Suggestions of where to purchase ruby terp perls? What are the alternatives? Slightly larger quantities

[Flotsam]

So what would be the best suggestion to source ruby "terp pearls" in bulk? Also what other alternatives would be suitable as a potential replacement in terms of functionality and cost?

Everything i have found is smaller quantities and seems kind of expensive at those price points.

I know these ruby "terp pearls" are industrial by-products that are artificially created. They are chemically inert and sufficiently pure so other options might exist that can provide the same affinity to absorb and retain thermal energy.

I also trying to figure out for instance what quantity of material might be used in something like a Ball Vape or the Highlighter Halogen DIY project. I will have to find it again but i did see someone selling an alternative for the same end purpose.

Ideas?

 

[Radwin Bodnic]

You might want to have a look at specific heat capacity and density for each material you are considering.
Corundum (rubies and sapphires) can "store" a lot of heat. Also pretty good restitution.
Zirconia (ZrO2) store less heat mass-wise but is much denser so in the end it can store more heat than corundum volume-wise.
Quartz and borosilicate glass are other options but they will be weaker used as thermal batteries.

There's also SiC and others types of ceramics (often more expensive).

Chinese mega stores (aliex...) does offer all sort of balls / gems in bulk quantities.

The amount you will need depends on the unit you want to fill. Some will accept as low as 80x3mm balls and others will need more than 200...

 

[Grass Yes]

I'm curious how many you are looking for and what sizes. I have seen pretty good prices on Ali, etc. The best price I've seen for ruby in the US is Cloud Connoisseur with $28 for 19 grams of 3mm rubies.

As to other materials, it really depends on your use. So really I'd say I need more information to point you in a useful direction.

 

[Flotsam]

Good suggestions. I was seeing quantities of 200 or so like on DHGate. I have no experience dealing with them.

Thanks

 

[Gnemesis]

I found this thread searching for terp pearls as well. My project requires LOTS of pearls, enough to fill a cylinder roughly 2.5 inches across and 2.5 to 3 inches tall. Due to a perforated lower surface, they need to be rather larger than what goes in my Taroma; 6 to 8mm ideally. These would be at the end of the airpath, far from the heat source, so I'm not terribly concerned with resistance to thermal shock.

I'm going to check out AliExpress and DHGate as recommended to the OP, but thought I'd ask if anyone here has used these larger ones and might know a reliable bulk source for them in quartz, boro, ruby... anything airpath-safe.

Thanks!

 

[Flotsam]

I found this thread searching for terp pearls as well. My project requires LOTS of pearls, enough to fill a cylinder roughly 2.5 inches across and 2.5 to 3 inches tall. Due to a perforated lower surface, they need to be rather larger than what goes in my Taroma; 6 to 8mm ideally. These would be at the end of the airpath, far from the heat source, so I'm not terribly concerned with resistance to thermal shock.

I'm going to check out AliExpress and DHGate as recommended to the OP, but thought I'd ask if anyone here has used these larger ones and might know a reliable bulk source for them in quartz, boro, ruby... anything airpath-safe.

Thanks!

Definitely let me know what you find. I ended up lining up some similar quartz spheres. It was like $12 for 100 on Amazon. I think quartz does not retain as much heat as the rubies i keep hearing about. I did see some tables but it was somewhat clear, rubies & sapphire were the best quartz, stainless steel were pretty well below.
But i am building a halogen type vape. These quartz pearls should be adequate for my design and are Purple! so i can work on a Ravens color theme .. i bought a bunch of halogen bulbs so i have been sketching a bunch of different designs.

 

[Gnemesis]

So, I did find a seller on DHgate: Pearls on DHgate

This one sells various materials and sizes. I was looking for 6mm, but they have from 3 to 10mm IIRC.
Quartz $16/100, SiC $39/100, Ruby $66/100 and Sapphire $93/100.