Re: Make your own Jewelry. It is easy and fun.
Topaz, Garnet(certain types) Lemon Quartz and Smokey Quartza re all hard and inexpensive gems that look great.
Silver is also inexpensive.
With those stones and silver I have made nice rings for under $30.
Many man made stones are chemically identical to their natural counterpart. Only a professional can tell them apart because man made stones are flawless and natural stones always contain some flaws.