Jewels

The jewels are Swarovski flatback rhinestones glued atop inverted Aurora "Vibrator"/"ThunderJet" hubs (acting as bezels)... ... the hubs being inserted into holes in the shell (Zeta's viewed below from the inside): The one exception is Kappa's middle jewel, which is a round bright scarlet garnet or ruby "bullette"-shaped cabochon gem, likely removed from a wrist watch crown (winder stem). No modern sourcing for this specific gem shape/size/color has been located yet, other than the rarer-than-rare eBay find of this vintage watch part (a few have been seen on multi-thousand dollar Rolex watches).
Jewels
Despite the vast multitude of color and size combinations available, Wah used only a limited palette in his communicators. Predominantly we see 16 and 20ss sizes in both regular and "Aurora Borealis" (AB) styles. Refer to the Master Tracking List for our most up-to-date call on what got put where. As with the shell's Kydex plastic, the exact rhinestone type used back then is no longer manufactured, though unlike the Kydex what is available now is for all practical purposes identical. Swarovski, located in Austria, revamped in 1995 its cutting process from the octagon-top "Chaton Rose" style with eight facets (#2012 series) to the "Xilion Rose" style (#2028 series) with a 7 or 11-sided top (depending on size). Nicely, however, their color and overall appearance is still a virtually-perfect spot-on match to those in known authentic comms when viewed from more than a few inches away. The only other source we are aware of for flatback rhinestones today is the Czechoslovakian company Preciosa. Known for covering the lower-end of the market, they do still produce 8-facet jewels. Unfortunately these stones are inferior in color (different hues and saturations), glass (lower refractive index with less sparkle), cut (having irregular and too-large tops) and AB coating (less reflective), thus not matching at all what Wah used. Needless to say, we don't recommend them.
If you want a broader overview of current Swarovski flatback rhinestone colors and sizes, we strongly recommend you purchase for $20 the below-pictured sample sheet from Rhinestone Guy. With real stones glued to clear plastic, it is what we used to determine the true jewel type on actual comms: Where to get: There are plenty of Swarovski sources, many of which will sell you a gross (144). But you need only one or two. Firstly, forget Michaels or other retail stores, which only sell very limited colors / sizes, or even worse - plastic rhinestones. Instead get what you need online at: Artbeads - some colors only, but nicely no minimum order on those they do sell. Dreamtime Creations - nearly all colors available; smallest quantity is 12 for some, 72 for others. Start with this one first! eJoyce - many color available (no AB); smallest quantity is 72. JewelrySupply - no AB colors, smallest quantity is 10. Rhinestone Angels - many colors plain and AB available; smallest quantity is 72 for our sizes. Rhinestone Guy - every color available, large minimum (144 - one gross) order. When you can't find it anywhere else, go here. You can also find many sizes / colors on eBay, though quantity is usually 144. Lastly, you want to avoid "Hot Fix" stones (for ironing onto clothes). Also it is best not to bother with "Assorted Color" packets either, as most of what you get are useless stones in unpopular colors they're looking to get rid of. Extra Hint: To obtain the true look of a genuine Wah comm, remember to get the "AB" style rhinestone when called for. The "Aurora Borealis" metallic coating on the outside of the jewel gives a completely different look to an otherwise uncoated clear rhinestone. Search hard and get them!
Jewel Bezels
The jewel bezels, along with the control knobs, are chromed plastic slot car wheel hubs from the Aurora "Vibrator" series that first came out in 1961. The Vibe line was phased out and replaced in 1963 with the better-crafted "Thunderjet" slot car series. Since they fit both styles, the remaining stocks of Vibe hubs, all of them then the "C" style, were repackaged as T-Jet parts until depleted. Then it seems Aurora retooled for the flat-bottomed Classic T-Jet hub, which was never used in any authentic comm. Likewise the aluminum. As for the "Small Flange" below, it seems to be a rare oddity with no known original usage or part number, pictured here just because we had a couple: The original comm jewel bezels as seen so far are primarily the Vibe "C" style, though in Delta is a thick-flange "D" and in Zeta are two tiny- rim "A" hubs, which never had a stone on them (and could have been replacements from a later owner). We have produced exacting dimensions of this "C" hub here:
	> > > > The Plans - THE AURORA HUB < < < <
Hubs were originally packaged in small manila envelopes. The "A" and "B" came as part #1573: The "C" (and "D" which are exceeding uncommon) first also came in envelopes but with the the part # 8316 (#1350-16): Once the ThunderJet cars replaced the Vibrators, a likely small amount of remaining "C" hubs were repackaged in blister cards (12 blisters with four hubs each) with the identical part number 8316 (#1350-16): After the "C" hubs ran out, Aurora retooled the part to be what is now known as the classic T-Jet flatback hub with again the same part # 8316 (#1350-16) available only on the same blister card: Years of monitoring eBay suggests that when you see up for sale some carded T-Jet hubs, there is a 95% probability they are plain classic flatbacks and only a 5% chance of them being communicator-ready Type "C." Thus if you are considering purchasing carded hubs, ask the seller for a close-up photo so that you may see what kind the blisters hold. And prepare for disappointment. Where to get: If you are seeking authentic-styled Vibe "C" hubs for use as jewel bezels, you'll need some luck as they can still be rooted out - albeit with difficulty... 1) Original Aurora Vibrator and ThunderJet hubs can occasionally be found selling on eBay, commonly under the search words: "Aurora hubs -oldsmobile -olds" "Aurora rims -oldsmobile -olds" "Aurora wheels -hot -oldsmobile -olds" "Aurora parts -oldsmobile -olds" Note that what most commonly comes up are the flat-bottomed "classic" style, that is when they're not from different slot car lines (AFX, Hot Rod, Tuff Ones, O-gauge, etc., none of which are anywhere near a match). If the seller's photos are not clear as to what style they are offering, you can ask for a close-up or for a clarification after sending them the row of different hubs pictured at the top of this page. Going price for a genuine "C" in mint condition (often called "NOS" or New Old Stock) is maybe about $2 per when you can find them. Classics flat-bottoms tend to be less. Be warned that nearly all slot car dealers, even those in the business for decades, are actually unaware of all the different hub styles, so if sold as loose the hubs will often come as a random assortment. If you are determined to get a particular type only, you must be completely clear and insistent in what you want. Oh, and you must have patience. 2) Spring 2010 Update - Prior years had a couple slot car hobby businesses offering fair reproduction of the Vibe "C" hub. This sadly seems to be no more. The most recent, H.O. Reproductions, no longer has an active website, though their products may show up from time to time on eBay, perhaps mixed in with originals. Replica hubs can be distinguished as usually having softer, rounder edges, bumpier surfaces, and frequently (though not always) a black base plastic beneath the chrome instead of the original yellow.