Just curious, but how can we be sure these are actual gemstones, and not say, glass beads.
I'm just curious why you never read
this post further up the same page?
They are definitely gemstones, not glass.
I admit, i didn't read it thoroughly.
But on the note of your post, did you send them to be cut to some service provider or? Can you recommend someone?
Prices?
Yes, I did send the rough stones off - I went to a gem show in my local area and quickly found a guy who visits Thailand on gem buying tours. He took the stones over, they were cut and the items were posted back to me. Sometimes the guy will bring them back if they are ready before he returns. The various traders at the gem show were all happy to apraise the rough stones and were excited to see Sri Lankan Sapphires as they are a superior quality to the local Australian varieties.
The stones' cut size determines how much to pay (about $4 per carat) - I didn't have to pay until the stones were cut as there is no real way to determine a stones cut weight until it is done.