Unusual Gemstones UK
December 14, 2008 11:45 AM Subscribe
I'm looking to find an unusual/unique gemstone for a ring I'm making and I have very specific requirements (although the actual gem is the part I'm flexible on)
The requirements for the stone are:
1. 6-8mm
2. Square (square octagonal cut preferred, princess would do at a push but thats a little fancy)
3. available from an online shop in the UK (shop must be in the UK, not just willing to ship to the UK)
4. the gemstone must be in some way unusual/different
5. Lab-created/synthetic is fine
My usual source for gemstones has a rather cumbersome website and doesn't allow searching by stone cut/shape (and favors round cuts quite heavily). Another store I use has a rather limited selection (particularly with square stones)
This is a 2-parter really, I'm looking for:
1. UK based online stores selling loose gemstones, preferably with the ability to search by cut
2. Suggestions of unusual gemstones that I might not have considered.
The requirements for the stone are:
1. 6-8mm
2. Square (square octagonal cut preferred, princess would do at a push but thats a little fancy)
3. available from an online shop in the UK (shop must be in the UK, not just willing to ship to the UK)
4. the gemstone must be in some way unusual/different
5. Lab-created/synthetic is fine
My usual source for gemstones has a rather cumbersome website and doesn't allow searching by stone cut/shape (and favors round cuts quite heavily). Another store I use has a rather limited selection (particularly with square stones)
This is a 2-parter really, I'm looking for:
1. UK based online stores selling loose gemstones, preferably with the ability to search by cut
2. Suggestions of unusual gemstones that I might not have considered.
Some of my favourite non-common gemstones:
- Aquamarine (Faint, light blue)
- Tourmaline (Comes in several different colours)
- Kyanite (Blue)
- Mystic Topaz (Rainbow)
- Rutilated Quartz (Clear with interesting inclusions)
- Moldavite (Green)
I purchase some of my gemstones online through Ebay, I'm not sure about a store in the UK though.
posted by kaudio at 1:08 PM on December 14, 2008
- Aquamarine (Faint, light blue)
- Tourmaline (Comes in several different colours)
- Kyanite (Blue)
- Mystic Topaz (Rainbow)
- Rutilated Quartz (Clear with interesting inclusions)
- Moldavite (Green)
I purchase some of my gemstones online through Ebay, I'm not sure about a store in the UK though.
posted by kaudio at 1:08 PM on December 14, 2008
I've made some fused glass gemstones for jewelers using dichroic glass, but the finished thickness might be a problem for you (3mm-5mm rounded edge) and you can't get a cut, just a nice fire polish.
posted by princelyfox at 3:25 PM on December 14, 2008
posted by princelyfox at 3:25 PM on December 14, 2008
Seconding the rutilated quartz; I need to get mine out and wear it!
Gold quartz is rarely seen worn. It's literally gold-in-quartz.
Larimar: opaque, aqua blue, gorgeous. Found only in the Dominican Republic. Low demand, so low price. Nonporous, so it won't change color as readily as (untreated) turquoise.
posted by jgirl at 3:36 PM on December 14, 2008
Gold quartz is rarely seen worn. It's literally gold-in-quartz.
Larimar: opaque, aqua blue, gorgeous. Found only in the Dominican Republic. Low demand, so low price. Nonporous, so it won't change color as readily as (untreated) turquoise.
posted by jgirl at 3:36 PM on December 14, 2008
the seller of this piece might be able to help you. They are located in the UK although I've never used them. (I'm a bit surprised by the prices actually! but they have a lot of good feedback)
posted by Wilder at 6:12 AM on December 15, 2008
posted by Wilder at 6:12 AM on December 15, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
Could you tell us gemstones you HAVE considered so we have a starting point?
posted by headspace at 12:33 PM on December 14, 2008