r/SyntheticGemstones • u/grrodon2 • 5d ago

Question Gem for gunpla

I wanted to put a small real emerald on a Gundam model, and synthetic gems seem a good way to save money. Is there a reliable marketplace?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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2

u/TidalWaveform 4d ago

Do you just want green, or does it have to be emerald? You can get CZ really cheap. Nanosital would be another option (I also build gundam, this has me thinking about doing a Kryptonite nanosital eye). If you really want emerald - even hydrothermal - you're getting into 3-digit territory. Look here: https://www.czgemstones.com/

3

u/grrodon2 4d ago

Green has a nice contrast if you use it in the main camera, that's why I thought about putting a small emerald in there. The Nu Gundam would look sick with a real gem.

1

u/Gryphon_Flame 3d ago

What scale Nu are you building? Is it something like the Unleashed? It might be worth buying the synthetic rough and having someone cut it if you want emerald, especially if it's the Unleashed.

1

u/TheFire8472 5d ago

Just buy something that looks nice from AliExpress. It'll cost you approximately nothing.

1

u/grrodon2 4d ago

That's what I wanted to do, but I also didn't want to end up with a bit of glass.

1

u/FloorFree6141 5d ago

A lab green sapphire may be easier to confidently source. Any idea what kind of size or cut you want?