Got a STUNNING 16.53 cushion cut orange citrine to replace a cloudy fake 15 carat fake emerald in a gorgeous retro ring. Back in the 60s and 70s, cubic zirconia didn't exist so the fake rocks back then were really bad. I held on to the ring my mom never wore for over thirty years hoping to replace the fake stone. A lot of jewelers didn't want to work with the metal since palladium gold isn't easy to work with. Back in those days they mixed palladium with gold to make it white. They have everything from opaque natural stones to peridot here. Peridot is my birth stone but I couldn't afford a 15 carat peridot so the owner didn't try to upsell me on a stone I can't afford. The stones are priced by carat here and the pricing is very straight forward. I got the stone cut and the ring set by Jewelry by Shant on the same floor. If you're interested in making a statement ring or can't afford a good diamond, seriously consider getting a semi-precious stone here. A four carat peridot or tourmaline is far more impressive than a half carat diamond on a size 6+ finger. read more