Where to Buy Gems
Straight up, I buy a lot of gems from eBay. There are a lot of good gem dealers from around the world who sell on eBay and you can get a really good deal buying direct from factories and gem cutters overseas.
Always check the seller's feedback, ask questions, and look carefully at the description before you buy. Some sellers mislabel their auctions (purposefully or not) so it helps to know the specifics of what you are looking for. Be careful, as there are always new fangled knock-offs appearing, such as "nano-crystals" (usually labeled as synthetic emerald, but is not even close to the real thing - the composition of these 'nano crystals' is actually particles suspended in glass), fake rutilated quartz, etc. For someone unfamiliar with minerals and how they are supposed to look, purchasing on eBay could be a disappointing experience. So, when in doubt, you could ask an expert or check in with a gem forum online (check under the References link on this site).
There are many reputable gem dealers and stores - if you are shopping for natural gems, I highly recommend you see them in person. Check your neighborhood jewelry store; they may be able to custom order gems for you. Also go to your local beading store for natural gemstone strands. Some of these stores may also stock synthetic gems or may be able to special order them.
Online Stores:
Aside from eBay, Etsy is another place where you can shop for jewelry components from different sellers.
Fire Mountain Gems and Rio Grande are vast jewelry making supplies websites and have a large selection of gemstone beads, cabochons, and more. Rio Grande in particular caters to the jeweler and stocks pricier high grade lab created gemstones and even GIA certified natural diamonds. If you are in need of a particular size and grade of gem, Rio Grande has a Special Order Request form. Beadaholique is my personal favorite commercial site for random jewelry supplies and knick-knacks; they have a decent lower priced selection of gemstone beads. You can sometimes find A grade bead strands for secondary jyotish stones such as amethyst and garnet there.
If you are in need of findings, wire, and metal working tools, clays, etc., take a look at Rings & Things.
For loose gemstones, Jamming Gems has a decent selection of both one of a kind natural gems and synthetic lab created gemstones. The settings they carry usually have a higher mount than what is required for skin contact, so I would advise getting or making your own settings for Jyotish gems. Otherwise, for regular jewelry to wear, they have inexpensive and convenient gem setting services if you buy their settings.
Check out my Reference section under Jyotish links for other Jyotish based jewelers and services. I am a DIY person who likes to make her own pieces, so I have never tried any of these sites. As always, buy at your own risk. These listings are for your reference and convenience (and for eye candy!).
Also check out my section on setting gems and jewelry making for ideas and books on making your own jewelry.
I hope this section is helpful to you!
Always check the seller's feedback, ask questions, and look carefully at the description before you buy. Some sellers mislabel their auctions (purposefully or not) so it helps to know the specifics of what you are looking for. Be careful, as there are always new fangled knock-offs appearing, such as "nano-crystals" (usually labeled as synthetic emerald, but is not even close to the real thing - the composition of these 'nano crystals' is actually particles suspended in glass), fake rutilated quartz, etc. For someone unfamiliar with minerals and how they are supposed to look, purchasing on eBay could be a disappointing experience. So, when in doubt, you could ask an expert or check in with a gem forum online (check under the References link on this site).
There are many reputable gem dealers and stores - if you are shopping for natural gems, I highly recommend you see them in person. Check your neighborhood jewelry store; they may be able to custom order gems for you. Also go to your local beading store for natural gemstone strands. Some of these stores may also stock synthetic gems or may be able to special order them.
Online Stores:
Aside from eBay, Etsy is another place where you can shop for jewelry components from different sellers.
Fire Mountain Gems and Rio Grande are vast jewelry making supplies websites and have a large selection of gemstone beads, cabochons, and more. Rio Grande in particular caters to the jeweler and stocks pricier high grade lab created gemstones and even GIA certified natural diamonds. If you are in need of a particular size and grade of gem, Rio Grande has a Special Order Request form. Beadaholique is my personal favorite commercial site for random jewelry supplies and knick-knacks; they have a decent lower priced selection of gemstone beads. You can sometimes find A grade bead strands for secondary jyotish stones such as amethyst and garnet there.
If you are in need of findings, wire, and metal working tools, clays, etc., take a look at Rings & Things.
For loose gemstones, Jamming Gems has a decent selection of both one of a kind natural gems and synthetic lab created gemstones. The settings they carry usually have a higher mount than what is required for skin contact, so I would advise getting or making your own settings for Jyotish gems. Otherwise, for regular jewelry to wear, they have inexpensive and convenient gem setting services if you buy their settings.
Check out my Reference section under Jyotish links for other Jyotish based jewelers and services. I am a DIY person who likes to make her own pieces, so I have never tried any of these sites. As always, buy at your own risk. These listings are for your reference and convenience (and for eye candy!).
Also check out my section on setting gems and jewelry making for ideas and books on making your own jewelry.
I hope this section is helpful to you!