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 can look for industrial grade gems, but they are going to look like crap.
“Industrial” are both natural rejects, and artificial. “Artificial” are grown perfect (even “too perfect”), but still need cutting and polishing. A piece of plastic is more shiny than any uncut gem.