Start a Business Selling Precious Gems and Stones

A Gemstone or Gem (also called a precious or semi-precious stone, a fine gem, or jewel) is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However certain rocks (such as lapis lazuli), or organic materials that are not minerals (such as amber or jet), are also used for jewelry, and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well. Most gemstones are hard, but some soft minerals are used in jewelry because of their luster or other physical properties that have aesthetic value. Rarity is another characteristic that lends value to a gemstone. Apart from jewelry, from earliest antiquity engraved gems and hardstone carvings such as cups were major luxury art forms. The carvings of Carl Fabergé are significant works in this tradition.


Selling precious gems and stones can be as simple as setting up a small stand at a craft fair or can become a much larger business that includes jewelry design. Whether you just want to sell the stones and gems themselves or you want to delve into jewelry and other gem stone uses, you can make a lucrative part- or full-time income doing either.