Simulated Stones Okay
One of the great things about making your own jewelry is that you can use real materials. The quality and quantity of semi-precious stone beads these days are better than ever, and many of them are not that expensive either. That said, simulated stones are still an option and sometimes a good one depending on what you are making. For example, if you are making something with metal clay and you want to fire a stone in the clay, then simulated stones is a good way to go.
Lab created stones are another possibility because they are technically the same as natural stones, just made in a lab using the same ingredients. Often with lab stones, you can get more bang for your buck. The stone quality will be higher but the price may be lower than the “real” thing.
Read more about using simulated stones: Why Use Simulated Stones?
Tags: jewelry, Metal Clay, semi-precious, stonesRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Lapidary
3 opinions for Simulated Stones Okay
Deb L
Jun 12, 2006 at 12:06 pm
There are some things that I would want “real” stones for, like my wedding ring. But pretty much anything else, if it’s sparkly and looks the way it’s “supposed to”, it could be colored glass for all it matters to me. :)
Although I do have to admit that I prefer to buy the “most real” option I can afford. :D
Tammy Powley
Jun 13, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Yup, me too. I prefer the real thing. Actually, lots of great lab created stuff out there, so that’s another option. Though just because it didn’t bet made naturally doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cheap either price wise.
sarebear
Jun 14, 2006 at 3:52 am
Yeah. I try to use all real, but I just bought a lab created peridot ladder style pendant from Giftsjoy.
I LOVE peridot’s color and sparkle, and to get something this size, if it even existed, in real, would be having too many 0’s behind the $ and before the decimal point. Lol!
So, I’m looking forward to getting this and seeing how it looks, feels, and plays into whatever it inspires me to create!
Sara
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