Hi

I'm on a little mini-getaway in Las Vegas and just got back from a gemstone and mineral shop. I was quite disappointed as it caters to interior decorators and the way too dumb with money. Needless to say, buying online would beat his prices with just a little smarts about it (and that includes adding in the shipping costs).

And that's what this guide is about, who actually are you buying from? Let's just throw out those sellers who hit estate auctions and buy up a rock, gem, or fossil collection because unless they got it real cheap and just want to turn it around, you'll pay too much for it. Also throw out the dealers in Asia and related areas (especially if they happen to list their home of origin as UK and the item is shipped from Asia). To easy to get crossed up here with higher shipping fees and lost shipments.

That leaves the rock and gem dealers who have a business to run and buy in bulk, make a modest markup, and you can be reasonablly sure your getting a fair price because their stock is bought by the kilo and usually in 50 to 500 kilo lots (except for the facet grade stones or gemgrade opal). Usually these dealers are going to be your best bet.

It also leaves the nature store type who dabbles in rocks, gems, and ethic art and creations. It is this group that you can spot a mile away and they cater to two or three groups. First group is they try to sell to is the rock/fossil collector. They generally won't mess with lapidapies at all. The prices here range from modest to what I saw two blocks off Las Vegas Blvd. Only when they haven't moved an item at all will they offer bulk pricing and try to unload it. But, they can have some nice items to sit on the mantel or coffee table. And some even carry really nice cabinet grade specimens.

Check out their online store, catalog, or get on their mailing list if you think they might interest you. But it is these same three ways to see what they carry that will tell you what kind of dealer they are. High priced specimens and little bulk (rough or finished) gems and stones pretty much lets you know they are going to higher end rock/trade shows and buying flats of specimens to mark up and move to unsuspecting collectors. Do they sell a lot of African wood carvings? Single strands of  gemstone beads? Chances are they're regulars at trade shows. And that means at least two middlemen and so, twice the markup.

The smart buyer will learn to see through the chaff and find those dealers who truely love  what they sell.