Semi Precious Stones

Q1: What is the difference between facet-grade rough and lapidary rough semi precious stones?

Facet-grade rough refers to gemstone material with high optical clarity, minimal inclusions, and good color saturation — suitable for precision faceting into finished gems. Lapidary rough is broader in quality and is used for cabochon cutting, tumbling, carving, or wire wrapping where transparency is not required. At Folkmarketgems, each listing specifies the grade so you can buy with confidence.

Q2: Are the semi precious stones at Folkmarketgems natural and untreated?

Yes — the majority of our semi precious gemstones are natural and untreated. Where treatments such as heating or oiling are known or suspected, we disclose this in the product listing. We source directly from miners and trusted dealers in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Brazil, and East Africa, prioritizing transparency in every sale.

Q3: Do you sell semi precious stones in bulk or wholesale lots? 

Absolutely. Folkmarketgems offers wholesale semi precious stone lots for jewelry makers, gem dealers, and resellers. Bulk pricing is available on select rough lots, and we also accommodate custom sourcing requests for specific gem types, origins, or quantities. Contact us directly to discuss wholesale account terms.

Q4: Which semi precious stones from your collection are best for faceting beginners?

For beginners learning to facet, we recommend starting with amethyst rough, citrine rough, or smoky quartz — all of which are relatively forgiving, widely available in our inventory, and affordable. If you're ready to step up, peridot rough and blue topaz rough are excellent next choices with beautiful results and strong market demand.

Q5: How do I know the carat weight and origin of the semi precious stones I'm buying?

Every listing on Folkmarketgems includes the weight in carats or grams, country of origin, dimensions where applicable, and multiple high-resolution photos. What you see is what you get — we do not use stock images. For rare or high-value pieces, additional documentation or video can be provided upon request.