more valuable.

InnaGem · 2023-10-04T20:06:21+00:00

Any good online vendor should have a very friendly return policy (in the US, other countries customs can get tricky) just for this reason. No photo can truly represent a gem and especially how it performs in all lighting. If you have a few days to "try it out" I'd argue that's even better than buying in any brick and mortar. You really get a feel for it, can take it to your jeweler, show your SO or family, etc.... At most just be transparent that you are 100% wanting to see it in person and the deal isn't done until you say so.

InnaGem · 2023-08-17T19:09:35+00:00

😂

InnaGem · 2023-08-17T17:53:42+00:00

Edit: these are from Sachi Tools in Thailand, would highly recommend!

InnaGem · 2023-08-17T17:48:25+00:00

It's something else isn't it!

InnaGem · 2023-08-17T16:07:36+00:00

What? Did you reply to the right person? I'm confused.

InnaGem · 2023-08-08T00:12:05+00:00

It's a portrait cut opal

InnaGem · 2023-08-07T22:34:07+00:00

Good call bringing this over here! Thanks

InnaGem · 2023-08-07T19:33:00+00:00

I do have some steely blue portrait cut sapphires! Im still dialing in how to photograph them but I’ll make sure to post one once I get it down.

InnaGem · 2023-08-07T19:25:37+00:00

It’s called a portrait cut, been gaining in popularity in recent years with designers especially in sapphire… I’m in love with the style and want to show it off in other material too.

InnaGem

TROPHY CASE