Buying loose gems (online?)

…being a guy whose most elaborate piece of jewelry is his engraved Zippo, I’ve got no idea where to start with this.

I’m looking for reputable loose gem discounters. SO is going to get a custom white gold ring with either a hunk of Alexandrite or a Padparatcha. Maybe something else… I’m not quite sure yet.

I’m a little broke for the retail stores in the area, but even more gun-shy at the idea of buying a rock on ebay or from some random website. HSN.com has some pretty amazing deals or complete pieces, none of them are quite what she likes.*

Any ideas?

Thanks bunches.

*What I like to call Nouveau Art Nouveau. Naturalistic, yet modern. If you know what I mean.

Wow, Alexandrite, true Alexandrite, is really rare. Most of the stuff online that I have seen is created or simulated. Before you drop a wad of cash on an Alexandrite, I’d make sure it was genuine.