I'm getting ready for another show and thought I'd put some of my items up before I forget how I made them. I used genuine Swarovski pink 5601 - 8mm - coupled them up with some Swarovski smaller Alexandrite 6mm cubes and square rhinestone rondels. I hooked them with some goldplated lever backs - they measure 1 5/8" long including the hooks. Thought they came out rather nice. I shot them inside and out so you could see how the colors change in the Alexandrite's.
I also have these beads for sale in another listing if you want to take a stab at a creation yourself.