Faceting

For synthetics I have two go-to vendors.

https://store.turtleshoard.com Turtle's Hoard stocks a lot of weird, interesting, science-y facet worthy materials. The Christmas Garnet is worth a gander, I've got a piece of that I'm holding on to for a rainy day.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TomsBoxofRocks Tom sells more "traditional" synthetic material, like corundum, CZ, and nanosital. He has a lot and you can find some cool color change and bicolor versions. I find his corundum is competitively priced with Joe Henley so check them both when you're shopping.

I had this vendor recommended to me by my mentor, and recently bought from him: https://www.westerngem.com His website doesn't display well on mobile, the pictures rearrange in strange ways, it's better with a desktop browser. He sent me a complimentary citrine when I placed my last (rather large) order. Everything was exactly as described and the topaz was even more blue than the picture suggested!

In the UK, we've got https://www.gemsofeastafrica.com/ who provide trustworthy rough without having to pay huge amounts of intercontinental postage

The vendor I mostly use is Joe Henley Rough.

I met Joe at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show a few years ago, and found him both personable and honest. I have never had an issue with any purchase from him. He sells both natural and some synthetics.

Thanks for the references. I browsed lightning laps. My first impression is you likely have an interesting perspective on trustworthy adhesives. Can you tell me about what you really trust for holding a stone?

(I am not a complete amateur when it comes to cleaning and prep. I spent nearly a decade repairing and painting cars.)