what to buy

[silky43]

I have been collecting for a while and I would like to be able to make a collection of a certain stone in as many colours possible.
I would like to do it as cheaply as possible and do not care whether or not the stones are well known or impressive I would just like a gemstone that comes in a group of colours.

if anyone has any ideas on stones or where to get them I would be very grateful

 

[marymm]

Tourmaline comes in a lot of colors and is probably your best choice if you wish to buy as cheaply as possible. While a couple of the top-tier Tourmalines will likely not be available at a low cost (i.e., Paraiba Tourmaline, etc.), if you just want a wide variety of colors, you'll find Tourmalines in a veritable rainbow of colors.

It is unclear from your post if you are concerned with cut/quality/performance, or if you just want stones possessing different colors. If you do not care about cut/quality/performance, Tourmalines are easily found on eBay and on etsy. If you want well-cut Tourmalines, check the sticky thread posted at the top re: respected CS vendors.

 

[pregcurious]

-Quartz also comes in various colors (purple=amethyst; clear=rock crystal; citrine =yellow to orange; pink =rose; white = milky).
-Topaz comes in clear and blue naturally; it is expensive in pink/red, yellow, and orange. Topaz can also be treated (irradiated, coated) to come in other colors.
-Garnet can also be inexpensive and come in many colors, although greens (e.g. tsavorite), color changers, and oranges (i.e. spessartite) can be very pricey.

-There are treated/enhanced sapphires, emeralds, rubies and other stones that are very affordable. Just be aware that not all the treatments are permanent or durable.

You can check out Fire Mountain Gems for inexpensive stones by color:
http://www.firemountaingems.com/shop/faceted-gems?T=T1B&navsrc=2

 

[chrono]

Don't forget the beryl family; emerald, aquamarine, morganite, heliodore, red beryl and more. I think if you go with treated stones, they will be more affordable.

 

[silky43]

thanks everyone

 

[deskjockey]

silky I think tourmalines would be really neat to add to your collection, and they really come in so many colors!

But since you're on a budget, a really good place to check is litnon's "bargain shoppe" - they have some interesting stuff in there. They have a little matched pair of garnets that might make nice earrings (they're tiny, but look very nice) for $11 (and garnets do come in a wide range of colors - reds, oranges, purples, greens, yellows...). And some aquamarines and tourmalines and some neat cabs.

http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=view&cat=281

Since you're young and looking to have an interesting collection more than anything, worth checking out some of that stuff

 

[silky43]

silky I think tourmalines would be really neat to add to your collection, and they really come in so many colors!

But since you're on a budget, a really good place to check is litnon's "bargain shoppe" - they have some interesting stuff in there. They have a little matched pair of garnets that might make nice earrings (they're tiny, but look very nice) for $11 (and garnets do come in a wide range of colors - reds, oranges, purples, greens, yellows...). And some aquamarines and tourmalines and some neat cabs.

http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=view&cat=281

Since you're young and looking to have an interesting collection more than anything, worth checking out some of that stuff

thanks I will look into it