OOAK amber prices

I am relatively new to TB collecting. I really appreciate the OOAK ambers, but I am confused as there seems to be different price points. Can someone explain this to me? I just purchased three AWESOME ambers from an online US dealer that were $59 each (I wish it were a trunk show day ). I was sad to pay the price, but they were extraordinary: a alabaster bead with debris slashing it through it like a vein, a clover with sparkle inside, and a circular more translucent green amber with flecks. I would have bought more, but my bead money was depleted.

My LD (silver) ordered a set of six OOAK ambers, but was going to sell them individually for $43. So confusing!

I think they depend on size and perhaps detail? have been to a dealer where she had her ooak ambers in 3 price categories...From smallest being the cheapest to largest being the more expensive.

I can't say this with 100% certainty, but I think the TB dealers pay the same for all ambers. I believe they buy them in kits. I have paid as little as $35 each and as much as $58. The stores where I have bought most of mine charge the same regardless of size or if it is carved etc.

The official Trollbeads stockists in the UK are expected to sell amber beads for £35 whatever size or shape they are. They buy them in kits and have no control over whether they are sent interesting or dull beads, large or small. Many of the smaller LDs, such as mine, will only buy amber OOAKs if you commit in advance to buying the full kit. They have been left with too many small dull overpriced beads that nobody will buy.

would love to see a picture of your ambers cerulanbluebird !!
have no idea what the prices are here in Belgium,my 2 LD don't sell them,so have not had the pleasure of meeting any

so would love to see yours....

I believe that there is a minimum price that dealers can charge but no maximum. A couple of years ago there was an online dealer charging $100+. Needless to say, they had to lower their prices.

Congrats on your new ambers! I can't wait to see them in a combo. You picked some gorgeous ones-I know because had them on my wish list, LOL
I just ordered 2 myself-a cool looking rough cut one and a dark speckled one that store has always charged more for their ambers. They ususally have very nice ones, I got some great faceted ambers from them last year. I sympathize with you about the price though, I would have liked a few more also. My LD will not order the unique ambers because I buy the best out of the bunch and the rest do not sell. I think that is why this store charges so much. My LD charges $45 for their amber uniques.

They sound beautiful. In Australia all the ambers are $55, regardless of size or other features. The exception seems to be the pink LE ambers, my LD is selling her remaining ones for $70 Dealers are wary of ordering ambers for the reasons mentioned above. Most won't buy a new kit until the old one is sold.

Bsktbabe wrote:I can't say this with 100% certainty, but I think the TB dealers pay the same for all ambers. I believe they buy them in kits. I have paid as little as $35 each and as much as $58. The stores where I have bought most of mine charge the same regardless of size or if it is carved etc.

This has been my experience too.
Beware, ambers tend to multiply and not pay mind to your piggy bank.

Thank you all for your answers. At my first trunk show, I got a OOAK medium/dark amber with big flecks for $35. This shop sells everything they stock at list price, no matter what, so maybe that is what ambers are supposed to sell for in the US? I will definitely continue to support that shop. The other ambers I own is a WT Baltic Gold and a pair of pink ambers that I got on e*** from a trusted source of a forum member.

I agree that ambers are addicting. I have seen many nice combos out there with just ambers, and ambers mixed with gemstones. I will most likely mix mine with my favorite Picasso Jaspers.

I will have to find the posts on how to upload photos, because I tried once and it was not easy and I gave up.

We sell all of our Unique Ambers for $43 each, no matter what they look like.

Here are my ambers...

Your beads are just beautiful, cannot wait to see them in combos.