[Jewelry making - Article 00143] - [Orchid] Gemstones that don't crack easily?

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    I don't usually work with stones when making jewellery but have a
    few ideas I want to experiment with for some designs involving
    setting stones. I am looking for recommendations for semi-precious
    stones that don't crack, chip or scratch easily. I am especially
    looking for translucent stones in the colours deep/dark red, black,
    dark blue and purple. 

    I know one of the jewellery manufacturers I worked for briefly, set
    saphires and rubies into waxes for casting - I know that these stones
    can withstand high temperatures but what are the limitations? Will
    there be some stones that have natural deformities which cause them
    to crack when heated? How slowly do they need to be brought up to
    heat and back down to room temperature so as not to stress them to
    the point of cracking. Also, do rubies and saphires crack, chip or
    scratch easily - in general? 

    Although I don't often work with stones I have been wanting to get a
    comprehensive book about precious and semi-precious stones so that
    on the occassions that I do need to set stones I have a reference
    guide at hand that will tell me all I could want to know about a
    stone before working with it. Basically, I am looking for some sort
    of stones bible - has anyone got any recommendations? 

Thanks!
RR Jackson

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