Post subject: The Gem Merchant by David Stanley Epstein
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 6:02 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
I was sent the latest edition of this book to review before it is released on July 16, 2012.
I found The Gem Merchant, How to be One, How to Deal with One a really entertaining and insightful read. It feels like you are having an in depth conversation with an experienced mentor who wants to insure your success in the gem industry on every conceivable level. Regardless of your trade experience, you will find this book a seriously useful tool. I certainly have.
Epstein does not leave a stone unturned, providing everything from beginner’s information on how to source and price gemstones to sophisticated tips on developing your business from the bottom up. From negotiating prices to insuring your security, you will find this book an invaluable asset!
The Table of Contents Sums it up:
Section 1- Buying Preface How Can You Buy if You Don’t Know What It Is? How Can You Price if You Can’t Grade It? Understanding Premiums and Discounts What to Buy Buying Customs-Negotiating Techniques and the “Real Price” Buying Assistants Travel, Transportation, Security
Section II- Business Planning Preliminaries Gathering and Organizing Information About What to Sell/Buy Presentation Strategy Office Location and Set-Up
Section III-Marketing Prospecting The Sale Computer Marketing Email Web Sites Auction Sites Advertising Promotional Items Trunk Shows Lectures
Section IV- Cutting (Manufacturing) Rough Buying How to Grade and Value Working Rough and Separation Lapidation: Recutting and Contract Cutting
Section V- Trading Overview and Projections Know from Where to Where/ For the Jeweler Classification of Precious Stones Preferred Grades in Some Transparent Stones Gem Supplies and Equipment Gem Shams, Scams and Rip-Offs What One Should Look For in a Gem Merchant International Gem Cutting Centers The Tucson Shows Historical Analysis of the Gem Trade, Prices and Profit Margins Color Photographs and Figures
Post subject: Re: The Gem Merchant by David Stanley Epstein
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 4:12 pm
Valued Contributor
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:58 pm Posts: 294 Location: California desert
Thanks!! Excellent review. I am a moderator on a numismatics forum, and one could change just a few terms and have a wonderful book for someone wanting to start a coin business~ Or any business for that matter, Do you mind if I post the url for your post in the other forum?
Post subject: Re: The Gem Merchant by David Stanley Epstein
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:08 am
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
New fro David Epstein: David Epstein 7:01am Jan 23 When negotiating gemstones, a subtle difference in grading can be large difference in price. Here is one of those differences open vs. closed gemstones. Hope the this video helps.
Here's another video by David Stanley Epstein. While the video quality is antediluvian I find this one fascinating in that it tours Epstein's professional (in the sense of non-hobby) cutting works in sufficient detail that we get a real good look at the machines. Note the jamb-pegs. Note the wonderful dopping aid in the form of a mason's trowell. Note that all work stations (sawing, pre-forming etc.) are individual, separate, with ample amounts of side space at each station. And chromium oxide seems to be the polish of choice.
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