Help me find a "pop of color" pendant on a budget

[natascha]

Just realized I have 6 black pencil skirts, several other black skirts, 4 black cardigans, 5 black blazers, LBD's, etc and have 7 pairs of black pumps which is completely reasonable considering they all have different height or width heel And don't get me started on jeans, only black or indigo skinny high waist jeans have been worn the last 8 years (and Im only 24). Seeing as I have a tendency of dressing ahem can we call it conservative? I find myself looking for a colorful pendant to shake things up a bit .

Since I'm one of those weird kids that actually likes brown and gray modifiers, I'm not really willing to pay a lot of money on something I am not completely sure I will love. I love bright colors in theory but the only bright color I know I really love would be way to expensive (strong red without any orange). I'm thinking about something blue-green, green or maybe blue, since I really dislike yellow's and oranges (which would include peridot and the like unfortunately). I bought some cheapy stones just to check how I feel about colors in real life and colors like apatite, swiss blue topaz, tanzanite, etc didn't really float my boat.

For the budget I was hoping to keep it around $150. I am completely open to second hand and realize I would probably have to do silver for this project.

Size wise I am hoping for 7mm or bigger, but can be negotiated.

Any ideas on settings, stones, complete packages, etc are very welcome. Of course any opinions regarding anything under the sun are warmly welcome.

 

[Fly Girl]

I'd suggest that you take a look at tourmaline to get the color and price point you are looking for. Dana at mastercutgems and Barry at acstones frequently update their sites with pretty and affordable tourmaline.

Here is one in your price range that is currently available from Dana.

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=6582

 

[imagardener2]

Blue-green is playing my song It however is not such an easy color stone to find although by looking hard over several years I've gotten a pair of tourmaline earrings that color without breaking the bank. I'm currently hunting for a stone for a ring and it's hard. I can find blue and I can find green but blue-green in a clear stone? Hard.

Here is an etsy seller I've never bought from but I think he's listed as a trusted seller here.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65513024/rainbow-sliding-halo-pendant
This pendant is "choose your color" set with a diamond halo in silver.
He also has silver gem pendants for $45 if you want to continue your try-out phase (I've done that myself).

If I were you I'd look for a blue-green tourmaline round 6mm and ask him to set it in the diamond bezel. Not a dark stone of course.
It would be very, very pretty.

 

[natascha]

I'd suggest that you take a look at tourmaline to get the color and price point you are looking for. Dana at mastercutgems and Barry at acstones frequently update their sites with pretty and affordable tourmaline.

Here is one in your price range that is currently available from Dana.

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=6582

So pretty. I have actually been leaning towards tourmaline since I really like the color. I guess I just need to figure out the setting first in order to know how much I want to put into the stone.

Any ideas where I can find an inexpensive setting and how much it could be? I think a simple stuller setting would be fine, but no clue how much it would be and how much to set it.

 

[Fly Girl]

Also, etsy has a lot of ready-made jewelry, much of which is in your price range. This necklace is $118 from larkjewelrydesign.

 

[natascha]

Blue-green is playing my song It however is not such an easy color stone to find although by looking hard over several years I've gotten a pair of tourmaline earrings that color without breaking the bank. I'm currently hunting for a stone for a ring and it's hard. I can find blue and I can find green but blue-green in the a clear stone? Hard.

Here is an etsy seller I've never bought from but I think he's listed as a trusted seller here.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65513024/rainbow-sliding-halo-pendant
This pendant is "choose your color" set with a diamond halo in silver.
He also has silver gem pendants for $45 if you want to continue your try-out phase (I've done that myself).

If I were you I'd look for a blue-green tourmaline round 6mm and ask him to set it in the diamond bezel. Not a dark stone of course.
It would be very, very pretty.

Ohh any photos of your earrings?

Unfortunately due to past history, I do not want to work with that specific seller. I am completed open to other's etsy sellers.

 

[Fly Girl]

I'd suggest that you take a look at tourmaline to get the color and price point you are looking for. Dana at mastercutgems and Barry at acstones frequently update their sites with pretty and affordable tourmaline.

Here is one in your price range that is currently available from Dana.

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=6582

So pretty. I have actually been leaning towards tourmaline since I really like the color. I guess I just need to figure out the setting first in order to know how much I want to put into the stone.

Any ideas where I can find an inexpensive setting and how much it could be? I think a simple stuller setting would be fine, but no clue how much it would be and how much to set it.

I know my local jeweler would set it in sterling for under $50. You'll have to ask around. For best results I suggest finding a jeweler where they set their own colored stones in house.

 

[natascha]

Also, etsy has a lot of ready-made jewelry, much of which is in your price range. This necklace is $118 from larkjewelrydesign.

See I wish I could pull of something like this but I think I need to do baby steps . My jewelry is usually either in an antique style or something clean an simple. Off to scout etsy .

 

[natascha]

Does anyone know how much stuller settings run?

 

[Fly Girl]

Does anyone know how much stuller settings run?

Varies with the price of gold/silver and the weight. You will need to order from a jeweler and they can quote you a price.

 

[jstarfireb]

Stuller no longer makes silver settings, so you'd have to pay for gold. And gold is unfortunately high right now.

I second the choice of Daniel M's sliding pendants but prefer the simple silver ones:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/47087558/rainbow-bezels-sliding-bezel-pendant

To me, they're the very definition of clean and simple. I would probably choose amethyst for a nice pop of purple if you're going for the stock pendants, but you could also find something blue or green like tourmaline in a round cut and send it to him to set.

ETA: Oh, just saw your later post about the same seller. Well, never mind then! My other favorite Etsy seller is Sally from Heart of Water, but she's located in Thailand, so I'm not sure how you feel about sending stones overseas. She also has a more intricate design aesthetic that may not be your style.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/heartofwaterjewels

Additionally, I've sent many stones to Kyle Anne metals for inexpensive bezels, and she could easily do a silver bezel pendant on a stone you send her, in a style like these:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kyleannemetals?section_id=6982302

 

[texaskj]

Threeto on DanielM. I've got two of these and for the price, they're incredible.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61688401/rainbow-bezels-milgrain

 

[sxn675]

Since you like red, what about something like this?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81381897/natural-ruby-necklace-raspberry-red

I've worked with this seller before and was very pleased. She does custom work too.

 

[distracts]

I put together this silver pendant for about $200. 7.75mm Tanga garnet cut by Barry Bridgestock, which is a wonderful color - magenta in most lights and peachier in others - and a 8mm stock silver pendant setting from Rio Grande Jewelry Supply (which was about $10). I just put the stone in on my own - you will not get a close-up picture because the prongs are whack! But they hold the stone in and as a necklace it's not noticeable. Obviously most of the expense was the garnet. If you are having someone else set the stone, you'll have to factor that price in.



Barry's website also links to Tripps, which sells pre-notched settings for calibrated stones. I've never used the Tripps ones before but I've used others and they are pretty easy to use. I recommend round stones for them, as they are easiest. You can save money on setting fees this way.
http://www.tripps.com/

 

[NKOTB]

If you dislike yellow, then you might not like this, since it looks like it's set in yellow gold, but works within the budget: http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=5393

Here's Dan's latest stone, which should fit into a stock 8x6 mm setting, if it's still available: http://customgemstones.com/NewStone.html

Any shape preferences?

 

[imagardener2]

Thanks for posting tripps.com !
I have been searching for a supplier of dangle baskets for faceted gems that would attach to gold leverback earrings and Tripp's has them. Expensive but at least they sell them.
I don't have any stones yet either for these future earrings, just the empty leverbacks with hole for dangle which I use for all "real" jewelry because I never lose one. Studs seem to disappear on me.

 

[Aerix]

Here are a few more Etsy shop recommendations:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ModMetal ---Made the pendant in my avatar.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanishJewels ---I haven't dealt with this seller but she's recommended on the forum for setting stones.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/yvonneraley ---This seller has a lot of interesting colored stones in her shop and takes custom orders.

 

[Fly Girl]

Here are a few more Etsy shop recommendations:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/yvonneraley ---This seller has a lot of interesting colored stones in her shop and takes custom orders.

This shop is new to me, and I love the pieces. Thank you, Xirah.

Here is a lovely blue boulder opal pendant that would certainly qualify for a pop of color.

BTW, I have used Janish Jewels for setting my cabochons in rings, and can vouch for her.

 

[Fly Girl]

Would you consider turquoise? It has a striking blue that will certainly pop against a black background.

 

[aviastar]

Stuller no longer makes silver settings, so you'd have to pay for gold. And gold is unfortunately high right now.

I second the choice of Daniel M's sliding pendants but prefer the simple silver ones:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/47087558/rainbow-bezels-sliding-bezel-pendant

To me, they're the very definition of clean and simple. I would probably choose amethyst for a nice pop of purple if you're going for the stock pendants, but you could also find something blue or green like tourmaline in a round cut and send it to him to set.

ETA: Oh, just saw your later post about the same seller. Well, never mind then! My other favorite Etsy seller is Sally from Heart of Water, but she's located in Thailand, so I'm not sure how you feel about sending stones overseas. She also has a more intricate design aesthetic that may not be your style.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/heartofwaterjewels

Additionally, I've sent many stones to Kyle Anne metals for inexpensive bezels, and she could easily do a silver bezel pendant on a stone you send her, in a style like these:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kyleannemetals?section_id=6982302

Really? I was just browsing their site the other day and you can still sort out semi-mounts and findings by sterling silver. There were a ton! It would be a shame if none of those were available anymore!

 

[chrono]

Pick your choice of pendants, earrings and pins within budget and colour. Check out the second page as well. Trying to buy a stone, get a setting and have it mounted may run you over budget.
http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_h.asp?idCategory=7

 

[minousbijoux]

Do you want it to be faceted, a cabachon, or maybe just a tumbled stone? You have a lot of styles to choose from, for sure.

 

[GregS]

I agree with others that said buying a stone then having it set will put you over budget. But I like this Tourmaline at Litnon http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=9237. It is undoubtedly a dark stone, but the price is right and the scissor cut should give you some nice blue/green flashes. I also like the long rectangular shape for a pendant.

 

[imagardener2]

That is a beautiful color tourmaline.

Here's a question related to the OP's budget:

Which is less expensive--a "standard" size gem that will fit into readymade settings (Tripps for example) or a non-standard size gem that may cost less per carat but require a custom mount?

I know it is very hard to generalize but my guesstimate is that a standard size gem in a readymade mount would cost less.

 

[chrono]

Custom mounts will almost always cost more than a ready made setting. A non-calibrated stone does not necessarily cost less than a calibrated stone.

 

[distracts]

Here is a ruby one from a seller I like that is close to your budget... but not close to the size you want:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64476399/natural-ruby-round-pendant-in-yellow

Also Yvonne Raley is great... she did tsavorite stud earrings for me a few months ago and they are awesome. She is really nice and accommodating. There are several more earrings in her shop I have my eye on.

 

[imagardener2]

[Ohh any photos of your earrings?

Unfortunately due to past history, I do not want to work with that specific seller. I am completed open to other's etsy sellers.

I'm not ignoring your question, just too busy to do photography right now and I have several stones I'd like to do all at the same time. Amazingly I always have time to surf the 'net haha. Photography is harder than surfing.

 

[Aerix]

Speaking of ruby pendants, there's also this one for sale on DB:
http://diamondbistro.com/category/1...atural-Ruby-and-Diamond-Pendant-two-tone.html

 

[imagardener2]

oh look at this Columbian 6mm emerald. wouldn't that look nice as a pendant? "buy it now" $57.50

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6mm-Round-C...546&pid=100011&prg=1005&rk=3&sd=271090118114&

 

[chrono]

Just be aware that if buying sapphire, ruby or emerald of the size you are looking for priced at around $150, these stones are likely to be heavily treated if you care about such things.