help with cheap gems

[silky43]

I need to by a selection of vey cheap gemstones in order to try out some ring designs. I am looking for a variety of sizes and colours for a very cheap price and I do not care how good quality they must be. they must be cut or cut and cabochons, defiantly not cubic zirconium!!!!
I have found these but will opt for any suggestions.
P.S. which of these choices do you think would be the best?
urls are
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-CARATS-MIXED-LOOSE-GEMSTONES-NATURAL-GEM-MIX-LOT-WHOLESALE-LOOSE-GEMSTONES/291077991150

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22k-GOLD-BONUS-100-CARATS-MIXED-GEMSTONE-LOOSE-NATURAL-HIGH-QUALITY-GEM-JEWELS-/350879769610

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIX-GEMS-LOTS-NATURAL-FACETED-LOT-MIXED-GEMSTONES-CHOOSE-YOUR-CARATS-BUMPER-SALE-/390621824128

P.S. all are 100 carats

 

[chrono]

Are you looking for a mish mash of shapes, colours and sizes or are you looking for all one colour, all one shape, all one size? I'm also confused why you feel the need to buy gems to try out designs. A jeweller can do this easily first by hand sketching, then fleshing out in CAD.

 

[silky43]

I am looking for a variety of shapes and sizes and colours. I would like them som I can make a prototype of them cheaply to see which are liked the most by my customers. also it would help when I want to make a very expensive piece for someone they can see what it would look like.
also I find people cant see what the rings look like so well in light on a pc.
thanks for the idea

 

[silky43]

@chrono

 

[chrono]

I think that in the long run, CAD will pay for itself many times over since you don't have to spend time and money to buy gems and make prototype settings. Colour, shape and ring/jewellery design can be changed to your heart's content in mere seconds. More so, if your customer wants an expensive piece because the colours of these cheap parcels will not even come close to the colours of high quality gems. The problem with cheap quality gems is that they are generally unattractive (gaping windows, black extinction, some end up pale to colourless, common modifiers of gray and brown, etc), and detracts from the overall look and feel of the prototype.

That said, if you wish to stay your path, eBay seems reasonable in terms of low quality parcels. I think a slightly better quality would serve you better though (items with less obvious cut and colour issues). Since you are in the trade, you should be able to get more competitive trade pricing from other suppliers.

 

[silky43]

thankyou for all your help
@chrono