Top 10 Affordable Gemstones For Jewellery Making

We all love gemstones! When first starting out in jewellery making, it can be difficult to choose the right stones for your designs and within your budget.

So we've made it easy for you by sharing with you some of our beautiful gemstones that can be purchased at a lower price than other popular and precious stones. Most of these gemstones are our best sellers due to their affordability and quality - also great for hobbyists who are practising their stone setting skills.

There are many factors taken into consideration when pricing a gemstone; including carat weight, colour, clarity and cut. Although the gemstones featured are lower in price compared to other stones, they all have beautiful qualities which makes them stunning gemstones to work with.

All of the gemstones featured on this page are available to buy on our website as cabochons, faceted stones and beads.

Onyx

One of our best sellers! Onyx is a variety of chalcedony, usually black in colour and is perfect for those big and bold designs. At Kernowcraft, we also have a range of green onyx which are beautifully vibrant.

SHOP ONYX

Rose Quartz

Quartz is a beautiful stone to choose as it's available in a range of varieties such as rose quartz, golden rutile, smoky quartz and more. Known as the 'universal crystal', it's known as a powerful healing stone and rose quartz is believed to attract love. Quartz is also a hard and durable stone, making it great for everyday jewellery.

SHOP ROSE QUARTZ

Moonstone

Magical moonstone! This popular gemstone is loved by jewellers for its glowing sheen of blue and white which resembles moonlight. Known to be a calming stone with feminine energy. We have many varieties of moonstone including white moonstone, rainbow moonstone, blue moonstone, black moonstone and more.

SHOP MOONSTONE

Garnet

We love the rich red colour of garnet - but did you know that is also comes in a variety of other colours too? One of our favourites is Tsavorite garnet with a gorgeous green colour and also Rhodolite garnet with its sweet pink plumb colour.

SHOP GARNET

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli has a unique royal blue colouring with delicate specks of golden pyrite. Each stone is unique and is thought to be a stone of truth and communication. Shop lapis lazuli cabochons, faceted stones and beads online with Kernowcraft.

SHOP LAPIS LAZULI

Malachite

Malachite is known for its beautiful alternating bands and rich forest green to emerald tones. Believed to be a stone of transformation, good fortune and prosperity!

SHOP MALACHITE

Paua Shell

Paua shell, also known as 'Sea Opal' is such a beautiful stone of iridescent colours and patterns. We have a beautiful selection of paua shell to choose from in a range of colours.

SHOP PAUA SHELL

Tiger's Eye

We adore the silky lustre and golden tones of tiger's eye! Believed to be a stone of good luck and mental clarity.

SHOP TIGER'S EYE

Aventurine

Discover glistening aventurine! A utterly gorgeous gem for your jewellery designs. Aventurine has beautiful metallic inclusions which gives a lovely iridescent effect. Known as the stone of opportunity, good luck and wealth.

SHOP AVENTURINE

Carnelian

Add some warmth to your design with juicy carnelian! This stone is also a variety of chalcedony, often dyed to enhance its colour. Carnelian is known to bring confidence as well as courage to those who wear it.

SHOP CARNELIAN

Ready To Get Making With Your Favourite Gems? Here Are Some Helpful Pages...

Shop Ready Made Jewellery Settings

Jewellery making settings can be used with your favourite gemstones to create quick and simple jewellery designs. There are settings for cabochons, faceted stones and beads - you just need to decide which gemstone you would like to use!

SHOP SETTINGS

Stone Setting Tutorials

Whether you want to know how to use ready made jewellery settings or want to make them from scratch, you can follow our free online tutorials with step by step instructions. Get all the jewellery making supplies you need online with Kernowcraft.

FOLLOW TUTORIALS

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What Our Customers Say...

Mihaela Ciubotaru

I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.

Lauren Jodie Piercy

Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.

Helen Bowles

I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.

April Luescher

Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?

Frank Wilson

I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.

Maggi Henman

I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.

Julia Schofield

I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.

Jill Hammersely

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.

Sarah Tiley

Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.

Eve

The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.

Denise Mountain Pike

I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

Gloria Williams

I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!

Janice Scragg

Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!

Vivienne Sadler

Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!

Deborah Roberts-Barter

I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!

Lenna

Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.

Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.

Christine Wood

Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.

Daniel Coe

The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.

Helen

Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!

Catherine Warwick

Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!

I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!

Claire

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.

Hayley Meredith

I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft. I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

Rhiannon Piper

The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.

Marshal

Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.

Catriona

Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website.

Claire Hall

Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!

Lydia Farrow

Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.

Dorota Todd

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

Joel Martin

Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!

George Inglis

Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.

Jenny Kirkwood

Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?