Loose semi-precious stones in Petersburg and Moscow
 

Anyone have a good source for loose stones and amber in these cities ? Not interested in set stones or jewelry. Thanks.

The Hotel Astoria in St Pet has a casino that's frequented by the local mafiosi. I'm sure they would be able to help you.

You can see their bodyguards outside anytime - the chubby men with the bulging armpits guarding the Merceds E class or Jeep Grand Cherokees (depending on the age of the mafiosi).

NYtraveler - thanks for the tips on how to spot gangsters at the Astoria. We'll be there but certainly not in the casino. We see enough fools in casinos here in NV, and we're not interested in diamonds, only SEMI-PRECIOUS stones like malachite, jasper, lapis lazuli, etc.

Bedar -

I'm sorry if my point escaped you - but have been to St Pet several times and have a couple of friends there. Based on their (far superior) knowledge - getting involved in any sort of business dealings without official sanctions and professional help is just asking for trouble.

If you are talking merely about buying one or two pieces of amber for yourelf you can do it anwhere. But if you are simply a tourist I strongly suggest that you not get involved in any sort of business dealing in Russia - with anyone.

If you are planning on doing this on any sort of large scale you really should have the appropriate business contacts set up officially in advance.

There are so many issues and pitfalls involved in doing business in Russia - that you would be taking significant risks of associating with the wrong people - and having serious problems.

We are quite aware of the pitfalls of doing business in Russia. My question about "a good source" was meant simply as a query about a store where one could buy loose stones. In all the many guidebooks I've seen, stores for typical tourist goods are mentioned. We're not interested in those, but rather in a commercial store for stones.