Which do you think is best?

[Andrew]

 Hi all,
 Of course you would use Black Spinel instead of Onyx far better for us rough guys
Blue Topaz has the Radiation issues , I just cant like Gems that have been changed by man so much
 Garnets a great Gem,what a range of Choice there.
 Orange Sapphire, if no BE treated maybe.
 I would much prefer Black Spinel and Zircon ( from Red,Orange or Clear ) or small Diamonds,
Really the Diamond colour does it best in my mind and small accent Diamond need not be expensive.
 Cheers Andrew

[dom105]

Actually Andrew has brought up an interesting topic. My choice was light blue topaz providing of course it is natural. I have found blue topaz in the past.
So, how do you tell if the topaz has been treated?.
By the way Andrews suggestion of diamonds/zircons makes sence (he must have a feminine side) and if you dont have any zircon I'd go Heiniker diamonds, cheap and sparklie.
Claude

[mehoose]

Lol Claude, have you got beer on your mind? .
You mean Herkimer?

I 100% agree with you on the black Andrew, that's what I want to use in the future. Just trying to use what's on hand at the mo for the quantity.
I could always come and hide in your safe and pretend all those sparklies are mine.
With diamond, well, a white sapphire or zircon both do it for me. The coloured zircon tho could be a bit tricky if half of them end up changing colour with the sun and then there's available quantity of same size. Would like to use Aussie stones wherever possible.

Claude,
The most obvious ones are the vivid blues. You have Swiss blue, London blue, sky blue,electric blue + a couple of others.
To be certain of untreated, find them yourself to be sure

WELL YAY Fullerton. Think it's the time of year for putas to be playing up. Had to turn mine off early last night, felt like I was watching everything in slow motion. :-\about a 30 sec time delay before anything happened.
Thanks for the input.

[dom105]

Well, you got me there Merryn, perhaps it's time to go get a beer.
Claude .

[mehoose]

Hey Andrew, could you send a pm, if you know off hand the cost of 2/2.5mm diamonds. No rush, just future ref.
Ta,
Merryn.

[Ghost]

Hi All,

Oh, I do hate to be a party pooper, but Herkimer Diamonds are quartz, usually doubly terminated, not white topaz or sapphire.
I'd say stick with the beer.

Regards,

Ghost

[mehoose]

Ok you got me Ghost,
I must be reading the wrong thing
Where ya seeing Herkimer as a genuine diamond or Topaz?
Or have you already had a few

Now if someone said Killiecrankie Diamond we all know that's topaz.

[dom105]

Merryn, Herkimer is a good quality quartz but a quartz nevertheless (I did mention cheap and sparklie). I have some facetted ones, they are nice and it's damn hard to tell the difference between them and diamond, except for the hardness of course.
Zircons have that good sparkle as well and I dont think the clear ones change colour, but I've been told the coloured ones start changing as soon as the light hits them.
Claude

[mehoose]

Lol, if you want to go cheap, go for Cubic Zirconia.
I don't have an issue with the white Sapphires or topaz or zircon, especially for the accent stones. I certainly don't have a prob with them in the bigger sizes.
Guess the herk's would be ok but I've never actually seen one in the flesh.