Bitcoin Forum

Economy => Auctions => Topic started by: tiptopgemdotcom on March 03, 2012, 08:59:31 AM



Title: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on March 03, 2012, 08:59:31 AM
That's a nice bold lightning strike of reddish-Orange that you see lighting this stone up!  This is a totally natural untreated pear-shaped opal from Ethiopia and you are sure to love the color and patterns you see in this amazing stone.  The swirls and lightning bolts in both reddish-Orange and intense green have to be seen to be believed. 

http://s8.postimage.org/64zd6lufp/DSCN7957.jpg

One of the secrets to opal's amazing display of color is that it contains up to 18% water.  There are also micro spheres of silica inside these gemstones that can be seen with an electron scanning microscope- the other piece of the "play of color" puzzle.  Before such technology was available people could only speculate on what made opals do what they do.

http://s16.postimage.org/xvow45ogl/DSCN7959.jpg

Because my wife Melanie and I actually live in the largest colored gemstone trading center in the world, it is very hard for others to compete with our quality and our pricing.  The supply chain for quality colored gemstones is long, and by the time you see them in Western consumer markets so many chefs have had their hand in the pie that the cost is exorbitant.  With bitcoin and the internet, there is just no reason to pay crazy premiums for quality gemstones.

http://s15.postimage.org/sy1619xcb/DSCN7961.jpg

In the "olden days" gemstones used to be divided into two categories- precious and semi-precious.  This is outdated now, but so you are aware the "precious" gemstones were diamond, opal, ruby, sapphire, and emerald.

http://s18.postimage.org/bhfw8i71l/DSCN7963.jpg

This beautiful pear-shaped opal weighs 2.48 carats and measures 13.04 x 8.14 x 5.42mm deep.  African opals are coming into their own as more and more people discover the beauty of their colors and textured patterns.  It used to be that the premium for Australian material was huge; African opal was considered a low-cost substitute.  But as higher and higher quality opal finds its way from Ethiopia to the consumers and they see the quality of the stones the prices are rising rapidly.  Why own an average Australian opal with almost no play of color- just a murky, milky look- when you can own an opal with dazzling flashes of color for about the same price?  This is driving demand for Ethiopian opal in the current market.

This stone will begin at 14BTC and the bid increment is .5BTC.  It's only 24 hours so bid now if you are interested- don't let it get away from you!


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on March 03, 2012, 09:00:32 AM
This auction ends:

Sunday, March 4th at 08:59:31 AM


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on March 11, 2012, 07:22:50 AM
13.75BTC includes shipping via registered air mail with online tracking


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on March 26, 2012, 06:55:01 AM
13.5BTC includes shipping via registered air mail with online tracking


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on March 29, 2012, 03:25:14 PM
13BTC includes registered air mail with online tracking.  Superb price for a high quality, beautiful and UNTREATED Welo opal from Ethiopia.


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on April 09, 2012, 11:59:38 AM
12.75BTC includes registered air mail with tracking


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on April 17, 2012, 11:09:12 AM
12.5BTC includes shipping via registered air mail with a tracking number


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on April 18, 2012, 06:10:16 AM
12BTC includes shipping


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on April 22, 2012, 10:20:09 AM
11.5BTC includes registered air mail with tracking.


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on April 26, 2012, 02:46:26 PM
11.25BTC includes registered mail & tracking.


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: kokjo on April 26, 2012, 03:05:55 PM
you know, you could just make one post, instead of spamming the forum.  ::)


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on April 26, 2012, 03:35:01 PM
Kokjo I think you should read through this thread:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=67227.0 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=67227.0)

I am open to an amendment of the rules or guidance from the moderators.  But really, it looks like most people don't mind me here and many of them must appreciate me because they buy a lot of stones from me via the auctions. 

I think before you call me a spammer you should consider all of the work that it takes to find these stones, photograph them, and post them here.  Also weigh the fact that I am not just bumping, I am almost always reducing the price in the process.  Also I am not just dead weight- I am a professional gemologist and you can verify my credentials at GIA.EDU- the Gemological Institute of America.  I am not just bringing a product to the market and selling it for bitcoins, but I also bring a lot of education and experience here that is valuable to many members of the forum.

I would also ask anyone who wants to limit my activity here to think about whether liquidity in the bitcoin market is beneficial or detrimental.  If we encourage bitcoin-based entrepreneurism, we add much-needed liquidity to the markets.  If we bash people who are on here and call them "spammers", we are doing the opposite.

Please consider these points carefully Kokjo.

David Fortier, GG



Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: kokjo on April 26, 2012, 03:49:11 PM
Quote
Kokjo I think you should read through this thread:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=67227.0 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=67227.0)
read it, and i don't care. i have another opinion(this time im actually with Atlas/Jon).

Quote
I think before you call me a spammer you should consider all of the work that it takes to find these stones, photograph them, and post them here.  Also weigh the fact that I am not just bumping, I am almost always reducing the price in the process.  Also I am not just dead weight- I am a professional gemologist and you can verify my credentials at GIA.EDU- the Gemological Institute of America.  I am not just bringing a product to the market and selling it for bitcoins, but I also bring a lot of education and experience here that is valuable to many members of the forum.
I don't care about your credentials, or the amount of work you are doing. You are a spammer when you take the all the 7 top entries in "Show unread posts since last visit.", its just wrong no matter what you say and what your credentials are.

Quote
I would also ask anyone who wants to limit my activity here to think about whether liquidity in the bitcoin market is beneficial or detrimental.  If we encourage bitcoin-based entrepreneurism, we add much-needed liquidity to the markets.  If we bash people who are on here and call them "spammers", we are doing the opposite.
I absolutely love bitcoin, and i want it to grow, but not with spammy repeating posts.

Quote
Please consider these points carefully Kokjo.
It is a fantasic work you are doing, but it does still not justify spamming the forum.

Quote
David Fortier, GG
Kokjo


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on April 26, 2012, 03:55:46 PM
Kokjo please contact the moderators with your concerns.   Maybe they can set some new rules that will make everyone happy.  I am happy to change how I do business if it means that those who don't want to see my posts don't have to.  I am not familiar with how the "ignore" function works, but that might prevent you from seeing my posts. 

Please also consider that you happened upon the auction forum at a time that I was bumping posts.  There are times when I do not reduce any prices for several days at a time, and other people are at the top for their "time in the sun".

I respect what you are saying, and I would be happy to comply with forum rules now or as amended.


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: kokjo on April 26, 2012, 04:10:22 PM
Quote
Kokjo please contact the moderators with your concerns.
did that, you got a click on the "report to moderator"-button.

Quote
Maybe they can set some new rules that will make everyone happy.
i don't think so.

Quote
I am happy to change how I do business if it means that those who don't want to see my posts don't have to. 
one thread, instead of hundreds of millions, maybe?

Quote
I am not familiar with how the "ignore" function works, but that might prevent you from seeing my posts.
it works... somehow... (not as good as i want it too)

Quote
Please also consider that you happened upon the auction forum at a time that I was bumping posts.  There are times when I do not reduce any prices for several days at a time, and other people are at the top for their "time in the sun".
I will consider that, but will say that its not good for your business to be seen as a spammer, because you bump your threads so massively.

Quote
I respect what you are saying, and I would be happy to comply with forum rules now or as amended.
i respect what you are saying too, and you seem like a nice guy, and i might have overreacted, when i saw all your posts in the top of unread posts.


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on May 05, 2012, 08:08:32 PM
10.75BTC includes registered air mail with tracking


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: Nyaaan on May 06, 2012, 07:23:10 AM
I think I'll wait until you lower it down to 0 BTC.
Should be just a few months.


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: SaltySpitoon on May 06, 2012, 03:05:05 PM
I'll buy it before that happens :D


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on May 07, 2012, 07:41:43 PM
10.5BTC includes registered air mail with tracking


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on May 13, 2012, 08:17:56 AM
10.25BTC free shipping


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on May 17, 2012, 02:44:43 PM
I will take 10BTC for this stone including shipping via registered mail with tracking!


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on May 22, 2012, 02:54:48 PM
9.8BTC includes registered air mail and tracking


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on June 20, 2012, 12:51:08 PM
9.5BTC includes registered air mail with tracking


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: EskimoBob on June 27, 2012, 02:54:45 PM
Before you piss everyone off,  I am willing to give you 3 BTC. This must include registered air mail with tracking.
I have never see opal nor do I understand why people get so worked up over a piece of shiny rock.
I'll give this shiny rock to my daughter (I'll keep it for her). Maybe she figures out what's all the hoopla is about, when she gets older.


Title: Re: 24 hour auction **UNTREATED African Welo opal from Ethiopia 2.48cts** SPICY
Post by: tiptopgemdotcom on July 19, 2012, 11:01:44 AM
9BTC includes registered air mail with tracking