Hey everyone, I run a small gemstone/jewelry business and I've been having a tough time finding consistent, reliable sources for wholesale gemstone cabochons — especially opal (Ethiopian) and a few other raw stones.
Most of what I find online is either overpriced, inconsistent in quality, or the seller disappears after one order. Curious how the rest of you handle this:

Do you source directly from miners/cutters, or go through wholesale distributors?
How do you verify quality/authenticity before buying in bulk, especially when buying sight-unseen?
Any red flags you've learned to watch out for with new suppliers?

Would really appreciate hearing how others in this space handle sourcing. Thanks in advance! https://armoniagems.com/collections/bulk-gemstone