u/Thelinkmaster001

Just as a disclaimer, I'm not a Gemstone guy, I'm just looking for help with a one-off project. If this is not the right sub for this, please let me know and I'll take it down.

I'm doing an art project where I'm looking to make a large quantity of different colored 8mm round gemstones individually encased within a Resin sphere. (photos below with a clear CZ stone as example)

As this is not something where the authenticity of the stones is a concern, I was experimenting with some Cubic Zirconia I got off Amazon and I like the results it got me. The problem I'm running into is that I'm looking for 10 different colors, and I can't find such a variety in the size I need on Amazon.

I did find http://gemsngems.com which has a good variety of colors and from various reviews it seems like they have a good reputation. Are there any other resources for loose stones anyone could recommend? (I looked over the vendor list in the Bookmarks, but I had trouble finding vendors for loose gems) I'm not against using Moissanite over CZ, as long as it's in the colors and size I need.

I'm located in the USA, and I'm looking for the following colors:

Sapphire/Deep blue, Grey, Ruby, White/Clear, Emerald, Garnet, Teal, Violet, Orange, and Yellow, all 8mm round cut.

https://preview.redd.it/7wzlmjq02e2h1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d6d61d43ad76cf90e0ccc25d2e7511584cf950d5

https://preview.redd.it/8kmx32yz1e2h1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f57df1e7b6c038d8afc7215bc725a1058a304238

Just as a disclaimer, I'm not a Gemstone guy, I'm just looking for help with a one-off project. If this is not the right sub for this, please let me know and I'll take it down.

I'm doing an art project where I'm looking to make a large quantity of different colored 8mm round gemstones individually encased within a Resin sphere. (photos below with a clear CZ stone as example)

As this is not something where the authenticity of the stones is a concern, I was experimenting with some Cubic Zirconia I got off Amazon, and I like the results it got me. The problem I'm running into is that I'm looking for 10 different colors, and I can't find such a variety in the size I need on Amazon.

I did find http://gemsngems.com which has a good variety of colors and from various posts here it seems like they have a good reputation. Are there any other resources I could or should consider? I'm located in the USA.

https://preview.redd.it/7wzlmjq02e2h1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d6d61d43ad76cf90e0ccc25d2e7511584cf950d5

https://preview.redd.it/8kmx32yz1e2h1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f57df1e7b6c038d8afc7215bc725a1058a304238

(Photos at the bottom of the post)

I'm wondering if there is any way to prevent layer lines from appearing when working with UV Resin, or a easy way to remove/disguise them? I've not done much Resin before, and all the search results I've found are for 3D printing, which isn't very helpful for me.

I'm trying to do a resin project that involves making a large number of resin beads (about 20mm in diameter) with gemstones suspended in the middle. I've made several and I think I've gotten the process down, but I've noticed that all my attempts have layer lines from the first layer before adding the gemstones.

I'd like to avoid solutions that involve sanding, as I'm doing a lot of small (20mm!) spheres and that so sounds exhausting, I'd rather just leave them. I'm mostly looking to see if anyone has any advice on improving my technique.

There are 2 layer lines: One from the first pour and one from the last one. I'm only looking to eliminate the layer lines that are a result of the first pour, as the last pour is actually useful for finding the "bottom" of the sphere. (Since it's not a 100% perfect sphere, It's flat on one part which prevents it from rolling away)

My procedure so far:

1. Pour the base layer into the mold (6 mm)
2. Cure for 90-120 seconds
3. Pour a dot of resin and insert the Gem.
4. While holding the gem in place with tweezers, Cure for 30-60 seconds.
5. Fill the remainder of the mold
6. Cure for 90-120 seconds
7. Top off the mold to account for shrinkage.
8. Cure for 30 seconds.
9. Repeat step 7-8 as needed

https://preview.redd.it/jvj00pbunovg1.jpg?width=3025&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f763b4ca7a752194688975678a95ac96c71ff291

https://preview.redd.it/bvsu51taoovg1.jpg?width=2274&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7772bf307a7c31cb29df46c4df010971ea10d694