Making stud earrings. Sphene or zircon?

[joshuabruno1]

Hey, I'm new here and usually buy my stud earrings (the only Jewellery I wear) off a shopping channel. However I have found that the prices for earrings are usually more expensive compared to what you get with rings from these channels and the selection of round and square shaped stones is very bleak.
Being a man I only have my left ear pierced and therefore only wear one earring but have to buy a pair usually so I was wondering whether I could have custom made studs.
I know you can make rings with settings off of ebay etc but I didn't know how to set a stone in a stud earring setting or where to even buy the settings.
So I am currently searching for a Sphene or yellow zircon of around 6mm to 7mm either round or square shaped with a very low price tag since I am young and don't have a huge budget and also how to set that stone into a setting and where to get the setting.
So I only really need the one earring however if it is still cheaper to buy in pairs I could still have a pair but as I only really need a single earring maybe that makes the search easier as I can select from single stones that would sometimes be used for rings.

Thank you for your time and look forward to replies to help me on my quest

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Sphene is soft and you'll need a talented bench to set it (more money)

Zircon is harder so competent benches should have no problem doing it. You can even do it yourself if you feel adventurous.

I found a jeweler who will set stones for me if I buy a setting. Stuller offers affordable single stud mounts. A 5.5mm 14k YG screwback ran me around $40. That included the stone setting.

What color Zircon did you want? I'm going to guess somewhere in the yellow or green range since you mentioned sphene as well.

Here's a golden colored zircon in a nice princess cut that may work for you http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRECISION-P...4781?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item564b56272d

There are a lot of vendors out that that sell zircons and sphene. It's a lot easier to find a single stone than a matched set too

For settings you can buy yourself try here http://tripps.com/ear.htm and on ebay http://www.ebay.com/sch/liebcor/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686 Liebcor can also set stones for you if you send it to them. They're in Ohio so it doesn't involve messy international shipping.

Good luck

 

[minousbijoux]

My vote is sphene with the caveat, like Davi said, of finding someone to set them...

 

[joshuabruno1]

Thank you very much for all the links and advice and ideas. So if I bought myself a gem would I then just send it off to someone who can set it and they will use their own settings I am assuming.
Also I have seen a fantastic sphene will have to hunt soon for the link and it costs around £60 which I think will be fantastic because I have never seen a yellow zircon before but when I have seen sphenes they just seem to sparkle so much with all colours which I haven't found with my zircon ( Although the zircon is a horrible colour - Brown).
So do you guys know anyone who would be up for the task of setting a sphene and preferably in the UK although America is fine.

Also please do post any stones you see which would be great if you find something fantastic.

Thank you for your replies and help with my project

 

[jstarfireb]

I think it will actually be cheaper to buy a single stone than a pair, especially if you're starting with the stone and looking for more unusual stones like sphene. I had my sphene necklace set by Daniel M on Etsy, and he did an excellent job. That's who I would recommend for you as well. He would set a single stud for you.

 

[AussieNic]

My 12 year old daughter chose a Sphene last year which we had set by Daniel M on etsy. My daughter picked a few features she liked from different pendants and we just emailed back and forth a couple of times what she wanted and didnt want and they made it up for us. I purchased the stone online in the U.S.A, had it sent to Daniel M after making contact with him, (before purchasing the stone) then when it was all done, it was sent to me in Australia.
Have fun with your project

 

[chrono]

If you can find a local bench to set your sphene, I'd go that route. In general, sphenes look nicer than zircons in the yellow range although I've seen a lot of "honey" sphenes as well. The higher dispersion of sphenes gives it a leg up on zircons though. A single stone is also easier to find than a pair. A generic 4 prong basket will be inexpensive. Since you are over the pond, considering the duty taxes, I'll try to find someone local if at all possible.