We will be away over Easter. Last post day will be the 14th of April, and first post day back will be the 23rd.

FAQs

How much is postage and what are the postage times?
All parcels are sent via registered mail with Australia Post from the Canberra region and despatched on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, AEST.
Standard postage within Australia is $10 for orders under $100 and free for orders over $100. It generally takes 3-6 business days. Express postage within Australia is $20 and takes 2-3 business days.
Standard International postage is AU$25, Express International Postage is AU$45. Delivery times vary depending on the destination.

Do you have a returns policy? What if I'm unsatisfied with my stones?
We offer a full refund on return of any purchased items, providing that they are in original condition and your intent to return is communicated within 7 days of receipt of the items. Return postage is at the expense of the purchaser. 

Do you guarantee your stones?
I am a certified gemologist through the International Gem Society. All cut stones come with a gemologist's certification. All parcels of rough gemstone material are tested before being offered for sale. 

Can I commission you to cut a custom stone?
Whilst I do take on cutting commissions at times I am not currently able to do so.

Can you cut my rough stones? How much do you charge?
Whilst I do take on cutting work at times I am not currently able to do so.

Can you sort my fossicked stones and tell me what's worth cutting?
Sorting your fossicked stones is actually really easy. Here's how you do it:

Sorting Rough Material For Cutting

  • White Paper Test

Get a sheet of plain white paper and put it on a surface under a normal, white ceiling light. Dry the stones and put them on the paper, spreading them out. You're looking for stones that are transparent and either show colour or are colourless. 

Anything that is opaque, or appears black whilst on the paper, fails the test and is not suitable for cutting.

  • Visual Inspection

Next, hold each stone up with a bright window or normal light behind it and inspect the interior. You're looking for inclusions and fractures. Any stone that is heavily included or contains fractures will most likely split (or explode) whilst being cut, and is not suitable. Lightly included stones are OK.

  • Measurement

There's a limit to the minimum size that a cutter can manage, and which is worth working with. I say it's 5mm of rough. So grab a ruler or some calipers, you're looking for stones that are at least 5mm on each axis, or in the case of larger ones, have an area at least 5mm that is free of fractures.