Modeling/Rendering a Gemstone

[decipio]

Hi all, I am a new maya user, and to start learning, I figured it would be a good idea ti picture a scene and slowly work on it, learning as I go!

The first frame in the scene I am imagining is a Sapphire Gem, To model I was going to use and change around a poly cube, to make it a gem shape, would this be a good way to do it in your experience? also, how would I texture/render a gemstone? Its set in the pommel of a sword, but you wont see that in the first frame..

Thanks

STeven

[decipio]

Another question, if I may --

I see many high quality "Shaders" on this site, how would I import them to be able to use them on my object?

Steven

[failure]

Mostly, just import the mb file into your scene and shader should appear in hypershade.