Ok, fess up time!! Has anyone ever bought one of those "Unsearched Rough Gemstone Bag" lots on ebay? I think it would be great fun to explore them. Even though I have no idea what I'd be looking for in finding a "good one". LOL Anyone ???

And then what do you do when you find one that looks like a winner? How do you get it faceted by someone?

I've never seen these?! My jeweler cuts rough stones though so where's a link...I might check into it!

I see them on ebay - usually when I am searching the loose gemstone category. Here's a few...

Unsearched Bag - Emeralds

1/2 lb. bags of uncut rough sapphires

Uncut mix of rough semi precious

Wow...I am considering a rock polishing kit for my son...he really likes to look at rocks we look for them every place we go! I wonder if one of these little devices would be fun for him to use on a bag of stones like this. It seems like it would be fun to play with but I know nothing about rock polishing as a hobby. Interesting DL, thanks!

Have not purchased any of these through eBay, but it would be fun! Get a gemstone book that shows what the stone looks like from rough to cut and polished for i.d. purposes. One I like is "The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals" for quick reference.

Hubby just took about 30 lbs. of rough I've been given over the years to some folks here who have a jewelry store/lapidary shop; I know there are a bunch of tourmaline rods, amethyst, unknown blue stones...I'm looking forward to knowing what all the stones I can't identify are!

I am definately going to do this! I think the book a bag of rocks and a polishing kit would make a wonderful Christmas present for a 7 year old! Not to mention make him a hit with the ladies!!! Not only that, now that I know what he is getting for xmas maybe his dad can (Will) pitch in!

Cyn-do tell! Did these stones come from your yard??? Very Cool-I mean nothing like having something you've "Mined" yourself and getting something wonderful. My fingers are crossed that you have a nice surprise!

They didn't come from my yard! I've mentioned before that I've had the sparklie bug since I was about 6 or 7 (when I could read and learn about gems and jewels I'd seen), most of this lot of stuff was from an old gentleman who amassed it during the course of his life and gave it to me.

WOW Cyn...Don't know how I missed this tidbit of information? Sounds like fun...

I'm wanting to get one of these "bags" more and more! I already have a couple books on gemstones and I think one on lapidary / rock hounding. I gotta find them. I just don't know what to do with it if you find one that looks good. Find a lapidary / gem cutter I guess.

If you don't have anyone locally, doesn't Michael E cut gemstones?