More bang for your buck

[innerkitten]

I''m trying to decide what type of stone I should use for a pendant and I don''t want to spend over $500 on the stone part of the project. I want something about 7mm maybe a bit more. Something that really sparkles and will hold it''s color well and not fade over time. Nothing too soft. Any ideas?
I''ve thought maybe yellow sapphire, some type of garnet or maybe even tourmaline. I don''t know how well tourmaline sparkles though. I like bright colors.

 

[Kismet]

How about zircon?

 

[innerkitten]

I hear that the heated ones can go back to the original color.

 

[innerkitten]

oops posted reply twice

 

[LdyNghtWng]

Spinels are lovely!

 

[innerkitten]

I love spinel too and haven''t ruled them out. I know I couldn''t afford a fine red or hot pink but there are lots of other colors too. have you seen the bluish lavender? It''s really pretty but I''ve only seen it in small stones.

 

[Cyren]

Daniel''s stones are priced very well. I don''t know what kind of shape you are looking for, but here are some links to a few pretty stones.

http://www.customgemstones.com/GARNET/ga843.html

http://www.customgemstones.com/GARNET/ga876.html

http://www.customgemstones.com/TOURMALINE/to869.html

http://www.customgemstones.com/SUNSTONE/su832.html

http://www.customgemstones.com/BERYL/aq874.html

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=10&idproduct=2185

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=10&idproduct=1495

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=10&idproduct=2072

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=9&idproduct=1849

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=9&idproduct=2070

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=5&idproduct=1637

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=5&idproduct=1948

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=3&idproduct=2188

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=3&idproduct=1121

Wasn''t sure how vivid you wanted... most of these are saturated and vibrant... a couple are pastel, though, just in case.

 

[widget]

Date: 4/18/2007 5:41:43 PM
Author:innerkitten
I''m trying to decide what type of stone I should use for a pendant and I don''t want to spend over $500 on the stone part of the project. I want something about 7mm maybe a bit more. Something that really sparkles and will hold it''s color well and not fade over time. Nothing too soft. Any ideas?
I''ve thought maybe yellow sapphire, some type of garnet or maybe even tourmaline. I don''t know how well tourmaline sparkles though. I like bright colors.

Hi Innerkitten!

I''d look for something in the garnet family....good sparkle, rich colors, lots of varieties.

I just took a random sampling of Gypsy''s suggestions above and they''re all yummy. I really like ACStones, and absolutely trust Barbara''s descriptions. If she says a stone is brilliant...then it is!

widget

 

[Gypsy]

Well, since I have Widget''s approval...

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=8&idproduct=1697

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=10&idproduct=1554

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=10&idproduct=2098

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=10&idproduct=1040