~ How to Photograph Clear Crystals ~

I have always had issues with take pictures of clear crystals.  The easier way is to use a black background, but the black background doesn't match my shop's look and feel.  Looks nice though.

Then, Licia of LiciaBeads advised me to use a gray background.  So, I took a gray cardstock and tried it out.

I am not happy with this though.  I think the gray is too light?  Maybe I need another pattern?

This is Licia's picture.... much nicer I must say.

So, I tried other backgrounds.  This is a pink and brown Juicy Couture lingerie box.

I think the dots maybe a little bit distracting.

Of course, nothing beats the mannequin shots.  The sun only shined into my living for 15 minutes yesterday!  I was taking my time and then, the sun went away and it started raining :(

Ooo, by the way, the mannequin's name is Yuki, like the hot nurse robot on Railway Galaxy:

I think I am going to reshoot all my clear crystal creations on the Yuki and in the Juicy Couture box.  I need to find her new clothes though.  Why are all my cute tank tops so low cut?!? :)