The jewels are Swarovski #2000 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 ruby "bullette"-shaped cabochon gem, likely removed from a Art Deco-styled wrist watch crown (winder stem).  Today, such a ruby watch crown is rarer than rare.

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 he glued 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 is reasonably identical.  Swarovski, located in Austria, has changed over the years its cutting style from the Wah-used original #2000 Series with eight facets to [now the #2058 "Xilion Rose Enhanced" with 14 facets (see below an illustration of these changes from the Swarovski website).  In general, their earlier #2012 "Chaton Rose" and #2028 "Xilion Rose" rhinestones' overall appearance is still a spot-on match to those in known authentic comms when viewed from more than a few inches away.  How the new, taller #2058 will compare is still not known.

]

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 weaker 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 suggest you purchase a color sampler such as the below-pictured sample sheet from Rhinestone Guy ($20).  With real stones glued to clear plastic, it is what we used to determine the true jewel types on actual comms:

Where to get:
There is an over-abundance of Swarovski retail sources for the currently-common #2028 style flatback rhinestones.  However, many of these outlets will sell you only a gross (144) or more.  But for a comm build, you need only one or two.  So 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 colors 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 usually begins at 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!

The jewel bezels, along with the control knobs, are simply chromed plastic slot car wheel hubs from the Aurora "Vibrator" series that was first introduced in 1961.  The Vibe line was phased out and replaced in 1963 with the more-reliable "Thunderjet" slot car series.  Since they fit both styles, the remaining stocks of Vibe hubs, all of them then the "C" style, seem to have been repackaged as T-Jet parts until depleted.  Then Aurora likely retooled for the flat-bottomed Classic T-Jet hub, which was never used in any authentic comm.  Same for the aluminum hubs, which came along even later still:

The original comm jewel bezels as seen so far are primarily the Vibe "C" style, though in Delta is one 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 anyway).  We have produced exacting dimensions of the "C" hub here:

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:

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.

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