Who makes all this stuff up?

Sorry, just a joke I have going to pick up chicks at Psychic Fairs.

I have had a stone business since 1992. I've participated in countless gem shows, craft fairs, psychic fairs, flea markets and on and on. I've probably handled tons of rocks and aside from dropping them on a toe not a one has ever hurt me.  Imperfections in stones make them less desirable for jewelry especially if the are cracked.  Many can be as sharp as a razor from a fresh crack opened up.
I hate dyed stones, but unless you find them in the ground yourself your at the vendors mercy. The color often washes out on tumbled stones. Fading can be a part of a natural process especially with amethyst and rose quartz. As far as imperfect stones go there is no such thing as a useless rock. The more expensive ones I have that are "imperfect" find themselves as smaller rocks, decorations in the gardens or our labyrinth, part of a landscape on a slab etc.  It's all much easier to do when you have your own lapidary equipment.
Not everyone believes in the power of stones. Those that do often manifest their own problems, don't blam it on the rock.

Ciao