The inclusion of gemstones in jewellery making has been part of the craft for thousands of years. Precious gemstones are of course the most highly prized, but the myriad of semi precious gemstones means that even those new to the craft can add a bit of colour to their work for a reasonable price. The choice is vast and which gemstones you choose to include in your work is down to the individual and how adventurous you're feeling!

Most people start jewellery making by working in silver, which is far cheaper than gold and readily available through all good jewellery making suppliers. A silver setting can compliment almost any gemstone perfectly, and certain stones lend themselves to silver in a way that would be impossible with gold. One of the most common semi precious gemstones used in jewellery making is turquoise ? a vibrant blue semi precious stone that works beautifully with silver. Although it may not have the sparkle of a sapphire, turquoise has its own depth and warmth and is particularly good in broaches, earrings and rings. Turquoise also has a lot of spiritual connections and has been used in many ancient cultures as a symbol of water, so if you want to add an extra dimension to your jewellery and a hidden meaning behind the inclusion of this stone, turquoise is a perfect choice. If you prefer a deeper hue, lapis lazuli is one of the most highly prized of all blue semi precious gemstones. Its cobalt blue surface (often shot through with iron pyrites or ?fools gold?) makes this stone sparkle, bringing it to life. Again, it complements a silver finding perfectly and is ideal for wearing with a more formal outfit.

Emerald is a very special stone particularly to those born in May as it is the birthstone of Taurus the bull ? and birthstones are another good way of choosing which gemstones to include in your work. Although the best stones are still expensive, lower quality emeralds can be much cheaper than you think, but if your budget doesn't stretch to a precious gemstone then there are cheaper alternatives such as peridot. This semi precious gemstone is paler in colour than emerald, but is very popular and works particularly well in more modern designs. Most peridot are quite small, so are perfect for multiple settings such as broaches or pendants, but it may be difficult to use in a larger, single setting such as a ring because of the stone's size.

If you're looking for a more golden tone in your jewellery making, the warm, orange of amber works particularly well with silver jewellery. Although not technically a gemstone, amber has been prized for centuries ? the Russian Tsars even decorated an entire room in amber! It can be a little tricky to work with as it is quite soft and easily damaged, but the results are well worth the extra effort. Amber's translucency gives it a depth and richness that can enhance any design, whether traditional or modern. Baltic amber is the most highly prized, but Middle Eastern amber ranges in colour from a deep honey gold to blood red.

There are thousands of precious and semi precious gemstones to choose from and plenty of suppliers online who carry a wide range of stones ? from cut and faceted precious gemstones to uncut semi precious stones like turquoise and opals, at prices to suit all budgets. The only thing that limits you is your imagination, so including gemstones in your jewellery making is cheap, easy and can add a whole new dimension to your work.