The Gem Vault

Of course you can pay us with bitcoin.

1.  Instead of 18K (750) gold, use 14K (585). As 18K is 75% gold and 25% other metals it is more luxurious (and costly!) than 14K which is 58.5% gold. You don’t have to use 950 platinum either- 900 anyone?

2. Use yellow gold instead of white. White gold is almost always plated or “flashed” with rhodium, so using yellow gold will eliminate this step.  Less labor, less materials= less cost!

3. Use a picture as a guide to make the wax model instead of CAD. It is exciting and gratifying to see your jewelry come to life in the form of a 3D rendering. It is also convenient and offers insurance that the finished product will be just what you want. But it’s not free!

4. Use fewer stones. Are you considering different designs that vary in the number of gemstones? One stone costs less because it reduces the labor involved.

5.  Use palladium instead of gold. Exotic metals are in, and most people don’t know the difference in price between platinum and gold and palladium. Your blue sapphire will look stunning in palladium and it will save you money while giving your finished jewelry an exotic and exclusive appeal.

6.  Recycle old stones into a new design. Most people have unused jewelry that has lost appeal over time. Don’t let those 2mm diamonds go to waste! They will accent a new ruby or tanzanite ring or pendant really well to create a stunning look. You can’t beat free; the flash for the cash is superb!

7.  Scrap that gold! Yes, we do take gold as payment for jewelry or stones- and we pay A LOT more than most jewelers or pawnshops. At current prices you shouldn’t ignore this source of jewelry-making capital lying in a drawer.

If you have a question you can always send me a note at dave@tiptopgem.com.  We would love to hear from you!

The Gem Vault is under construction for the first few days in June.  We appreciate that you came by and we hope to have new content for you soon. Please check back!!!

I really miss Bangkok!!!!  Since Melanie and I came back to Ohio to get married in November, it has been terribly cold compared to the weather to which we had grown accustomed.  It will be nice to get back to the sun, sand, and stones!

I am flying out to Bangkok the week of March 21st, 2011 so please get in touch with me if you would like me to find the perfect emerald, sapphire, tanzanite, ruby, watermelon tourmaline, tsavorite or demantoid garnet, or any other specialty/collectible gemstone.

I intend to explore the stones on offer in both the Silom district in Bankgok as well as in the Chanthaburi gemstone market several hours to the southeast of Bangkok- where Melanie and I used to live.  Surely whatever your heart’s desire I can find it!

This is us by the way- Melanie and I run the business together and we hand-select every stone that we buy.  When I started Tip Top Gem in 2005 that was how I did it and I have found that clients appreciate our attention to detail.

I hold a Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America, and Melanie and I are industry members of the Jeweler’s Ethics Association.  The JEA is a superb organization that is working hard for us all to bring about changes in how gemstone treatments are disclosed.

You can reach me at 800-607-1425 or send me an e-mail at dave@tiptopgem.com. Independent laboratory certificates are available for all gemstones, and I will do my best to find the stone you want.   We can also turn your treasure into a magnificent piece of heirloom-quality jewelry.  Don’t hesitate to add me as a friend on Facebook- “David Fortier”.

I hope to hear from you soon-

PS- if you are interested in learning more about Tip Top Gem and seeing first-hand the benefits of having a GIA Graduate Gemologist shopping for you at the markets in Thailand, watch some of these videos below!

Videos on Multiply.com

Welcome to the new Tip Top Gem online store! Just click on the link below and remember to bookmark it when you get there!

http://tiptopgemdotcom.auctivacommerce.com

If you are an Inner Circle member please do not hesitate to contact me at dave@tiptopgem.com or at 800-607-1425 so I can give you log-in credentials that reflect your discount.

We are just getting started and this represents only a very tiny portion of our current inventory.  If you have questions about other gemstones or custom jewelry please do not hesitate to ask.  Also note that I am adding new inventory nearly every day so if you don’t see what you want and are too shy to e-mail or call me just stop back!!!