@Matthew Paul I like that expression, but I've never heard of that one - does that come from the Indiana Jones, 'switching sand bags' as weights in replacement of a gem stone/chalice scene?

The same guy trains Danny McBride so I found a way to get on season 2 of Righteous Gemstones.

I graduated from the gemstone honors program at UMCP with a degree in finance and marketing. look it up, cheaper than an ivy league and equally difficult to gain entry to..4.

(Item meaning real estate for real estate, airplane for airplane, numismatic coins for coins, gem stones for gem stones... etc.)

If it works for you, great.I don't know all that much about jewelry, but I do know that the stones and fines are very cheap and the mark-up from the stores is huge.I also know that just because the jewelry store can get high prices, it doesn't mean a private individual can sell for high prices.Appraisals are for insurance, not an indication of what you can sell it for.I can buy good faceted gemstones all day long for $2.50- $10.00 a carat.

@J Scott & @Brent CoombsThere was a joke that was told to me by a veteran in the gemstone business to describe how that market works:"A man walks into his favorite grocer to buy pork chops which are for sale at $2/lb.  

It's a shot in the dark, but doesn't hurt to ask if there is anyone on this site in gemstone or jewelry business in US, Thailand or Hong Kong?

My fiancé and I collect Jim shore Disney pieces, Mary Francis purses, gold/silver/bullets, gemstones/crystals, and cat figurines.

I have a charity idea all set to get organized and put into action.I also might give being a gemstone broker a try.

and between us we have $470,000 cash liquid and $600,000 in ROTHs..HERES THE POSITION OF THE TWO OPPOSEING POSITIONS:partner #1 - use all BUT $100.000 of liquid cash, sell off 50 oz of gold , 125,000 wholesale value of unset  precious GIA certified gemstones and  an art collection to be auctioned and pay off the 10 houses that generate then $14,700 a month in gross cash flow before taxes and insurance WITH THE ABILITY TO RAISE THE RENTS EVERY YEAR SINCE THE CRASH...then switch focus to direct mail and wholesaleing and get out of the flipping in a volatile market that is at it's probable peak....only do a couple flips a year INSIDE the ROTHsPartner #2 - Keep plodding along and stay liquid with the $450,000, borrow hard money for the flips at 10% and use the cash to rehab and let the tenants slowly keep paying down the properties while switching focus to direct mail and wholesaling..