FAQ
Q: Are all the gemstones on your site available to buy?
A: Yes, unless they are marked as sold.
However, there may be occasions where I have sold a gemstone but have not been able to mark it as sold on the website. So, I would suggest that you check with me before finalising your payment. Use the chat box or email or call me.
Q: Do you have stones that don't appear online?
A: Yes. I may not have had the opportunity to post all the gemstones that I have on the website.
Also, I am constantly getting in new rough gemstone material that I have to cut & then photograph before posting the cut gemstone on the website. So if you don't find what you are looking for on the website, please do contact me as I may have just what you are looking for. You can use the Chat Box facility, or you can email or call me.
Q: What are Conflict Gemstones and how can I be sure you don't sell them?
A: Conflict Gemstones are gemstones that are traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas.
I am as particular about WHERE my gemstones come from as I am about their quality.
I have made it my mission to purchase all my rough & polished gemstones from legitimate sources, that are not involved in funding conflict, and do my best to work within the compliance regulations of the United Nations Resolutions.
Here is the link to the United Nations's on Diamonds.
http://www.un.org/en/ga/62/plenary/diamonds/bkg.shtml
Q: Have your gemstones been treated or enhanced in any way?
A: If any of the gemstones on my website have been treated in any way this will be stated in the description and in the In-House Report or independent certificate that will accompany all cut gemstones.
Gemstones that I have cut after January 2021 will be accompanied by a video of the cutting process.
Q: What is an In-House Report?
A: This is a Report that I have prepared for the gemstones that I have graded and are not accompanied by an independent laboratory report.
If you would like an independent certificate/report on gemstones of 2cts & over, that will be provided by The Gem & Pearl Laboratory London at no additional cost to you. If the gemstone is less than 2cts The Gem & Pearl Laboratory report will be at your cost.
If you require a certificate from a laboratory nominated by you, the cost of that certificate will be borne by you.
Q: If I have a specific type of gemstone in mind that I don't see on your website - can you get such a stone for me?
A: I will be very happy to source a stone for you. Please e-mail me at alanpoultneygems@gmail.com or call me on +44 7702630111 with your requirements.
Q: Is this website an online course on gemmology?
A: No.
Q: I want to become a gemmologist, what is the best route to take?
A: The best route would be by taking formal training from some of the schools. I recommend that you look at what is offered by your local Gemmological association. If there isn't one, then here are links that you may find helpful:
UK
USA
ASIA
Q: Sometimes I see "gemology" spelled as "gemmology". What is the difference?
A: There is no difference other than the spelling. The former is the US-English spelling & the latter is the UK-English spelling.
Q: I want to become a lapidarer, what is the best route to take?
A: The best route would be by taking formal training from some of the online schools. I recommend that you look at what is offered by your local lapidary association. If there isn't one, then research online to find the nearest club or association to you.
Q: Once I make my final payment, how quickly will you ship the gemstone and how long will it take?
A: We will ship the item within 7 days of receiving cleared funds. However, Alan Poultney Gems reserves the right to delay shipping, pending investigation, or refuse to ship any order that it determines may be fraudulent. I will give yo an estimated date for delivery but delivery can be delayed by many events that are beyond our control e.g. customs procedures, weather etc. I am therefore unable to give an exact delivery date.
Q: Do you ship worldwide?
A: Alan Poultney Gems will not currently ship to the following countries:
Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Colombia, Cambodia, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Lithuania, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Syria & Pakistan.
The above list of countries is not fixed and is subject to change at any time. Please therefore contact me to check whether I will ship to your location.
Q. Will there be other fees that I may have to pay in addition to the purchase price?
A: If you are outside the UK, it is likely that you will be charged import tariffs, VAT, taxes &/or duties, brokerage and/or handling fees once the item arrives in your country & before it will be delivered to you.
Those costs are YOUR liability. Please therefore check what you may be charged & your country’s rules for the import of gemstones before you complete your purchase.
Alan Poultney Gems is unable to provide information about the costs of and the rules for importation of gemstones to any country.
Q. Will I have to insure the gemstone whilst it is in transit to me.
A: No. Alan Poultney Gems will use insured shipping. However if you require a shipper to be used whom I would not normally use then in addition to paying that shipper's costs you must also insure the item.
Q: How do you ship stones?
A: I ship via Royal Mail Special Delivery or by a reputable shipper/courier of my choice. If you require me to use a specific method of delivery you must contact me to advise of the same and the cost of that shipper will be to your account.
Q: May Tax and/or VAT apply to my order?
A: If the gemstone is to be shipped to a non-UK destination, local taxes and/or VAT in the country to which it is shipped may apply and will have to be paid by you on arrival. Alan Poultney Gems IS NOT responsible for any duties, VAT, taxes or surcharges levied by a customer’s country. You should therefore consult your appropriate tax and customs authority to see what import duties, taxes and/or VAT you are required to pay.