I was wondering if anyone here has purchased gemstone beads from Magpie Gemstones? If so, were you pleased with the quality and shipment?

Thanks!

OMG, don't wait another minute.  MG is on the top of my list of favorite websites.  Szarka's merchandise is some of the best quality you will find out there.  If you get on her e-mail mailing address, she'll send you notices when she gets new stuff in or when she is having a sale.  Right now she is offering 20% off sitewide.  I have NEVER been disappointed.  She gets really cool, unusual stuff that you won't find anywhere else, too.  For example, I just ordered a White Buffalo Turquoise cabachon.  I've never seen or heard of it before.  In her descriptions, she is totally honest and will let you know upfront the quality and grade of what you are getting.  Oh well, I could go on and on, but you'll see what I mean when you place your first order.  Also, she is a participant in this forum.  That's how I found her site.

Laura

 slight FYI derail here - from another beading forum

... Rings N Things (www.rings-things.com). Russ Nobbs is the owner and he is very good about making sure things are properly named, labeled, etc. You won't find "white buffalo" turquoise or the "fruity" quartzes that sometimes turns up on "other store sites" at Rings N Things. Rings N Things also has a guide to stone beads so you can look up just about any stone - even things they don't sell.

 if you like it and the price is right - enjoy it.

Yes, I think Rings & Things is also an excellent website.  I always look for the best quality where I shop and these sites don't disappoint.

Laura

Wonderful! I have been looking for websites that sell quality gemstones. I like firemountain.com;

 however, many of their beads have been dyed.   Would that decrease the value of your jewelry?

I think it is personal preference to use dyed stones.  I would just make sure I let the buyer know what all my materials are made of.  I've heard of dyed stones bleeding if they get wet.  I, myself, do use dyed stones because I think the enhancement is sometimes too good to pass up.  But, just as the vendor should be honest with you, you should be honest with your customers.

Laura

P.S.  Another great site is Lima Beads.

I found this website, too

http://www.elimornaments.com

Has anyone ever heard of it? It was on the top of google's sponsored links.

I've never heard of it.  When I come across a website that I haven't heard of that looks good, I place a small order just to see their quality, customer service, how quickly I get it, etc.  I've discovered many great sites by just taking a small risk.  If I wasn't happy ever, I just never ordered from them again.  I, personally, don't order from anywhere that charges high S&H.  There are too many great ones out there that have very realistic S&H, if any at all.  But, that's just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions. (LOL)

Laura

 Great thread.  I just discovered Limabeads.com not long ago, and I love the way their site is organized and their constant "specials," but their prices are still high and their shipping is priority-rate.  Gah!  They claim to have "superior" grade beads, and if that's true it might be worth it, but I haven't tried them out yet. I'm always careful to make my first couple orders small when I'm trying a new site, just in case it doesn't work out well.

 As for dyed beads, if it's a stone you can soak in water, soak them in some water with dish detergent in it to remove excess dye.  Test it on one bead first if you aren't sure whether it can handle the water and soap--quartz/chalcedony-based stones will survive almost anything, but there are others that shouldn't be soaked in anything.

 ~Andi

I just receive my first order from elimornaments.com.   The quality of their gemstones are good, probably better than some of my firemountain gemstone orders.  The last few orders from Firemountain have not been very good, many of the beads were chipped or cracked, so I have to send them back.  Too bad I can't find cheap gemstones in the US.

Andi,

Yes, Lima Beads is a little high, but their quality is "top of the line".  You know what they say about "you get what you pay for".  Yes, I agree, their S&H is a little high, but their rate is exactly my "cut off" for S&H.  Also, if you order $40 or more, it's free S&H.  I've done that a lot.  Check out their "Big Green Bead Machine".  You'll get very good deals on that and it's fun.  They have a very interactive site.  Check out their "bead picks".  That's where customers put together bead combos they like and then name them.  When I order a type of bead and I need ideas, I do a search for that bead and many, many people's "bead picks" come up for you to get ideas.  I've also taken some of the names to use on my own jewelry creations.  They give away free stuff all of the time and don't require you to order anything else to get it.  These people are brilliant marketers.

Laura

 Yes, I think whoever came up with the entire Lima Beads site is a genius--the Bead Machine & Tuesday Lunch Specials are great!  However, I'm kind of a purist when it comes to marketing claims, and they ticked me off with the Easter-Egg Hunt--they promised "free" items if you found X number of eggs, but after I'd found the eggs, I found that I still had to pay $5 shipping, even for one single focal bead.  I thought that was disingenuous--free is free, IMO. 

 However, I'm glad to hear that their beads really are good quality.  They have a mind-blowing variety of stone types.  I'll keep them on my list for future purchases!  Thanks!

 ~Andi