94
submitted 1 year ago by wahming to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

I've been hearing for years that artificial gems (diamonds, rubies, moissanite, etc) cost a 'fraction' of the real thing. Is this true? If so, where can I as a consumer buy a handful of this stuff?

Note that I don't want jewellery-grade gems, I realise that would cost a lot simply due to rejects and labour to cut / polish. I just want stuff I can mess around with for hobbies and crafts.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Mothra@mander.xyz 47 points 1 year ago

Buy cubic zirconium then, it's the cheapest artificial gem which is still jewellery grade (though on the lowest tier, just above high quality glass).

I'd bet you can find them on ebay and if that fails, google a jeweller supply shop in your country. They are very common and affordable.

There are artificial rubies and other gems which aim to mimic the index of refraction of the real gems, they are much more expensive and they exist in different types, but, they are still cheaper than the real thing.

For crafts, get the cubics.

[-] wahming 28 points 1 year ago

Just looked them up, I knew they existed before but did not realise they came in different colours! Also, they've been around forever so I never really associated them with artificial gems. Thanks!

this post was submitted on 08 Sep 2023
94 points (96.1% liked)

Asklemmy

43942 readers
606 users here now

A loosely moderated place to ask open-ended questions

Search asklemmy ๐Ÿ”

If your post meets the following criteria, it's welcome here!

  1. Open-ended question
  2. Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
  3. Not regarding using or support for Lemmy: context, see the list of support communities and tools for finding communities below
  4. Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
  5. An actual topic of discussion

Looking for support?

Looking for a community?

~Icon~ ~by~ ~@Double_A@discuss.tchncs.de~

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS