Well, this is quite interesting really.  I get an email newsletter from Plaid, makers of Folk Art and Apple Barrel paints, as well as Bucilla needlecraft stuff.

They’ve added some new items to their range.  Including jewelry pieces.  This link: http://tinyurl.com/crwc9x takes you to a page of pendants.  I want to see these up close and in person before I can make a decision on whether they’d make good substitutes on medieval jewelry.  Some of the pieces are opaque ‘gems’, others are translucent and *might* be ok for medieval use.  “Fake it til you make it” or something.

I’m just not sure that the arrangements of the settings will coordinate well with the medieval ideal.  BUT, if you acknowledge that these are very modern pieces, and are NOT the best option, you might be able to get away with it Maybe.  Those of us with limited budgets and limited workshops (such as myself) could probably get away with these.

This is one of the better ones, I think: http://tinyurl.com/btkf4d

Again, I’m just not sure until I can set my peepers on them in person.  On the first page are a couple that would work as hat badges – apparently these are also built to be brooches.

If I can find some, I will check them out and report back.  Pendants are the biggest issue I have right now with medieval jewelry.