Tiny Budget for Colored Stone...Help

[blackberry16]

Hi Everyone,
I am planning to have a sterling Lotus setting made later this year. I want to provide my own stone and I need your input. I have a teeny tiny gemstone budget and I want to go for a fairly hard (durable) dark stone (green, blue, red). DH doesn''t like garnets so they are out

. What would you suggest as far as a type of stone and then where should I find said stone?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

How teeny tiny of a budget?

I would contact Bob Kast ( [email protected] )

His round stones are very well cut and his prices are extremely budget budget friendly and often great values! He has some dark green tourmalines and some dark blue sapphires you might like.

 

[Indylady]

.

 

[Indylady]

Check out Tan at Gemburionline and Odysseygem, both on Ebay.

 

[VapidLapid]

If you want green how about a Tsavorite from Tan. Just dont use the "garnet" word. I bought a 1.21 ct tsavorite on one of his ebay auctions and it arrived the other day. SOme inclusions and a window, both only visible with loupe, $15.50! A sapphire or spinel from Tan also could work for your blue or red(dish). Or a green or reddish tourmaline from Barry. Also I think I''ve seen some nice green chrysoberyl, again from Tan but more the ebay Tan than the website.

 

[blackberry16]

Since I just recently got a James Meyer reset and a JKT key I need to keep things very inexpensive. Man, I wish teachers made more! Is it possible to find a beautiful stone for $50?

 

[jstarfireb]

A fairly durable and dark stone with that budget and green/blue/red probably puts you in the tourmaline family. I second the idea of checking with Bob Kast or looking at Tan''s auctions. Bob usually has a few green tourmalines that fit your criteria. Blue or red stones are probably out of your budget.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 6/1/2010 10:13:31 PM
Author: VapidLapid
If you want green how about a Tsavorite from Tan. Just dont use the ''garnet'' word. I bought a 1.21 ct tsavorite on one of his ebay auctions and it arrived the other day. SOme inclusions and a window, both only visible with loupe, $15.50! A sapphire or spinel from Tan also could work for your blue or red(dish). Or a green or reddish tourmaline from Barry. Also I think I''ve seen some nice green chrysoberyl, again from Tan but more the ebay Tan than the website.

VapidLapid - did you get this stone checked? I know many PSers have GIA memos for their Tan stones, but I am still kind of leary about his auction stones. Based on the winning price on his auctions (the pnes I have tracked, at least), he must lose a lot of many on most (not all) of his auctions.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 6/1/2010 10:02:31 PM
Author:blackberry16
Hi Everyone,
I am planning to have a sterling Lotus setting made later this year. I want to provide my own stone and I need your input. I have a teeny tiny gemstone budget and I want to go for a fairly hard (durable) dark stone (green, blue, red). DH doesn''t like garnets so they are out

. What would you suggest as far as a type of stone and then where should I find said stone?

Why doesn''t he like garnets? Has he seen good quality stones or is his opinion based on the too dark red garnet that mall stores usually have?

 

[blackberry16]

Date: 6/2/2010 1:46:19 PM
Author: Lady_Disdain

Date: 6/1/2010 10:02:31 PM

Author:blackberry16

Hi Everyone,

I am planning to have a sterling Lotus setting made later this year. I want to provide my own stone and I need your input. I have a teeny tiny gemstone budget and I want to go for a fairly hard (durable) dark stone (green, blue, red). DH doesn''t like garnets so they are out

. What would you suggest as far as a type of stone and then where should I find said stone?

Why doesn''t he like garnets? Has he seen good quality stones or is his opinion based on the too dark red garnet that mall stores usually have?

He has this funny idea that I should pick a stone that I don''t already have. I have a red garnet (family stone) and a pink sapphire, that is why I went with something green.

 

[Indylady]

So, I'm going to unleash my under $100 arsenal.

Really, really mall-store dark, but heat only


Citrines, first one is $45

A gorgeous peach topaz

A minty Oyo tourmaline

Barry green tourmaline, love his cutting!!

Barry yellow beryl, I'm sure this will be sunny

If these don't sing to you, check out Bob Kast, Multicolour, Gemline Inc, and Tan's stores on Ebay. Of them all, I think I'm most in love with Dan's topaz, followed closely by either of Barry's rounds.

 

[blackberry16]

Date: 6/2/2010 9:47:11 PM
Author: IndyLady
So, I''m going to unleash my under $100 arsenal.


Really, really mall-store dark, but heat only



Citrines, first one is $45


A gorgeous peach topaz


A minty Oyo tourmaline


Barry green tourmaline, love his cutting!!


Barry yellow beryl, I''m sure this will be sunny


If these don''t sing to you, check out Bob Kast, Multicolour, Gemline Inc, and Tan''s stores on Ebay. Of them all, I think I''m most in love with Dan''s topaz, followed closely by either of Barry''s rounds.

You are the sweetest! I love the tourmaline! I am going to start bugging DH right away!

 

[SB621]

I would also recommend Dana at MasterCutGems. he has many nice stones at a decent price. Just email him and he will get back to you.

Goodluck!

 

[Indylady]

I''m glad you liked the tourmaline!! I am certain you''ll enjoy Barry''s cutting. He''s a sweetheart to talk to, and his return policy is great in case you change your mind.

 

[Rockit]

A pretty green that might work: a little small, perhaps, and most likely native cut; however, it is a great, saturated, bright grassy green hue, a pleasing shape, there doesn't seem to be noticeable windowing or zoning AND it fits the budget without stretching... check out the cushion shaped .61ct chrome tourmaline at forevergemstones.com.